A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hofn vs. Saint-Etienne for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Hofn or Saint-Etienne?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Hofn or Saint-Etienne, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Hofn or Saint-Etienne?

Hofn

Hofn is a very small fishing town on the southeast of Iceland, measuring just over half a mile across. It is best known for being located in the beautiful Vatnajokull Region, where the largest glacier in Europe is located. Hofn, and the surrounding area, is full of breathtaking natural scenery including lagoons, icefalls, and mountains.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne (Saint Stephen), a city southwest of Lyon, is drawing on its Industrial Revolution origins and its history of arms, bicycle, textile and ribbon production, to reinvent itself as design city. And the change is noticeable. After almost 30 years of decline, the city is now looking optimistically towards the future. Its center and suburbs are smartening up at a rapid pace. There are plenty of good surprises, including two great museums and a great eating scene.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland, The Best Luxury Tours to Iceland, 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 Hofn and Saint-Etienne, we can see that Hofn 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 Hofn would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hofn 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 Hofn Expensive? and Is Saint-Etienne Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Hofn or Saint-Etienne?

Saint-Etienne has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Hofn. When comparing the sizes of Hofn 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 Hofn or Saint-Etienne?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Hofn or Saint-Etienne in the Summer?

Both Saint-Etienne and Hofn are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Hofn is much colder than Saint-Etienne in the summer. The daily temperature in Hofn averages around 9°C (48°F) in July, and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

In July, Hofn usually receives more rain than Saint-Etienne. Hofn gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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

Both Saint-Etienne and Hofn during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Saint-Etienne for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Hofn can get quite cold in the autumn. In the autumn, Hofn is much colder than Saint-Etienne. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hofn in October average around 4°C (40°F), and Saint-Etienne averages at about 14°C (56°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hofn. Hofn usually gets more rain in October than Saint-Etienne. Hofn gets 153 mm (6 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hofn and Saint-Etienne. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Saint-Etienne because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Saint-Etienne can be very cold. Hofn can be very cold during winter. In January, Hofn is generally much colder than Saint-Etienne. Daily temperatures in Hofn average around -0°C (31°F), and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Hofn gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Hofn usually receives more rain than Saint-Etienne. Hofn gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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

The spring brings many poeple to Hofn as well as Saint-Etienne. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Saint-Etienne this time of year.

The weather in Hofn can be very cold. Hofn is much colder than Saint-Etienne in the spring. The daily temperature in Hofn averages around 2°C (36°F) in April, and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

Hofn usually gets more rain in April than Saint-Etienne. Hofn gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Saint-Etienne and Hofn