A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dover vs. Calais for Couples, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Dover or Calais?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dover and Calais can help you decide which place is right for you.

Dover

Dover is a natural, breathtaking, and iconic town. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include museums, food, and hiking.

Calais

Calais is a coastal, authentic, and undiscovered city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Dover and Calais: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dover or Calais?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Calais. Although Dover and Calais are popular destinations, Calais has more sights and attractions for tourists. Calais is very popular for its nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Dover attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Dover is more touristy than Calais and is known for the famous White Cliffs of Dover as well as the ferry connection to mainland Europe. Calais is famous for being a gateway for travelers to France. It is also well known for The Town Hall.

How is Dover different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Dover or Calais?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Dover or Calais.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Dover. Aside from the iconic White Cliffs of Dover, there is the Dover Castle, the South Foreland Lighthouse, and the Grand Shaft.

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

Is the Food Better in Dover or Calais? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Dover and Calais both to be nice destinations.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Dover area. The town has a growing food scene that includes waterfront restaurants and local dishes. Find a restaurant with a view to make sure you take full advantage of the setting.

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 Dover or Calais Better for Nightlife?

Calais is very good for its evening party scene. However, Dover is not a good town for nightlife.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Calais. 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Dover. The nightlife has a relaxed atmosphere with wine bars and microbreweries.

Is Dover or Calais Better for Beaches?

Calais is very good for the beach. However, Dover is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Calais to enjoy the beach. 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.

Dover is not a beach destination.

Is Dover or Calais Better for Hiking?

Dover is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Calais is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Dover. There are many beautiful countryside walks that take you through the rolling hills and along the iconic white cliffs. Some of the best hikes in the area include The England Coast Path, The North Downs Way Saxon Shore Way.

Calais is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Dover or Calais?

Calais is very good for its shopping areas. However, Dover is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors go to Calais to go shopping. 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.

Dover is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Dover or Calais Better for Families?

You'll find nice kid-friendly activities in either Dover or Calais.

Dover is a family-friendly place to visit. There are a few kid-friendly museums like the Dover Transport Museum and the Dover Castle. Also make sure you check out the South Foreland Lighthouse.

Calais is a family-friendly town. 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 Dover or Calais Better for Couples?

Dover is well known for couples. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Dover frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The White Cliffs of Dover are an iconic sight and perfect for a romantic trip away. Also make sure you check out St. Margaret's Bay Beach and the Kearsney Abbey Gardens.

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 Dover or Calais Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dover is a popular place for backpackers. However, Calais is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Dover. You'll find several nice hostels to choose from in the town.

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 Dover or Calais Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Calais is very good for its public transit. However, Dover is not a good town for times when you don't have a car.

Calais has a few public transit options. 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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Dover. There are public buses through the district.

Is Dover or Calais a more walkable city?

Dover and Calais both are nice when exploring on foot.

Dover is a somewhat walkable town. You can wander around the countryside, but prepare for rolling hills and great views.

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

For even more information, also check out Is Dover Worth Visiting? and Is Calais Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Calais or Dover?

How long in Dover or Calais?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Dover and Calais. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Dover than in Calais. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Dover, and 1-3 days is enough time in Calais.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Dover 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 Dover.

One day in Dover or Calais?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Dover. 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 shopping and museums that this undiscovered destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Dover or Calais?

Dover is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Calais. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Dover or Calais?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dover. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Calais is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Calais. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Dover or Calais?

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the stunning destination of Dover. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the authentic destination of Calais. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Bicycle Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Budget Tours to France, and The Best Tours for Seniors to France.

When comparing the travel costs between Dover and Calais, we can see that Dover 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 Dover Expensive? and Is Calais Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Dover or Calais?

Calais has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Dover. When comparing the sizes of Dover 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.

When is the best time to visit Dover or Calais?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Dover or Calais in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dover and Calais. Most visitors come to Dover for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Calais because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Dover is around the same temperature as Calais in the summer. The daily temperature in Dover averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Calais fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Calais this time of the year. In Dover, it's very sunny this time of the year. Dover usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Calais during summer. Dover gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Dover usually receives around the same amount of rain as Calais. Dover gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Dover or Calais in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Dover as well as Calais. The autumn months attract visitors to Dover because of the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Calais this time of year.

In the autumn, Dover is around the same temperature as Calais. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dover in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Calais averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Dover often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Calais. Dover gets 119 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 119 hours of full sun.

Dover usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Calais. Dover gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dover or Calais in the Winter?

Both Calais and Dover are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Dover this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Calais for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Calais. It's quite cold in Dover in the winter. In January, Dover is generally around the same temperature as Calais. Daily temperatures in Dover average around 4°C (40°F), and Calais fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

Dover usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Calais during winter. Dover gets 57 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Dover usually receives around the same amount of rain as Calais. Dover gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Dover or Calais in the Spring?

Both Calais and Dover during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Dover for the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Calais in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

Dover is around the same temperature as Calais in the spring. The daily temperature in Dover averages around 9°C (47°F) in April, and Calais fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

In the spring, Dover often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Calais. Dover gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun.

Dover usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Calais. Dover gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Calais and Dover