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

Should you visit London or Toulon?

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

London

London is a diverse, iconic, and global city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.

Toulon

Toulon is a industrial, authentic, and off-the-beaten-path port city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

London and Toulon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in London or Toulon?

You'll generally find more things to do in London than Toulon. London is bigger than Toulon, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. London is better known for its museums, theatre productions, food, nightlife, music, shopping, christmas markets, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Toulon is more popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and historical sights. London is more touristy than Toulon and is popular for its international reputation, its world-renowned theater productions, and its many different markets. Also, London is famous for Big Ben. Toulon is well known for its old town, its coastal setting, and its popularity with local vacationers.

Big Ben

How is London different from Toulon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

London is an unbeatable place for its sights and museums. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in London that are not to be missed. 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.

Toulon offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Many of the sights are found in the old town and harbor areas. Some of the most interesting attractions include the Opera House, the Allied Landings Museum, the Naval Museum, and Cathédrale Sainte-Marie-de-la-Seds.

Is London or Toulon Better for Theater?

London is an unbeatable place for theatre. However, Toulon 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.

Toulon is not a theatre destination.

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

London is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, London makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Toulon has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are a variety of cafes and restaurants that are found along the harbor or in the old town. Whether you want waterfront views or a charming street front cafe, there are great options available. Many restaurants offer local seafood but you'll also find pastries, traditional local food, a several Italian restaurants.

Is London or Toulon Better for Nightlife?

London is an unbeatable place for nightlife. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for nightlife and partying.

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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Toulon. It's a relatively large city and traditionally a sailor's town, so the city has a long running tradition of partying into the night. While it doesn't have the party-hard reputation of some places, you likely won't be bored at night. Head to the harbor area or the beaches around Mourillon for the most lively bars and cafes.

Is London or Toulon Better for Music?

London is an unbeatable place for live music. However, Toulon is not a live music destination.

London is a world class music destination. Famous music venues include Dominion Theatre, the Roundhouse, and Dublin Castle.

Toulon is not a live music destination.

Is London or Toulon Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Toulon is adequate for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, London is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are few places where you can go snorkeling in Toulon. There are a few beaches in the area that are worth checking out with a mask and snorkel. You'll likely see some underwater life hanging out by the rocks in the quieter areas.

London is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is London or Toulon Better for Beaches?

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

Many people head to Toulon to enjoy the beach. The beaches are sandy and less crowded than some of the more popular areas. The most accessible beach is Mourillon Beach which has public facilities and restaurants. If you're willing to venture a little farther from the center of town you'll find Mitre Beach which has some snorkeling. Battere Basse Beach is a bit quieter and also has snorkeling. Anse de Méjean is a popular spot with the locals.

London is not a beach destination.

Is London or Toulon Better for its Old Town?

Toulon is adequate for its historic old town charm. However, London does not have a historic old town.

The old town area in Toulon is worth visiting. The old town has plazas, terraced cafes, and plenty of outdoor shopping opportunities that visitors can enjoy.

London does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in London or Toulon?

London is an unbeatable place for shopping. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

London is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Toulon is well-known for its shopping. If you're looking for traditional local shopping opportunities then this is your place. There are a number of traditional Provençal markets around town but the most famous is Cours Lafayette. You can shop with the locals looking for produce or flowers. There's also a weekend farmers market, Petit Cours, that is fun to explore.

Is London or Toulon Better for Christmas?

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

London is a world class destination during the Christmas season. 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.

Toulon does not offer Christmas activities.

Is London or Toulon Better for Christmas Markets?

London is an unbeatable place for its Christmas markets. However, Toulon 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.

Toulon does not offer Christmas markets.

Is London or Toulon Better for Families?

London is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit 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.

Toulon is a family-friendly city. The city may be known as a hub for the French navy, but there are also activities that kids and adults alike can enjoy. There are several military themed museums, a few good beaches, and local shopping. There's also the enjoyable cable car ride that you can take to the top of Mont Faron as well as several nice seaside walks in the area.

Is London or Toulon Better for Couples?

London is an unbeatable place for romance. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its romantic activities.

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.

Toulon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will appreciate the walks along the coast or through the harbor. There are also nice restaurants, interesting art galleries, and a few good hotels around town that make for a nice couple's weekend.

Is London or Toulon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

London is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

London is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Toulon. It doesn't have the reputation of many nearby towns along the French Riviera, so you can still find some affordable hostels and cafes in the area. You also won't find the crowds so you can enjoy a touch of the authentic local culture.

Is London or Toulon Better for Students?

London is an unbeatable place for students. However, Toulon 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.

Toulon is not popular with students.

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

London is an unbeatable place for its public transit. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit 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.

Toulon has some public transit options. There are buses as well as petits trains (little tourist trains) that you can take around town.

Is London or Toulon a more walkable city?

London is an unbeatable place for its walkability. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its high level of walkability.

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

Toulon is a very walkable city. You can walk around the old town and harbor area where many of the sights are concentrated.

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

Should I spend more time in Toulon or London?

How long in London or Toulon?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in London or Toulon to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in London than Toulon 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 Toulon.

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

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 Toulon. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in London or Toulon?

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.

Toulon 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 Toulon?

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 Toulon. 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 Toulon?

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 real world destination of Toulon. This port 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 Luxury Tours to France, and The Best Budget Tours to France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, London or Toulon?

London has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Toulon. When comparing the sizes of London and Toulon, 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 Toulon?

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 Toulon in the Summer?

Both Toulon and London during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to London because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Toulon this time of year.

In the summer, London is cooler than Toulon. Typically, the summer temperatures in London in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Toulon averages at about 24°C (75°F).

In Toulon, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, London often gets less sunshine than Toulon. London gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toulon receives 366 hours of full sun.

London usually gets more rain in July than Toulon. London gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit London or Toulon in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both London and Toulon. 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 Toulon for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, London is generally cooler than Toulon. Daily temperatures in London average around 12°C (53°F), and Toulon fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Toulon this time of the year. London usually receives less sunshine than Toulon during autumn. London gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Toulon receives 205 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, London usually receives less rain than Toulon. London gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit London or Toulon in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to London as well as Toulon. Many travelers come to London for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Toulon in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in London. London is much colder than Toulon in the winter. The daily temperature in London averages around 4°C (40°F) in January, and Toulon fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, London often gets less sunshine than Toulon. London gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toulon receives 150 hours of full sun.

London usually gets less rain in January than Toulon. London gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit London or Toulon in the Spring?

Both Toulon and London are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to London in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Toulon for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, London is cooler than Toulon. Typically, the spring temperatures in London in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Toulon averages at about 13°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Toulon. London usually receives less sunshine than Toulon during spring. London gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Toulon receives 245 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, London usually receives less rain than Toulon. London gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Toulon and London