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

Should you visit Cambridge 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 Cambridge 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.

Cambridge

Cambridge is a historic, beautiful, and collegiate university town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Auxerre

Auxerre is a authentic, under-rated, and undiscovered town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Other reasons to visit include food and museums.

Cambridge and Auxerre: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good for students
  • Very walkable
  • Impressive beauty
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Less popular with backpackers
  • Less walkable


Is there more to do in Cambridge or Auxerre?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Cambridge than Auxerre, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Cambridge is more touristy than Auxerre and is known for its iconic university and the many colleges associated with it. Also, Cambridge is famous for King's College and the King's College Chapel. Auxerre is well known for its food, wine, and art history.

How is Cambridge different from Auxerre?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Cambridge
Auxerre

Cambridge 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 Cambridge specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The history is rich and impressive in this university town. There are countless museums and architectural sights that you should check out. High on the list are the Cambridge University buildings, The Fitzwilliam Museum, the Bridge of Sighs, The Round Church, and many more.

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 Cambridge or Auxerre? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Cambridge
Auxerre

Cambridge 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.

Cambridge has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. You'll find college pubs, local eateries, and fine dining, all in one charming town. Enjoy afternoon tea or fish chips at one of the many local restaurants around town.

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 Cambridge or Auxerre Better for Nightlife?

Cambridge
Auxerre

Cambridge 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 Cambridge has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene is centered around the student culture and you'll find many university pubs, some lively clubs, theaters, and wine bars around town. Whether you're looking for a chill night with friends or a more wild experience, there are options in Cambridge.

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 the Shopping Better in Cambridge or Auxerre?

Cambridge
Auxerre

Cambridge is great for its shopping areas. However, Auxerre is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Cambridge. The town offers independent boutique shops, local brands, and a 7 day a week market. The three main shopping areas in town are The Grafton, Lion Yard and Grand Arcade.

Auxerre is not a noteworthy shopping destination.


Is Cambridge or Auxerre Better for Families?

Cambridge
Auxerre

Both Cambridge and Auxerre are notable family-friendly destinations.

Cambridge is a family-friendly university town. Kids will enjoy following the Treasure Trail, or climbing to the top of the Great St Mary’s Tower. Punting is another iconic experience. On a rainy day, head to the Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences, the Museum of Zoology, or the Cambridge Science Centre.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Auxerre. 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 Cambridge or Auxerre Better for Couples?

Cambridge
Auxerre

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

Cambridge is a great university town if you're traveling as a couple. The quaint town is fun to explore as a couple. Try your hand at punting or take a tour of one of the colleges. You can also enjoy a picnic in the botanical gardens or have tea at the Orchard Tea Garden.

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

Is Cambridge or Auxerre Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cambridge
Auxerre

Cambridge is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Auxerre is not a good destination for backpackers.

Cambridge is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. With a handful of hostels and a vibrant student population, the town makes for a fun stop on your backpacking trip.

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 Cambridge or Auxerre Better for Students?

Cambridge
Auxerre

Cambridge is an amazing university town to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Auxerre is not popular with students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Cambridge. The town is home to more than 25,000 students who come from 140 different countries. This is one of the most iconic university towns in the world, and there's really no better place for students to visit or reside.

Auxerre is not popular with students.

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

Cambridge
Auxerre

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Cambridge and Auxerre.

Cambridge has some public transit options. There is a regional bus service that operates through town.

You'll find some public transit in Auxerre, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses around town.

Is Cambridge or Auxerre a more walkable city?

Cambridge
Auxerre

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

Cambridge is a very easy university town to get around on foot. Walking is the best way to explore the town.

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 Cambridge Worth Visiting? and Is Auxerre Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Auxerre or Cambridge?

How long in Cambridge or Auxerre?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Cambridge or Auxerre to fill your time. In our opinion, Cambridge has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Cambridge than Auxerre. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cambridge 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 Cambridge.


  • How many days in Cambridge or Auxerre? Ideal Length of Stay
    Cambridge 1-2 
    Auxerre 1-2

One day in Cambridge or Auxerre?

In Cambridge, you'll find nightlife and food. This university town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

You'll find food and museums around the town of Auxerre. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Auxerre has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Cambridge or Auxerre?

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

You'll find museums and food around the undiscovered destination of Auxerre. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Cambridge or Auxerre?

Cambridge is a great place to explore. 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.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the undiscovered town of Auxerre. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.


A week in Cambridge or Auxerre?

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

Auxerre is a popular choice for travelers. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from London, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from London, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, and The Best 2-Week Tours in France.


Which place is cheaper, Auxerre or Cambridge?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Cambridge is £134, while the average daily cost in Auxerre is £97. 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 Cambridge and Auxerre in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cambridge £72
    Auxerre £44
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cambridge £144
    Auxerre £88
Compare Hotels in Cambridge and Auxerre

Looking for a hotel in Cambridge or Auxerre? 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.

Hotels in Cambridge


Hotels in Auxerre


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.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Cambridge Hotel Prices and Auxerre Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cambridge £24
    Auxerre £39

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cambridge

Also for Cambridge, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer Heathrow To Cambridge: $175

Is it cheaper to fly into Cambridge or Auxerre?

Prices for flights to both Auxerre and Cambridge 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.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Cambridge £41
    Auxerre £29

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cambridge £22
    Auxerre £15

Tours and Activities in Cambridge

For Cambridge, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Guided Historic Walking Tour of Cambridge with Guide and Peek: $25
  • A Guided Public Tour of Historic Cambridge: $32
  • Cambridge - Shared Punting Tour: $13
  • Cambridge Highlights Walking Tour by Cantab Tours: $25
  • Cambridge Instagram Self-Guided Tour - Top Photo Spots: $6.35
  • Cambridge Science Tour : $32
  • Cambridge's History & Secrets with Self-Guided Walking Tours: $32
  • Cambridge’s Colleges and Classic Sights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • 2-Hour Private University Walking Tour: $94
  • Adventure Through Cross-Disciplinary Revolutions: $22
  • Chauffeured Punting Tour: $62
  • Chinese University Student-Guided Walking Tour: $40

Tours and Activities in Auxerre

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Auxerre.

  • Chocolate Tour with Tasting: $16
  • Touristic highlights of Auxerre a Private half day tour (4 Hours) with a local: $112
  • e-Mehari Tour et dégustation Chablis Clotilde Davenne: $92

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cambridge £23
    Auxerre £5.26

Sample the Local Flavors in Auxerre

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Auxerre:

  • From Dutch Barge Full-Day Cruise with Wine Tasting: $85
  • Chablis & Northern Burgundy Wine Tour: $273


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cambridge and Auxerre, we can see that Cambridge is more expensive. And not only is Auxerre much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Auxerre would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Auxerre 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 Cambridge would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cambridge than you might in Auxerre.

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


Which is Bigger, Cambridge or Auxerre?

Cambridge has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Auxerre. When comparing the sizes of Cambridge 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.

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