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

Should you visit Galway or Paris?

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 Paris 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. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Paris

Paris is a bustling, energetic, and beautiful city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.

Galway and Paris: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Galway or Paris?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Paris than Galway, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Paris is more touristy than Galway and is popular for its world-renowned cuisine, iconic landmarks, trendsetting fashion, and dynamic markets. It is also home to The Eiffel Tower. Galway is popular for its many festivals, its traditional pubs, and its live Irish folk music.

The Eiffel Tower

How is Galway different from Paris?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Paris 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 Paris?

Paris is an unbeatable place for its sights and museums. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Paris that are not to be missed. One of the most world famous landmarks is the Eiffel Tower. The city is also home to the world renowned Louvre, Notre-Dame, and Palais Garnier Opera House. In addition to the many iconic sights, there are beautiful buildings and hidden gems throughout the city.

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 Galway or Paris Better for Theater?

Paris is an unbeatable place for theatre. However, Galway is not a theatre destination.

Visitors will find world class theater shows, plays, and musicals in Paris that are not to be missed. There are world class theaters as well as smaller local venues where you can enjoy a show.

Galway is not a theatre destination.

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

Paris is an unbeatable place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Many restaurants in Paris have been singled out for their culinary prowess. There are countless local restaurants, markets, and patisseries to explore. Make sure you try the steak tartare, pate, and macarons.

Galway has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are local pubs and traditional restaurants offering authentic Irish dishes. Popular options include Irish Stew, Cockles and Mussels, and Galway Oysters.

Is Galway or Paris Better for Nightlife?

Paris is an unbeatable place for nightlife. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Paris is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. Head to Pigalle or the Latin Quarter for some of the city's best nightlife. There are all-night parties, cabarets, and exclusive night clubs that you can experience.

Galway has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Is Galway or Paris Better for Music?

Paris is an unbeatable place for live music. However, Galway is not a live music destination.

Paris is a world class music destination. Some of the most famous music venues include Le Pop In, La Mécanique Ondulatoire, and Les Disquaires. You'll also find many small bars where you can enjoy live music in a quaint setting.

Galway is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Galway or Paris?

Paris is an unbeatable place for shopping. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Paris is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. Some of the best areas for shopping are Boulevard Haussmann and the Grands Boulevards, the Marais, and Avenue Montaigne and the Champs-Elysées. The city is iconic for its fashion scene and world class shopping venues.

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.

Is Galway or Paris Better for Christmas?

Paris is an unbeatable place for its Christmas activities. However, Galway does not offer Christmas activities.

Paris is a fantastic destination at Christmas. The city of lights really proves itself around the holiday season. In addition to checking out the Christmas lights, it's fun to go window shopping or check out one of the city's Christmas markets.

Galway does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Galway or Paris Better for Families?

Paris is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Paris is an extremely popular city to visit for families. Check out Jardin du Luxembourg, or one of the city's many playgrounds. Also grab a treat at one of the city's many patisseries. And of course, there's Disneyland Paris.

Galway is a family-friendly city. 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.

Is Galway or Paris Better for Couples?

Paris is an unbeatable place for romance. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Paris is a great city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. A city filled with romance, you really can't find a more ideal destination for a European honeymoon or a couple's getaway.

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 Paris Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Paris is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Paris is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. It's a big city, so it's easy to get lost in the chaos, but there are many hostels and other backpacker hangouts around town.

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

Is Galway or Paris Better for Students?

Paris is an unbeatable place for students. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Paris is a very popular city for students. The city is one of the most popular destinations for international and study abroad students.

Plenty of students visit Galway. The city has a solid student population with a number of activities and entertainment options.

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

Paris is an unbeatable place for its public transit. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors in Paris can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. The city's metro system is very comprehensive. There's also a bus system that you can use to get around.

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

Is Galway or Paris a more walkable city?

Galway and Paris both are excellent when exploring on foot.

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

Paris is a very walkable city. Some streets can feel a bit overwhelming, but there are many parts of the city that are easily explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Paris or Galway?

How long in Galway or Paris?

Both Galway and Paris have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Paris than in Galway. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Galway, and 3-7 days is enough time in Paris.

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

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

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

One day in Galway or Paris?

In Galway, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this historical destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Paris is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Galway or Paris?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Galway. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Paris is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Galway or Paris?

Galway is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Galway. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Paris. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Galway or Paris?

You'll find food and shopping around the lively destination of Galway. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Paris is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Ireland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Ireland, The Best Historical Tours in France, and The Best 10-Day Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Galway or Paris?

Paris has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Galway. When comparing the sizes of Galway and Paris, 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 Paris?

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 Paris in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Galway as well as Paris. Many travelers come to Galway for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Paris in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Galway is cooler than Paris in the summer. The daily temperature in Galway averages around 16°C (60°F) in July, and Paris fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

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

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

Should I visit Galway or Paris in the Autumn?

Both Paris 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 Paris for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Galway is cooler than Paris. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Galway in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Paris averages at about 13°C (56°F).

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

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

Should I visit Galway or Paris in the Winter?

Both Paris 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 Paris because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

The weather in Paris can be very cold. In January, Galway is generally a little warmer than Paris. Daily temperatures in Galway average around 6°C (42°F), and Paris fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

In the winter, Galway often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Paris. Galway gets 59 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Paris 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 Paris. Galway gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Paris receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Galway or Paris in the Spring?

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

Galway is cooler than Paris in the spring. The daily temperature in Galway averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Paris fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

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

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

Typical Weather for Paris and Galway