A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Isle of Skye vs. Calais for Food, Beaches, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Isle of Skye or Calais?

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 Isle of Skye and Calais. 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.

Isle of Skye

Isle of Skye is a dramatic, scenic, and picturesque island. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include hiking, food, and beaches.

Calais

Calais is a authentic, undiscovered, and coastal city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, beaches, and shopping.

Isle of Skye and Calais: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Isle of Skye or Calais?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Calais than Isle of Skye, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Calais is better known for its museums, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Isle of Skye is more popular for its food, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Isle of Skye is more touristy than Calais and is popular for its quaint fishing villages, scenic landscapes, and historic castles. Calais is well known for being a gateway for travelers to France. Also, Calais is famous for The Town Hall.

How is Isle of Skye different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Isle of Skye or Calais?

Calais is a good destination for its museums and history. However, Isle of Skye does not have museums and landmarks.

Calais is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's a port city with a few good museums and landmarks to see. Check out the Town Hall, Burghers of Calais, La Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode, and Musée de la Guerre de Calais, as well as the Calais Lighthouse.

Isle of Skye does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Isle of Skye or Calais? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Isle of Skye is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Isle of Skye is an experience not to be missed. Foodies will appreciate the seasonal local ingredients that many restaurants use. Both the land and sea offer ingredients that inspire delicious dishes. You can choose from Michelin star restaurants, local cafes, and cozy inns. The food is fresh and well made.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Calais. The region is known for its mackerel, andouillette sausage, and endive and ham gratin. If you're passing through, this is also a good place to stock up on wine and cheese.

Is Isle of Skye or Calais Better for Nightlife?

Calais is a good destination for nightlife. However, Isle of Skye is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Calais. You'll find bars and pubs around town as well as a few clubs. Places range from trendy and high end to local dive bars.

Isle of Skye is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Isle of Skye or Calais Better for Beaches?

Isle of Skye is well known for the beach. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its beaches.

Isle of Skye is considered a top beach destination. Some of the best beaches in Scotland are found on the Isle of Skye. The rugged coastline feels pristine and undiscovered. Some of the best beaches include Coral Beach, Talisker Bay Beach, Rubha Shlèite Beach, and Camasunary Bay.

Many people head to Calais to enjoy the beach. There are some sandy beaches near town that have nice stretches of sand and plenty of sand dunes. Many locals enjoy sunbathing at the beaches.

Is Isle of Skye or Calais Better for Hiking?

Isle of Skye is a must-visit destination for its hiking experiences. However, Calais is not a hiking destination.

People visit Isle of Skye specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. Hikes on the island range from family-friendly to some of the most challenging in Scotland. The setting is dramatic and beautiful and the hikes are a varied as the landscape. Some of the most popular hikes include the Fairy Pools, the Old Man of Storr, Neist Point Lighthouse, and the Quiraing.

Calais is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Isle of Skye or Calais?

Calais is a good destination for shopping. However, Isle of Skye is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Calais. Many visitors stock up on wine and cheese when they're passing through. It's common to head straight to Auchan or Carrefour to stock up on some items.

Isle of Skye is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Isle of Skye or Calais Better for Families?

Both Isle of Skye and Calais are notable family-friendly destinations.

Isle of Skye is a family-friendly island. Kids who love the outdoors will enjoy many of the kid-friendly hikes in the area. Favorites include the Old Man of Storr Hike and the Brother’s Point Hike. Other fun family-friendly places to visit include the Isle of Skye Fairy Glen, the Fairy Pools, and Slipway Beach.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Calais. There's the Nausicaa Aquarium, the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, and the Second World War Museum. There are also beaches and parks to explore as well as some nice playgrounds.

Is Isle of Skye or Calais Better for Couples?

Isle of Skye is well known for couples. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Isle of Skye frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. With beautiful hikes and impressive castles, this island makes a stunning romantic getaway. There are beautiful viewpoints and coastal backdrops that make for a perfect couples getaway.

Calais is a nice destination for couples. Couples can picnic with wine and cheese or eat their way through the town's great restaurants. There are also some nice beaches where people enjoy sunbathing or relaxing.

