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

Should you visit Cambridge or Kilkenny?

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 Kilkenny. 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. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Kilkenny

Kilkenny is a medieval, fascinating, and active town. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Cambridge and Kilkenny: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cambridge or Kilkenny?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Kilkenny. Although Cambridge and Kilkenny are popular destinations, Kilkenny has more sights and attractions for tourists. Kilkenny is very popular for its historical sights, while Cambridge attracts visitors for its shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Cambridge is more touristy than Kilkenny and is popular for its iconic university and the many colleges associated with it. Kilkenny is famous for its medieval castle and long running history. It is also well known for The Kilkenny Castle.

The Kilkenny Castle

How is Cambridge different from Kilkenny?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Spend time exploring the high quality sights and museums in either Cambridge or Kilkenny.

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.

Kilkenny offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. It's seeped in history and there are many historic landmarks in the area including Kilkenny Castle. Also make sure you check out the National Design & Craft Gallery, Saint Mary's Cathedral, and the Medieval Mile Museum.

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

Both Cambridge and Kilkenny offer a number of high quality restaurants to choose from.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in 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.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Kilkenny. The town has two Michelin starred restaurants as well as many Irish pubs and international restaurants to choose from.

Is Cambridge or Kilkenny Better for Nightlife?

Both Cambridge and Kilkenny have nice 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.

Kilkenny has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find traditional pubs and local breweries around town. The town also hosts several local music festivals.

Is Cambridge or Kilkenny Better for its Old Town?

Kilkenny is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town. However, Cambridge does not have a historic old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Kilkenny. Known as the Medieval Mile, the old town dates back 1,500 years and is filled with city walls, cathedrals, and meandering lanes.

Cambridge does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Cambridge or Kilkenny?

Cambridge is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Kilkenny is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Cambridge is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Kilkenny has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There's a mix of shopping malls, shopping streets, and local markets. Make sure you check out Market Cross Shopping Centre, MacDonagh Junction Shopping Centre, Connolly's Red Mills, and Castleinch Sunday Market.

Is Cambridge or Kilkenny Better for Families?

Kilkenny is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Cambridge is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Kilkenny is a very family-friendly destination. The obvious activity is visiting the Kilkenny Castle, but there are so many other adventures that your family can have. You can do the zip line and other outdoor adventures at Castlecomer Discovery Park, try out falconry, or visit the National Reptile Museum. There's also river rafting, kayaking, and many other outdoor adventures in the area.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Cambridge. 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.

Is Cambridge or Kilkenny Better for Couples?

Cambridge and Kilkenny both high quality 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 Kilkenny frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Adventure lovers will enjoy rafting, kayaking, hiking, and cycling through the area. There are also Michelin starred restaurants and other romantic settings that make for a great couple's weekend.

Is Cambridge or Kilkenny Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cambridge and Kilkenny are both nice 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 Kilkenny. The area has some unique hostels that offer interesting experiences while you're in town.

Is Cambridge or Kilkenny Better for Students?

Cambridge is terrific for students. However, Kilkenny 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.

Kilkenny is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Cambridge and Kilkenny.

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

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

Is Cambridge or Kilkenny a more walkable city?

Cambridge is terrific for its high level of walkability. Also, Kilkenny is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

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

Kilkenny is a very walkable destination. The town is easy to walk around and most areas can be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Kilkenny or Cambridge?

How long in Cambridge or Kilkenny?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Cambridge or Kilkenny 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 Kilkenny. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Couples should spend more time in Cambridge than Kilkenny. 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 Kilkenny 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 Kilkenny?

The beautiful university town of Cambridge offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

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

A weekend in Cambridge or Kilkenny?

Cambridge is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this university town makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Cambridge, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the active destination of Kilkenny. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Kilkenny?

Cambridge 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the active town of Kilkenny. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Cambridge or Kilkenny?

Cambridge 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 university town offers something for everyone.

Kilkenny is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 2-Week Tours in Ireland, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Ireland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cambridge and Kilkenny, we can see that Cambridge is more expensive. And not only is Kilkenny much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kilkenny would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kilkenny 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 Kilkenny.

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

Which is Bigger, Cambridge or Kilkenny?

Cambridge has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Kilkenny. When comparing the sizes of Cambridge and Kilkenny, 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.