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

Should you visit Koblenz 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 Koblenz 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.

Koblenz

Koblenz is a vibrant, dynamic, and accessible city. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. Other popular activities here include museums, food, and shopping.

Calais

Calais is a undiscovered, coastal, and authentic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the food, beaches, and shopping.

Koblenz and Calais: Pros and Cons

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


Is there more to do in Koblenz or Calais?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Calais than Koblenz. While Koblenz is larger than Calais, Calais has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Calais is more popular for its nightlife, beaches, and big city activities, while Koblenz is known for its historical sights and small town charm. Koblenz is more touristy than Calais and is known for its location at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, its popularity with river cruises, and its many nearby vineyards. Calais is popular for being a gateway for travelers to France. It is also home to The Town Hall.

How is Koblenz different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Koblenz
Calais

Plenty of people visit the good sights and museums in both Koblenz and Calais.

Koblenz offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Most visitors head to the historic Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, which can be reached by chairlift. Also make sure you visit the Forum Confluentes, the State Museum, the Romanticum, and the Koblenz Sparkling Wine Museum.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Calais. 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 Koblenz or Calais? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Koblenz
Calais

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Koblenz and Calais can be difficult as they are each good in their own way.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Koblenz. The city is large enough to have a diversity of restaurants that serve everything from local German specialties to other European dishes. If you want to enjoy some regional cuisine, try the Rheinischer Sauerbraten (marinated beef), Döppekooche (potato cakes), or locally brewed beer.

Calais is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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 Koblenz or Calais Better for Nightlife?

Koblenz
Calais

Calais is a good destination for nightlife and partying. However, Koblenz is not particularly known for its evening party scene.

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.

Koblenz doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It's a smaller city, but there are still pubs around town that attract a crowd. Enjoy the local beer and chat with the locals on a relaxing night out.

Is Koblenz or Calais Better for Beaches?

Koblenz
Calais

Calais is a good destination for the beache. However, Koblenz is not a beach destination.

Calais offers a nice beach destination. 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.

Koblenz is not a beach destination.


Is Koblenz or Calais Better for its Old Town?

Koblenz
Calais

Koblenz is a popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Calais does not have a historic old town.

Koblenz offers a nice historic old town area. The old town is fun to explore with its beautiful churches and quaint ice cream shops.

Calais does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Koblenz or Calais?

Koblenz
Calais

Shopping is a popular activity in both Calais and Koblenz.

Koblenz offers some nice shopping areas. There are a number of clothing shops in the old town where you can find a deal or splurge on a new outfit.

Calais has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

Is Koblenz or Calais Better for Families?

Koblenz
Calais

Calais is a good destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Koblenz is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

For families, Koblenz is not always the best place to visit. Kids will enjoy the chairlift across the river that leads to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. It's also fun to take a stroll along the river, grab ice cream in old town, and play at one of the parks around town.


Is Koblenz or Calais Better for Couples?

Koblenz
Calais

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

Couples visit Koblenz frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Seeped in romantic walks and historic buildings, couples will enjoy visiting this beautiful German town. Sip Reisling at one of the many restaurants or wander through the quaint old town.

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 Koblenz or Calais Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Koblenz
Calais

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Koblenz. There are a few affordable accommodation options around town. Food is reasonably priced as well so backpackers can enjoy a visit without breaking the bank.

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

Koblenz
Calais

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Koblenz and Calais.

You'll find some public transit in Koblenz, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses that travel the major routes around town. There's also a cable car that takes you up to the fortress.

While Calais offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. 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.


Is Koblenz or Calais a more walkable city?

Koblenz
Calais

Koblenz and Calais both are good when exploring on foot.

Koblenz is a somewhat walkable place. If you stay in the old town, you'll have no trouble walking around, but the train station is a good distance from the old town.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Calais or Koblenz?

How long in Koblenz or Calais?

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

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

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

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


  • How many days in Koblenz or Calais? Ideal Length of Stay
    Koblenz 1-2 
    Calais 1-3

One day in Koblenz or Calais?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Koblenz. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Calais, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Koblenz or Calais?

Koblenz 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.

In Calais, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Calais has to offer.


Five days in Koblenz or Calais?

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

Calais is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Koblenz or Calais?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the charming destination of Koblenz. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Calais. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Calais. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Munich, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, The Best Budget Tours to France, and The Best Tours for Seniors to France.


