A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Galway vs. Giverny for Attractions, Couples, Backpackers, and Food

Should you visit Galway or Giverny?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Galway and Giverny 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.

Galway

Galway is a vibrant, lively, and friendly city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Giverny

Giverny is a peaceful, serene, and inspiring town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for food and museums.

Galway and Giverny: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good for students
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty
  • Home to the Home and Gardens of Claude Monet
Things to Consider
  • Less family-friendly


Is there more to do in Galway or Giverny?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Galway. Although Galway and Giverny are popular destinations, Galway has more sights and attractions for tourists. Galway is very popular for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Giverny attracts visitors for its museums, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Giverny is more touristy than Galway and is popular for being the home and inspiration for Claude Monet. Galway is famous for its many festivals, its traditional pubs, and its live Irish folk music. It is also well known for The Galway Market.

How is Galway different from Giverny?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Galway or Giverny?

Galway
Giverny

Giverny is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Giverny. The town is most notable as the home of Claude Monet between 1883 and 1926. Highlights of a visit include visiting Jardin d'Eau (The Water Garden), The Normandy Garden, and Monet's House.

Galway offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Popular landmarks and sights in town include Eyre Square, St. Nicholas' Church, the Galway Cathedral, and the Galway City Museum.


Is the Food Better in Galway or Giverny? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Galway
Giverny

Dining out at restaurants in both Galway and Giverny can be an enjoyable experience.

Galway offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are local pubs and traditional restaurants offering authentic Irish dishes. Popular options include Irish Stew, Cockles and Mussels, and Galway Oysters.

Giverny has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are cozy cafes and charming restaurants in the town. If you visit as part of a tour, a restaurant stop may be included.

Is Galway or Giverny Better for Nightlife?

Galway
Giverny

Galway is great for nightlife and partying. However, Giverny is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Many people head to Galway for the nightlife scene. The nightlife scene is among the best in Ireland. The city embraces the friendly Irish hospitality and there are laid back pubs and bars around town as well as a few trendy nightclubs.

Giverny is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is the Shopping Better in Galway or Giverny?

Galway
Giverny

Galway is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Giverny is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Galway. You'll find shopping both in the city center as well as at suburban shopping malls. For some of the best shopping head to The Latin Quarter, The Westend or the outdoor market which is found in Church lane by St Nicholas' Church.

Giverny is not a noteworthy shopping destination.


Is Galway or Giverny Better for Families?

Galway
Giverny

Galway is a popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Giverny is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Galway offers lots of family activities. Kids will enjoy the National Aquarium Galway or simply wandering around the Latin Quarter. About 15 minutes outside of the city is the Wildlands Adventure Park which has ziplines, ropes courses, and other adrenaline filled activities. Brigit's Garden is another fun place to let kids stretch their legs.

Giverny is not the most family-friendly destination. The gardens are stunning and the house is impressive, but it's best to prepare younger kids with some activities beforehand. Even the most art-minded children will appreciate a hands-on activity that helps bring the experience to life.

Is Galway or Giverny Better for Couples?

Galway
Giverny

Giverny is notable for romance. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Giverny is a very popular place to visit for couples. The setting seeped in romance and the gardens bring art to life. On occasion you may even see a young couple get engaged during their visit.

Galway makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are nice restaurants, beautiful walks, and a few parks to explore. There are also several romantic places just outside of town that make for a great day trip.

Is Galway or Giverny Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Galway
Giverny

Galway is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Giverny is not as popular, but is still a nice town for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Galway. There are plenty of hostels in the area and it's easy to meet other travelers.

Giverny is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Many people, backpackers included, visit the town as a day trip from Paris. It's possible to visit by train and shuttle bus.


Is Galway or Giverny Better for Students?

Galway
Giverny

Galway is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Giverny is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Galway. The city has a solid student population with a number of activities and entertainment options.

Giverny is not popular with students.

Is Galway or Giverny Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Galway
Giverny

Both Galway and Giverny offer nice public transit options.

