Which place is cheaper, Positano or Caen?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Caen and Positano. 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.
Caen is a important, historic, and park-filled city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.
Positano is a colorful, stunning, and luxurious Mediterranean village. Since it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors, too. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and shopping.
Visitors will usually find more to do in Positano than Caen, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Positano is better known for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, hiking, shopping, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Caen is more popular for its museums, nightlife, and big city activities. Positano is more touristy than Caen and is known for its beautiful cliffside setting, its colorful buildings, and its quintessential Amalfi atmosphere. Also, Positano is famous for The Church of Santa Maria Assunta. Caen is well known for its role in World War II and its memorials and historical buildings.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Positano and Caen. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Caen is great for its historical sights. However, Positano does not have museums and landmarks.
Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Caen. There are many monuments around town commemorating the city's long history. You'll want to see Château de Caen, Pegasus Bridge, Mémorial de Caen, Musée de Normandie, and Musée des beaux-arts de Caen.
Positano does not have museums and landmarks.
Positano is renowned for its restaurants. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.
Eat your way through Positano, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. Seafood is the obvious choice along the Amalfi Coast but Positano is also famous for its salami, chestnuts, cheese, and figs.
Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Caen. There's a market that's at its best on Sundays where you'll find fresh produce and other local ingredients. There are also Michelin starred restaurants, seafood restaurants, and other traditional dishes. Head to the Vaugueux Quarter for traditional dishes.
Caen is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Positano is not a good destination for nightlife.
If you're looking for night time activities Caen has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene stays active thanks to the 30,000 students living in town. Head to the Rue Ecuyère for a pub crawl or hit up any of the other bars around town.
Most people don't head to Positano specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. The town has a relaxing nightlife that is usually centered around the clubs found at nearby resorts.
Positano is renowned for its luxury resorts. However, Caen is not a resort destination.
Vacationers flock to Positano for its luxury resorts. The town has a number of luxury resorts including Le Sirenuse, Il San Pietro di Positano, and Hotel Le Agavi.
Caen is not a resort destination.
Positano is a decent place to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Caen is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
It's possible to go snorkeling in Positano. There are snorkeling boat trips that you can book to enjoy exploring the undersea world.
Caen is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
Positano is a good destination for its beaches. However, Caen is not a beach destination.
Positano offers a nice beach destination. Like the rest of the Amalfi Coast, beaches near Positano tend to be pebbly instead of sandy. They can also get a bit crowded during the summer months. Still, the picturesque setting makes these beaches truly amazing. The main beach at the edge of town is Spiaggia Grande, but there are several others nearby as well.
Caen is not a beach destination.
Positano is renowned for its historic old town. However, Caen does not have a historic old town.
The old town of Positano is one of the most recognized in the world. Exploring the old town, soaking up the atmosphere, and simply enjoying the colorful buildings is what a trip to Positano is all about.
Caen does not have a historic old town.
Positano is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Caen is not a hiking destination.
Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Positano. The best way to explore the area out of town is on foot. There are a number of foot paths and trails that will take you through the stunning landscapes.
Caen is not a hiking destination.
Positano is a very popular place for shopping. However, Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.
Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Positano. The main street in town is lined with quaint shops that sell local lemon products, ceramics, clothing, and more.
Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.
Both Caen and Positano are notable family-friendly destinations.
Caen is a family-friendly city. There are museums, parks, monasteries, and castles that kids and adults alike with enjoy visiting.
You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Positano. Fun activities include boat rides, eating gelato, and hanging out at the beach. Some of the best family-friendly beaches are Spiaggia Grande, Fornillo Beach, and Arienzo Beach.
Positano is renowned for romance. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.
Positano is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. It is a picturesque coast town that is both romantic and fun. Wandering through the streets and sampling Italian food make this the perfect honeymoon getaway.
Caen makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples that are fascinated by history will enjoy a visit to this town in Normandy. There are also abbeys, castles and parks.
