A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Killarney vs. Calais for Families, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Killarney or Calais?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Killarney and Calais can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Killarney

Killarney is a charming, local, and natural town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include museums, food, and hiking.

Calais

Calais is a authentic, undiscovered, and coastal city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Killarney and Calais: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Killarney or Calais?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Calais than Killarney, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Calais is better known for its nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Killarney is more popular for its hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Killarney is more touristy than Calais and is known for its access to Killarney National Park and its location along the Ring of Kerry scenic drive. Calais is well known for being a gateway for travelers to France. Also, Calais is famous for The Town Hall.

How is Killarney different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Killarney or Calais?

Both Killarney and Calais have notable landmarks and museums for visitors.

Killarney is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. In addition to the area's natural beauty, you should also check out Muckross House Gardens, Muckross Abbey, and Ross Castle.

Calais offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

Is the Food Better in Killarney or Calais? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Killarney and Calais.

Killarney offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You'll find great local fish and chips shops as well as locally caught seafood and regional produce. There are cafes and other independent restaurants that provide a local taste of the area.

Calais has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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 Killarney or Calais Better for Nightlife?

Calais is a city with good options for nightlife. However, Killarney is not particularly known for nightlife and partying.

Calais has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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.

Killarney doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. You can hang out with the locals at one of the bars or Irish pubs in town.

Is Killarney or Calais Better for Beaches?

Calais is a city with good options for its beaches. However, Killarney is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Calais. 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.

Killarney is not a beach destination.

Is Killarney or Calais Better for Hiking?

Killarney is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Calais is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Killarney. You'll find many great hiking trails both in and around Killarney National Park. The town is also the starting and ending point for the 200 km Kerry Way walking trail. Other hikes worth checking out in the area include the Knockreer Circular Walk, Muckross Lake Loop Walk, and Old Kenmare Road Walk.

Calais is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Killarney or Calais?

Calais is a city with good options for shopping. However, Killarney is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Calais is a great destination for shopping. 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.

Killarney is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Killarney or Calais Better for Families?

Killarney is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Killarney is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The area has many outdoor activities. You can explore Killarney National Park by horseback or head out on bikes. You can also take a boat ride or there's Kennedys Pet Farm for animal lovers.

Calais offers lots of family activities. 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 Killarney or Calais Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Killarney frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Nature enthusiasts will enjoy exploring Killarney National Park. You can also go kayaking, biking, horseback riding or relax at The Angsana Spa.

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 Killarney or Calais Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Killarney is a popular place for backpackers. However, Calais is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Killarney. You'll find a surprising number of interesting hostels in the area so you shouldn't have trouble finding a place to stay or meeting fellow backpackers.

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

Calais is a city with good options for its public transit. However, Killarney is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Calais, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. 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 mostly limited in Killarney. There's a shuttle bus that travels between some of the tourist attractions.

Is Killarney or Calais a more walkable city?

Calais is a city with good options for its walkability. However, Killarney is not particularly known for its high level of walkability.

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

Killarney is not a very walkable town. While there are many great hikes in the area, you'll need a car to access most of them.

For even more information, also check out Is Killarney Worth Visiting? and Is Calais Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Calais or Killarney?

How long in Killarney or Calais?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Killarney and Calais. In our opinion, Calais has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Calais than Killarney. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Killarney, and 1-3 days is enough time in Calais.

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

One day in Killarney or Calais?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Killarney. 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.

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

A weekend in Killarney or Calais?

Killarney 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the coastal destination of Calais. 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 Killarney or Calais?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Killarney. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the coastal city of Calais. 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 Killarney or Calais?

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the local destination of Killarney. This town 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 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 Budget Tours to Ireland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Ireland, The Best Budget Tours to France, and The Best Tours for Seniors to France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Killarney or Calais?

Calais has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Killarney. When comparing the sizes of Killarney 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 Killarney or Calais?

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 Killarney or Calais in the Summer?

Both Calais and Killarney are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Killarney for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Calais in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Killarney is generally cooler than Calais. Daily temperatures in Killarney average around 15°C (59°F), and Calais fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

It's quite sunny in Calais. Killarney usually receives less sunshine than Calais during summer. Killarney gets 140 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Killarney usually receives more rain than Calais. Killarney gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Killarney or Calais in the Autumn?

Both Calais and Killarney during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Killarney in the autumn for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Calais for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

Killarney is around the same temperature as Calais in the autumn. The daily temperature in Killarney averages around 12°C (53°F) in October, and Calais fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Killarney often gets less sunshine than Calais. Killarney gets 79 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 119 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Killarney. Killarney usually gets more rain in October than Calais. Killarney gets 156 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Killarney or Calais in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Killarney and Calais. Most visitors come to Killarney for the museums and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Calais because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Calais can be very cold. In the winter, Killarney is much warmer than Calais. Typically, the winter temperatures in Killarney in January average around 7°C (44°F), and Calais averages at about 4°C (40°F).

Killarney usually receives less sunshine than Calais during winter. Killarney gets 44 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun in the winter.

Killarney gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Killarney usually receives more rain than Calais. Killarney gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Killarney or Calais in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Killarney as well as Calais. The spring months attract visitors to Killarney because of the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Calais this time of year.

In April, Killarney is generally around the same temperature as Calais. Daily temperatures in Killarney average around 9°C (48°F), and Calais fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

In the spring, Killarney often gets less sunshine than Calais. Killarney gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun.

Killarney usually gets more rain in April than Calais. Killarney gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Calais and Killarney