A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Inverness vs. Carcassonne for Attractions, Food, Backpackers, and Families

Should you visit Inverness or Carcassonne?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Inverness and Carcassonne can help you decide which place is right for you.

Inverness

Inverness is a traditional, local, and historic city. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Carcassonne

Carcassonne is a historical, fairytale, and medieval town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the food and museums.

Inverness and Carcassonne: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Home to Loch Ness
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Scenic old town
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers


Is there more to do in Inverness or Carcassonne?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Inverness. Although Inverness and Carcassonne are popular destinations, Inverness has more sights and attractions for tourists. Inverness is very popular for its nightlife and shopping, while Carcassonne attracts visitors for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Inverness is famous for its surrounding countryside, but also its regional heritage, local festivals and proximity to the famous Loch Ness. It is also well known for Loch Ness. Carcassonne is famous for its medieval history, walled fortifications, and well-known castle.

How is Inverness different from Carcassonne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Inverness or Carcassonne?

Inverness
Carcassonne

Plenty of people visit the high quality sights and museums in both Inverness and Carcassonne.

Many visitors head to Inverness specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. As a city rich in culture and heritage, you'll find a number of sights and museums in town. Check out the Highland House of Fraser, Culloden Moor, and Clava Cairns.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Carcassonne can be an interesting and educational experience. The town is filled with medieval sights including the Château Comtal, the Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus, and the Carcassonne Cathedral.


Is the Food Better in Inverness or Carcassonne? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Inverness
Carcassonne

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Inverness and Carcassonne.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Inverness. The city makes a great spot to fill your belly after a few days exploring the Scottish Highlands. You'll find local restaurants that serve up regional specialties, and when the weather's nice, there are some spots with outdoor seating.

Carcassonne has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There are a number of local restaurants that serve regional specialties such as cassoulet. You can spend a few hours exploring the castle and then grab a delicious bite to eat.

Is Inverness or Carcassonne Better for Nightlife?

Inverness
Carcassonne

Inverness is a good destination for nightlife. However, Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Inverness. Nightlife isn't the first thing that comes to mind with this town, but there are actually lots of distilleries in the area and there's a surprising number of high quality bars and pubs that make for a fun evening.

Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Inverness or Carcassonne Better for its Old Town?

Inverness
Carcassonne

Carcassonne is very good for its old town. However, Inverness does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Carcassonne to see the old town. The medieval walled city is seeped in history and filled with atmosphere. Cars are not allowed in town.

Inverness does not have a historic old town.


Is the Shopping Better in Inverness or Carcassonne?

Inverness
Carcassonne

Inverness is a very popular place for shopping. However, Carcassonne is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Inverness. The town is at the cultural heart of the Scottish Highlands you'll find plenty of local shops where you can pick up local products. Make sure you check out the Inverness Victorian Market.

Carcassonne is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Inverness or Carcassonne Better for Families?

Inverness
Carcassonne

You'll find nice kid-friendly activities in either Inverness or Carcassonne.

Inverness is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has some parks and activities that are great for kids. Make sure you explore Inverness Castle and the Inverness Mystery Treasure Trail.

Carcassonne is a family-friendly city. Kids who love castles will enjoy wandering the maze of rooms and getting lost in the medieval atmosphere.

Is Inverness or Carcassonne Better for Couples?

Inverness
Carcassonne

Both Inverness and Carcassonne are nice destinations to visit as a couple.

Inverness makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Located in the Scottish Highlands, there ae many scenic spots and nice activities that couples can enjoy in the area.

Carcassonne is a good city for couples to visit. It's a medieval city with an impressive castle and walled fortifications. It's a uniquely European sight that is great for couples who enjoy history.


Is Inverness or Carcassonne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Inverness
Carcassonne

Carcassonne is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Inverness is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Carcassonne is a great town to visit for backpackers. There are interesting hostels in the area including a converted 17th century convent.

Inverness is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There a some hostels and student hotels, but this isn't one of the major backpacker spots in the UK.

