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

Should you visit Fussen or Saint-Etienne?

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

Should I visit Fussen 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.

Fussen

Fussen is a charming, picturesque, and quintesential town. You'll find plenty of local activities in this small town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the hiking, museums, and food.

Saint-Etienne

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

Fussen and Saint-Etienne: Pros and Cons

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

Visitors will usually find more to do in Fussen than Saint-Etienne, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Fussen is better known for its food, historical sights, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Saint-Etienne is more popular for its nightlife and shopping. Fussen is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is known for its romantic atmosphere and its proximity to the Neuschwanstein Castle. Also, Fussen is famous for The Neuschwanstein Castle. Saint-Etienne is well known for its industrial and manufacturing past.

The Neuschwanstein Castle

How is Fussen different from Saint-Etienne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Fussen and Saint-Etienne.

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

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

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.

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 Fussen or Saint-Etienne Better for Nightlife?

Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne has a few options to choose from. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

Fussen is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

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

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

Fussen offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The small old town is filled with classic German charm.

Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

Is Fussen or Saint-Etienne Better for Hiking?

Fussen is great for hiking. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for the nearby hiking options.

Many visitors go to Fussen for the hiking trails. 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.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Fussen or Saint-Etienne?

Saint-Etienne is adequate for its shopping opportunities. However, Fussen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Fussen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Fussen or Saint-Etienne Better for Families?

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

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.

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 Fussen or Saint-Etienne Better for Couples?

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

Fussen is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. 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.

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 Fussen or Saint-Etienne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Fussen is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers 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.

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

Fussen and Saint-Etienne both offer notable 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.

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

Is Fussen or Saint-Etienne a more walkable city?

Fussen is an amazing town 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.

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

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

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

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

How long in Fussen or Saint-Etienne?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Fussen or Saint-Etienne to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Fussen than Saint-Etienne because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Fussen, and 1-2 days is enough time in Saint-Etienne.

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

One day in Fussen or Saint-Etienne?

Even though Fussen is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. 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.

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 Fussen or Saint-Etienne?

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. 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 Fussen or Saint-Etienne?

Fussen is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This town 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 Fussen or Saint-Etienne?

Fussen is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and museums when visiting the industrial 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 Oktoberfest Tours in Germany, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Germany, 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 Fussen and Saint-Etienne, we can see that Fussen 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 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 Saint-Etienne.

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

Which is Bigger, Fussen or Saint-Etienne?

Saint-Etienne has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Fussen. When comparing the sizes of Fussen 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.