A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dundee vs. Killarney for Families, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Dundee or Killarney?

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

Should I visit Dundee or Killarney? 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.

Dundee

Dundee is a coastal, cultural, and historic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and museums.

Killarney

Killarney is a natural, peaceful, and charming town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for food, hiking, and museums.

Dundee and Killarney: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dundee or Killarney?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Dundee. Although Dundee and Killarney are both popular with visitors, Dundee has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Dundee is more popular for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Killarney is known for its hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Killarney is more touristy than Dundee and is known for its access to Killarney National Park and its location along the Ring of Kerry scenic drive. Dundee is popular for its maritime and manufacturing history as well as its focus on design. It is also home to Discovery Point and RRS Discovery.

How is Dundee different from Killarney?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Dundee or Killarney?

Both Dundee and Killarney have good landmarks and museums for visitors.

Dundee is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. On the waterfront you'll find a couple of nautical museums such as RRS Discovery, and HM Frigate Unicorn. Other museums and sights include V&A Dundee, Tay Rail Bridge, Camperdown Wildlife Centre, and Glamis Castle.

Killarney offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. In addition to the area's natural beauty, you should also check out Muckross House Gardens, Muckross Abbey, and Ross Castle.

Is the Food Better in Dundee or Killarney? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Dundee and Killarney can be difficult as they are each good in their own way.

Dundee offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are a few local dishes that the city is known for. These include Dundee Cake, Dundee marmalade, and Angus beef.

Killarney has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find great local fish and chips shops as well as locally caught seafood and regional produce. There are cafes and other independent restaurants that provide a local taste of the area.

Is Dundee or Killarney Better for Nightlife?

Dundee is a city with good options for nightlife. However, Killarney is not particularly known for nightlife and partying.

Dundee has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The vibrant student population heavily influences the city's nightlife. There are a number of clubs and bars where you can hang out late into the night.

Killarney doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. You can hang out with the locals at one of the bars or Irish pubs in town.

Is Dundee or Killarney Better for Hiking?

Killarney is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Dundee is not a hiking destination.

Killarney is a popular spot for hiking. You'll find many great hiking trails both in and around Killarney National Park. The town is also the starting and ending point for the 200 km Kerry Way walking trail. Other hikes worth checking out in the area include the Knockreer Circular Walk, Muckross Lake Loop Walk, and Old Kenmare Road Walk.

Dundee is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Dundee or Killarney?

Dundee is a city with a few options for shopping. However, Killarney is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Dundee is a good destination for shopping. There are shopping centers and a few independent shops that are worth checking out. Head to Overgate Shopping Centre for the standard brands or Dundee's Farmer's Market for some local produce.

Killarney is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Dundee or Killarney Better for Families?

Killarney is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Dundee is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Killarney is a very family-friendly place to visit. The area has many outdoor activities. You can explore Killarney National Park by horseback or head out on bikes. You can also take a boat ride or there's Kennedys Pet Farm for animal lovers.

Dundee is a family-friendly city. Head to the Dundee Science Center or check out Discovery Point. There's also the Dundee Treasure Trail as well as climbing walls and other outdoor activities for when the weather's nice.

Is Dundee or Killarney Better for Couples?

Killarney is a well-known place for romance. However, Dundee is not a good city for its romantic activities.

Killarney is a very popular place to visit for couples. Nature enthusiasts will enjoy exploring Killarney National Park. You can also go kayaking, biking, horseback riding or relax at The Angsana Spa.

Most people don't think of Dundee as a couple's destination. The coastal city has some nice outdoor spaces and interesting restaurants that couples can enjoy.

Is Dundee or Killarney Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Killarney is a popular place for backpackers. However, Dundee is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Killarney. You'll find a surprising number of interesting hostels in the area so you shouldn't have trouble finding a place to stay or meeting fellow backpackers.

Dundee is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Dundee or Killarney Better for Students?

Dundee is a city with good options for students. However, Killarney is not popular with students.

Dundee is popular with students. Its affordability and authenticity make this a nice option for students. It's also a very safe city.

Killarney is not popular with students.

Is Dundee or Killarney Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Dundee is a city with good options for its public transit. However, Killarney is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Dundee, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The city has a public bus system.

Public transit is mostly limited in Killarney. There's a shuttle bus that travels between some of the tourist attractions.

Is Dundee or Killarney a more walkable city?

Dundee is a city with good options for its walkability. However, Killarney is not particularly known for its high level of walkability.

Dundee is somewhat walkable. There are a number of walks through the town.

Killarney is not a very walkable city. While there are many great hikes in the area, you'll need a car to access most of them.

For even more information, also check out Is Dundee Worth Visiting? and Is Killarney Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Killarney or Dundee?

How long in Dundee or Killarney?

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

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

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

One day in Dundee or Killarney?

You'll find food and museums around the city of Dundee. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Dundee has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Killarney. 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.

A weekend in Dundee or Killarney?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Dundee. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Killarney 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.

Five days in Dundee or Killarney?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural city of Dundee. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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

A week in Dundee or Killarney?

Dundee is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the natural destination of Killarney. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from London, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Budget Tours to Ireland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Ireland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Dundee or Killarney?

Dundee has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Killarney. When comparing the sizes of Dundee and Killarney, 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 Dundee or Killarney?

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 Dundee or Killarney in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dundee and Killarney. Many visitors come to Dundee in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Killarney for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Dundee is around the same temperature as Killarney in the summer. The daily temperature in Dundee averages around 14°C (58°F) in July, and Killarney fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

Dundee usually receives more sunshine than Killarney during summer. Dundee gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Killarney receives 140 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Dundee usually receives less rain than Killarney. Dundee gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Killarney receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Dundee or Killarney in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Dundee as well as Killarney. Most visitors come to Dundee for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Killarney because of the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Dundee is cooler than Killarney. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dundee in October average around 10°C (49°F), and Killarney averages at about 12°C (53°F).

In the autumn, Dundee often gets more sunshine than Killarney. Dundee gets 100 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Killarney receives 79 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Killarney. Dundee usually gets less rain in October than Killarney. Dundee gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Killarney receives 156 mm (6.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dundee or Killarney in the Winter?

Both Killarney and Dundee are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Dundee because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Killarney this time of year.

The weather in Dundee can be very cold. In January, Dundee is generally much colder than Killarney. Daily temperatures in Dundee average around 3°C (38°F), and Killarney fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Dundee usually receives more sunshine than Killarney during winter. Dundee gets 58 hours of sunny skies, while Killarney receives 44 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Killarney. In January, Dundee usually receives less rain than Killarney. Dundee gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Killarney receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Dundee or Killarney in the Spring?

Both Killarney and Dundee during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city are the main draw to Dundee this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Killarney for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Dundee is cooler than Killarney in the spring. The daily temperature in Dundee averages around 7°C (45°F) in April, and Killarney fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the spring, Dundee often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Killarney. Dundee gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Killarney receives 150 hours of full sun.

Dundee usually gets less rain in April than Killarney. Dundee gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Killarney receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Killarney and Dundee