Galway has a few public transit options. There are two bus companies in Galway, Bus Eireann and City Direct.

Giverny has some public transit options. You can reach Giverny by train from Paris. You'll leave from the Gare Saint-Lazare train station in Paris and arrive in the town of Vernon. The trip is about 45 minutes. From there you can take a bus or taxi on to Giverny.

Is Galway or Giverny a more walkable city?

Galway
Giverny

Galway is great for its high level of walkability. Also, Giverny is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its ease of walking around.

Galway is a very walkable city. If you stay in central Galway, the area is generally compact and walkable.

Giverny is a somewhat walkable city. Many people choose to walk between the town of Vernon and Giverny, both of which are worth visiting. They're separated by about 6 kilometers (3.5 miles).


For even more information, also check out Is Galway Worth Visiting? and Is Giverny Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Giverny or Galway?

How long in Galway or Giverny?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Galway than Giverny 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 Galway.


  • How many days in Galway or Giverny? Ideal Length of Stay
    Galway 2-3 
    Giverny 1-2

One day in Galway or Giverny?

In Galway, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

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

A weekend in Galway or Giverny?

In Galway, you'll find food and shopping. 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 Galway has to offer.

Giverny 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 Galway or Giverny?

Galway 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 Giverny. 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 Galway or Giverny?

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

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the peaceful destination of Giverny. 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 Budget Tours to Ireland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Ireland, The Best Coach Bus Tours in France, and The Best Adventure Tours to France.


Which place is cheaper, Giverny or Galway?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Galway is €131, while the average daily cost in Giverny is €125. 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 Galway and Giverny in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Galway 70
    Giverny 60
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Galway 140
    Giverny 120
Compare Hotels in Galway and Giverny

Looking for a hotel in Galway or Giverny? 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 Galway


Hotels in Giverny


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: Galway Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Galway 33
    Giverny 48

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Galway

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Galway:

  • Galway Private Driver: Personalized Tours & Transfers: $749
  • One-Way Private Transfer to Killarney: $668
  • From 1-Way Private Transfer to Dublin Airport: $668
  • From 1-Way Private Transfer to Cork City: $561
  • Galway to Limerick | Private Transfer and Car Service: $294
  • Galway to Shannon Airport | Private Transfer & Car Service: $294
  • Shannon Airport to Seamless Private Transfers: $257
  • Galway Private Transfer from Galway Airport to City centre: $90
  • Galway Private Transfer from central Galway to Galway Airport: $90

Is it cheaper to fly into Galway or Giverny?

Prices for flights to both Giverny and Galway 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
    Galway 33
    Giverny 35
Typical Food Prices in Galway

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


  • Fish & Chips Dinner
    8.12

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Galway

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Galway.

  • Tour & Taste Galway Food Tour: $93
  • Galway Food Tour: $107
  • Galway Food Tours: $109
  • Private Irish Cooking Experience in the Heart of Gaeltacht: $136
  • Farm to Table Experience and Irish Cooking Class in Galway: $190

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Galway 12
    Giverny 26

Tours and Activities in Galway

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

  • Abalone farm tour and tasting with coastal seaweed walk. Guided. 2 hours: $82
  • 3 Hours Guided Irish Whiskey Tour and Tasting in Galway City: $180
  • Aran Island, Cliffs of Moher & Cruise tour from Galway. Guided.: $119
  • Aran Islands Bike Tour with Tea & Scones - Day Trip to Inisheer from Doolin: $136
  • Aran Islands Bike Tour with Tea and Scones from Galway: $163
  • Aran Islands and Cliffs of Moher Cruise from Galway: $82
  • Aran Islands and Cliffs of Moher Day Cruise sailing from Galway City Docks: $60
  • Boat cruise with local skipper on Galway Bay. Galway city. 1 hour: $36
  • Burren Botany Experience: $16
  • Castles of Connemara tour departing Galway city. Guided. Full day: $134
  • City Sightseeing Galway Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $17
  • City of the Tribes Tour: $131

