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

Should you visit Cambridge or Dijon?

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 Dijon. 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 charming, historic, and beautiful university town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Dijon

Dijon is a culinary, relaxing, and historical city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Cambridge and Dijon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cambridge or Dijon?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Dijon. Although Cambridge and Dijon are roughly the same size, Dijon has more sights and attractions for tourists. Dijon is more popular for its food and big city activities, while Cambridge is known for its shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Cambridge is popular for its iconic university and the many colleges associated with it. Dijon is popular for its cuisine, wine, and nearby vineyards. It is also home to The Ducal Palace.

How is Cambridge different from Dijon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Dijon 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 Dijon?

Spend time exploring the superb sights and museums in either Cambridge or Dijon.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Cambridge. 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.

Dijon offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. This historic city is filled with sights worth checking. Palais des Ducs and the Musée des Beaux-Arts, Cathédrale Saint-Bénigne, and Eglise Notre-Dame are among the favorites.

Is the Food Better in Cambridge or Dijon? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dijon is a must-visit destination for its restaurants. Also, Cambridge is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Eat your way through Dijon, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. It is one of the top foodie destinations in France, and you'll find amazing local markets, award winning restaurants, and world class cuisine. Make sure you check out Les Halles Market to try local flavors. In addition to its famous mustard, the city is also popular for gingerbread, truffles, escargot, and, of course, wine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Cambridge. 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.

Is Cambridge or Dijon Better for Nightlife?

Both Cambridge and Dijon have good vibes after the sun sets.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Cambridge. 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.

Dijon has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. While it's not a active as the larger European cities, there's still an fun nightlife scene that is driven mostly by the large student population.

Is the Shopping Better in Cambridge or Dijon?

Cambridge is notable for shopping. Also, Dijon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Cambridge is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Dijon. For the best shopping in town, head to the main shopping street - Rue de la Liberté. It's lined with everything from clothing stores to wine shops and larger department stores. You'll even be able to pick up some of the famed mustard while you're in town.

Is Cambridge or Dijon Better for Families?

Both Cambridge and Dijon are good 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 Dijon. Kids will enjoy the open space that the city offers. There are parks where they can run around, like The Parc de la Colombieres which has a carousel and a ropes course. There are also many museums including two favorites for young ones - Musee de la Vie Bourguignonne and Musee d'Histoire Naturelle.

Is Cambridge or Dijon Better for Couples?

Cambridge and Dijon both superb destinations for a couple.

Cambridge makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

Couples visit Dijon frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Art, palaces, gardens, and fine wine make it a perfect couple's getaway. There is some of the best food in France, as well as a welcoming culture and many beautiful sights to explore.

Is Cambridge or Dijon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cambridge and Dijon are both good destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Cambridge. With a handful of hostels and a vibrant student population, the town makes for a fun stop on your backpacking trip.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Dijon. It's a beautiful city with a touristy vibe, so you'll likely meet other travelers while you're in town.

Is Cambridge or Dijon Better for Students?

Cambridge is terrific for students. Also, Dijon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Many students frequent 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.

Plenty of students visit Dijon. While it's quieter than the bigger cities, you'll find a young vibe and enough of a nightlife scene to keep it interesting.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both Cambridge and Dijon.

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

You'll find some public transit in Dijon, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Tram and buses offer access to many parts of the city.

Is Cambridge or Dijon a more walkable city?

Cambridge is terrific for its walkability. Also, Dijon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

It is easy to get around Cambridge on foot. Walking is the best way to explore the town.

Dijon is a somewhat walkable place. Most of the inner city is walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Cambridge Worth Visiting? and Is Dijon Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dijon or Cambridge?

How long in Cambridge or Dijon?

It's fun to spend time in either Cambridge or Dijon. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Dijon due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Cambridge, and 2-4 days is enough time in Dijon.

Couples should spend more time in Cambridge than Dijon. 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 Dijon 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.

One day in Cambridge or Dijon?

In Cambridge, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this collegiate destination offers. This university town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Dijon. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Cambridge or Dijon?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cambridge. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

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

Five days in Cambridge or Dijon?

Cambridge is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Cambridge. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historical city of Dijon. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the food. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Cambridge or Dijon?

You'll find food and shopping around the charming destination of Cambridge. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Dijon 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 Family-Friendly Tours to France, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Cambridge and Dijon, we can see that Cambridge 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 Cambridge Expensive? and Is Dijon Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cambridge or Dijon?

Dijon has a larger population, and is about 17% larger than the population of Cambridge. When comparing the sizes of Cambridge and Dijon, 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.