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

Should you visit Inverness or Saint-Etienne?

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 Saint-Etienne can help you decide which place is right for you.

Inverness

Inverness is a historic, cultural, and traditional city. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a park-filled, industrial, and undiscovered city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and nightlife.

Inverness and Saint-Etienne: Pros and Cons

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

Visitors will usually find more to do in Inverness than Saint-Etienne, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Inverness is better known for its museums, food, shopping, and small town charm, while Saint-Etienne is more popular for its hiking and impressive beauty. Inverness is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is popular for its surrounding countryside, but also its regional heritage, local festivals and proximity to the famous Loch Ness. Also, Inverness is famous for Loch Ness. Saint-Etienne is well known for its industrial and manufacturing past.

How is Inverness different from Saint-Etienne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Inverness 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 Inverness. 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.

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

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

Inverness has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

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 Inverness or Saint-Etienne Better for Nightlife?

Both Inverness and Saint-Etienne are notable when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Saint-Etienne. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

Is Inverness or Saint-Etienne Better for Hiking?

Saint-Etienne is very good for the nearby hiking options. However, Inverness is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Saint-Etienne. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Inverness is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Inverness or Saint-Etienne?

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

Inverness is well-known for its shopping. 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.

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 Inverness or Saint-Etienne Better for Families?

You'll find notable kid-friendly activities in either Inverness or Saint-Etienne.

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.

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 Inverness or Saint-Etienne Better for Couples?

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

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.

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

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

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

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

Is Inverness or Saint-Etienne a more walkable city?

Inverness 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.

Inverness is a very walkable city. It's compact enough that you can explore much of the town 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 Inverness Worth Visiting? and Is Saint-Etienne Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Inverness or Saint-Etienne?

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

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

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

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

One day in Inverness or Saint-Etienne?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic destination of Inverness. 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.

You'll find nightlife and museums around the city of Saint-Etienne. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Saint-Etienne has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Inverness or Saint-Etienne?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Inverness. 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the park-filled destination of Saint-Etienne. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Inverness or Saint-Etienne?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural destination of Inverness. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and museums when visiting the park-filled city of Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne?

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Inverness. 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.

Saint-Etienne 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 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 Inverness and Saint-Etienne, we can see that Inverness 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 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 Saint-Etienne.

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

Which is Bigger, Inverness or Saint-Etienne?

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

The summer brings many poeple to Inverness as well as Saint-Etienne. Many visitors come to Inverness in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Saint-Etienne for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Inverness is much colder than Saint-Etienne in the summer. The daily temperature in Inverness averages around 14°C (58°F) in July, and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint-Etienne. In the summer, Inverness often gets less sunshine than Saint-Etienne. Inverness gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 285 hours of full sun.

Inverness usually gets less rain in July than Saint-Etienne. Inverness gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Saint-Etienne and Inverness are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Inverness for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Saint-Etienne because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Inverness is cooler than Saint-Etienne. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Inverness in October average around 9°C (49°F), and Saint-Etienne averages at about 14°C (56°F).

Inverness usually receives less sunshine than Saint-Etienne during autumn. Inverness gets 84 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Inverness usually receives less rain than Saint-Etienne. Inverness gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

Both Saint-Etienne and Inverness during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Inverness because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Saint-Etienne this time of year.

It's quite cold in Saint-Etienne in the winter. The weather in Inverness can be very cold. In January, Inverness is generally cooler than Saint-Etienne. Daily temperatures in Inverness average around 3°C (38°F), and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Inverness often gets less sunshine than Saint-Etienne. Inverness gets 42 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 62 hours of full sun.

Inverness usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Saint-Etienne. Inverness gets 53 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 Inverness or Saint-Etienne in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Inverness and Saint-Etienne. The small town charm are the main draw to Inverness this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the natural beauty.

Inverness is much colder than Saint-Etienne in the spring. The daily temperature in Inverness averages around 7°C (44°F) in April, and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

Inverness usually receives less sunshine than Saint-Etienne during spring. Inverness gets 136 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Inverness usually receives less rain than Saint-Etienne. Inverness gets 36 mm (1.4 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 Inverness