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

Should you visit Dover or Versailles?

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 Versailles can help you decide which place is right for you.

Dover

Dover is a iconic, rustic, and stunning town. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include food, hiking, and museums.

Versailles

Versailles is a opulent, historic, and extensive palace. You'll find world class beauty here as well. Other popular activities here include museums.

Dover and Versailles: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Active nightlife
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights
  • Public transit not as usable
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good public transit
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less family-friendly


Is there more to do in Dover or Versailles?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Dover than Versailles, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Dover is better known for its food, nightlife, and hiking, while Versailles is more popular for its museums. Versailles is more touristy than Dover and is popular for its long running history and its grand architecture. Dover is well known for the famous White Cliffs of Dover as well as the ferry connection to mainland Europe. Also, Dover is famous for The White Cliffs of Dover.

The White Cliffs of Dover
The White Cliffs of Dover

How is Dover different from Versailles?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Versailles 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 Versailles?

Dover
Versailles

Versailles is a world-class destination for its sights and museums. Also, Dover is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Versailles on the map. The palace is filled with history and impressive items relating to the royal family. Within and near the palace you should make sure you see the Gardens of Versailles, Grand Trianon, the Hall of Mirrors, and the Royal Opera of Versailles.

Dover is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Aside from the iconic White Cliffs of Dover, there is the Dover Castle, the South Foreland Lighthouse, and the Grand Shaft.


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

Dover
Versailles

Dover is a nice place to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Versailles is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Dover. 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Versailles. There are a couple of restaurants and cafes on the grounds.

Is Dover or Versailles Better for Nightlife?

Dover
Versailles

Dover is adequate for nightlife. However, Versailles is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Dover doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. The nightlife has a relaxed atmosphere with wine bars and microbreweries.

Versailles is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Dover or Versailles Better for Hiking?

Dover
Versailles

Dover is a great town for hiking. However, Versailles is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Dover for the hiking trails. 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.

Versailles is not a hiking destination.


Is Dover or Versailles Better for Families?

Dover
Versailles

Dover is a nice place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, Versailles is not known for its family-friendly activities.

Dover offers lots of family activities. 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.

Versailles does not offer many kid-friendly activities. While there are those unicorn children who fall in love with the grand setting, for most kids, a visit to Versailles can make for make for a long and draining day.

Is Dover or Versailles Better for Couples?

Dover
Versailles

Both Dover and Versailles are excellent destinations to visit as a couple.

Dover is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Versailles makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's opulence, grandeur, and history make this a wonderful place to explore as a couple. There are gardens and other unique settings that make Versailles very romantic.

Is Dover or Versailles Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dover
Versailles

Dover is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Versailles is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

It's common for backpackers to visit Dover. You'll find several nice hostels to choose from in the town.

Versailles is not a backpacker-friendly destination.


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

Dover
Versailles

Versailles is a well-known place for its public transit. However, Dover is not a good town for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Versailles can get you to most places easily. There are SNCF trains that travel from Gare Montparnasse to Versailles Chantiers train station and additional trains that travel between Gare Saint Lazare and Versailles Rive Droite.

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

Is Dover or Versailles a more walkable city?

Dover
Versailles

Versailles is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. Also, Dover is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its walkability.

Versailles is a very walkable destination. It's approximately a 20 minute walk from the Versailles Chantiers train station to the entrance to the palace. Versailles Rive Droite is slightly closer.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Versailles or Dover?

How long in Dover or Versailles?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Dover or Versailles to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Dover than Versailles because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Dover, and 1-2 days is enough time in Versailles.

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

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


  • How many days in Dover or Versailles? Ideal Length of Stay
    Dover 2-4 
    Versailles 1-2

One day in Dover or Versailles?

With museums and food around the natural town of Dover, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Versailles, many people enjoy the museums that this opulent destination offers. Lots of people come for the museums. This palace 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 Versailles?

With food and museums around the destination of Dover, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

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

Dover, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Versailles is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the museums when visiting the destination of Versailles. Lots of people come for the museums. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Dover or Versailles?

Dover is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find museums around the grand destination of Versailles. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the museums. 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 Sightseeing Tours in France, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France.


Which place is cheaper, Versailles or Dover?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Dover is £124, while the average daily cost in Versailles is £200. 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 Dover and Versailles in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dover £62
    Versailles £110
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dover £124
    Versailles £220
Compare Hotels in Dover and Versailles

Looking for a hotel in Dover or Versailles? 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 Dover


Hotels in Versailles


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: Dover Hotel Prices and Versailles Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dover £39
    Versailles £45

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dover

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dover:

  • One-Way Taxi Transfer from Dover Seaport to London: $254
  • Private transfer from Dover to London hotel or airport: $210
  • Private Transfers from Heathrow Airport to Dover Cruise Port: $147
  • Dover to Heathrow and London Direct Shared Transfer: $131
  • Private Transfer from Dover Cruise Port to London City Hotels: $98
  • Private Transfer from Dover Cruise Port to London Airport (LHR): $66
  • Private Transfer from Dover Cruise Port to Gatwick City Hotels: $55
  • Private Transfer from Dover Port to London Gatwick Airport (LGW): $55

Is it cheaper to fly into Dover or Versailles?