Tours and Activities in Giverny

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

  • Bike tour from Vernon to Giverny with local guide: $37
  • Monet’s House and Gardens Skip-the-Line Tour: $59
  • Giverny Monet House and Gardens Skip the line Walking tour: $60
  • Monet's House and Gardens Guided Tour: $62
  • Guided Tour of Monet's Gardens/small group: $63
  • Guided tour Monet's house and gardens/small group: $64
  • Trip from Paris to Monet's house in Giverny Skip the Line: $96
  • Monet's House & Gardens Private Guided Walking Tour: $256
  • Monet's House & Gardens Private Guided Walking Tour: $278
  • Giverny Private Guided Walking Tour: $294

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Galway 15
    Giverny 6.64

Sample the Local Flavors in Galway

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Galway:

  • Traditional Irish Poitin & Gin Distillery Tour: $355


When comparing the travel costs between Galway and Giverny, we can see that Galway is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Galway or Giverny?

Galway has a larger population, and is about 130 times larger than the population of Giverny. When comparing the sizes of Galway and Giverny, 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 Galway or Giverny?

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 Galway or Giverny in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Galway as well as Giverny. Many travelers come to Galway for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Giverny in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Galway is cooler than Giverny. Typically, the summer temperatures in Galway in July average around 16°C (60°F), and Giverny averages at about 20°C (68°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Giverny. In the summer, Galway often gets less sunshine than Giverny. Galway gets 142 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Giverny receives 241 hours of full sun.

Galway usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Giverny. Galway gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Galway 16°C (60°F) 
    Giverny 20°C (68°F)

Should I visit Galway or Giverny in the Autumn?

Both Giverny and Galway are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Galway in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Giverny for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Galway is generally cooler than Giverny. Daily temperatures in Galway average around 11°C (52°F), and Giverny fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Galway usually receives less sunshine than Giverny during autumn. Galway gets 96 hours of sunny skies, while Giverny receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Galway. In October, Galway usually receives more rain than Giverny. Galway gets 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Galway 11°C (52°F) 
    Giverny 13°C (56°F)

Should I visit Galway or Giverny in the Winter?

Both Giverny and Galway during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Galway for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Giverny because of the museums and the cuisine.

The weather in Giverny can be very cold. Galway is a little warmer than Giverny in the winter. The daily temperature in Galway averages around 6°C (42°F) in January, and Giverny fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

In the winter, Galway often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Giverny. Galway gets 59 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Giverny receives 62 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Galway. Galway usually gets more rain in January than Giverny. Galway gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Galway 6°C (42°F) 
    Giverny 5°C (40°F)

Should I visit Galway or Giverny in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Galway and Giverny. The spring months attract visitors to Galway because of the activities around the city. Also, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Giverny this time of year.

In the spring, Galway is cooler than Giverny. Typically, the spring temperatures in Galway in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Giverny averages at about 11°C (52°F).

Galway usually receives less sunshine than Giverny during spring. Galway gets 153 hours of sunny skies, while Giverny receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Galway usually receives around the same amount of rain as Giverny. Galway gets 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Galway 9°C (48°F) 
    Giverny 11°C (52°F)

Typical Weather for Giverny and Galway

Galway Giverny
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 6°C (42°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 5°C (40°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Feb 6°C (42°F) 88 mm (3.4 in) 6°C (42°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Mar 7°C (45°F) 103 mm (4.1 in) 8°C (47°F) 52 mm (2.1 in)
Apr 9°C (48°F) 52 mm (2.1 in) 11°C (52°F) 50 mm (1.9 in)
May 11°C (53°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 15°C (59°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 14°C (57°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 18°C (64°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Jul 16°C (60°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 20°C (68°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Aug 16°C (60°F) 118 mm (4.6 in) 20°C (67°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Sep 14°C (57°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 17°C (63°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Oct 11°C (52°F) 142 mm (5.6 in) 13°C (56°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Nov 8°C (46°F) 101 mm (4 in) 8°C (47°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Dec 6°C (44°F) 125 mm (4.9 in) 5°C (42°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)