A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dresden vs. Auxerre for Nightlife, Attractions, Food, and Families

Should you visit Dresden or Auxerre?

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

Should I visit Dresden or Auxerre? 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.

Dresden

Dresden is a friendly, architectural, and cultural city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Auxerre

Auxerre is a undiscovered, authentic, and under-rated town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. Other popular activities here include food and museums.

Dresden and Auxerre: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dresden or Auxerre?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Dresden. Although Dresden and Auxerre are popular destinations, Dresden has more sights and attractions for tourists. Dresden is very popular for its nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Auxerre attracts visitors for its small town charm. Dresden is more touristy than Auxerre and is popular for its beautiful palaces, castles, and many landmarks (such as the Baroque Zwinger Palace, Semperoper Opera House and the Church of Our Lady). It is also well known for Dresden Frauenkirche and The Royal Palace. Auxerre is famous for its food, wine, and art history.

How is Dresden different from Auxerre?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Dresden or Auxerre?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Dresden or Auxerre.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Dresden. It's rich in culture and baroque architecture. Some of the main sights around town include Dresden Frauenkirche, the Dresden Royal Palace and Museums, the Zwinger and Old Masters Picture Gallery, and the Semper Opera.

Auxerre is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Although the town is often overlooked by tourists, there are many nice cathedrals and churches around town.

Is the Food Better in Dresden or Auxerre? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Dresden and Auxerre can be difficult as they are each nice in their own way.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Dresden area. The food features a number of Saxon specialties, which are typically hearty and heavy on the meat. If you have a sweet tooth, you'll also appreciate the many sweets that you can find around town. You should make sure you try a Fettbemme (open faced sandwich), Eierschecke (a cake), and Sächsische Kartoffelsuppe (potato soup) while you're in town.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Auxerre. The town is a the heart of the wine industry, so you'll find many great restaurants where you can enjoy local food and wine.

Is Dresden or Auxerre Better for Nightlife?

Dresden is great for its evening party scene. However, Auxerre is not a good destination for nightlife.

Many people head to Dresden for the nightlife scene. Head to Neustadt for the highest concentration of bars and clubs. There's a diversity of trendy clubs and casual bars. Bar hopping is easy as most places are accessible by public transit.

Most people don't head to Auxerre specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It has a quiet nightlife with some nice bars and pubs.

Is Dresden or Auxerre Better for its Old Town?

Dresden is great for its historic old town charm. However, Auxerre does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Dresden. Much of the city's old town has been rebuilt, but that's not to say it isn't beautiful. The main square and surrounding area are where you'll find the majority of the city's main sights.

Auxerre does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Dresden or Auxerre?

Dresden is very good for its shopping areas. However, Auxerre is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Dresden has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Kunsthofpassage Dresden is a network of streets where you'll find crafts, art, and other eclectic items for sale. Prager Strasse is a popular shopping street near old town and Seestrasse is where you'll find all of the trendy brands that are popular throughout Europe. The city also has many shopping malls.

Auxerre is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Dresden or Auxerre Better for Families?

Auxerre is a popular place for its family-friendly activities. However, Dresden is a city with minimal options for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Auxerre. There's the Zoo de La Fleche and the Aquarium de Touraine. You can also wander through Musee de l'Avallon or des Plantes.

For families, Dresden is not always the best place to visit. It doesn't have quite the abundance of activities for kids that you may find in other Germany cities, but that doesn't mean that kids will be bored. There's the Dresden Zoo, the Dresdner Parkeisenbahn (a small steam rail), and the Saxon Folk Art Museum. Families can also take a guided to of the Transparent Factory, which is owned by Volkswagon and provided information on the manufacturing of automobiles.

Is Dresden or Auxerre Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Dresden and Auxerre make for a nice place to visit.

Dresden is a good city for couples to visit. Couples can explore the old town or walk through one of the city's many parks. The city has many cultural activities. In the new town you'll find many great bars and fascinating restaurants.

Auxerre is a nice destination for couples. There are many great eateries as well nice architecture and, of course, excellent wine.

Is Dresden or Auxerre Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dresden is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Auxerre is not a good destination for backpackers.

Dresden is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are plenty of hostels to choose from and the city itself is not particularly expensive.

Auxerre is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a popular stop off on the backpacker circuit, but you will find some affordable accommodation options.

Is Dresden or Auxerre Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Dresden and Auxerre.

You'll find some public transit in Dresden, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The city has two major train stations as well as tram and bus lines around town.

While Auxerre offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses around town.

Is Dresden or Auxerre a more walkable city?

Dresden is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its walkability.

Dresden is a very walkable destination. Particularly in the compact city center you'll find Dresden to be very walkable.

Auxerre is somewhat walkable. The center is walkable but it is a bit more difficult to navigate than some nearby towns.

For even more information, also check out Is Dresden Worth Visiting? and Is Auxerre Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Auxerre or Dresden?

How long in Dresden or Auxerre?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Dresden or Auxerre to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Dresden than Auxerre because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Dresden, and 1-2 days is enough time in Auxerre.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Dresden than Auxerre 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 Dresden.

One day in Dresden or Auxerre?

In Dresden, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

In Auxerre, you'll find food and museums. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Dresden or Auxerre?

In Dresden, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Dresden has to offer.

In Auxerre, you'll find museums and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Auxerre has to offer.

Five days in Dresden or Auxerre?

Dresden is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Auxerre is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Dresden or Auxerre?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dresden. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Dresden. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Auxerre. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Auxerre. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, and The Best 2-Week Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Dresden or Auxerre?

Dresden has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Auxerre. When comparing the sizes of Dresden and Auxerre, 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 Dresden or Auxerre?

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 Dresden or Auxerre in the Summer?

Both Auxerre and Dresden during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Dresden this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Auxerre for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

Dresden is around the same temperature as Auxerre in the summer. The daily temperature in Dresden averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Auxerre fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

Dresden usually gets more rain in July than Auxerre. Dresden gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dresden or Auxerre in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dresden and Auxerre. Many travelers come to Dresden for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Auxerre in the autumn for the small town atmosphere.

In the autumn, Dresden is cooler than Auxerre. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dresden in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Auxerre averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In October, Dresden usually receives less rain than Auxerre. Dresden gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Dresden or Auxerre in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Dresden as well as Auxerre. Many visitors come to Dresden in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Auxerre for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Auxerre can be very cold during winter. Dresden can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Dresden is generally much colder than Auxerre. Daily temperatures in Dresden average around 1°C (33°F), and Auxerre fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Dresden usually gets less rain in January than Auxerre. Dresden gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dresden or Auxerre in the Spring?

Both Auxerre and Dresden are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Dresden for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Auxerre because of the small town charm.

Dresden is around the same temperature as Auxerre in the spring. The daily temperature in Dresden averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Auxerre fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In April, Dresden usually receives around the same amount of rain as Auxerre. Dresden gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Auxerre and Dresden