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

Should you visit Edinburgh or Saint-Etienne?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Edinburgh and Saint-Etienne can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a charming, character-filled, and vibrant city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the live music, shopping, and museums.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a undiscovered, authentic, and historic city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the hiking, museums, and nightlife.

Edinburgh and Saint-Etienne: Pros and Cons

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

You'll generally find more things to do in Edinburgh than Saint-Etienne. Edinburgh is bigger than Saint-Etienne, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Edinburgh is better known for its museums, theatre productions, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Saint-Etienne is more popular for its hiking. Edinburgh is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is known for its medieval Old Town, the Royal Mile, and its influence on the Harry Potter series. Also, Edinburgh is famous for The Edinburgh Castle. Saint-Etienne is well known for its industrial and manufacturing past.

How is Edinburgh different from Saint-Etienne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Edinburgh or Saint-Etienne?

Edinburgh is an amazing city to visit for its historical sights. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

The museums and tourist attractions in Edinburgh are world-renowned. The most famous sights include the Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and the National Museum of Scotland. There are also kid-friendly museums like Camera Obscura.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Saint-Etienne. 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 Edinburgh or Saint-Etienne Better for Theater?

Edinburgh is great for its theatre productions. However, Saint-Etienne is not a theatre destination.

Edinburgh offers many theater and performance venues for visitors. It's fun to see a live performance or attend one of the festivals in town.

Saint-Etienne is not a theatre destination.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Edinburgh and Saint-Etienne.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Edinburgh. The city has some unique but famous dishes to try including haggis and black pudding. For slightly less intimidating options, check out the cullen skink, porridge, or smoked salmon. There are many fish and chips shops to choose from as well as a diversity of ethnic restaurants including Indian, Thai, and Ethiopian.

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 Edinburgh or Saint-Etienne Better for Nightlife?

Edinburgh is great for nightlife and partying. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

Many people head to Edinburgh for the nightlife scene. With so many students, the nightlife stays very active. There are a wide range of bars and clubs to choose from as well as some of the country's oldest pubs. Tourists tend to frequent the Old Town area, but you'll find more locals if you head to the student and university areas.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Saint-Etienne. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

Is Edinburgh or Saint-Etienne Better for Music?

Edinburgh is an amazing city to visit for its live music scene. However, Saint-Etienne is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Edinburgh. In addition to a wide range of live music venues, there are also a number of music festivals held in town.

Saint-Etienne is not a live music destination.

Is Edinburgh or Saint-Etienne Better for its Old Town?

Edinburgh is an amazing city to visit for its old town. However, Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

Edinburgh offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The city's Old Town attracts international visitors who come to see the Edinburgh Castle, the quaint streets, and the many shops and cafes. The Royal Mile is a popular area with pubs and souvenir shops. It connects the castle to the Scottish Parliament.

Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

Is Edinburgh or Saint-Etienne Better for Hiking?

Saint-Etienne is a city with good options for its hiking trails. However, Edinburgh is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Saint-Etienne. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Edinburgh is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Edinburgh or Saint-Etienne?

Edinburgh is great for its shopping opportunities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its shopping areas.

Edinburgh is well-known for its shopping. Head to Princes Street in the New Town to visit department stores and other name brand shops. Nearby George Street has more boutique style shops and less crowds. In the Old Town, Victoria Street is filled with Harry Potter shops and tourist stores where you can pick up a kilt or Edinburgh sweatshirt.

Saint-Etienne has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. Shopping malls and several boutique shopping areas make up the city's shopping scene.

Is Edinburgh or Saint-Etienne Better for Families?

Edinburgh is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Edinburgh is very family-friendly. Kids will enjoy wandering down Victoria Street and popping in the Harry Potter shops. There are also a number of fascinating Harry Potter tours that take you through notable landmarks where J.K. Rowling was inspired to write these popular stories. You'll even visit Tom Riddle's gravesite. Other highlights that families will enjoy include Edinburgh Castle and the Edinburgh Dungeon, which is best for older kids or kids that enjoy a good scare. Younger kids will enjoy a trip the illusions museum, Camera Obscura, which also offers one of the best views of the city.