Is Isle of Skye or Calais Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Isle of Skye is well known for backpackers. However, Calais is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Isle of Skye is a very popular island for backpackers and budget travelers. There are many beautiful places to camp, so backpackers will enjoy hiking during the day and sleeping under the stars at night.

Calais is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This part of France is often overlooked by tourists so you won't find many backpackers or hostels in the area. It does offer a glimpse into an authentic side of France.

Is Isle of Skye or Calais Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Calais is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Isle of Skye is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Calais has some public transit options. The city has 13 bus lines that run through town and into the surrounding areas. If you're arriving by ferry from the UK, there are shuttle buses that connect the ferry terminal to the train station.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Isle of Skye. There are local bus routes on the island that are operated by Stagecoach.

Is Isle of Skye or Calais a more walkable city?

Calais is a good destination for its walkability. However, Isle of Skye is not a walkable destination.

Calais is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are more walkable than others.

Isle of Skye is not a walkable destination.

For even more information, also check out Is Isle of Skye Worth Visiting? and Is Calais Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Calais or Isle of Skye?

How long in Isle of Skye or Calais?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Isle of Skye and Calais. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Isle of Skye than in Calais. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Isle of Skye, and 1-3 days is enough time in Calais.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Isle of Skye than Calais 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 Isle of Skye.

One day in Isle of Skye or Calais?

Many travelers enjoy the food when visiting the destination of Isle of Skye. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Calais, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this undiscovered city offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this city.

A weekend in Isle of Skye or Calais?

Isle of Skye is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Calais is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Isle of Skye or Calais?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Isle of Skye. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the coastal destination of Calais. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Isle of Skye or Calais?

Travelers enjoy the food when visiting the diverse destination of Isle of Skye. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Calais is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to United Kingdom, The Best 3-Day Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Budget Tours to France, and The Best Tours for Seniors to France.

When comparing the travel costs between Isle of Skye and Calais, we can see that Calais is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Isle of Skye or Calais?

Calais has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Isle of Skye. When comparing the sizes of Isle of Skye and Calais, 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 Isle of Skye or Calais?

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 Isle of Skye or Calais in the Summer?

Both Calais and Isle of Skye during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Isle of Skye this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Calais for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Isle of Skye is generally cooler than Calais. Daily temperatures in Isle of Skye average around 13°C (55°F), and Calais fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In Calais, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Isle of Skye often gets less sunshine than Calais. Isle of Skye gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun.

Isle of Skye usually gets more rain in July than Calais. Isle of Skye gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Isle of Skye or Calais in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Isle of Skye and Calais. Many travelers come to Isle of Skye for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Calais in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Isle of Skye is cooler than Calais in the autumn. The daily temperature in Isle of Skye averages around 9°C (49°F) in October, and Calais fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Isle of Skye usually receives less sunshine than Calais during autumn. Isle of Skye gets 82 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 119 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Isle of Skye gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Isle of Skye usually receives more rain than Calais. Isle of Skye gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Isle of Skye or Calais in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Isle of Skye as well as Calais. Many visitors come to Isle of Skye in the winter for the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Calais for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Calais can be very cold during winter. Isle of Skye can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Isle of Skye is around the same temperature as Calais. Typically, the winter temperatures in Isle of Skye in January average around 4°C (40°F), and Calais averages at about 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, Isle of Skye often gets less sunshine than Calais. Isle of Skye gets 41 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun.

Isle of Skye receives a lot of rain in the winter. Isle of Skye usually gets more rain in January than Calais. Isle of Skye gets 127 mm (5 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Isle of Skye or Calais in the Spring?

Both Calais and Isle of Skye are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Isle of Skye for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Calais because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

In April, Isle of Skye is generally cooler than Calais. Daily temperatures in Isle of Skye average around 7°C (44°F), and Calais fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

Isle of Skye usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Calais during spring. Isle of Skye gets 168 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Isle of Skye usually receives more rain than Calais. Isle of Skye gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Calais and Isle of Skye