Prices for flights to both Versailles and Dover 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
    Dover £38
    Versailles £57

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dover £20
    Versailles £39

Tours and Activities in Dover

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

  • Canterbury Landmarks Private Walking Tour: $218
  • Canterbury Private Walking Tour with a Professional Guide: $276
  • Canterbury Tour App, Hidden Gems Game and Big Britain Quiz (1 Day Pass) UK: $19
  • Canterbury's World Heritage Sites Guided Walking Tour: $229
  • Christmas Tales in Canterbury – Private Walking Tour: $217
  • Dover & White Cliffs Tour; Canterbury, Coastal Towns & Castles: $210
  • Dover Castle Admission Ticket: $29
  • Dover Cruise Ship to Leeds Castle via Canterbury, Villages & back: $177
  • Dover Shore Excursion:Post-Cruise Tour to London via Canterbury and Leeds Castle: $172
  • From Dover Cruise Ship; Grand Tour of White Cliffs Country & back: $108
  • From London: Dover Castle and White Cliffs Tour by Car: $1,083
  • Literary & Cultural Heritage: Canterbury Private Walking Tour: $218

Tours and Activities in Versailles

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Versailles.

  • Palace Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Ticket: $67
  • Versailles Palace Private Family Tour Designed for Kids: $261
  • Private Guided Tour of the Palace: $261

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dover £7.71
    Versailles £15

Sample the Local Flavors in Dover

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

  • Full Day Wine Tour in Sussex and Kent: $178


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dover and Versailles, we can see that Versailles is more expensive. And not only is Dover much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dover would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dover 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 Versailles would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Versailles than you might in Dover.

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


Which is Bigger, Dover or Versailles?

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

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 Dover or Versailles in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Dover as well as Versailles. The hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Dover this time of year.

In the summer, Dover is cooler than Versailles. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dover in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Versailles averages at about 20°C (68°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Versailles. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dover this time of the year. In the summer, Dover often gets less sunshine than Versailles. Dover gets 212 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Versailles receives 239 hours of full sun.

Dover usually gets less rain in July than Versailles. Dover gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Versailles receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Dover 17°C (63°F) 
    Versailles 20°C (68°F)

Should I visit Dover or Versailles in the Autumn?

Both Versailles and Dover are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Dover for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Versailles in the autumn for the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Dover is generally around the same temperature as Versailles. Daily temperatures in Dover average around 12°C (54°F), and Versailles fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Dover usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Versailles during autumn. Dover gets 119 hours of sunny skies, while Versailles receives 126 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Dover usually receives more rain than Versailles. Dover gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Versailles receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Dover 12°C (54°F) 
    Versailles 13°C (56°F)

Should I visit Dover or Versailles in the Winter?

Both Versailles and Dover during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Dover in the winter for the museums and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Versailles for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Versailles can be very cold during winter. Dover can get quite cold in the winter. Dover is around the same temperature as Versailles in the winter. The daily temperature in Dover averages around 4°C (40°F) in January, and Versailles fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

In the winter, Dover often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Versailles. Dover gets 57 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Versailles receives 56 hours of full sun.

Dover usually gets less rain in January than Versailles. Dover gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Versailles receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Dover 4°C (40°F) 
    Versailles 5°C (40°F)

Should I visit Dover or Versailles in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Dover and Versailles. Most visitors come to Dover for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Versailles because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Dover is cooler than Versailles. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dover in April average around 9°C (47°F), and Versailles averages at about 11°C (52°F).

Dover usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Versailles during spring. Dover gets 162 hours of sunny skies, while Versailles receives 173 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Dover usually receives less rain than Versailles. Dover gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Versailles receives 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Dover 9°C (47°F) 
    Versailles 11°C (52°F)

Typical Weather for Versailles and Dover

Dover Versailles
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 4°C (40°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 5°C (40°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Feb 5°C (40°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 6°C (42°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Mar 6°C (44°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 8°C (47°F) 52 mm (2.1 in)
Apr 9°C (47°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 11°C (52°F) 50 mm (1.9 in)
May 12°C (53°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 15°C (59°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 18°C (64°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Jul 17°C (63°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 20°C (68°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Aug 17°C (63°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 20°C (67°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Sep 15°C (59°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 17°C (63°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Oct 12°C (54°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 13°C (56°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Nov 8°C (46°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 8°C (47°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Dec 6°C (42°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 5°C (42°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)


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