Which place is cheaper, Beaune or Chamonix-Mont-Blanc?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Chamonix-Mont-Blanc and Beaune. 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.
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is a awe-inspiring, epic, and majestic mountain town. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the food, hiking, and skiing.
Beaune is a culinary, quaint, and vineyard-filled town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.
Visitors will usually find more to do in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc than Beaune, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is better known for its skiing, nightlife, resorts, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Beaune is more popular for its museums & sights, food, historical sights, shopping, and small town charm. Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is more touristy than Beaune and is popular for its world famous skiing, stunning natural beauty, and access to Mont Blanc. Also, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is famous for Mont Blanc. Beaune is well known for its surrounding vineyards and world-renowned wines.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Beaune and Chamonix-Mont-Blanc. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is terrific for winter skiing. However, Beaune is not a skiing destination.
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is a top destination for snow skiing, and it attracts visitors from around the world. It is one of the most famous and best ski areas in the world. There are 5 ski resorts in the area (Grands Montets, Les Houches, Le Tour/Balme, La Flegere and Le Brevent) and many options for expert skiers. You can take the Aiguille du Midi cable car from the middle of town to the top of the 3840 meter peak.
Beaune is not a skiing destination.
Beaune is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc does not have museums and landmarks.
Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Beaune. Top sights and museums around town include Hôtel-Dieu (a former hospital), Château de Savigny, and Château de la Rochepot.
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc does not have museums and landmarks.
Beaune is terrific for its restaurants. Also, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.
Eat your way through Beaune, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The restaurant scene is made up of small, narrow, local bistros that serve local dishes with regional ingredients. Many of the menus are focused on wine with the dishes designed specifically to compliment the wines. This is a tourist town, and you'll find many visitors come specifically to enjoy the French cuisine.
Dining out in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is an experience not to be missed. Regional food is wonderful and hearty, making for a great energy boost for all of your hiking or skiing. Dishes often include a lot of cream and cheese as well as local meats and potatoes. Local specialties include Crozets (buckwheat pasta), Fondue, and Galette des Rois (cake).
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is a great destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Beaune is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.
The people in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc know how to have a good time. The town offers a great après-ski scene with many places to grab a drink or listen to live music. It's a tourist area with many young and adventurous vacationers who are out to have a good time.
If you're looking for night time activities Beaune has a few options to choose from. You'll find bars and pubs as well as many places to sip French wine and enjoy the evening.
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is terrific for its resorts. However, Beaune is not a resort destination.
Vacationers flock to Chamonix-Mont-Blanc for its luxury resorts. The region has 5 ski resorts (Grands Montets, Les Houches, Le Tour/Balme, La Flegere and Le Brevent), making it an excellent ski destination.
Beaune is not a resort destination.
Beaune is terrific for its old town. However, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc does not have a historic old town.
Beaune has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The old town is walled and compact. It is centered around the medieval hospital complex and it is filled with cobblestone streets and shops.
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc does not have a historic old town.
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is terrific for its hiking experiences. However, Beaune is not a hiking destination.
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is well-known for its hiking and trekking. Filled with panoramic views and breathtaking natural scenes, the hiking is among the best in the world. Some of the best hikes in the area include Plan de l'Aiguille - Montenvers Train Mer de Glace, Aiguilles Rouges Nature Reserve Hiking, and any of the "Glacier Views" Hikes.
Beaune is not a hiking destination.
Beaune is a good destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is not a noteworthy shopping destination.
Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Beaune. Boutiques, wine shops, and independent vendors are fun to explore in town.
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is not a noteworthy shopping destination.
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Beaune is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is a very kid-friendly mountain town. The mountains are the perfect playground for families. Kids will love the gondolas, chairlifts, and kid-friendly hikes that take them over rocks and to spectacular viewpoints. This is the perfect addition to a European family vacation.
Beaune offers lots of family activities. The town has museums like Hospices de Beaune, Hotel-Dieu (a formal hospital), as well as vineyards that you can hike through. Many people enjoy taking a hot air balloon ride while they're in the region.
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc and Beaune both terrific destinations for a couple.
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. Nature-lovers, skiers, and outdoor enthusiasts will love a couples vacation to Chamonix. The setting is romantic and filled with adventures for thrill-seekers.
Beaune makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Couples will enjoy exploring vineyards, sipping French wine, and wandering through the charming old town. There are breathtaking hot air balloon rides and wonderful French restaurants that make for a romantic trip.
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is a great destination for backpackers. However, Beaune is a town with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is a great mountain town to visit for backpackers. You'll find a nice selection of hostels with affordable dorms and fun atmospheres.
Beaune is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's a charming town, but it's not on many backpacker's itineraries. There are also a limited number of hostels to choose from.
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is terrific for its public transit. Also, Beaune is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.
The thorough and effecient public transit system of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc can take you anywhere. It's easy to explore the region by public transport. There are buses and trains available, most of which are free with a local transport card.
While Beaune offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. While you can walk around the historic center, it's possible to take a bus if you're traveling further.
Beaune is terrific for its high level of walkability. Also, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.
It's very easy to get around on foot in Beaune. It's a walkable town that's perfect for taking a stroll.
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is a very walkable destination. It's generally walkable and there are plenty of walking trails outside of town.
For even more information, also check out Is Chamonix-Mont-Blanc Worth Visiting? and Is Beaune Worth Visiting?.
It's fun to spend time in either Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or Beaune. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 4-7 days is a good amount of time for Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, and 2-4 days is enough time in Beaune.
Families should spend more time in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc than Beaune. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc than Beaune 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 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc.
Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.
In Beaune, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this destination offers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Lots of people come for the food. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
Many people visit Beaune for a weekend. Lots of people come for the food. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Beaune, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
The destination of Beaune offers shopping and museums. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the awe-inspiring destination of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc. This mountain town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.
Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Beaune. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This town offers something for everyone. 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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to France, The Best G Adventures Tours to France, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is €235, while the average daily cost in Beaune is €166. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Chamonix-Mont-Blanc and Beaune in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or Beaune? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Also for Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Beaune and Chamonix-Mont-Blanc change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
For Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Beaune:
For Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Here are a few typical costs in Beaune for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Here are a few actual costs in Beaune for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Also in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
Also in Beaune, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chamonix-Mont-Blanc and Beaune, we can see that Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is more expensive. And not only is Beaune much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Beaune would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Beaune 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 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc than you might in Beaune.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Chamonix-Mont-Blanc Expensive? and Is Beaune Expensive?.
Beaune has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc. When comparing the sizes of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc and Beaune, 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.