A Travel Price Comparison for France Chamonix-Mont-Blanc vs. Calais for Couples, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or Calais?

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 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc and Calais. 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

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is a epic, majestic, and world-class mountain town. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include food, hiking, and skiing.

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. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and shopping.

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc and Calais: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or Calais?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc. Although Chamonix-Mont-Blanc and Calais are both popular with visitors, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is more popular for its skiing, food, nightlife, resorts, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Calais is known for its museums, beaches, shopping, and big city activities. Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is more touristy than Calais and is popular for its world famous skiing, stunning natural beauty, and access to Mont Blanc. It is also home to Mont Blanc. Calais is popular for being a gateway for travelers to France.

Mont Blanc

How is Chamonix-Mont-Blanc different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or Calais Better for Skiing?

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is a must-visit destination for winter skiing. However, Calais is not a skiing destination.

If you're an avid snow skiier, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc should be on your list. 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.

Calais is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or Calais?

Calais is a good destination for its museums and history. However, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc does not have museums and landmarks.

Calais offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or Calais? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and 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).

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around 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.

Is Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or Calais Better for Nightlife?

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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 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 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or Calais Better for Resorts?

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is a must-visit destination for its resorts. However, Calais is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is a great choice. The region has 5 ski resorts (Grands Montets, Les Houches, Le Tour/Balme, La Flegere and Le Brevent), making it an excellent ski destination.

Calais is not a resort destination.

Is Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or Calais Better for Beaches?

Calais is a good destination for the beache. However, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is not a beach destination.

Calais offers a nice beach destination. 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.

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is not a beach destination.

Is Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or Calais Better for Hiking?

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is a must-visit destination for its hiking experiences. However, Calais is not a hiking destination.

People visit Chamonix-Mont-Blanc specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. 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.

Calais is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or Calais?

Calais 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 Calais. 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.

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or Calais Better for Families?

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

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 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or Calais Better for Couples?

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is a must-visit destination for couples. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Nature-lovers, skiers, and outdoor enthusiasts will love a couples vacation to Chamonix. The setting is romantic and filled with adventures for thrill-seekers.

Calais is a nice destination for couples. 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.

Is Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or Calais Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is well known for backpackers. However, Calais is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is a very popular mountain town for backpackers and budget travelers. You'll find a nice selection of hostels with affordable dorms and fun atmospheres.

Calais is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This part of France is often overlooked by tourists so you won't find many backpackers or hostels in the area. It does offer a glimpse into an authentic side of France.

Is Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or Calais Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is a must-visit destination for its public transit. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. 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 Calais offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. 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.

Is Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or Calais a more walkable city?

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is well known for its ease of walking around. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is a very walkable destination. It's generally walkable and there are plenty of walking trails outside of town.

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

For even more information, also check out Is Chamonix-Mont-Blanc Worth Visiting? and Is Calais Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Calais or Chamonix-Mont-Blanc?

How long in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or Calais?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Chamonix-Mont-Blanc and Calais. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc than in Calais. Usually, 4-7 days is a good amount of time for Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, and 1-3 days is enough time in Calais.

Families should spend more time in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc than Calais. 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.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc than Calais 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.

One day in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or Calais?

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 Calais, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this destination offers. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or Calais?

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 Calais for a weekend. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Calais, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or Calais?

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 Calais offers shopping and museums. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or Calais?

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 Calais. This city 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.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chamonix-Mont-Blanc and Calais, we can see that Chamonix-Mont-Blanc 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 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 Calais.

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 Calais Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or Calais?

Calais has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc. When comparing the sizes of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc 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.