A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers London vs. Arles for Attractions, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit London or Arles?

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 London and Arles can help you decide which place is right for you.

London

London is a diverse, iconic, and global city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include food, shopping, and museums.

Arles

Arles is a quaint, historic, and charming town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

London and Arles: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in London or Arles?

Tourists will generally find more to do in London than Arles. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. London is very popular for its theatre productions, nightlife, music, shopping, christmas markets, and big city activities, while Arles attracts visitors for its historical sights. London is more touristy than Arles and is popular for its international reputation, its world-renowned theater productions, and its many different markets. It is also well known for Big Ben. Arles is famous for its Roman history and its influence over Vincent van Gogh.

Big Ben

How is London different from Arles?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in London or Arles?

You'll find a number of fantastic museums and attractions in both Arles and London.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, London has many famous sights for visitors. The city has so many iconic sights that we can't list them all, but some of the most famous include the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and the British Museum. You can fill many days exploring the treasures found at each of the venues.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Arles that are not to be missed. It's a small town but it's filled with Roman ruins and remarkable landmarks. Popular sights include L'Amphithéâtre Romain, Les Alyscamps, Cloître Saint-Trophime, and Théâtre Antique.

Is London or Arles Better for Theater?

London is an unbeatable place for its shows and theatre. However, Arles is not a theatre destination.

The theater scene in London is world-class. The West End theater district is where you'll find the most popular musicals. Famous theaters include Apollo Theatre, Palace Theatre, and Piccadilly Theatre. There are often Wednesday matinees that are a bit cheaper than the evening shows. You may also be able to get discounted last minute tickets if you're visiting during the less touristy times.

Arles is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in London or Arles? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both London and Arles.

London has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Although food here was once the butt of a number of jokes, the restaurant scene has come a long way, and you can find anything and everything around town. Head to Chinatown to try dim sum or hot pot. There are no shortage of Indian restaurants as well. If you want the best food for the lowest prices, your best bet is to get out of the touristy areas and discover where the locals eat. There are also many markets that are perfect for grabbing a unique lunch or snack. Burrough Market has a number of ethnic and seafood vendors as well as fresh produce and snack options.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Arles makes for a great culinary experience. The cuisine is heavily influenced by the region's local agriculture. Popular dishes include agriade (beef stew), tellines soup, and fougasse (a local bread).

Is London or Arles Better for Nightlife?

London is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

The nightlife in London is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. Some of the best neighborhoods for nightlife are Camden, West End, Soho, and Shoreditch. There are many festivals, concerts, and shows worth checking out and the nightlife scene is diverse enough that there really is something for everyone.

If you're looking for night time activities Arles has a few options to choose from. There are countless bars and pubs where you can enjoy a cold drink and a relaxing night out.

Is London or Arles Better for Music?

London is an unbeatable place for its music scene. However, Arles is not a live music destination.

In London you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. Famous music venues include Dominion Theatre, the Roundhouse, and Dublin Castle.

Arles is not a live music destination.

Is London or Arles Better for its Old Town?

Arles is terrific for its historic old town charm. However, London does not have a historic old town.

Arles has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The large old town is filled with Roman ruins and historic sights. There are narrow streets and many interesting places to explore.

London does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in London or Arles?

London is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

London is a world class destination for shoppers. With so much iconic shopping around town, it's hard to decide where to go. Head to Oxford Street, Regent Street, or Piccadilly Circus for a quintessential British shopping experience.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Arles. There are many boutiques that are filled with local art, crafts, and merchandise.

Is London or Arles Better for Christmas?

London is an unbeatable place for its Christmas activities. However, Arles does not offer Christmas activities.

During Christmas, London is not to be missed. There's Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, outdoor ice skating, and beautiful Christmas lights throughout the city. You can also listen to Christmas Carols in Trafalgar Square or see a classic Christmas show.

Arles does not offer Christmas activities.

Is London or Arles Better for Christmas Markets?

London is an unbeatable place for its Christmas markets. However, Arles does not offer Christmas markets.

People travel from around the world to visit the Christmas markets in London. The city has many Christmas markets. There is Winter Wonderland Christmas market, Southbank Centre Winter Market, and Selfridges Christmas Market, among many others.