Is Inverness or Carcassonne Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Inverness
Carcassonne

Carcassonne is very good for its public transit. However, Inverness is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Carcassonne has a few public transit options. You can reach the town by train from Dijon, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, or Bordeaux and many people visit the town as a day trip.

Public transit is mostly limited in Inverness. There are local buses that pass through the town.

Is Inverness or Carcassonne a more walkable city?

Inverness
Carcassonne

Carcassonne is terrific for its high level of walkability. Also, Inverness is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its ease of walking around.

It is easy to get around Carcassonne on foot. Cars aren't allowed in the medieval city so it's best to explore on foot.

Inverness is a very walkable destination. It's compact enough that you can explore much of the town on foot.


For even more information, also check out Is Inverness Worth Visiting? and Is Carcassonne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Carcassonne or Inverness?

How long in Inverness or Carcassonne?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Carcassonne than Inverness 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 Carcassonne.


  • How many days in Inverness or Carcassonne? Ideal Length of Stay
    Inverness 1-3 
    Carcassonne 1-2

One day in Inverness or Carcassonne?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic city of Inverness. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find food and museums around the town of Carcassonne. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Carcassonne has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Inverness or Carcassonne?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the local destination of Inverness. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

You'll find museums and food around the medieval destination of Carcassonne. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Inverness or Carcassonne?

The traditional city of Inverness offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the fairytale town of Carcassonne. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.


A week in Inverness or Carcassonne?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Inverness. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Carcassonne is a popular choice for travelers. One week 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 will give you the chance to have new experiences.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from London, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in France, and The Best Historical Tours in France.


Which place is cheaper, Carcassonne or Inverness?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Inverness is £168, while the average daily cost in Carcassonne is £91. 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 Inverness and Carcassonne in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Inverness £91
    Carcassonne £52
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Inverness £182
    Carcassonne £104
Compare Hotels in Inverness and Carcassonne

Looking for a hotel in Inverness or Carcassonne? 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 Inverness


Hotels in Carcassonne


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: Inverness Hotel Prices and Carcassonne Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Inverness £33
    Carcassonne £6.11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Inverness

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Inverness:

  • Inverness to Isle of Skye Direct transfer: $623
  • Inverness to Glasgow Direct transfer: $781
  • Inverness to Fort William Direct transfer: $374
  • Inverness to Edinburgh Direct transfer: $781
  • Inverness Private Transfer to Aviemore: $229
  • Inverness Airport to Glenshee Ski Resort - Round-Trip Transfer: $131
  • Inverness Airport (INV) to Lecht Ski Resort - Arrival Transfer: $33
  • Inverness Airport (INV) to Glenshee Ski Resort - Arrival Transfer: $66
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Inverness INV to Inverness City by luxury vehicle: $105
  • Transfers / Tour from , inverness, Edinburgh ,Glasgow ,Aberdeen : $184

Is it cheaper to fly into Inverness or Carcassonne?

Prices for flights to both Carcassonne and Inverness 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
    Inverness £49
    Carcassonne £33

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Inverness £44
    Carcassonne £12

Tours and Activities in Inverness

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

  • 1-Day Moray Coast Tour with Speyside Whisky from Inverness: $97
  • 2-Day Tour to Isle of Skye, The Fairy Pools & Highland Castles: $191
  • 2-Hour Private Celtic Handfasting Ceremony Experience: $108
  • 25 Shot Clay Pigeon Shooting Experience: $63
  • Applecross, Loch Carron & Wild Highlands Tour from Inverness: $69
  • Cawdor Castle, Inverness, Culloden, Outlander and Loch Ness Tour: $164
  • Chauffeur driven sightseeing Edinburgh to & from Inverness: $1,000
  • Clan Tour - Castle ,Whisky and History Tour: $172
  • Craigs Luxury Speyside Private Whisky Tour: $686
  • Day tour to Isle of Skye and Fairy Pools from Inverness: $126
  • From Cairngorms National Park and Whisky Tour: $76
  • From Glen Affric, Culloden and Clava Cairns Tour: $73

