A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lisse vs. Saint-Etienne for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Lisse or Saint-Etienne?

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

Should I visit Lisse or Saint-Etienne? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Lisse or Saint-Etienne?

Lisse

Lisse is very much a seasonal destination. During a two month period every spring it becomes one of the Netherlands most popular tourist destinations. In the Bulb Region of South Holland, it is home to the Keukenhof amusement park, which comes to life every spring with millions of flowers coming into full bloom. The spectacular sight attracts over eight hundred thousand visitors every year, all during that two month time period. This sight truly is amazing with rows of colored flowers lighting up the grounds. The flowers cover more than 32 hectares and include tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and other spring flowers. Its a wonderful sight for people of all ages, and a wonderful photographic opportunity for anybody in the area.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne (Saint Stephen), a city southwest of Lyon, is drawing on its Industrial Revolution origins and its history of arms, bicycle, textile and ribbon production, to reinvent itself as design city. And the change is noticeable. After almost 30 years of decline, the city is now looking optimistically towards the future. Its center and suburbs are smartening up at a rapid pace. There are plenty of good surprises, including two great museums and a great eating scene.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Netherlands, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Netherlands, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lisse and Saint-Etienne, we can see that Lisse 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 Lisse would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lisse 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 Lisse Expensive? and Is Saint-Etienne Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Lisse or Saint-Etienne?

Saint-Etienne has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Lisse. When comparing the sizes of Lisse 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.

When is the best time to visit Lisse or Saint-Etienne?

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 Lisse or Saint-Etienne in the Summer?

Both Saint-Etienne and Lisse are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Saint-Etienne because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Lisse is cooler than Saint-Etienne in the summer. The daily temperature in Lisse averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

It's quite sunny in Saint-Etienne. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lisse. Lisse usually receives less sunshine than Saint-Etienne during summer. Lisse gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Lisse usually receives more rain than Saint-Etienne. Lisse gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Lisse or Saint-Etienne in the Autumn?

Both Saint-Etienne and Lisse during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Saint-Etienne this time of year.

In the autumn, Lisse is cooler than Saint-Etienne. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lisse in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Saint-Etienne averages at about 14°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Lisse often gets less sunshine than Saint-Etienne. Lisse gets 99 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 127 hours of full sun.

Lisse usually gets less rain in October than Saint-Etienne. Lisse gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lisse or Saint-Etienne in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Lisse and Saint-Etienne. Also, many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint-Etienne. It's quite cold in Lisse in the winter. In January, Lisse is generally much colder than Saint-Etienne. Daily temperatures in Lisse average around 2°C (36°F), and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Lisse usually receives less sunshine than Saint-Etienne during winter. Lisse gets 46 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Lisse usually receives more rain than Saint-Etienne. Lisse gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Lisse or Saint-Etienne in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Lisse as well as Saint-Etienne. Also, many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the spring for the natural beauty.

Lisse is much colder than Saint-Etienne in the spring. The daily temperature in Lisse averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

In the spring, Lisse often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint-Etienne. Lisse gets 166 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 174 hours of full sun.

Lisse usually gets less rain in April than Saint-Etienne. Lisse gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Saint-Etienne and Lisse