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

Should you visit Cambridge or Saint-Etienne?

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 Saint-Etienne. 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 scholarly, charming, and historic university town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a authentic, historic, and park-filled city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, hiking, and museums.

Cambridge and Saint-Etienne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cambridge or Saint-Etienne?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Cambridge than Saint-Etienne. While Saint-Etienne is larger than Cambridge, Cambridge has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Cambridge is very popular for its museums, food, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Saint-Etienne attracts visitors for its hiking. Cambridge is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is known for its iconic university and the many colleges associated with it. It is also well known for King's College and the King's College Chapel. Saint-Etienne is famous for its industrial and manufacturing past.

How is Cambridge different from Saint-Etienne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne?

Cambridge is great for its historical sights. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Saint-Etienne. There are several great museums in town including the Musée d'Art et d'Industrie, Musée de la Mine, Musée des Verts, and the planetarium.

Is the Food Better in Cambridge or Saint-Etienne? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Cambridge is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Cambridge has a huge number of terrific 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.

Saint-Etienne may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Try the many local cheeses which are a defining part of the cuisine in the area. You'll find some local restaurants around town where you can sample local flavors.

Is Cambridge or Saint-Etienne Better for Nightlife?

Both Cambridge and Saint-Etienne 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.

Saint-Etienne has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

Is Cambridge or Saint-Etienne Better for Hiking?

Saint-Etienne is a good destination for its hiking trails. However, Cambridge is not a hiking destination.

Saint-Etienne offers some nice hiking trails. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Cambridge is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cambridge or Saint-Etienne?

Cambridge is great for its shopping opportunities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its shopping areas.

Cambridge is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Saint-Etienne has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. Shopping malls and several boutique shopping areas make up the city's shopping scene.

Is Cambridge or Saint-Etienne Better for Families?

Both Cambridge and Saint-Etienne are nice 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 Saint-Etienne. There are several kid-friendly museums as well as plenty of natural settings just outside of town. Your kids can run around and stretch their legs nearby at Crest of the Partridge or on a rainy day, the planetarium is a fun place to visit.

Is Cambridge or Saint-Etienne Better for Couples?

Cambridge is great for its romantic activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for couples.

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.

Saint-Etienne is not always the best place to visit for a couple. There are museums, parks, gardens, and beautiful architecture that make this a wonderful place for couples.

Is Cambridge or Saint-Etienne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cambridge is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination 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.

Saint-Etienne is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not high on the backpacker trail, but there are hostels and plenty of activities to enjoy.

Is Cambridge or Saint-Etienne Better for Students?

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

Cambridge is a very popular place to visit for students. 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.

Saint-Etienne is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Cambridge and Saint-Etienne.

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

You'll find some public transit in Saint-Etienne, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are tram and bus options available in town.

Is Cambridge or Saint-Etienne a more walkable city?

Cambridge is an amazing university town to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

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

Saint-Etienne is a somewhat walkable university town. There are several walkable areas in the city.

For even more information, also check out Is Cambridge Worth Visiting? and Is Saint-Etienne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Saint-Etienne or Cambridge?

How long in Cambridge or Saint-Etienne?

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

Families should spend more time in Cambridge than Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the collegiate destination of Cambridge. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

You'll find nightlife and museums around the city of Saint-Etienne. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Saint-Etienne has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Cambridge or Saint-Etienne?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cambridge. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the park-filled destination of Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the collegiate destination of Cambridge. This university town offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and museums when visiting the park-filled city of Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne?

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful university town of Cambridge. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Saint-Etienne 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 from Paris, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Cambridge or Saint-Etienne?

Saint-Etienne has a larger population, and is about 37% larger than the population of Cambridge. When comparing the sizes of Cambridge and Saint-Etienne, 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.