A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cardiff vs. Calais for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Cardiff or Calais?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Cardiff or Calais? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Cardiff

Cardiff is a up-and-coming, green, and industrial city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and shopping.

Calais

Calais is a undiscovered, coastal, and authentic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Cardiff and Calais: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cardiff or Calais?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Calais than Cardiff. While Cardiff is larger than Calais, Calais has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Calais is more popular for its food and beaches, while Cardiff is known for its impressive beauty. Cardiff is more touristy than Calais and is known for having the most castles per square mile of any city in Europe. Calais is popular for being a gateway for travelers to France. It is also home to The Town Hall.

How is Cardiff different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cardiff or Calais?

Plenty of people visit the good sights and museums in both Cardiff and Calais.

Cardiff offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The most notable landmark of the city is the famous and well-preserved Cardiff Castle. Visitors also enjoy seeing the Victorian arcades, museums, and cathedrals around town.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Calais. It's a port city with a few good museums and landmarks to see. Check out the Town Hall, Burghers of Calais, La Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode, and Musée de la Guerre de Calais, as well as the Calais Lighthouse.

Is the Food Better in Cardiff or Calais? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Calais is a popular place for its restaurant scene. However, Cardiff is a city with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Calais. The region is known for its mackerel, andouillette sausage, and endive and ham gratin. If you're passing through, this is also a good place to stock up on wine and cheese.

Cardiff may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Welsh cuisine is known for its stews and hearty vegetable dishes. The national dish is cawl, which is a stew made with lamb and vegetables. Other local favorites include Welsh rarebit, which is a type of cheese toast, and Glamorgan Sausage, which is actually made with vegetables.

Is Cardiff or Calais Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Cardiff or Calais has a better nightlife scene.

Cardiff has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife scene is all about fun and most of the activities are driven by the large and diverse student population.

If you're looking for night time activities Calais has a few options to choose from. You'll find bars and pubs around town as well as a few clubs. Places range from trendy and high end to local dive bars.

Is Cardiff or Calais Better for Beaches?

Calais is a popular place for the beache. However, Cardiff is not a beach destination.

Calais is a good option for a beach vacation. There are some sandy beaches near town that have nice stretches of sand and plenty of sand dunes. Many locals enjoy sunbathing at the beaches.

Cardiff is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cardiff or Calais?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Calais and Cardiff.

Cardiff offers some nice shopping areas. Shopping options include shopping malls and boutique lined streets. There is a nice mix of independent shops and major chains to choose between.

Calais has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Many visitors stock up on wine and cheese when they're passing through. It's common to head straight to Auchan or Carrefour to stock up on some items.

Is Cardiff or Calais Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Cardiff or Calais.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Cardiff. The city has a number of climbing and play areas, museums, and playgrounds that can keep the little ones entertained. There are also plenty of outdoor parks and trails to wander around.

Calais offers lots of family activities. There's the Nausicaa Aquarium, the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, and the Second World War Museum. There are also beaches and parks to explore as well as some nice playgrounds.

Is Cardiff or Calais Better for Couples?

Calais is a popular place for its romantic activities. However, Cardiff is a city with minimal options for couples.

Calais makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples can picnic with wine and cheese or eat their way through the town's great restaurants. There are also some nice beaches where people enjoy sunbathing or relaxing.

Cardiff is not always the best place to visit for a couple. The most romantic experiences involve a night out dining at nice restaurants, enjoying a cocktail at a classy bar, and strolling through neighborhoods and soaking up the atmosphere.

Is Cardiff or Calais Better for Students?

Cardiff is a popular place for students. However, Calais is not popular with students.

Cardiff is popular with students. Most students come to study at Cardiff University, which is a leading university in Great Britain.

Calais is not popular with students.

Is Cardiff or Calais Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Calais is a popular place for its public transit. However, Cardiff is a city with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Calais, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The city has 13 bus lines that run through town and into the surrounding areas. If you're arriving by ferry from the UK, there are shuttle buses that connect the ferry terminal to the train station.

Public transit is mostly limited in Cardiff. There is a bus system that you can use to get around.

Is Cardiff or Calais a more walkable city?

Cardiff and Calais both are good when exploring on foot.

Cardiff is a somewhat walkable place. There are pedestrianized areas and the waterfront is nice to walk around but there is still room for improvement when it comes to walkability.

Calais is a somewhat walkable city. Parts of the town are more walkable than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Cardiff Worth Visiting? and Is Calais Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Calais or Cardiff?

How long in Cardiff or Calais?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Cardiff and Calais. In our opinion, Calais has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Calais than Cardiff. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Calais than Cardiff 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 Calais.

One day in Cardiff or Calais?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Cardiff. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

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

A weekend in Cardiff or Calais?

Cardiff is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In Calais, 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 Calais has to offer.

Five days in Cardiff or Calais?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cardiff. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Calais 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.

A week in Cardiff or Calais?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the green destination of Cardiff. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United Kingdom, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Budget Tours to France, and The Best Tours for Seniors to France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Cardiff or Calais?

Cardiff has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Calais. When comparing the sizes of Cardiff and Calais, 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 Cardiff or Calais?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Cardiff or Calais in the Summer?

Both Calais and Cardiff are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Cardiff because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Calais this time of year.

In the summer, Cardiff is around the same temperature as Calais. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cardiff in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Calais averages at about 17°C (63°F).

It's quite sunny in Calais. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cardiff. Cardiff usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Calais during summer. Cardiff gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Cardiff usually receives more rain than Calais. Cardiff gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Cardiff or Calais in the Autumn?

Both Calais and Cardiff during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Cardiff this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Calais for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Cardiff is generally around the same temperature as Calais. Daily temperatures in Cardiff average around 11°C (52°F), and Calais fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Cardiff often gets less sunshine than Calais. Cardiff gets 95 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 119 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Cardiff. Cardiff usually gets more rain in October than Calais. Cardiff gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cardiff or Calais in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cardiff and Calais. Many travelers come to Cardiff for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Calais in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Calais can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Cardiff. Cardiff is cooler than Calais in the winter. The daily temperature in Cardiff averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Calais fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

Cardiff usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Calais during winter. Cardiff gets 57 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Cardiff usually receives more rain than Calais. Cardiff gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Cardiff or Calais in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Cardiff as well as Calais. Many visitors come to Cardiff in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Additionally, most visitors come to Calais for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Cardiff is around the same temperature as Calais. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cardiff in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Calais averages at about 9°C (47°F).

In the spring, Cardiff often gets more sunshine than Calais. Cardiff gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun.

Cardiff usually gets more rain in April than Calais. Cardiff gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Calais and Cardiff