A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cardiff vs. New Orleans for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Cardiff or New Orleans?

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

Should I visit Cardiff or New Orleans? 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 green, industrial, and up-and-coming 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 nightlife, shopping, and museums.

New Orleans

New Orleans is a fun-filled, festive, and vibrant city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. And you can't forget about the live music, food, and nightlife.

Cardiff and New Orleans: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cardiff or New Orleans?

Tourists will generally find more to do in New Orleans than Cardiff. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. New Orleans is very popular for its food, nightlife, music, historical sights, and quaint atmosphere, while Cardiff attracts visitors for its museums, shopping, and impressive beauty. New Orleans is more touristy than Cardiff and is popular for its jazz festivals, local cuisine, quaint balconies, and world class Mardi Gras parties. It is also well known for The French Quarter. Cardiff is famous for having the most castles per square mile of any city in Europe.

The French Quarter

How is Cardiff different from New Orleans?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Cardiff is a city with good options for its museums and history. However, New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

Cardiff is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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.

New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

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

New Orleans is a must-visit destination for its restaurant scene. However, Cardiff is a city with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

For foodies, New Orleans is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. It has rapidly grown into one of the United State's most well known foodie destinations. It's the birthplace of bananas foster and popular for it's gumbo, crawfish etouffee, jambalaya, and red beans and rice. While there are a number of celebrity chefs from New Orleans, you'll also find many local restaurants that aren't as well known but are equally worth visiting.

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 New Orleans Better for Nightlife?

New Orleans is a must-visit destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Cardiff is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

New Orleans is a world class party destination. The nightlife scene is at its best during Mardi Gras. But year-round you'll find Bachelor and Bachelorette parties, spring breakers, and anyone who wants to enjoy a crazy time heads to New Orleans. New Orleans is a destination that attracts partiers any time of the year, and the French Quarter is the place to be if you're looking for a party.

If you're looking for night time activities Cardiff has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene is all about fun and most of the activities are driven by the large and diverse student population.

Is Cardiff or New Orleans Better for Music?

New Orleans is a must-visit destination for its live music scene. However, Cardiff is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in New Orleans The city is known for its music festivals that feature jazz, blues, and many other types of live music. The Jazz Festival is a great time to visit.

Cardiff is not a live music destination.

Is Cardiff or New Orleans Better for its Old Town?

New Orleans is a great destination for its old town. However, Cardiff does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting New Orleans. The French Quarter is filled with old architecture and beautiful historic landmarks.

Cardiff does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Cardiff or New Orleans?

Cardiff is a city with good options for shopping. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its shopping opportunities.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Cardiff. Shopping options include shopping malls and boutique lined streets. There is a nice mix of independent shops and major chains to choose between.

If you're looking to go shopping, New Orleans has some nice offerings. New Orleans shopping is mostly centered around shopping malls and chain stores.

Is Cardiff or New Orleans Better for Families?

Cardiff is a city with good options for its kid-friendly activities. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

Cardiff is a family-friendly city. 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.

New Orleans doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. While there are some family-friendly activities in New Orleans like a zoo and several great parks, the city is more known for its parties and nightlife scene. Particularly during certain seasons, most people choose to visit New Orleans without kids.

Is Cardiff or New Orleans Better for Couples?

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

New Orleans makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy a lively evening, fun festivals, and exploring absolutely amazing restaurants will enjoy a visit to New Orleans. It has a festive and unique atmosphere any time of the year. There are also nice hotels and beautiful parks.

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 New Orleans Better for Students?

Cardiff and New Orleans are nice places to visit for students.

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

It's common for students to visit New Orleans. Students head to New Orleans to enjoy spring break and Mardi Gras.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Cardiff and New Orleans.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in New Orleans. The city has streetcar lines and bus lines that you can use, but you'll want to have a car if you want to venture outside of these main areas.

Is Cardiff or New Orleans a more walkable city?

Cardiff and New Orleans both are nice 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.

New Orleans is a somewhat walkable city. If you stick to the French Quarter and downtown areas, most things are walkable in New Orleans.

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

Should I spend more time in New Orleans or Cardiff?

How long in Cardiff or New Orleans?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Cardiff and New Orleans. In our opinion, New Orleans has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in New Orleans than Cardiff. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Cardiff, and 2-3 days is enough time in New Orleans.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in New Orleans 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 New Orleans.

One day in Cardiff or New Orleans?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the up-and-coming city of Cardiff. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In New Orleans, you'll find food and nightlife. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Cardiff or New Orleans?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the up-and-coming destination of Cardiff. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

In New Orleans, you'll find nightlife and live music. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that New Orleans has to offer.

Five days in Cardiff or New Orleans?

The up-and-coming city of Cardiff offers museums and nightlife. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

New Orleans is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 New Orleans?

Many people enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting Cardiff. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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 New Orleans. Many people enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting New Orleans. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Adventure Tours to United States of America, and The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cardiff and New Orleans, we can see that New Orleans is more expensive. And not only is Cardiff much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cardiff is in Europe and New Orleans is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Cardiff would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cardiff 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 New Orleans would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in New Orleans than you might in Cardiff.

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

Which is Bigger, Cardiff or New Orleans?

New Orleans has a larger population, and is about 60% larger than the population of Cardiff. When comparing the sizes of Cardiff and New Orleans, 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 New Orleans?

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 Cardiff or New Orleans in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Cardiff as well as New Orleans. Many visitors come to Cardiff in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to New Orleans for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Cardiff is generally much colder than New Orleans. Daily temperatures in Cardiff average around 17°C (63°F), and New Orleans fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cardiff this time of the year. In the summer, Cardiff often gets less sunshine than New Orleans. Cardiff gets 220 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while New Orleans receives 264 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in New Orleans. Cardiff usually gets less rain in July than New Orleans. Cardiff gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cardiff or New Orleans in the Autumn?

Both New Orleans and Cardiff are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Cardiff for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to New Orleans because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

Cardiff is much colder than New Orleans in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cardiff averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and New Orleans fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

It's quite sunny in New Orleans. Cardiff usually receives less sunshine than New Orleans during autumn. Cardiff gets 95 hours of sunny skies, while New Orleans receives 240 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Cardiff. In October, Cardiff usually receives more rain than New Orleans. Cardiff gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Cardiff or New Orleans in the Winter?

Both New Orleans and Cardiff during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Cardiff because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to New Orleans this time of year.

The weather in Cardiff can be very cold. In the winter, Cardiff is much colder than New Orleans. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cardiff in January average around 3°C (38°F), and New Orleans averages at about 51°F (11°C).

In the winter, Cardiff often gets less sunshine than New Orleans. Cardiff gets 57 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while New Orleans receives 158 hours of full sun.

New Orleans gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Cardiff usually gets less rain in January than New Orleans. Cardiff gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cardiff or New Orleans in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cardiff and New Orleans. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Cardiff this time of year. Also, many travelers come to New Orleans for the activities around the city.

In April, Cardiff is generally much colder than New Orleans. Daily temperatures in Cardiff average around 9°C (48°F), and New Orleans fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in New Orleans this time of the year. Cardiff usually receives less sunshine than New Orleans during spring. Cardiff gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while New Orleans receives 254 hours of full sun in the spring.

New Orleans receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Cardiff usually receives less rain than New Orleans. Cardiff gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for New Orleans and Cardiff