Arles does not offer Christmas markets.

Is London or Arles Better for Families?

London is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. However, Arles is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

London is one of the most popular family destinations. Whether you do a Harry Potter Tour, take a ride on the London Eye, or enjoy afternoon tea, there are plenty of activities for kids around town. The Harry Potter Studio Tour is fun for everyone, but should be booked well in advance as it sells out. Theatre enthusiasts will enjoy catching a musical in West End and sampling dim sum or a hot pot in Chinatown. There are often Wednesday matinee showings that are perfect for kids with early bedtimes.

For families, Arles is not always the best place to visit. Filled with Roman ruins and beautiful art, this is a great town, but can make for a long day for younger kids.

Is London or Arles Better for Couples?

London is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

For those traveling as a couple, London has plenty to offer. With every type of entertainment that you can imagine, this city is the ultimate couple's getaway. There are world class musicals, evening concerts, and restaurants of every style, cuisine, and budget. It's easy for couples to fill days in this vibrant city.

Arles is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Couples who enjoy history, roman ruins, and beautiful art will appreciate a weekend getaway to this town.

Is London or Arles Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

London is an unbeatable place for backpackers. However, Arles is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

London is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. Although the city is very expensive, it has tons of hostels, affordable restaurant options, and great public transit. There's a huge backpacker network here and it's easy to meet other travelers. The nightlife scene is also second to none.

Arles is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels and apartments in the area.

Is London or Arles Better for Students?

London is an unbeatable place for students. However, Arles is not popular with students.

Students come from all over the world to visit London. The city has a number of universities and is a popular study abroad destination. It's also a very diverse city, so international students will feel right at home.

Arles is not popular with students.

Is London or Arles Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

London is an unbeatable place for its public transit. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors in London can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. From the iconic double decker buses to the Tube, there are plenty of options throughout the city.

While Arles offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are shuttle buses that run between the city center and the train station, which is less than a kilometer out of town.

Is London or Arles a more walkable city?

London is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Getting around London on foot is easy. With many walkable areas, it is considered to be one of the world's most walkable major cities.

Arles is very walkable. It's a historic walled city that is very walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is London Worth Visiting? and Is Arles Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Arles or London?

How long in London or Arles?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in London or Arles to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in London than Arles because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for London, and 1-2 days is enough time in Arles.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in London than Arles 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 London.

One day in London or Arles?

Each neighborhood in London has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 Arles. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in London or Arles?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in London. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Arles is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in London or Arles?

London is a fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in London has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Arles. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 London or Arles?

Each neighborhood in London has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the compact destination of Arles. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Kingdom, The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, London or Arles?

London has a larger population, and is about 140 times larger than the population of Arles. When comparing the sizes of London and Arles, 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 London or Arles?

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 London or Arles in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to London as well as Arles. The summer months attract visitors to London because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Arles this time of year.

London is cooler than Arles in the summer. The daily temperature in London averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Arles fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Arles. In the summer, London often gets less sunshine than Arles. London gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 354 hours of full sun.

London usually gets more rain in July than Arles. London gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Arles receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit London or Arles in the Autumn?

Both Arles and London are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to London this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Arles for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, London is cooler than Arles. Typically, the autumn temperatures in London in October average around 12°C (53°F), and Arles averages at about 16°C (61°F).

London usually receives less sunshine than Arles during autumn. London gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 178 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Arles. In October, London usually receives less rain than Arles. London gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Arles receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit London or Arles in the Winter?

Both Arles and London during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to London for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Arles in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in London. In January, London is generally much colder than Arles. Daily temperatures in London average around 4°C (40°F), and Arles fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, London often gets less sunshine than Arles. London gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 146 hours of full sun.

London usually gets less rain in January than Arles. London gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Arles receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit London or Arles in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both London and Arles. Many visitors come to London in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Arles for the natural beauty during these months.

London is cooler than Arles in the spring. The daily temperature in London averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Arles fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Arles this time of the year. London usually receives less sunshine than Arles during spring. London gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 218 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, London usually receives less rain than Arles. London gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Arles receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Arles and London