A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bruges vs. Auxerre for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Bruges or Auxerre?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Bruges and Auxerre. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Bruges

Bruges is a beautiful, historic, and charming city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Auxerre

Auxerre is a undiscovered, authentic, and under-rated town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's also popular because of the food and museums.

Bruges and Auxerre: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bruges or Auxerre?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Bruges. Although Bruges and Auxerre are popular destinations, Bruges has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bruges is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Auxerre attracts visitors for its small town charm. Bruges is more touristy than Auxerre and is known for its scenic old town, charming streets, local chocolate, and unique Christmas market. It is also well known for Bruges' Markt (The Main Square). Auxerre is famous for its food, wine, and art history.

How is Bruges different from Auxerre?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Auxerre and Bruges. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bruges or Auxerre?

Bruges is great for its historical sights. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

Many visitors head to Bruges specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city is filled with charming hidden corners as well as notable landmarks. The main square is Bruges' Markt which is where you'll find the the Belfry Tower. Other must-see sights include the Historium, Groeninge Museum, the Town Hall, and Brugse Vrije Museum.

Auxerre is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Although the town is often overlooked by tourists, there are many nice cathedrals and churches around town.

Is the Food Better in Bruges or Auxerre? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bruges is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Bruges has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. From its world class breweries to its famous chocolate shops, there is plenty to eat and drink around town. In the old town prices can be a bit high, but the dishes and atmosphere are great. Popular local dishes include Belgian waffles, fries, mussels, and beef stew.

Auxerre offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The town is a the heart of the wine industry, so you'll find many great restaurants where you can enjoy local food and wine.

Is Bruges or Auxerre Better for Nightlife?

Bruges is very good for its evening party scene. However, Auxerre is not a good destination for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Bruges has a few options to choose from. It's famous for its beer and breweries, so you'll find a number of places to gather in the evening. There is a lack of nightclubs, so if dancing and partying hard is your style, then this may not be your place. The vibes are generally chill and relaxed at night. Most places are concentrated around old town or near Kuipersstraat or Zilverstraat.

Most people don't head to Auxerre specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It has a quiet nightlife with some nice bars and pubs.

Is Bruges or Auxerre Better for its Old Town?

Bruges is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Auxerre does not have a historic old town.

Bruges offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The old town is the main attraction, with its quaint cobblestone streets and beautiful brick architecture.

Auxerre does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bruges or Auxerre?

Bruges is very good for its shopping areas. However, Auxerre is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Bruges has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The city offers plenty of shopping, whether you're looking for souvenirs, trendy European brands, or local items. It's more geared towards tourists than locals, and you want find the same diversity that you get in some of the larger nearby cities, but you'll find unique lace items and other local goods in the old town. The streets around Markt Square, Steenstraat, Geld Monstraat, and Jakobstraat are the main shopping areas.

Auxerre is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Bruges or Auxerre Better for Families?

Both Bruges and Auxerre are nice family-friendly destinations.

Bruges offers lots of family activities. Kids will enjoy sampling the unique chocolate around town, eating their fill of waffles, and getting their energy out in the park or at a local playground. There are also canal boat tours and horse drawn carriage rides that are fun for the whole family.

Auxerre is a family-friendly place to visit. There's the Zoo de La Fleche and the Aquarium de Touraine. You can also wander through Musee de l'Avallon or des Plantes.

Is Bruges or Auxerre Better for Couples?

Bruges is great for couples. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for romance.

Bruges is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. This romantic city has amazing restaurants, charming streets, and impressive architecture. Couples will enjoy exploring the canals by boat or taking a horse drawn carriage ride through the old town. There are also a number of cute bed and breakfasts where you can stay.

Auxerre is a nice destination for couples. There are many great eateries as well nice architecture and, of course, excellent wine.

Is Bruges or Auxerre Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bruges is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Auxerre is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Bruges. There are a few good hostels around town. The city sees its share of tourists, but many arrive as part of tours or river boat cruises. If you stay in a hostel, you shouldn't have trouble meeting other young travelers though. There are also plenty of well known breweries where you can gather with friends.

Auxerre is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a popular stop off on the backpacker circuit, but you will find some affordable accommodation options.

Is Bruges or Auxerre Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bruges and Auxerre both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Bruges offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a bus system that connects the train station to the old town. Otherwise, the city is best explored on foot.

Auxerre has a few public transit options. There are buses around town.

Is Bruges or Auxerre a more walkable city?

Bruges is an amazing city to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its walkability.

Bruges is a very easy city to get around on foot. The train station is a short walk from the old town but the city is very walkable and best explored on foot.

Auxerre is somewhat walkable. The center is walkable but it is a bit more difficult to navigate than some nearby towns.

For even more information, also check out Is Bruges Worth Visiting? and Is Auxerre Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Auxerre or Bruges?

How long in Bruges or Auxerre?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Bruges or Auxerre to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Bruges than Auxerre because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bruges, and 1-2 days is enough time in Auxerre.

Families should spend more time in Bruges than Auxerre. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Bruges, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Bruges than Auxerre. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Bruges that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bruges than Auxerre if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Bruges.

One day in Bruges or Auxerre?

In Bruges, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Auxerre. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Bruges or Auxerre?

In Bruges, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bruges has to offer.

Auxerre is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Bruges or Auxerre?

Bruges is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Auxerre. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Bruges or Auxerre?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bruges. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Bruges. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the under-rated destination of Auxerre. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, and The Best 2-Week Tours in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Bruges and Auxerre, we can see that Bruges is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bruges Expensive? and Is Auxerre Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bruges or Auxerre?

Bruges has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Auxerre. When comparing the sizes of Bruges and Auxerre, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Bruges or Auxerre?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Bruges or Auxerre in the Summer?

Both Auxerre and Bruges are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Bruges for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Auxerre in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

Bruges is around the same temperature as Auxerre in the summer. The daily temperature in Bruges averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Auxerre fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

It's quite sunny in Auxerre. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bruges. Bruges usually receives less sunshine than Auxerre during summer. Bruges gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Auxerre receives 255 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bruges usually receives more rain than Auxerre. Bruges gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bruges or Auxerre in the Autumn?

Both Auxerre and Bruges during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Bruges in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Auxerre for the small town atmosphere during these months.

In the autumn, Bruges is around the same temperature as Auxerre. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bruges in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Auxerre averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the autumn, Bruges often gets less sunshine than Auxerre. Bruges gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Auxerre receives 126 hours of full sun.

Bruges usually gets more rain in October than Auxerre. Bruges gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bruges or Auxerre in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bruges and Auxerre. Most visitors come to Bruges for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Auxerre because of the museums and the cuisine.

The weather in Auxerre can be very cold. Bruges can be very cold during winter. In January, Bruges is generally around the same temperature as Auxerre. Daily temperatures in Bruges average around 3°C (38°F), and Auxerre fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Bruges usually receives less sunshine than Auxerre during winter. Bruges gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while Auxerre receives 53 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Bruges usually receives around the same amount of rain as Auxerre. Bruges gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bruges or Auxerre in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bruges as well as Auxerre. The spring months attract visitors to Bruges because of the natural beauty. Also, the small town charm are the main draw to Auxerre this time of year.

Bruges is cooler than Auxerre in the spring. The daily temperature in Bruges averages around 8°C (47°F) in April, and Auxerre fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Bruges often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Auxerre. Bruges gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Auxerre receives 167 hours of full sun.

Bruges usually gets less rain in April than Auxerre. Bruges gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Auxerre and Bruges