Saint-Etienne is a family-friendly place to visit. 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 Edinburgh or Saint-Etienne Better for Couples?

Edinburgh is great for its romantic activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for couples.

Edinburgh is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. With its castle and the Royal Mile, there are many romantic places to explore as a couple. There are also good restaurants and some nice hotels. Whether you're interested in history, food, or fun, this city makes for a great couples trip.

Saint-Etienne is not always the best place to visit for a couple. There are museums, parks, gardens, and beautiful architecture that make this a wonderful place for couples.

Is Edinburgh or Saint-Etienne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Edinburgh is an amazing city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Edinburgh is extremely popular for backpackers. The city has some good hostels and an active nightlife, so it's not hard to find other travelers to hang out with. It's a well visited city with many areas that attracted younger travelers or students.

Saint-Etienne is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not high on the backpacker trail, but there are hostels and plenty of activities to enjoy.

Is Edinburgh or Saint-Etienne Better for Students?

Edinburgh is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not popular with students.

Many students visit Edinburgh. This multicultural city is popular with international students because of its excellent research and academic centers as well as its unique history.

Saint-Etienne is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Edinburgh and Saint-Etienne.

Edinburgh has some public transit options. Buses are the best way to get into town from the outer edges if you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Saint-Etienne, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are tram and bus options available in town.

Is Edinburgh or Saint-Etienne a more walkable city?

Edinburgh is an amazing city to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

Edinburgh is a very easy city to get around on foot. The Old Town in particular is fun to walk around

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

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

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

How long in Edinburgh or Saint-Etienne?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Edinburgh or Saint-Etienne to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Edinburgh than Saint-Etienne because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Edinburgh, and 1-2 days is enough time in Saint-Etienne.

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

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

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

One day in Edinburgh or Saint-Etienne?

Many travelers enjoy the theater and nightlife when visiting the gothic destination of Edinburgh. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

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

A weekend in Edinburgh or Saint-Etienne?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Edinburgh. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the park-filled destination of Saint-Etienne. 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.

Five days in Edinburgh or Saint-Etienne?

Many travelers enjoy the live music and shopping when visiting the character-filled destination of Edinburgh. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and museums when visiting the park-filled city of Saint-Etienne. 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.

A week in Edinburgh or Saint-Etienne?

You'll find shopping and museums around the beautiful city of Edinburgh. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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.

Saint-Etienne 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 10-Day Tours from London, 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 Edinburgh and Saint-Etienne, we can see that Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh Expensive? and Is Saint-Etienne Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Edinburgh or Saint-Etienne?

Edinburgh has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Saint-Etienne. When comparing the sizes of Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh or Saint-Etienne?

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 Edinburgh or Saint-Etienne in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Edinburgh and Saint-Etienne. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Edinburgh this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Edinburgh is much colder than Saint-Etienne in the summer. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 14°C (58°F) in July, and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint-Etienne this time of the year. Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Saint-Etienne during summer. Edinburgh gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Saint-Etienne. Edinburgh gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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

The autumn brings many poeple to Edinburgh as well as Saint-Etienne. Many travelers come to Edinburgh for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Edinburgh is cooler than Saint-Etienne. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Edinburgh in October average around 10°C (49°F), and Saint-Etienne averages at about 14°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Saint-Etienne. Edinburgh gets 90 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 127 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets less rain in October than Saint-Etienne. Edinburgh gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Saint-Etienne and Edinburgh are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Edinburgh in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Saint-Etienne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Saint-Etienne can be very cold during winter. Edinburgh can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Edinburgh is generally cooler than Saint-Etienne. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 3°C (38°F), and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Saint-Etienne during winter. Edinburgh gets 48 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Edinburgh usually receives more rain than Saint-Etienne. Edinburgh gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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

Both Saint-Etienne and Edinburgh during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Edinburgh for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Saint-Etienne because of the natural beauty.

Edinburgh is much colder than Saint-Etienne in the spring. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 7°C (45°F) in April, and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

In the spring, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Saint-Etienne. Edinburgh gets 132 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 174 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets less rain in April than Saint-Etienne. Edinburgh gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Saint-Etienne and Edinburgh