Which place is cheaper, Calais or Koblenz?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Koblenz is €124, while the average daily cost in Calais is €139. 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 Koblenz and Calais in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Koblenz 67
    Calais 77
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Koblenz 134
    Calais 154
Compare Hotels in Koblenz and Calais

Looking for a hotel in Koblenz or Calais? 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 Koblenz


Hotels in Calais


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: Koblenz Hotel Prices and Calais Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Koblenz 42
    Calais 47

Is it cheaper to fly into Koblenz or Calais?

Prices for flights to both Calais and Koblenz 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
    Koblenz 28
    Calais 35

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Koblenz 30
    Calais 8.92

Tours and Activities in Koblenz

Here are a few actual costs in Koblenz for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $8.02
  • Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $11
  • Old Town Sightseeing Cruise along the Rhine: $15
  • Cochem 1-Hour Sightseeing Cruise: $15
  • Sightseeing Shippingtour around Koblenz: $16
  • Rhine Valley Castles and Palaces Boat Tour: $19
  • Panoramic Cruise on Moselle River to Winningen: $20
  • 2-Hour Sightseeing Cruise on the Rhine: $20
  • Historical Sparkling Wine Museum Guided Tour: $20
  • Christmas Boat Tour with Mulled Wine: $21
  • Cochem Evening Panorama Cruise : $27
  • Private city tour VW Bulli meets mining museum in Bochum: $71

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Koblenz 7.79
    Calais 12

Sample the Local Flavors in Koblenz

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

  • Private wine tasting meets Bulli in the Ruhr area: $75


When comparing the travel costs between Koblenz 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 Koblenz Expensive? and Is Calais Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Koblenz or Calais?

Koblenz has a larger population, and is about 44% larger than the population of Calais. When comparing the sizes of Koblenz 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 Koblenz 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 Koblenz or Calais in the Summer?

Both Calais and Koblenz are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Koblenz this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Calais for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Koblenz is around the same temperature as Calais. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koblenz in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Calais averages at about 17°C (63°F).

It's quite sunny in Calais. Koblenz usually receives less sunshine than Calais during summer. Koblenz gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Koblenz usually receives more rain than Calais. Koblenz gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Koblenz 19°C (66°F) 
    Calais 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Koblenz or Calais in the Autumn?

Both Calais and Koblenz during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Koblenz for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Also, many visitors come to Calais in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Koblenz is generally around the same temperature as Calais. Daily temperatures in Koblenz average around 12°C (53°F), and Calais fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Koblenz often gets less sunshine than Calais. Koblenz gets 109 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 119 hours of full sun.

Koblenz usually gets less rain in October than Calais. Koblenz gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Koblenz 12°C (53°F) 
    Calais 12°C (54°F)

Should I visit Koblenz or Calais in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Koblenz and Calais. Many visitors come to Koblenz in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and 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. Koblenz can get quite cold in the winter. Koblenz is much colder than Calais in the winter. The daily temperature in Koblenz averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Calais fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

Koblenz usually receives less sunshine than Calais during winter. Koblenz gets 45 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Koblenz usually receives around the same amount of rain as Calais. Koblenz gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Koblenz 3°C (37°F) 
    Calais 4°C (40°F)

Should I visit Koblenz or Calais in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Koblenz as well as Calais. Most visitors come to Koblenz for the small town charm during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Calais because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Koblenz is a little warmer than Calais. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koblenz in April average around 10°C (50°F), and Calais averages at about 9°C (47°F).

In the spring, Koblenz often gets less sunshine than Calais. Koblenz gets 145 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun.

Koblenz usually gets more rain in April than Calais. Koblenz gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Koblenz 10°C (50°F) 
    Calais 9°C (47°F)

Typical Weather for Calais and Koblenz

Koblenz Calais
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (37°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 4°C (40°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Feb 4°C (39°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 5°C (40°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)
Mar 7°C (44°F) 47 mm (1.8 in) 6°C (44°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Apr 10°C (50°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 9°C (47°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
May 14°C (58°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 12°C (53°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Jun 17°C (63°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 15°C (59°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Jul 19°C (66°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 17°C (63°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Aug 19°C (66°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 17°C (63°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Sep 16°C (61°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 15°C (59°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Oct 12°C (53°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 12°C (54°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Nov 7°C (44°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 8°C (46°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Dec 4°C (39°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 6°C (42°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)


Related Articles for Koblenz
Related Articles for Calais