A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lindau vs. Saint-Etienne for Food, Families, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Lindau or Saint-Etienne?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Lindau and Saint-Etienne 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.

Lindau

Lindau is a fun-filled, scenic, and alpine town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a undiscovered, authentic, and historic city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and nightlife.

Lindau and Saint-Etienne: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Scenic old town
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Small town charm
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights
  • Less popular for nightlife
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Good for hiking
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for food
  • Less popular with couples
  • Less popular with backpackers


Is there more to do in Lindau or Saint-Etienne?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Lindau than Saint-Etienne, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Lindau is better known for its food, historical sights, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Saint-Etienne is more popular for its museums, nightlife, hiking, and shopping. Lindau is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is popular for its lakefront location and quaint old town. Also, Lindau is famous for The Lindau Harbor Entrance. Saint-Etienne is well known for its industrial and manufacturing past.

How is Lindau different from Saint-Etienne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Lindau or Saint-Etienne?

Lindau
Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a city with good options for its museums and landmarks. However, Lindau is a town with minimal options for its historical sights.

Saint-Etienne offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are several great museums in town including the Musée d'Art et d'Industrie, Musée de la Mine, Musée des Verts, and the planetarium.

While most people don't head to Lindau specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. The town is more about it's beautiful setting than landmarks and museums, but there are some interesting sights including the harbor and lighthouse.


Is the Food Better in Lindau or Saint-Etienne? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Lindau
Saint-Etienne

Lindau is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Lindau has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Head to the waterfront for the best seafood restaurants. Many restaurants use seasonal ingredients and serve local fish. The local whitefish is particularly popular. Dishes are influenced by the town's proximity to Switzerland and Austria, so you'll enjoy a hybrid of flavors and recipes.

Saint-Etienne may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Try the many local cheeses which are a defining part of the cuisine in the area. You'll find some local restaurants around town where you can sample local flavors.

Is Lindau or Saint-Etienne Better for Nightlife?

Lindau
Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a city with good options for nightlife and partying. However, Lindau is a town with minimal options for its evening party scene.

Saint-Etienne has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

Lindau doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It's not known for its nightlife scene but there are bars where you can enjoy a relaxing night out.

Is Lindau or Saint-Etienne Better for its Old Town?

Lindau
Saint-Etienne

Lindau is great for its old town. However, Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Lindau. The old town is located on Lindau island in Lake Constance. It has quaint buildings and many waterfront restaurants.

Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.


Is Lindau or Saint-Etienne Better for Hiking?

Lindau
Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a city with good options for its hiking experiences. However, Lindau is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Saint-Etienne. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Lindau is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Lindau or Saint-Etienne?

Lindau
Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a city with a few options for its shopping opportunities. However, Lindau is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

If you're looking to go shopping, Saint-Etienne has some nice offerings. Shopping malls and several boutique shopping areas make up the city's shopping scene.

Lindau is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Lindau or Saint-Etienne Better for Families?

Lindau
Saint-Etienne

Lindau is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Lindau is very family-friendly. Head to the waterfront where there's a playground, stand up paddleboarding, paddleboats, and more. Kids will also enjoy climbing to the top of the Old Lighthouse or exploring the Museum of Local History.

Saint-Etienne is a family-friendly place to visit. There are several kid-friendly museums as well as plenty of natural settings just outside of town. Your kids can run around and stretch their legs nearby at Crest of the Partridge or on a rainy day, the planetarium is a fun place to visit.


Is Lindau or Saint-Etienne Better for Couples?

Lindau
Saint-Etienne

Lindau is great for its romantic activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for couples.

Lindau is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. With its charming old town, beautiful waterfront, great seafood restaurants, and nice hotels, couples will really enjoy a few days away at this lakefront town. It's the perfect place to have a romantic weekend.

Saint-Etienne is not always the best place to visit for a couple. There are museums, parks, gardens, and beautiful architecture that make this a wonderful place for couples.

Is Lindau or Saint-Etienne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lindau
Saint-Etienne

Lindau is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Lindau. The town has a couple of hostels and affordable hotels that make this waterfront town accessible to backpackers and budget travelers.

Saint-Etienne is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not high on the backpacker trail, but there are hostels and plenty of activities to enjoy.

Is Lindau or Saint-Etienne Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Lindau
Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a city with good options for its public transit. However, Lindau is a town with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Saint-Etienne, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are tram and bus options available in town.

Public transit is mostly limited in Lindau. It's possible to reach town by bus or train and once you're in town you can walk many places.


Is Lindau or Saint-Etienne a more walkable city?

Lindau
Saint-Etienne

Lindau is great for its high level of walkability. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

Lindau is a very walkable town. The town is very walkable and there are also many walks into the countryside.

Saint-Etienne is a somewhat walkable town. There are several walkable areas in the city.

For even more information, also check out Is Lindau Worth Visiting? and Is Saint-Etienne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Saint-Etienne or Lindau?

How long in Lindau or Saint-Etienne?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Lindau or Saint-Etienne to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Lindau than Saint-Etienne because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Lindau, and 1-2 days is enough time in Saint-Etienne.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lindau than Saint-Etienne 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 Lindau.


  • How many days in Lindau or Saint-Etienne? Ideal Length of Stay
    Lindau 2-4 
    Saint-Etienne 1-2

One day in Lindau or Saint-Etienne?

Even though Lindau is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Saint-Etienne. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Lindau or Saint-Etienne?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lindau. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Saint-Etienne 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.


Five days in Lindau or Saint-Etienne?

Lindau is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint-Etienne. 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.

A week in Lindau or Saint-Etienne?

Lindau is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

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


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Germany, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Germany, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris.


Which place is cheaper, Saint-Etienne or Lindau?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Lindau is €163, while the average daily cost in Saint-Etienne is €108. 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 Lindau and Saint-Etienne in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Lindau 91
    Saint-Etienne 46
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Lindau 182
    Saint-Etienne 92
Compare Hotels in Lindau and Saint-Etienne

Looking for a hotel in Lindau or Saint-Etienne? 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 Lindau


Hotels in Saint-Etienne


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: Lindau Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Lindau 40
    Saint-Etienne 44

Is it cheaper to fly into Lindau or Saint-Etienne?

Prices for flights to both Saint-Etienne and Lindau 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
    Lindau 45
    Saint-Etienne 34

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Lindau 27
    Saint-Etienne 25

Tours and Activities in Lindau

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

  • Lindau - Town Highlights Walking Tour: $321
  • Lindau Private Christmas Market Tour: $267
  • Lindau Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $11
  • Murder Crime Game Self-Guided Interactive Tour: $74
  • Private Guided Walking Tour: $207

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Lindau 25
    Saint-Etienne 10

Sample the Local Flavors in Lindau

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

  • Lake Constance wine tour > day tour > wine tasting at 3 winemakers: $195


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

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


Which is Bigger, Lindau or Saint-Etienne?

Saint-Etienne has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Lindau. When comparing the sizes of Lindau and Saint-Etienne, 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.