A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Limerick vs. Le Mans for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Limerick or Le Mans?

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 Limerick and Le Mans can help you decide which place is right for you.

Limerick

Limerick is a historic, outdoorsy, and fun-filled city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Le Mans

Le Mans is a quaint, small, and historic town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's also popular because of the nightlife and museums.

Limerick and Le Mans: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for students
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers


Is there more to do in Limerick or Le Mans?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Limerick than Le Mans. While Le Mans is larger than Limerick, Limerick has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Limerick is better known for its food, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Le Mans is more popular for its small town charm. Limerick is more touristy than Le Mans and is known for its castle, old town, and outdoor activities. Also, Limerick is famous for King John's Castle. Le Mans is well known for being the location of the annual 24 Hours of Le Mans, which is one of the world's greatest sports-car races.

How is Limerick different from Le Mans?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Limerick or Le Mans?

Limerick
Le Mans

You'll find a number of notable museums and attractions in both Le Mans and Limerick.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Limerick. The town is famous for King John's Castle as well as St. Mary's Cathedral, and St. John's Square and Cathedral.

Le Mans is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's most famous as the location of the 24 hour car race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and on some days it's possible to visit the race track which has a museum with simulators and other activities. Around town you'll find museums and activities affiliated with the racing culture, and there's also a cathedral as well as several nice museums relating to the automotive industry among other things.


Is the Food Better in Limerick or Le Mans? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Limerick
Le Mans

Limerick is very good for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Le Mans is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Limerick. You'll find a mix of traditional Irish restaurants and more modern international cuisine. Local specialties to try include Limerick Ham, Cahill's Whiskey Cheese, and Walnut Cheddar.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Le Mans. It's not known for its food scene, but there is one dish in particular that you should try. The local specialty is les rillettes de porc, which is a pork paté.

Is Limerick or Le Mans Better for Nightlife?

Limerick
Le Mans

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find notable options in both Limerick and Le Mans.

If you're looking for night time activities Limerick has a few options to choose from. It's a student town so much of the nightlife scene centers around the student population. There are lively pubs and clubs around town so it's not hard to have a fun night out.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Le Mans. You'll find bars and clubs in the city center around Saint-Nicolas Quarter, rue des Ponts-neufs, Place de la Sirène and around the Republic Square.

Is the Shopping Better in Limerick or Le Mans?

Limerick
Le Mans

Limerick is very good for shopping. However, Le Mans is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Limerick. You'll find a mix of brand name chains and independent boutiques in the city center. There are several major shopping streets in town including O'Connell Street, and the pedestrian streets of Bedford Row and Cruises Street.

Le Mans is not a noteworthy shopping destination.


Is Limerick or Le Mans Better for Families?

Limerick
Le Mans

You'll find notable kid-friendly activities in either Limerick or Le Mans.

Limerick offers lots of family activities. Families will enjoy visiting King John's Castle but for kids who need a break from the sightseeing, there are kid-friendly activities around town like Curraghchase Forest Park and the Peoples Park. Families should also check out the Dreamland Fun Center. Museums like Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum are also fun for the whole family.

Le Mans is a family-friendly place to visit. Make sure you visit on a day when Le Mans Karting International and the 24 Hours of Le Mans Museum is open to visitors. Families can ride on high speed go-carts and train like professionals with special game simulators. This is a popular destination for adults and kids alike. The town also has indoor play areas, waterparks, and beautiful parks to explore.

Is Limerick or Le Mans Better for Couples?

Limerick
Le Mans

Both Limerick and Le Mans are notable destinations to visit as a couple.

Limerick is a good city for couples to visit. There are river cruises, kayaking, and nature to explore. Head to the Curraghchase Forest Park or any of the many beautiful parks around town. Couples can combine history with nature and enjoy a nice, romantic trip through Limerick.

Le Mans is a nice destination for couples. It's a small town, but racing enthusiasts will enjoy a visit to the 24 Hours of Le Mans Museum.

Is Limerick or Le Mans Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Limerick
Le Mans

Le Mans is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Limerick is not known for backpackers.

Le Mans is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. While there aren't many hostels specifically designed for backpackers, it is possible to find affordable accommodation at most times.

Limerick is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't many hostels in the area so it can be hard to find other likeminded travelers.


Is Limerick or Le Mans Better for Students?

Limerick
Le Mans

Limerick is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, Le Mans is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Limerick. The city has a nice student scene with plenty of areas to explore.

Le Mans is not popular with students.

Is Limerick or Le Mans Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Limerick
Le Mans

Limerick and Le Mans both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While Limerick offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a city bus service that travels around town.

Le Mans has a few public transit options. There is a tram service around town that provides access to many places including the race track via the T1 line (Antarès-Stade Marie Marvingt and exit at the East Entrance).

Is Limerick or Le Mans a more walkable city?

Limerick
Le Mans

Limerick and Le Mans are notable when it comes to walkability.

Limerick is a somewhat walkable city. There are compact and walkable parts to the city that can be explored on foot.

Le Mans is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are walkable.


For even more information, also check out Is Limerick Worth Visiting? and Is Le Mans Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Le Mans or Limerick?

How long in Limerick or Le Mans?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Le Mans than Limerick 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 Le Mans.


  • How many days in Limerick or Le Mans? Ideal Length of Stay
    Limerick 1-2 
    Le Mans 1-3

One day in Limerick or Le Mans?

In Limerick, 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.

The town of Le Mans offers museums and nightlife. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Limerick or Le Mans?

In Limerick, 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 Limerick has to offer.

Le Mans is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Le Mans, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Limerick or Le Mans?

