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

Should you visit Galway 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 Galway 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.

Galway

Galway is a historical, vibrant, and lively 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.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a undiscovered, authentic, and historic city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, hiking, and museums.

Galway and Saint-Etienne: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Galway than Saint-Etienne. While Saint-Etienne is larger than Galway, Galway has more sights and attractions for tourists. Galway is very popular for its food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Saint-Etienne attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. 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. Saint-Etienne is famous for its industrial and manufacturing past.

How is Galway different from Saint-Etienne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Galway and Saint-Etienne have nice landmarks and museums for visitors.

Galway is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Popular landmarks and sights in town include Eyre Square, St. Nicholas' Church, the Galway Cathedral, and the Galway City Museum.

Saint-Etienne offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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 Galway or Saint-Etienne? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

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.

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 Galway or Saint-Etienne Better for Nightlife?

Galway 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 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.

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 Galway or Saint-Etienne Better for Hiking?

Saint-Etienne is a city with good options for the nearby hiking options. However, Galway 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.

Galway is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Galway or Saint-Etienne?

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

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.

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 Galway or Saint-Etienne Better for Families?

Both Galway and Saint-Etienne are nice to visit with kids.

Galway is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Saint-Etienne is a family-friendly city. 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 Galway or Saint-Etienne Better for Couples?

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

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.

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

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

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

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 Galway or Saint-Etienne Better for Students?

Galway is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Saint-Etienne 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.

Saint-Etienne is not popular with students.

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

Both Galway and Saint-Etienne offer nice public transit options.

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

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

Is Galway or Saint-Etienne a more walkable city?

Galway is great 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.

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

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

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

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

How long in Galway or Saint-Etienne?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Galway or Saint-Etienne to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Galway 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 Galway, and 1-2 days is enough time in Saint-Etienne.

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

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

One day in Galway or Saint-Etienne?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the friendly destination of Galway. 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 Galway or Saint-Etienne?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Galway. 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 Galway or Saint-Etienne?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historical destination of Galway. This city 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 Galway or Saint-Etienne?

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Galway. 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 park-filled 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 Budget Tours to Ireland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Ireland, 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 Galway and Saint-Etienne, we can see that Galway 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 Galway would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Galway 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 Galway Expensive? and Is Saint-Etienne Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Galway or Saint-Etienne?

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

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 Saint-Etienne in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Galway as well as Saint-Etienne. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Galway this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Galway is cooler than Saint-Etienne. Typically, the summer temperatures in Galway in July average around 16°C (60°F), and Saint-Etienne averages at about 22°C (71°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint-Etienne. In the summer, Galway often gets less sunshine than Saint-Etienne. Galway gets 142 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 285 hours of full sun.

Galway usually gets less rain in July than Saint-Etienne. Galway gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Saint-Etienne and Galway are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Galway for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. 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 October, Galway is generally cooler than Saint-Etienne. Daily temperatures in Galway average around 11°C (52°F), and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

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

It's quite rainy in Galway. In October, Galway usually receives more rain than Saint-Etienne. Galway gets 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

Both Saint-Etienne and Galway during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Galway in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, 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. Galway is a little warmer than Saint-Etienne in the winter. The daily temperature in Galway averages around 6°C (42°F) in January, and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Galway often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint-Etienne. Galway gets 59 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne. Galway gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Galway and Saint-Etienne. Most visitors come to Galway for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Saint-Etienne because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Galway is cooler than Saint-Etienne. Typically, the spring temperatures in Galway in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Saint-Etienne averages at about 11°C (53°F).

Galway usually receives less sunshine than Saint-Etienne during spring. Galway gets 153 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Galway usually receives less rain than Saint-Etienne. Galway gets 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Saint-Etienne and Galway