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

Should you visit Cardiff or Saint-Etienne?

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

Should I visit Cardiff or Saint-Etienne? 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 industrial, up-and-coming, and green city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a historic, park-filled, and industrial city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and nightlife.

Cardiff and Saint-Etienne: Pros and Cons

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

You'll generally find more things to do in Cardiff than Saint-Etienne. Cardiff is bigger than Saint-Etienne, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Cardiff is better known for its shopping and big city activities, while Saint-Etienne is more popular for its hiking. Cardiff is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is popular for having the most castles per square mile of any city in Europe. Also, Cardiff is famous for The Cardiff Castle. Saint-Etienne is well known for its industrial and manufacturing past.

How is Cardiff different from Saint-Etienne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the notable sights and museums in both Cardiff and Saint-Etienne.

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 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 Cardiff or Saint-Etienne? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Cardiff and Saint-Etienne offer a number of respectable restaurants to choose from.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Cardiff. 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.

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 Cardiff or Saint-Etienne Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Cardiff or Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne has a few options to choose from. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

Is Cardiff or Saint-Etienne Better for Hiking?

Saint-Etienne is a popular place for its hiking experiences. However, Cardiff is not a hiking destination.

Saint-Etienne is a good destination for hiking. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Cardiff is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cardiff or Saint-Etienne?

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

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Cardiff. Shopping options include shopping malls and boutique lined streets. There is a nice mix of independent shops and major chains to choose between.

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 Cardiff or Saint-Etienne Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Cardiff or Saint-Etienne.

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.

Saint-Etienne offers lots of family activities. 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 Cardiff or Saint-Etienne Better for Couples?

Most people don't think of either Cardiff or Saint-Etienne as a couple's destination.

Most people don't think of Cardiff as a couple's destination. 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.

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 Cardiff or Saint-Etienne Better for Students?

Cardiff is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Cardiff. Most students come to study at Cardiff University, which is a leading university in Great Britain.

Saint-Etienne is not popular with students.

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

Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are tram and bus options available in town.

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

Is Cardiff or Saint-Etienne a more walkable city?

Cardiff and Saint-Etienne both are notable 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.

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

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

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

How long in Cardiff or Saint-Etienne?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Cardiff or Saint-Etienne to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Cardiff than Saint-Etienne because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Cardiff, and 1-2 days is enough time in Saint-Etienne.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne.

One day in Cardiff or Saint-Etienne?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the up-and-coming destination of Cardiff. 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.

In Saint-Etienne, you'll find nightlife and museums. 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 Saint-Etienne?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cardiff. 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.

In Saint-Etienne, you'll find museums and nightlife. 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 Saint-Etienne has to offer.

Five days in Cardiff or Saint-Etienne?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the up-and-coming destination of Cardiff. This city 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.

Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the city of Cardiff. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint-Etienne. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Saint-Etienne. 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 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 Cardiff and Saint-Etienne, we can see that Cardiff 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 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 Saint-Etienne.

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

Which is Bigger, Cardiff or Saint-Etienne?

Cardiff has a larger population, and is about 71% larger than the population of Saint-Etienne. When comparing the sizes of Cardiff 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.

When is the best time to visit Cardiff or Saint-Etienne?

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 Saint-Etienne in the Summer?

Both Saint-Etienne and Cardiff during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Cardiff for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Saint-Etienne because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Cardiff is cooler than Saint-Etienne in the summer. The daily temperature in Cardiff averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

In Saint-Etienne, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Cardiff. In the summer, Cardiff often gets less sunshine than Saint-Etienne. Cardiff gets 220 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 285 hours of full sun.

Cardiff usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Saint-Etienne. Cardiff gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cardiff or Saint-Etienne in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cardiff and Saint-Etienne. The autumn months attract visitors to Cardiff because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Saint-Etienne this time of year.

In the autumn, Cardiff is cooler than Saint-Etienne. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cardiff in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Saint-Etienne averages at about 14°C (56°F).

Cardiff usually receives less sunshine than Saint-Etienne during autumn. Cardiff gets 95 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Cardiff gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Cardiff usually receives more rain than Saint-Etienne. Cardiff gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Cardiff or Saint-Etienne in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Cardiff as well as Saint-Etienne. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Cardiff this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint-Etienne. It's quite cold in Cardiff in the winter. In January, Cardiff is generally around the same temperature as Saint-Etienne. Daily temperatures in Cardiff average around 3°C (38°F), and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Cardiff often gets less sunshine than Saint-Etienne. Cardiff gets 57 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 62 hours of full sun.

Cardiff usually gets more rain in January than Saint-Etienne. Cardiff gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cardiff or Saint-Etienne in the Spring?

Both Saint-Etienne and Cardiff are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Cardiff for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the spring for the natural beauty.

Cardiff is cooler than Saint-Etienne in the spring. The daily temperature in Cardiff averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

Cardiff usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Saint-Etienne during spring. Cardiff gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Cardiff usually receives less rain than Saint-Etienne. Cardiff gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Saint-Etienne and Cardiff