A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dundee vs. Le Mans for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Dundee or Le Mans?

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

Should I visit Dundee or Le Mans? 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. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and museums.

Le Mans

Le Mans is a small, historic, and quaint town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It's also known for nightlife and museums.

Dundee and Le Mans: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for students
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with couples
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers


Is there more to do in Dundee or Le Mans?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Dundee. Although Dundee and Le Mans are roughly the same size, Dundee has more sights and attractions for tourists. Dundee is more popular for its food, shopping, and big city activities, while Le Mans is known for its small town charm. 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. Le Mans is popular for being the location of the annual 24 Hours of Le Mans, which is one of the world's greatest sports-car races.

How is Dundee different from Le Mans?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Dundee
Le Mans

Both Dundee and Le Mans 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.

Le Mans offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. It's most famous as the location of the 24 hour car race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and on some days it's possible to visit the race track which has a museum with simulators and other activities. Around town you'll find museums and activities affiliated with the racing culture, and there's also a cathedral as well as several nice museums relating to the automotive industry among other things.


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

Dundee
Le Mans

Dundee is very good for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Le Mans is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Dundee. There are a few local dishes that the city is known for. These include Dundee Cake, Dundee marmalade, and Angus beef.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Le Mans. It's not known for its food scene, but there is one dish in particular that you should try. The local specialty is les rillettes de porc, which is a pork paté.

Is Dundee or Le Mans Better for Nightlife?

Dundee
Le Mans

Both Dundee and Le Mans are good when it comes to partying.

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

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Le Mans. You'll find bars and clubs in the city center around Saint-Nicolas Quarter, rue des Ponts-neufs, Place de la Sirène and around the Republic Square.

Is the Shopping Better in Dundee or Le Mans?

Dundee
Le Mans

Dundee is adequate for shopping. However, Le Mans 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.

Le Mans is not a noteworthy shopping destination.


Is Dundee or Le Mans Better for Families?

Dundee
Le Mans

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Dundee or Le Mans.

Dundee is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Le Mans is a family-friendly city. Make sure you visit on a day when Le Mans Karting International and the 24 Hours of Le Mans Museum is open to visitors. Families can ride on high speed go-carts and train like professionals with special game simulators. This is a popular destination for adults and kids alike. The town also has indoor play areas, waterparks, and beautiful parks to explore.

Is Dundee or Le Mans Better for Couples?

Dundee
Le Mans

Le Mans is a popular place for romance. However, Dundee is not a good city for its romantic activities.

Le Mans is a nice destination for couples. It's a small town, but racing enthusiasts will enjoy a visit to the 24 Hours of Le Mans Museum.

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 Le Mans Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dundee
Le Mans

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Le Mans. While there aren't many hostels specifically designed for backpackers, it is possible to find affordable accommodation at most times.

Dundee is not a backpacker-friendly destination.


Is Dundee or Le Mans Better for Students?

Dundee
Le Mans

Dundee is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, Le Mans is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Dundee. Its affordability and authenticity make this a nice option for students. It's also a very safe city.

Le Mans is not popular with students.

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

Dundee
Le Mans

Both Dundee and Le Mans offer good public transit options.

Dundee has a few public transit options. The city has a public bus system.

Le Mans has some public transit options. There is a tram service around town that provides access to many places including the race track via the T1 line (Antarès-Stade Marie Marvingt and exit at the East Entrance).

Is Dundee or Le Mans a more walkable city?

Dundee
Le Mans

Dundee and Le Mans both are good when exploring on foot.

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

Le Mans is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the town are walkable.


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

Should I spend more time in Le Mans or Dundee?

How long in Dundee or Le Mans?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Le Mans than Dundee 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 Le Mans.


  • How many days in Dundee or Le Mans? Ideal Length of Stay
    Dundee 1-2 
    Le Mans 1-3

One day in Dundee or Le Mans?

In Dundee, you'll find museums and nightlife. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Le Mans. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Dundee or Le Mans?

In Dundee, you'll find nightlife 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 Dundee has to offer.

Le Mans 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 Le Mans?

Dundee 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.

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

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

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and museums when visiting the small destination of Le Mans. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 Adventure Tours to France, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in France.


