A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Fussen vs. Calais for Couples, Attractions, Food, and Families

Should you visit Fussen or Calais?

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

Should I visit Fussen or Calais? 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.

Fussen

Fussen is a picturesque, quintesential, and storybook town. Because it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors for a good reason. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include museums, food, and hiking.

Calais

Calais is a undiscovered, coastal, and authentic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Fussen and Calais: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Scenic old town
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Very walkable
  • Small town charm
  • Impressive beauty
  • Home to the Neuschwanstein Castle
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Popular beach
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers
  • Less walkable


Is there more to do in Fussen or Calais?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Calais. Although Fussen and Calais are both popular with visitors, Calais has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Calais is more popular for its nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Fussen is known for its historical sights, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Fussen is more touristy than Calais and is popular for its romantic atmosphere and its proximity to the Neuschwanstein Castle. Calais is popular for being a gateway for travelers to France. It is also home to The Town Hall.

How is Fussen different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Fussen or Calais?

Fussen
Calais

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Fussen and Calais.

Fussen offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Most people stopping in town are on their way to or from the Neuschwanstein Castle. It is one of the most famous castles in Germany as many people say it was the inspiration for the Disney Castle.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Calais. It's a port city with a few good museums and landmarks to see. Check out the Town Hall, Burghers of Calais, La Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode, and Musée de la Guerre de Calais, as well as the Calais Lighthouse.


Is the Food Better in Fussen or Calais? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Fussen
Calais

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

Fussen has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Many restaurants embrace the fairytale setting and offer their own storybook atmosphere. This is a well worn tourist path, so you'll find a number of restaurants serving traditional dishes specifically for the tourists.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Calais area. The region is known for its mackerel, andouillette sausage, and endive and ham gratin. If you're passing through, this is also a good place to stock up on wine and cheese.

Is Fussen or Calais Better for Nightlife?

Fussen
Calais

Calais is a popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Fussen is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Calais has a few options to choose from. You'll find bars and pubs around town as well as a few clubs. Places range from trendy and high end to local dive bars.

Fussen is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Fussen or Calais Better for Beaches?

Fussen
Calais

Calais is a popular place for the beache. However, Fussen is not a beach destination.

Calais is a good option for a beach vacation. There are some sandy beaches near town that have nice stretches of sand and plenty of sand dunes. Many locals enjoy sunbathing at the beaches.

Fussen is not a beach destination.


Is Fussen or Calais Better for its Old Town?

Fussen
Calais

Fussen is a must-visit destination for its historic old town charm. However, Calais does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of Fussen can be explored in its historical center. The small old town is filled with classic German charm.

Calais does not have a historic old town.

Is Fussen or Calais Better for Hiking?

Fussen
Calais

Fussen is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Calais is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Fussen. The countryside offers a number of beautiful trails that pass through forests and meadows. You'll also find waterfalls and nice viewpoints. The hikes are very well marked with excellent signage.

Calais is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Fussen or Calais?

Fussen
Calais

Calais is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Fussen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Calais. Many visitors stock up on wine and cheese when they're passing through. It's common to head straight to Auchan or Carrefour to stock up on some items.

Fussen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.


Is Fussen or Calais Better for Families?

Fussen
Calais

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Fussen or Calais.

Fussen offers lots of family activities. Neuschwanstein Castle is not far away, and it's a big part of why some families may stay in this small town. Kids will also enjoy wandering around the old town and grabbing ice cream. Just outside of town is Lechfall, which is a manmade waterfall and a little further is the Treetop Walkway. The surrounding area also has a lot of natural beauty as well as giant alpine slides.

Calais is a family-friendly place to visit. There's the Nausicaa Aquarium, the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, and the Second World War Museum. There are also beaches and parks to explore as well as some nice playgrounds.

Is Fussen or Calais Better for Couples?

Fussen
Calais

Fussen is well known for couples. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Fussen frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It sits at the end of Germany's Romantic Road and the small town does not disappoint. For many, it's a stopover while visiting the famous Neuschwanstein Castle, but the surrounding countryside is also beautiful and worth exploring.

Calais is a nice destination for couples. Couples can picnic with wine and cheese or eat their way through the town's great restaurants. There are also some nice beaches where people enjoy sunbathing or relaxing.

Is Fussen or Calais Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Fussen
Calais

Fussen is a popular place for backpackers. However, Calais is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Fussen. For its small size, the town has a number of hostels to choose from. Prices are reasonable, so this is a nice option for backpackers passing through the area.

Calais is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This part of France is often overlooked by tourists so you won't find many backpackers or hostels in the area. It does offer a glimpse into an authentic side of France.


Is Fussen or Calais Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Fussen
Calais

Fussen and Calais both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Fussen offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses through the region including buses to Neuschwanstein Castle.

Calais has a few public transit options. The city has 13 bus lines that run through town and into the surrounding areas. If you're arriving by ferry from the UK, there are shuttle buses that connect the ferry terminal to the train station.

Is Fussen or Calais a more walkable city?

Fussen
Calais

Fussen is a must-visit destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Getting around Fussen on foot is easy. It's easy to walk from one side of the old town to the other in half an hour.

Calais is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are more walkable than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Fussen Worth Visiting? and Is Calais Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Calais or Fussen?

How long in Fussen or Calais?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Fussen and Calais. In our opinion, Fussen has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Fussen than Calais. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Fussen, and 1-3 days is enough time in Calais.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Fussen than Calais 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 Fussen.


  • How many days in Fussen or Calais? Ideal Length of Stay
    Fussen 2-3 
    Calais 1-3

One day in Fussen or Calais?

Fussen might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. 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.

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


A weekend in Fussen or Calais?

Fussen 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.

Calais 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 Fussen or Calais?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Calais. 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 Fussen or Calais?

Fussen is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the coastal destination of Calais. 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 Oktoberfest Tours in Germany, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Germany, The Best Budget Tours to France, and The Best Tours for Seniors to France.


Which place is cheaper, Calais or Fussen?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Fussen is €210, while the average daily cost in Calais is €139. 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 Fussen and Calais in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Fussen 109
    Calais 77
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Fussen 218
    Calais 154
Compare Hotels in Fussen and Calais

Looking for a hotel in Fussen or Calais? 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 Fussen


Hotels in Calais


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: Fussen Hotel Prices and Calais Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Fussen 54
    Calais 47

Is it cheaper to fly into Fussen or Calais?

Prices for flights to both Calais and Fussen 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
    Fussen 59
    Calais 35
Typical Food Prices in Fussen

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Fussen:


  • Lunch
    10

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Fussen 60
    Calais 8.92

Tours and Activities in Fussen

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Fussen.

  • Neuschwanstein Castle Ticket +Guide: $41
  • Neuschwanstein ticket+ City Bike from Fuessen: $51
  • Skip The Line Neuschwanstein Castle Tour from Hohenschwangau: $60
  • Neuschwanstein Castle Tour with Skip the Line from Hohenschwangau: $64
  • Skip-the-Line: Neuschwanstein Castle Tour from Hohenschwangau: $64
  • Private tour of the best of Fussen - Sightseeing, Food & Culture with a local: $225
  • Füssen Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $254
  • Skip the Line: Neuschwanstein Castle Private Tour From Füssen or Hohenschwangau: $270

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Fussen 20
    Calais 12


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

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


Which is Bigger, Fussen or Calais?

Calais has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Fussen. When comparing the sizes of Fussen and Calais, 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.