A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Coimbra vs. Toulon for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Coimbra or Toulon?

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

Should I visit Coimbra or Toulon? 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.

Where Should I go: Coimbra or Toulon?

Coimbra

Coimbra is located in Central Portugal in the Centro Region. It's the third largest city in the country with about 460,000 people living in the entire region. It is also where you'll find the University of Coimbra, which is one of the oldest universities in Europe and the oldest academic institution in the Portuguese speaking world. During the High Middle Ages, Coimbra served as the nation's capital and there are archaeological structures that date back to the Roman era.

Toulon

Located between Marseille and Nice, Toulon is in the western portion of the French Riviera and in the southeast of Provence. It's economy is heavily reliant on a French naval base in the area. This base is responsible for the creation of thousands of jobs. The city is also a significant tourist destination, with over 150,000 visitors every year.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Portugal, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Portugal, The Best Luxury Tours to France, and The Best Budget Tours to France.


Which place is cheaper, Toulon or Coimbra?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Coimbra is €103, while the average daily cost in Toulon is €119. 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 Coimbra and Toulon in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Coimbra 44
    Toulon 79
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Coimbra 88
    Toulon 158
Compare Hotels in Coimbra and Toulon

Looking for a hotel in Coimbra or Toulon? 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.

Hotels in Coimbra


Hotels in Toulon


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.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Coimbra Hotel Prices and Toulon Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Coimbra 11
    Toulon 7.14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Coimbra

Also for Coimbra, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Fátima Private Transfer to/from Lisbon: $147
  • Transfer Viseu - Porto: $157

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Toulon

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Toulon:

  • Transfer from Toulon Cruise Port to Marseille Provence Airport: $117
  • Private Transfer from Toulon Cruise Port to Marseille city Hotels: $117

Is it cheaper to fly into Coimbra or Toulon?

Prices for flights to both Toulon and Coimbra 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.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Coimbra 48
    Toulon 30

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Coimbra

For Coimbra, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Chanfana: Cooking Traditional Portuguese Cuisine Experience: $49

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Toulon

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Toulon.

  • Culinary Heritage Guided Walking Food Tour: $102
  • Toulon Traditional Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience : $104

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Coimbra 18
    Toulon 13

Tours and Activities in Coimbra

For Coimbra, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $3.21
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $3.21
  • Coimbra Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $5.45
  • Coimbra's Historical Highlights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour of Historical Highlights: $6.99
  • Tomar: Unveiling the Templar Order with a Self-Guided Tour: $7.62
  • Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour: $7.65
  • Coimbra Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
  • Tomar Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
  • Discover Coimbra's Legacy through a Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Portugal dos Pequenitos entry ticket: $16

Tours and Activities in Toulon

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Toulon are as follows:

  • Guided Tour in Port & Old City: $55
  • Ile de Porquerolles: VIP tour et déjeuner Fondation Carmignac: $217
  • Private Heritage Walking Tour in Toulon: $178
  • Provence Abbey of Thoronet Entrance Ticket: $9.81
  • Toulon Private Tour: $278
  • Little Train Ticket: $9.62

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Coimbra 12
    Toulon 14

Sample the Local Flavors in Coimbra

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Coimbra:

  • Wine Tasting Experience in Portugal: $27

Sample the Local Flavors in Toulon

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Toulon:

  • Cellar Visit & Bandol Wine Tasting (in French): $13
  • Horse riding in the vineyards of Ramatuelle + wine tasting: $97


When comparing the travel costs between Coimbra and Toulon, we can see that Toulon is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Coimbra or Toulon?

Toulon has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Coimbra. When comparing the sizes of Coimbra and Toulon, 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 Coimbra or Toulon?

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 Coimbra or Toulon in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Coimbra as well as Toulon. Also, many travelers come to Toulon for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Coimbra is around the same temperature as Toulon. Typically, the summer temperatures in Coimbra in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Toulon averages at about 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Toulon. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Coimbra this time of the year. In the summer, Coimbra often gets less sunshine than Toulon. Coimbra gets 308 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toulon receives 366 hours of full sun.

Coimbra usually gets more rain in July than Toulon. Coimbra gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Coimbra 23°C (73°F) 
    Toulon 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Coimbra or Toulon in the Autumn?

Both Toulon and Coimbra are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Toulon in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Coimbra is generally a little warmer than Toulon. Daily temperatures in Coimbra average around 18°C (65°F), and Toulon fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

It's quite sunny in Toulon. Coimbra usually receives less sunshine than Toulon during autumn. Coimbra gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Toulon receives 205 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Coimbra. In October, Coimbra usually receives more rain than Toulon. Coimbra gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Coimbra 18°C (65°F) 
    Toulon 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Coimbra or Toulon in the Winter?

Both Toulon and Coimbra during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Toulon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Coimbra is much warmer than Toulon in the winter. The daily temperature in Coimbra averages around 11°C (51°F) in January, and Toulon fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Coimbra often gets less sunshine than Toulon. Coimbra gets 124 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toulon receives 150 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Coimbra. Coimbra usually gets more rain in January than Toulon. Coimbra gets 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Coimbra 11°C (51°F) 
    Toulon 7°C (44°F)

Should I visit Coimbra or Toulon in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Coimbra and Toulon. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Toulon because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Coimbra is a little warmer than Toulon. Typically, the spring temperatures in Coimbra in April average around 15°C (59°F), and Toulon averages at about 13°C (56°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Toulon this time of the year. In Coimbra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Coimbra usually receives less sunshine than Toulon during spring. Coimbra gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Toulon receives 245 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Coimbra usually receives more rain than Toulon. Coimbra gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Coimbra 15°C (59°F) 
    Toulon 13°C (56°F)

Typical Weather for Toulon and Coimbra

Coimbra Toulon
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 11°C (51°F) 139 mm (5.5 in) 7°C (44°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Feb 12°C (53°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 8°C (46°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Mar 13°C (56°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 10°C (50°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Apr 15°C (59°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 13°C (56°F) 52 mm (2 in)
May 17°C (63°F) 77 mm (3 in) 17°C (63°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 21°C (69°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 24°C (75°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Aug 23°C (73°F) 13 mm (0.5 in) 23°C (74°F) 26 mm (1 in)
Sep 22°C (71°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 20°C (69°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Oct 18°C (65°F) 101 mm (4 in) 16°C (61°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Nov 14°C (57°F) 128 mm (5 in) 11°C (51°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Dec 11°C (52°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 7°C (45°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)