Which place is cheaper, Le Mans or Dundee?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Dundee is £234, while the average daily cost in Le Mans is £71. 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 Dundee and Le Mans in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dundee £149
    Le Mans £32
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dundee £298
    Le Mans £64
Compare Hotels in Dundee and Le Mans

Looking for a hotel in Dundee or Le Mans? 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 Dundee


Hotels in Le Mans


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: Dundee Hotel Prices and Le Mans Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dundee £16
    Le Mans £26

Is it cheaper to fly into Dundee or Le Mans?

Prices for flights to both Le Mans and Dundee 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
    Dundee £47
    Le Mans £23
Typical Food Prices in Dundee

Some typical examples of dining costs in Dundee are as follows:


  • Moroccan Sandwich
    £2.70
  • Drinks and Scottish Shortbread at Discovery
    £4.70
  • Kebabs (for 2)
    £8.80

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dundee £106
    Le Mans £13
Typical Entertainment Prices in Dundee

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Dundee are as follows:


  • Newspaper
    £0.85

Tours and Activities in Dundee

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

  • Boat Seafari Adventure: $34
  • Dundee Tour App, Hidden Gems Game and Big Britain Quiz (1 Day Pass) UK: $19
  • Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $6.99
  • Made in A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Original Dundee Photoshoot Tour: $83
  • Skip-the-Line: Botanic Garden Entry Ticket: $6.36

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dundee £13
    Le Mans £10


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dundee and Le Mans, we can see that Dundee is more expensive. And not only is Le Mans much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Le Mans would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Le Mans 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 Le Mans.

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


Which is Bigger, Dundee or Le Mans?

Dundee has a larger population, and is about 5% larger than the population of Le Mans. When comparing the sizes of Dundee and Le Mans, 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 Le Mans?

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 Dundee or Le Mans in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Dundee as well as Le Mans. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Dundee this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Le Mans for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

Dundee is cooler than Le Mans in the summer. The daily temperature in Dundee averages around 14°C (58°F) in July, and Le Mans fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Le Mans. In the summer, Dundee often gets less sunshine than Le Mans. Dundee gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Le Mans receives 231 hours of full sun.

Dundee usually gets more rain in July than Le Mans. Dundee gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Dundee 14°C (58°F) 
    Le Mans 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Dundee or Le Mans in the Autumn?

Both Le Mans and Dundee are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Dundee for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Le Mans in the autumn for the small town atmosphere.

In the autumn, Dundee is cooler than Le Mans. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dundee in October average around 10°C (49°F), and Le Mans averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Dundee usually receives less sunshine than Le Mans during autumn. Dundee gets 100 hours of sunny skies, while Le Mans receives 117 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Dundee usually receives less rain than Le Mans. Dundee gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Dundee 10°C (49°F) 
    Le Mans 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Dundee or Le Mans in the Winter?

Both Le Mans and Dundee during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Dundee in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Le Mans for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Le Mans can be very cold during winter. Dundee can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Dundee is generally cooler than Le Mans. Daily temperatures in Dundee average around 3°C (38°F), and Le Mans fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

In the winter, Dundee often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Le Mans. Dundee gets 58 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Le Mans receives 54 hours of full sun.

Dundee usually gets less rain in January than Le Mans. Dundee gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Dundee 3°C (38°F) 
    Le Mans 5°C (40°F)

Should I visit Dundee or Le Mans in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Dundee and Le Mans. Most visitors come to Dundee for the activities around the city during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Le Mans because of the small town charm.

Dundee is cooler than Le Mans in the spring. The daily temperature in Dundee averages around 7°C (45°F) in April, and Le Mans fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Dundee usually receives less sunshine than Le Mans during spring. Dundee gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Le Mans receives 168 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Dundee usually receives less rain than Le Mans. Dundee gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Dundee 7°C (45°F) 
    Le Mans 10°C (50°F)

Typical Weather for Le Mans and Dundee

Dundee Le Mans
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (38°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 5°C (40°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Feb 3°C (38°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 5°C (42°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Mar 5°C (41°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 8°C (46°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Apr 7°C (45°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 10°C (50°F) 50 mm (2 in)
May 10°C (49°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 14°C (56°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Jun 13°C (55°F) 50 mm (2 in) 17°C (62°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Jul 14°C (58°F) 52 mm (2 in) 19°C (66°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Aug 14°C (58°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 19°C (65°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 16°C (61°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Oct 10°C (49°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 13°C (55°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Nov 5°C (42°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 8°C (46°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Dec 4°C (39°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 5°C (42°F) 75 mm (3 in)


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