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

Should you visit London or Calais?

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 Calais can help you decide which place is right for you.

London

London is a historic, diverse, and iconic 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.

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 shopping, museums, and nightlife.

London and Calais: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in London or Calais?

Tourists will generally find more to do in London than Calais. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. London is very popular for its museums, theatre productions, food, nightlife, music, shopping, christmas markets, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Calais attracts visitors for its beaches. London is more touristy than Calais 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. Calais is famous for being a gateway for travelers to France.

Big Ben

How is London different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Calais 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 Calais?

London is a must-visit destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put London on the map. 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.

Calais is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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.

Is London or Calais Better for Theater?

London is a must-visit destination for its shows and theatre. However, Calais is not a theatre destination.

The theater and performance venues in London draw crowds from around the world. 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.

Calais is not a theatre destination.

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

London 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 London is an experience not to be missed. 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.

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 London or Calais Better for Nightlife?

London is a must-visit destination for its evening party scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

London is a world class party destination. 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 Calais has a few options to choose from. 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.

Is London or Calais Better for Music?

London is a must-visit destination for its music scene. However, Calais 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.

Calais is not a live music destination.

Is London or Calais Better for Beaches?

Calais is very good for the beach. However, London is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Calais to enjoy the beach. 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.

London is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in London or Calais?

London is a must-visit destination for its shopping areas. Also, Calais 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 Calais. 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.

Is London or Calais Better for Christmas?

London is a must-visit destination for its Christmas activities. However, Calais 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.

Calais does not offer Christmas activities.

Is London or Calais Better for Christmas Markets?

London is a must-visit destination for its Christmas markets. However, Calais does not offer Christmas markets.

The active Christmas markets during the holiday season make London very popular during this season. The city has many Christmas markets. There is Winter Wonderland Christmas market, Southbank Centre Winter Market, and Selfridges Christmas Market, among many others.

Calais does not offer Christmas markets.

Is London or Calais Better for Families?

London is a must-visit destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, London is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

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 London or Calais Better for Couples?

London is a must-visit destination for couples. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

London makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

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 London or Calais Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

London is a must-visit destination for backpackers. However, Calais 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.

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 London or Calais Better for Students?

London is a must-visit destination for students. However, Calais is not popular with students.

Many students frequent 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.

Calais is not popular with students.

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

London is a must-visit destination for its public transit. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

London has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. From the iconic double decker buses to the Tube, there are plenty of options throughout the city.

While Calais offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. 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.

Is London or Calais a more walkable city?

London is a must-visit destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Calais 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.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Calais or London?

How long in London or Calais?

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

Families should spend more time in London than Calais. 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 Calais. 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 Calais 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 Calais?

London is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

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

A weekend in London or Calais?

London is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Calais 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 London or Calais?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in London. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Calais. 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 Calais?

London is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the coastal destination of Calais. 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Kingdom, The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Budget Tours to France, and The Best Tours for Seniors to France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between London and Calais, we can see that London is more expensive. And not only is Calais much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Calais would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Calais 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 Calais.

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

Which is Bigger, London or Calais?

London has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Calais. When comparing the sizes of London and Calais, 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 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 London or Calais in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to London as well as Calais. Most visitors come to London for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Calais because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

London is around the same temperature as Calais in the summer. The daily temperature in London averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Calais fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Calais. In the summer, London often gets less sunshine than Calais. London gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun.

London usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Calais. London gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit London or Calais in the Autumn?

Both Calais and London are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to London because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Calais this time of year.

In the autumn, London is around the same temperature as Calais. Typically, the autumn temperatures in London in October average around 12°C (53°F), and Calais averages at about 12°C (54°F).

London usually receives less sunshine than Calais during autumn. London gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 119 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, London usually receives around the same amount of rain as Calais. London gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit London or Calais in the Winter?

Both Calais and London during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to London this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Calais for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Calais. It's quite cold in London in the winter. In January, London is generally around the same temperature as Calais. Daily temperatures in London average around 4°C (40°F), and Calais fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, London often gets less sunshine than Calais. London gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun.

London usually gets more rain in January than Calais. London gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit London or Calais in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both London and Calais. Many travelers come to London for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Calais in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

London is around the same temperature as Calais in the spring. The daily temperature in London averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Calais fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

London usually receives less sunshine than Calais during spring. London gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, London usually receives around the same amount of rain as Calais. London gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Calais and London