Tours and Activities in Carcassonne

For Carcassonne, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.42
  • Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $6.42
  • Castle and Ramparts Entry Ticket: $12
  • A Self-Guided Tour of Carcassonne’s Ancient Basilica: $20
  • Medieval Walls Self-Guided Smartphone App Tour: $20
  • Carcassonne 's Medieval Walls: A Self-Guided Tour: $20
  • Languedoc: Tour and Tasting at Domaine de Baronarques: $21
  • Unusual guided tour of Carcassonne at the time of the Builders: $22
  • Unusual Guided Tour of the Medieval City of Carcassonne: $22
  • Small group tour of the Cité de Carcassonne: $49
  • Complete Private Tour City and Castle of Carcassonne: $109
  • Cité de Private Guided Tour: $160

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Inverness £23
    Carcassonne £11

Sample the Local Flavors in Inverness

Also in Inverness, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • From Invergordon Port Dunrobin Castle, Clynelish Distillery Tour : $203
  • Speyside Distillery Tour From Inverness: $1,124

Sample the Local Flavors in Carcassonne

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Carcassonne:

  • Wine tour Cathar country: $471


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

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


Which is Bigger, Inverness or Carcassonne?

Carcassonne has a larger population, and is about 22% larger than the population of Inverness. When comparing the sizes of Inverness and Carcassonne, 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 Inverness or Carcassonne?

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 Inverness or Carcassonne in the Summer?

Both Carcassonne and Inverness during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Inverness in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Carcassonne for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Inverness is generally much colder than Carcassonne. Daily temperatures in Inverness average around 14°C (58°F), and Carcassonne fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In Carcassonne, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Inverness often gets less sunshine than Carcassonne. Inverness gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Carcassonne receives 275 hours of full sun.

Inverness usually gets more rain in July than Carcassonne. Inverness gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Inverness 14°C (58°F) 
    Carcassonne 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Inverness or Carcassonne in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Inverness and Carcassonne. Most visitors come to Inverness for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Carcassonne because of the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area.

Inverness is much colder than Carcassonne in the autumn. The daily temperature in Inverness averages around 9°C (49°F) in October, and Carcassonne fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

Inverness usually receives less sunshine than Carcassonne during autumn. Inverness gets 84 hours of sunny skies, while Carcassonne receives 161 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Inverness usually receives less rain than Carcassonne. Inverness gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Inverness 9°C (49°F) 
    Carcassonne 17°C (62°F)

Should I visit Inverness or Carcassonne in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Inverness as well as Carcassonne. The winter months attract visitors to Inverness because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Carcassonne this time of year.

The weather in Inverness can be very cold. In the winter, Inverness is much colder than Carcassonne. Typically, the winter temperatures in Inverness in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Carcassonne averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Inverness often gets less sunshine than Carcassonne. Inverness gets 42 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Carcassonne receives 88 hours of full sun.

Inverness usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Carcassonne. Inverness gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Inverness 3°C (38°F) 
    Carcassonne 8°C (47°F)

Should I visit Inverness or Carcassonne in the Spring?

Both Carcassonne and Inverness are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The small town charm are the main draw to Inverness this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Carcassonne for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, Inverness is generally much colder than Carcassonne. Daily temperatures in Inverness average around 7°C (44°F), and Carcassonne fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

Inverness usually receives less sunshine than Carcassonne during spring. Inverness gets 136 hours of sunny skies, while Carcassonne receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Inverness usually receives less rain than Carcassonne. Inverness gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Inverness 7°C (44°F) 
    Carcassonne 14°C (56°F)

Typical Weather for Carcassonne and Inverness

Inverness Carcassonne
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (38°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 8°C (47°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Feb 3°C (38°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 9°C (49°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Mar 5°C (41°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 11°C (52°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
Apr 7°C (44°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 14°C (56°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
May 10°C (50°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 17°C (63°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jun 13°C (55°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 21°C (70°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Jul 14°C (58°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 24°C (75°F) 17 mm (0.7 in)
Aug 14°C (57°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 24°C (74°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 21°C (69°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Oct 9°C (49°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 17°C (62°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Nov 5°C (42°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 12°C (53°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Dec 4°C (39°F) 52 mm (2 in) 9°C (49°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)