Limerick 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.

Le Mans is a popular choice for travelers. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.


A week in Limerick or Le Mans?

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

Le Mans is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Dublin, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ireland, The Best Adventure Tours to France, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in France.


Which place is cheaper, Le Mans or Limerick?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Limerick is €108, while the average daily cost in Le Mans is €83. 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 Limerick and Le Mans in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Limerick 49
    Le Mans 37
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Limerick 98
    Le Mans 74
Compare Hotels in Limerick and Le Mans

Looking for a hotel in Limerick or Le Mans? 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 Limerick


Hotels in Le Mans


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: Limerick Hotel Prices and Le Mans Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Limerick 40
    Le Mans 30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Limerick

Also for Limerick, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer between CORK & LIMERICK | Premium Vehicles: $300
  • Transfer - Shannon Airport to Galway City (or reverse) - Premium Sedan: $300
  • Private Transfer between SHANNON & ADARE | Premium Vehicles: $213
  • Limerick Private Transfer from central Limerick to Shannon: $203
  • Transfer - Shannon Airport to Limerick City (or reverse) - Premium Sedan: $158
  • Private Transfer between SHANNON & LIMERICK | Premium Vehicles: $136

Is it cheaper to fly into Limerick or Le Mans?

Prices for flights to both Le Mans and Limerick 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
    Limerick 35
    Le Mans 27

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Limerick 17
    Le Mans 15

Tours and Activities in Limerick

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Limerick.

  • Angela's Ashes 1.5hrs Walking Tour: $142
  • Cliffs of Moher Day Tour from Including The Wild Altanic Way: $43
  • Cliffs of Moher explorer day tour from Limerick. Guided.: $54
  • Dingle Peninsula Day Tour from Including The Wild Altanic Way: $53
  • Guided eBike Tours on the Lough Derg Shore: $82
  • Limericks Lost Whiskey Walking Tour: $19
  • Private Walking Tour of Adare: $272
  • Private Walking Tour of Limerick City: $142
  • Ring of Kerry Day Tour from Including Killarney National Park: $53
  • Self Guided Bike Tour on the Limerick Greenway: $16
  • Skip the Line: Bunratty Castle and Folk Park Admission Ticket: $21
  • Skip the Line: Hunt Museum Ticket: $14

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Limerick 12
    Le Mans 12


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

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


Which is Bigger, Limerick or Le Mans?

Le Mans has a larger population, and is about 60% larger than the population of Limerick. When comparing the sizes of Limerick and Le Mans, 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 Limerick or Le Mans?

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 Limerick or Le Mans in the Summer?

Both Le Mans and Limerick are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Limerick because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Le Mans this time of year.

In the summer, Limerick is cooler than Le Mans. Typically, the summer temperatures in Limerick in July average around 16°C (60°F), and Le Mans averages at about 19°C (66°F).

It's quite sunny in Le Mans. Limerick usually receives less sunshine than Le Mans during summer. Limerick gets 142 hours of sunny skies, while Le Mans receives 231 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Limerick usually receives more rain than Le Mans. Limerick gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Limerick 16°C (60°F) 
    Le Mans 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Limerick or Le Mans in the Autumn?

Both Le Mans and Limerick during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Limerick this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Le Mans for the small town atmosphere.

In October, Limerick is generally cooler than Le Mans. Daily temperatures in Limerick average around 11°C (52°F), and Le Mans fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the autumn, Limerick often gets less sunshine than Le Mans. Limerick gets 82 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Le Mans receives 117 hours of full sun.

Limerick usually gets more rain in October than Le Mans. Limerick gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Limerick 11°C (52°F) 
    Le Mans 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Limerick or Le Mans in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Limerick and Le Mans. Many travelers come to Limerick for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Le Mans in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

Le Mans can get quite cold in the winter. Limerick is a little warmer than Le Mans in the winter. The daily temperature in Limerick averages around 6°C (42°F) in January, and Le Mans fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

Limerick usually receives less sunshine than Le Mans during winter. Limerick gets 49 hours of sunny skies, while Le Mans receives 54 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Limerick usually receives more rain than Le Mans. Limerick gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Limerick 6°C (42°F) 
    Le Mans 5°C (40°F)

Should I visit Limerick or Le Mans in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Limerick as well as Le Mans. Many visitors come to Limerick in the spring for the natural beauty. Additionally, most visitors come to Le Mans for the small town charm during these months.

In the spring, Limerick is cooler than Le Mans. Typically, the spring temperatures in Limerick in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Le Mans averages at about 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Limerick often gets less sunshine than Le Mans. Limerick gets 148 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Le Mans receives 168 hours of full sun.

Limerick usually gets more rain in April than Le Mans. Limerick gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Limerick 9°C (48°F) 
    Le Mans 10°C (50°F)

Typical Weather for Le Mans and Limerick

Limerick Le Mans
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 6°C (42°F) 97 mm (3.8 in) 5°C (40°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Feb 6°C (42°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 5°C (42°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Mar 7°C (45°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 8°C (46°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Apr 9°C (48°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 10°C (50°F) 50 mm (2 in)
May 11°C (53°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 14°C (56°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Jun 14°C (57°F) 62 mm (2.5 in) 17°C (62°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Jul 16°C (60°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 19°C (66°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Aug 16°C (60°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 19°C (65°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Sep 14°C (57°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 16°C (61°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Oct 11°C (52°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 13°C (55°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Nov 8°C (46°F) 95 mm (3.7 in) 8°C (46°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Dec 6°C (44°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 5°C (42°F) 75 mm (3 in)


Related Articles for Limerick
Related Articles for Le Mans