A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lake District National Park vs. Calais for Backpackers, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Lake District National Park 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 Lake District National Park 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.

Lake District National Park

Lake District National Park is a relaxing, enjoyable, and unique national park. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include food and hiking.

Calais

Calais is a coastal, authentic, and undiscovered city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the food, beaches, and shopping.

Lake District National Park and Calais: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Popular beach
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Very walkable
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers


Is there more to do in Lake District National Park or Calais?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Calais. Although Lake District National Park and Calais are popular destinations, Calais has more sights and attractions for tourists. Calais is very popular for its museums, nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Lake District National Park attracts visitors for its food, hiking, and impressive beauty. Lake District National Park is more touristy than Calais and is popular for its mountains, lakes, stunning natural beauty, and amazing hikes. Calais is famous for being a gateway for travelers to France. It is also well known for The Town Hall.

How is Lake District National Park different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Lake District National Park or Calais?

Lake District National Park
Calais

Calais is a good destination for its museums and history. However, Lake District National Park does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Lake District National Park does not have museums and landmarks.


Is the Food Better in Lake District National Park or Calais? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Lake District National Park
Calais

Lake District National Park 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 Lake District National Park is an experience not to be missed. There's a long history of culinary arts in the region and you'll enjoy locally sourced ingredients at many restaurants. There are also a number of Michelin starred restaurants to choose from.

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 Lake District National Park or Calais Better for Nightlife?

Lake District National Park
Calais

Calais is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Lake District National Park 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.

Lake District National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Lake District National Park or Calais Better for Beaches?

Lake District National Park
Calais

Calais is a good destination for the beach. However, Lake District National Park 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.

Lake District National Park is not a beach destination.


Is Lake District National Park or Calais Better for Hiking?

Lake District National Park
Calais

Lake District National Park is a must-visit destination for its hiking experiences. However, Calais is not a hiking destination.

People visit Lake District National Park specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. There's a huge selection of hikes to choose from in the area, ranging from easy strolls to more strenuous climbs. The park offers some of the best hiking in the country and you can spend days exploring. Some of the favorite hikes in the area include Scafell Pike, Helvellyn, and Catbells.

Calais is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Lake District National Park or Calais?

Lake District National Park
Calais

Calais is a good destination for its shopping areas. However, Lake District National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Lake District National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Lake District National Park or Calais Better for Families?

Lake District National Park
Calais

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

Lake District National Park is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy getting out in nature as much as the adults do. They can stretch their legs and run around, or you can check out some of the family-friendly activities in the area. Popular options include the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway, the World of Beatrix Potter, Wray Castle, and the adventure park Brockhole on Windermere. There's also Lakes Aquarium, Lake District Wildlife Park, and Lake District Coast Aquarium 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 Lake District National Park or Calais Better for Couples?

Lake District National Park
Calais

Lake District National Park is well known for couples. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Lake District National Park frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. One of the most impressive national parks in the country, couples will enjoy hiking, camping, and exploring this stunning setting. Whether you're watching the sunset from a mountaintop or enjoy a relaxing boat ride on the water, this park is a perfect place to relax.

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 Lake District National Park or Calais Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lake District National Park
Calais

Lake District National Park is a must-visit destination for backpackers. However, Calais is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Lake District National Park is a very popular national park to visit for backpackers. There are plenty of camping options throughout the park with a range of hookup facilities to meet everyone's needs. Waterfront campsites are also available.

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 Lake District National Park or Calais Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Lake District National Park
Calais

Calais is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Lake District National Park is lacking in 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 generally limited in Lake District National Park. There are shuttlebuses in parts of the park.


Is Lake District National Park or Calais a more walkable city?

Lake District National Park
Calais

Calais is a good destination for its ease of walking around. However, Lake District National Park is not a walkable destination.

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

Lake District National Park is not a walkable destination.

For even more information, also check out Is Lake District National Park Worth Visiting? and Is Calais Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Calais or Lake District National Park?

How long in Lake District National Park or Calais?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Lake District National Park and Calais. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Lake District National Park than in Calais. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Lake District National Park, and 1-3 days is enough time in Calais.

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


  • How many days in Lake District National Park or Calais? Ideal Length of Stay
    Lake District National Park 3-7 
    Calais 1-3

One day in Lake District National Park or Calais?

Many travelers enjoy the food when visiting the destination of Lake District National Park. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the coastal destination of Calais. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

A weekend in Lake District National Park or Calais?

Lake District National Park is a great place to explore. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Many people visit Calais for a weekend. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities.


Five days in Lake District National Park or Calais?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lake District National Park. 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.

The coastal destination of Calais offers shopping and museums. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. 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 Lake District National Park or Calais?

Many travelers enjoy the food when visiting the enjoyable destination of Lake District National Park. This national park offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Calais, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in United Kingdom, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United Kingdom, The Best Budget Tours to France, and The Best Tours for Seniors to France.


Which place is cheaper, Calais or Lake District National Park?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Lake District National Park is £81, while the average daily cost in Calais is £119. 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 Lake District National Park and Calais in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Lake District National Park £39
    Calais £66
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Lake District National Park £78
    Calais £132
Compare Hotels in Lake District National Park and Calais

Looking for a hotel in Lake District National Park 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 Lake District National Park


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: Calais Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Lake District National Park £33
    Calais £40

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lake District National Park

Also for Lake District National Park, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Lake District Ski Club to Manchester Airport - Departure Transfer: $44
  • Lake District Ski Club to Newcastle Airport - Departure Transfer: $33

Is it cheaper to fly into Lake District National Park or Calais?

Prices for flights to both Calais and Lake District National Park 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
    Lake District National Park £21
    Calais £30

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Lake District National Park £20
    Calais £7.63

Tours and Activities in Lake District National Park

For Lake District National Park, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Guided Canoeing Experience on Coniston Water - Half Day: $89
  • Ghyll Scrambling Water Adventure in the Lake District: $89
  • 3-Hours Via Ferrata Experience in Keswick: $140

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Lake District National Park £4.64
    Calais £10


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

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



When is the best time to visit Lake District National Park 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 Lake District National Park or Calais in the Summer?

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

Lake District National Park is cooler than Calais in the summer. The daily temperature in Lake District National Park averages around 15°C (59°F) in July, and Calais fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In Calais, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Lake District National Park often gets less sunshine than Calais. Lake District National Park gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun.

Lake District National Park usually gets more rain in July than Calais. Lake District National Park gets 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Lake District National Park 15°C (59°F) 
    Calais 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Lake District National Park or Calais in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lake District National Park and Calais. Many travelers come to Lake District National Park for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Calais in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Lake District National Park is cooler than Calais. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lake District National Park in October average around 10°C (49°F), and Calais averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Lake District National Park usually receives less sunshine than Calais during autumn. Lake District National Park gets 69 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 119 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Lake District National Park gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Lake District National Park usually receives more rain than Calais. Lake District National Park gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Lake District National Park 10°C (49°F) 
    Calais 12°C (54°F)

Should I visit Lake District National Park or Calais in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Lake District National Park as well as Calais. Many visitors come to Lake District National Park in the winter for the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Calais for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Calais can be very cold during winter. Lake District National Park can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Lake District National Park is generally cooler than Calais. Daily temperatures in Lake District National Park average around 3°C (38°F), and Calais fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, Lake District National Park often gets less sunshine than Calais. Lake District National Park gets 40 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun.

Lake District National Park receives a lot of rain in the winter. Lake District National Park usually gets more rain in January than Calais. Lake District National Park gets 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Lake District National Park 3°C (38°F) 
    Calais 4°C (40°F)

Should I visit Lake District National Park or Calais in the Spring?

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

Lake District National Park is cooler than Calais in the spring. The daily temperature in Lake District National Park averages around 7°C (45°F) in April, and Calais fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

Lake District National Park usually receives less sunshine than Calais during spring. Lake District National Park gets 134 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Lake District National Park usually receives more rain than Calais. Lake District National Park gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Lake District National Park 7°C (45°F) 
    Calais 9°C (47°F)

Typical Weather for Calais and Lake District National Park

Lake District National Park Calais
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (38°F) 165 mm (6.5 in) 4°C (40°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Feb 3°C (38°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 5°C (40°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)
Mar 5°C (41°F) 136 mm (5.4 in) 6°C (44°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Apr 7°C (45°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 9°C (47°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
May 10°C (51°F) 95 mm (3.7 in) 12°C (53°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Jun 13°C (56°F) 93 mm (3.7 in) 15°C (59°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Jul 15°C (59°F) 99 mm (3.9 in) 17°C (63°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Aug 15°C (58°F) 132 mm (5.2 in) 17°C (63°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 15°C (59°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Oct 10°C (49°F) 163 mm (6.4 in) 12°C (54°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Nov 6°C (42°F) 151 mm (5.9 in) 8°C (46°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Dec 4°C (39°F) 164 mm (6.5 in) 6°C (42°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)