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

Should you visit Geneva or Saint-Etienne?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Geneva and Saint-Etienne. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Geneva

Geneva is a classy, diverse, and international city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Saint-Etienne

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

Geneva and Saint-Etienne: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will usually find more to do in Geneva. Although Geneva and Saint-Etienne are roughly the same size, Geneva has more sights and attractions for tourists. Geneva is very popular for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Saint-Etienne attracts visitors for its hiking. Geneva is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is popular for its role as a global hub for the United Nations, the Red Cross, and the World Health Organization. It is also well known for The Geneva Water Fountain (The Jet d'Eau). Saint-Etienne is famous for its industrial and manufacturing past.

How is Geneva different from Saint-Etienne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Geneva or Saint-Etienne?

Geneva is great for its historical sights. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Geneva. Famous sights and landmarks include the spectacular Water Jet, St Pierre Cathedral, and the Palais des Nations. There are also impressive art and history museums in the city.

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 Geneva or Saint-Etienne? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Geneva has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The city has an amazing mix of traditional Swiss restaurants as well as diverse ethnic options. Traditional dishes include fondue and raclette, both of which involve the decadent Swiss cheese.

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 Geneva or Saint-Etienne Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Geneva or Saint-Etienne has a better nightlife scene.

Geneva has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. During the day the city is all business, but at night the professionals, interns, students, and NGO workers all come together to enjoy a drink at a bar or dance at one of the city's diverse clubs.

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.

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

Geneva is a good destination for its old town. However, Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Geneva. The Old Town offers a number of charming streets where you can wander as well as historical buildings including St. Pierre Cathedral.

Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

Is Geneva or Saint-Etienne Better for Hiking?

Saint-Etienne is a good destination for its hiking experiences. However, Geneva is not a hiking destination.

Saint-Etienne offers some nice hiking trails. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Geneva is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Geneva or Saint-Etienne?

Geneva is an amazing city to visit for its shopping opportunities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Geneva draws large crowds to its stores. Famous for its posh shops and luxury brands, this city is a popular shopping destination. From chic boutiques to deluxe toy stores, you'll find something for everyone. In particular, the city is known for its Swiss watches, Swiss Army knives, chocolate, and wine.

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 Geneva or Saint-Etienne Better for Families?

Both Geneva and Saint-Etienne are nice family-friendly destinations.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Geneva. This diverse city has a number of chocolate shops, toy stores, and parks where kids can play. They'll be impressed by the Water Jet and there are few places where you can swim in the lake when the weather is warm.

Saint-Etienne offers lots of family activities. 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 Geneva or Saint-Etienne Better for Couples?

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

Geneva makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Wandering Old Town, sampling Swiss chocolate, and enjoying one of the many ethnic restaurants around town all make for great date activities. Fondue in a traditional restaurant is also a not to be missed experience.

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 Geneva or Saint-Etienne Better for Students?

Geneva is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not popular with students.

Many students visit Geneva. The University of Geneva attracts many international students and the city is quite diverse. It feels like a mixing bowl of cultures, so students will feel very welcomed and comfortable here.

Saint-Etienne is not popular with students.

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

Geneva is an amazing city to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Public transit in Geneva is top-notch. The very comprehensive system includes trams, buses, and boats.

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

Is Geneva or Saint-Etienne a more walkable city?

Geneva 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.

Geneva is a very walkable city. Most areas where visitors spend their time can be easily explored on foot.

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

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

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

How long in Geneva or Saint-Etienne?

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

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

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

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

One day in Geneva or Saint-Etienne?

Geneva is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Don't miss the shopping, as that's what most people do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

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 Geneva or Saint-Etienne?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Geneva. Don't miss the shopping, as that's what most people do. 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 Geneva or Saint-Etienne?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the international big city of Geneva. 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 Geneva or Saint-Etienne?

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Geneva. 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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Switzerland, The Best Adventure Tours to Switzerland, 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 Geneva and Saint-Etienne, we can see that Geneva 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 Geneva would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Geneva 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 Geneva Expensive? and Is Saint-Etienne Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Geneva or Saint-Etienne?

Geneva has a larger population, and is about 4% larger than the population of Saint-Etienne. When comparing the sizes of Geneva 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 Geneva 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 Geneva or Saint-Etienne in the Summer?

Both Saint-Etienne and Geneva during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Geneva because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Saint-Etienne this time of year.

In the summer, Geneva is around the same temperature as Saint-Etienne. Typically, the summer temperatures in Geneva in July average around 22°C (71°F), and Saint-Etienne averages at about 22°C (71°F).

In Saint-Etienne, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Geneva. In the summer, Geneva often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint-Etienne. Geneva gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 285 hours of full sun.

Geneva usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Saint-Etienne. Geneva gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Geneva and Saint-Etienne. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Geneva this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Geneva is generally around the same temperature as Saint-Etienne. Daily temperatures in Geneva average around 14°C (56°F), and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

Geneva usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Saint-Etienne during autumn. Geneva gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Geneva usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint-Etienne. Geneva gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

The winter brings many poeple to Geneva as well as Saint-Etienne. Many travelers come to Geneva for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Saint-Etienne can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Geneva. Geneva is around the same temperature as Saint-Etienne in the winter. The daily temperature in Geneva averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Geneva often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint-Etienne. Geneva gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 62 hours of full sun.

Geneva usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Saint-Etienne. Geneva gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Saint-Etienne and Geneva are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Geneva in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Saint-Etienne for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Geneva is around the same temperature as Saint-Etienne. Typically, the spring temperatures in Geneva in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Saint-Etienne averages at about 11°C (53°F).

Geneva usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Saint-Etienne during spring. Geneva gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Geneva usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint-Etienne. Geneva gets 65 mm (2.6 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 Geneva