Caen and Positano are both notable destinations for backpackers.
Plenty of backpackers visit Caen. You'll find more apartments and bed and breakfasts than hostels in town, but backpackers still make their way here.
Plenty of budget travelers visit Positano. The town has a handful of great hostels that make the Amalfi Coast accessible to backpackers on a budget.
Caen is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Positano is not as popular, but is still a nice Mediterranean village for its public transit.
The public transit in Caen can get you to most places easily. There are buses and trams that travel throughout the city.
Positano has a few public transit options. You can walk everywhere once you arrive, and the SITA bus travels to and from the town.
Positano is renowned for its walkability. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.
It's very easy to get around on foot in Positano. The town is best explored on foot. You can wander the quaint streets or take the foot path to the beach or nearby castles.
Caen is a somewhat walkable place. The city center is best explored on foot.
For even more information, also check out Is Caen Worth Visiting? and Is Positano Worth Visiting?.
Both Caen and Positano have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Positano than in Caen. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Caen, and 2-7 days is enough time in Positano.
Families should spend more time in Positano than Caen. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Positano, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Positano than Caen. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Positano that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Positano than Caen 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 Positano.
The city of Caen offers nightlife and food. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
Positano is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and food. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.
Caen is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Caen, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.
Positano is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
Caen is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
Positano might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. This Mediterranean village offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.
Caen is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.
Even though Positano is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in France, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Italy, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Italy.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Caen is €123, while the average daily cost in Positano is €222. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Caen and Positano in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Caen or Positano? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Also for Caen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Positano:
Also for Positano, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Positano and Caen change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Positano:
For Positano, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
For Caen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
For Positano, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Positano.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Positano:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Positano:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Caen and Positano, we can see that Positano is more expensive. And not only is Caen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Caen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Caen and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Positano would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Positano than you might in Caen.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Caen Expensive? and Is Positano Expensive?.
Caen has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Positano. When comparing the sizes of Caen and Positano, 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.
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.
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Caen and Positano. The summer months attract visitors to Caen because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Positano this time of year.
In July, Caen is generally cooler than Positano. Daily temperatures in Caen average around 18°C (64°F), and Positano fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Positano this time of the year. In Caen, it's very sunny this time of the year. Caen usually receives less sunshine than Positano during summer. Caen gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Positano receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Caen usually receives more rain than Positano. Caen gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Positano receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
The autumn brings many poeple to Caen as well as Positano. The city's sights and attractions are the main draw to Caen this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Positano for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
Caen is cooler than Positano in the autumn. The daily temperature in Caen averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Positano fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
In the autumn, Caen often gets less sunshine than Positano. Caen gets 128 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Positano receives 189 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Positano. Caen usually gets less rain in October than Positano. Caen gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Positano receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Positano and Caen are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Caen for the museums and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Positano in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Caen. In the winter, Caen is much colder than Positano. Typically, the winter temperatures in Caen in January average around 5°C (41°F), and Positano averages at about 8°C (47°F).
Caen usually receives less sunshine than Positano during winter. Caen gets 70 hours of sunny skies, while Positano receives 115 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Positano. In January, Caen usually receives less rain than Positano. Caen gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Positano receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Both Positano and Caen during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Caen in the spring for the activities around the city. Furthermore, most visitors come to Positano for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Caen is generally cooler than Positano. Daily temperatures in Caen average around 9°C (49°F), and Positano fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
In the spring, Caen often gets less sunshine than Positano. Caen gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Positano receives 189 hours of full sun.
Caen usually gets less rain in April than Positano. Caen gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Positano receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
Caen | Positano | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 5°C (41°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
Feb | 5°C (42°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
Mar | 7°C (45°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
Apr | 9°C (49°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
May | 13°C (55°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 52 mm (2.1 in) |
Jun | 15°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
Aug | 18°C (64°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
Nov | 8°C (47°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
Dec | 6°C (43°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |