A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dundee vs. Saint-Etienne for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Dundee or Saint-Etienne?

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

Should I visit Dundee or Saint-Etienne? 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 cultural, historic, and coastal city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, museums, and nightlife.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a historic, park-filled, and industrial city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, hiking, and museums.

Dundee and Saint-Etienne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dundee or Saint-Etienne?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Dundee. Although Dundee and Saint-Etienne are popular destinations, Dundee has more sights and attractions for tourists. Dundee is very popular for its food and big city activities, while Saint-Etienne attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Dundee is famous for its maritime and manufacturing history as well as its focus on design. It is also well known for Discovery Point and RRS Discovery. Saint-Etienne is famous for its industrial and manufacturing past.

How is Dundee different from Saint-Etienne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne?

Both Dundee and Saint-Etienne have nice 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.

Saint-Etienne offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are several great museums in town including the Musée d'Art et d'Industrie, Musée de la Mine, Musée des Verts, and the planetarium.

Is the Food Better in Dundee or Saint-Etienne? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dundee is a good destination for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Dundee has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are a few local dishes that the city is known for. These include Dundee Cake, Dundee marmalade, and Angus beef.

Saint-Etienne may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Try the many local cheeses which are a defining part of the cuisine in the area. You'll find some local restaurants around town where you can sample local flavors.

Is Dundee or Saint-Etienne Better for Nightlife?

Both Dundee and Saint-Etienne are nice 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 Saint-Etienne. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

Is Dundee or Saint-Etienne Better for Hiking?

Saint-Etienne is a popular place for the nearby hiking options. However, Dundee is not a hiking destination.

Saint-Etienne is a good destination for hiking. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Dundee is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Dundee or Saint-Etienne?

Both Dundee and Saint-Etienne are reasonable shopping destinations.

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.

If you're looking to go shopping, Saint-Etienne has some nice offerings. Shopping malls and several boutique shopping areas make up the city's shopping scene.

Is Dundee or Saint-Etienne Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Dundee or Saint-Etienne.

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.

Saint-Etienne is a family-friendly city. There are several kid-friendly museums as well as plenty of natural settings just outside of town. Your kids can run around and stretch their legs nearby at Crest of the Partridge or on a rainy day, the planetarium is a fun place to visit.

Is Dundee or Saint-Etienne Better for Couples?

Most people don't think of either Dundee or Saint-Etienne as a couple's destination.

Dundee is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The coastal city has some nice outdoor spaces and interesting restaurants that couples can enjoy.

Most people don't think of Saint-Etienne as a couple's destination. There are museums, parks, gardens, and beautiful architecture that make this a wonderful place for couples.

Is Dundee or Saint-Etienne Better for Students?

Dundee is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Saint-Etienne 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.

Saint-Etienne is not popular with students.

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

Both Dundee and Saint-Etienne offer nice public transit options.

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

Saint-Etienne has some public transit options. There are tram and bus options available in town.

Is Dundee or Saint-Etienne a more walkable city?

Dundee and Saint-Etienne both are nice when exploring on foot.

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

Saint-Etienne is a somewhat walkable place. There are several walkable areas in the city.

For even more information, also check out Is Dundee Worth Visiting? and Is Saint-Etienne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Saint-Etienne or Dundee?

How long in Dundee or Saint-Etienne?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Dundee or Saint-Etienne to fill your time. You can spend a similar amount of time exploring either. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Dundee than Saint-Etienne. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne.

One day in Dundee or Saint-Etienne?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the historic destination of Dundee. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

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

A weekend in Dundee or Saint-Etienne?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dundee. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne?

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Dundee. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days 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's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the city of Dundee. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and museums when visiting the historic destination of Saint-Etienne. This city 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Dundee or Saint-Etienne?

Saint-Etienne has a larger population, and is about 16% larger than the population of Dundee. When comparing the sizes of Dundee and Saint-Etienne, 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 Saint-Etienne?

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 Saint-Etienne in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Dundee as well as Saint-Etienne. Most visitors come to Dundee for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Saint-Etienne because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Dundee is much colder than Saint-Etienne. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dundee in July average around 14°C (58°F), and Saint-Etienne averages at about 22°C (71°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint-Etienne. In the summer, Dundee often gets less sunshine than Saint-Etienne. Dundee gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 285 hours of full sun.

Dundee usually gets less rain in July than Saint-Etienne. Dundee gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dundee or Saint-Etienne in the Autumn?

Both Saint-Etienne and Dundee are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Dundee because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Saint-Etienne this time of year.

In October, Dundee is generally cooler than Saint-Etienne. Daily temperatures in Dundee average around 10°C (49°F), and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

Dundee usually receives less sunshine than Saint-Etienne during autumn. Dundee gets 100 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Dundee usually receives less rain than Saint-Etienne. Dundee gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Dundee or Saint-Etienne in the Winter?

Both Saint-Etienne and Dundee during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Dundee this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint-Etienne. It's quite cold in Dundee in the winter. Dundee is cooler than Saint-Etienne in the winter. The daily temperature in Dundee averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Dundee often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint-Etienne. Dundee gets 58 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 62 hours of full sun.

Dundee usually gets more rain in January than Saint-Etienne. Dundee gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dundee or Saint-Etienne in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Dundee and Saint-Etienne. Many travelers come to Dundee for the activities around the city. Furthermore, many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the spring for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Dundee is much colder than Saint-Etienne. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dundee in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Saint-Etienne averages at about 11°C (53°F).

Dundee usually receives less sunshine than Saint-Etienne during spring. Dundee gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Dundee usually receives less rain than Saint-Etienne. Dundee gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Saint-Etienne and Dundee