A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Carcassonne vs. Pecs for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Carcassonne or Pecs?

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 Carcassonne and Pecs. 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.

Where Should I go: Carcassonne or Pecs?

Carcassonne

Carcassonne is a hilltop town in southern France. Inhabited since the Neolithic period, Carcassonne is located in the Aude plain between historic trade routes, linking the Atlantic to the Mediterranean sea and the Massif Central to the Pyrenees. The Romans recognized its strategic importance and occupied its hilltop until the demise of the Western Roman Empire and was later taken over in the fifth century by the Visigoths who founded the city. Its desirable location led successive rulers to expand its fortifications until the Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659. It is famous for its medieval citadel, La Cite, which has numerous watchtowers and double-walled fortifications. The first walls were built in Gallo-Roman times, with major additions made in the 13th and 14th centuries. With its position on a rocky hilltop, zigzag battlements, stout walls and spiky turrets, the fortified city of Carcassonne looks like something out of a children's storybook when it's seen from afar. A Unesco World Heritage Site since 1997, it's most people's idea of the perfect medieval castle. It attracts over four million visitors every year, peaking in high summer. Time your visit for late in the day (or even better in spring or fall) to truly appreciate the old town's medieval charm.

Pecs

Located in southwest Hungary, Pecs is a pleasant university town with a history that dates back to Roman times - a history evident in its ancient architecture. Some of the most sought after sites include the Early Christian Necropolis, the Mosque of Pasha Quasim, and the Cathedral of Pecs.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in France, The Best Historical Tours in France, The Best Tours for Seniors to Hungary, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Budapest.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Carcassonne or Pecs?

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

When is the best time to visit Carcassonne or Pecs?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Carcassonne or Pecs in the Summer?

Both Pecs and Carcassonne during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Carcassonne because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Carcassonne is generally around the same temperature as Pecs. Daily temperatures in Carcassonne average around 24°C (75°F), and Pecs fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

In Pecs, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Carcassonne. In the summer, Carcassonne often gets less sunshine than Pecs. Carcassonne gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pecs receives 302 hours of full sun.

Carcassonne usually gets less rain in July than Pecs. Carcassonne gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Pecs receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Carcassonne or Pecs in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Carcassonne and Pecs. The small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Carcassonne this time of year.

Carcassonne is a little warmer than Pecs in the autumn. The daily temperature in Carcassonne averages around 17°C (62°F) in October, and Pecs fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Carcassonne usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Pecs during autumn. Carcassonne gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Pecs receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Carcassonne usually receives more rain than Pecs. Carcassonne gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Pecs receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Carcassonne or Pecs in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Carcassonne as well as Pecs. Many travelers come to Carcassonne for the museums and the cuisine.

Pecs can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Carcassonne is much warmer than Pecs. Typically, the winter temperatures in Carcassonne in January average around 8°C (47°F), and Pecs averages at about 0°C (32°F).

In the winter, Carcassonne often gets more sunshine than Pecs. Carcassonne gets 88 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pecs receives 72 hours of full sun.

Carcassonne usually gets more rain in January than Pecs. Carcassonne gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Pecs receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Carcassonne or Pecs in the Spring?

Both Pecs and Carcassonne are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Carcassonne in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, Carcassonne is generally a little warmer than Pecs. Daily temperatures in Carcassonne average around 14°C (56°F), and Pecs fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Carcassonne usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Pecs during spring. Carcassonne gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Pecs receives 187 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Carcassonne usually receives around the same amount of rain as Pecs. Carcassonne gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Pecs receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pecs and Carcassonne