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

Should you visit Manchester or Saint-Etienne?

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 Manchester and Saint-Etienne can help you decide which place is right for you.

Manchester

Manchester is a vibrant, dynamic, and diverse city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the live music, food, and shopping.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a park-filled, industrial, and undiscovered city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, hiking, and museums.

Manchester and Saint-Etienne: Pros and Cons

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

Tourists will generally find more to do in Manchester than Saint-Etienne. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Manchester is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Saint-Etienne attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Manchester is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is known for its strong music culture as well as being home to the world-renowned Manchester United Football Club. It is also well known for The National Football Museum. Saint-Etienne is famous for its industrial and manufacturing past.

How is Manchester different from Saint-Etienne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Manchester is great for its historical sights. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Manchester. Head to the Science and Industry Museum, the Imperial War Museum North, Manchester Cathedral, or John Rylands Library & Manchester Central Library to see some of the cities most interesting sights.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Saint-Etienne. 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.

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

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

Manchester has a huge number of terrific restaurants. You'll find a great food scene with diverse restaurant options that include international flavors, vegetarian options, and more. There are also many great places to try craft beer.

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 Manchester or Saint-Etienne Better for Nightlife?

Manchester is great for nightlife and partying. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

Many people head to Manchester for the nightlife scene. The nightlife scene is diverse and high energy. Head to Deansgate or the Northern Quarter for some of the best nightlife venues. You'll also find a huge rave scene in town.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Saint-Etienne. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

Is Manchester or Saint-Etienne Better for Music?

Manchester is great for its live music scene. However, Saint-Etienne is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Manchester draws a good crowd. There's a long running music reputation here. Some of the iconic bands that began here include Oasis and Stone Roses.

Saint-Etienne is not a live music destination.

Is Manchester or Saint-Etienne Better for Hiking?

Saint-Etienne is very good for hiking. However, Manchester is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Saint-Etienne. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Manchester is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Manchester or Saint-Etienne?

Manchester is great for its shopping opportunities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its shopping areas.

Manchester is well-known for its shopping. From jewelry to boutique clothing outlets, there are many places to shop around town. Head to Manchester Arndale, Trafford Centre, or Market Street for some of the best shopping.

Saint-Etienne has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. Shopping malls and several boutique shopping areas make up the city's shopping scene.

Is Manchester or Saint-Etienne Better for Families?

Manchester 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, Manchester is very family-friendly. You'll find a number of kid-friendly activities around town including the popular Legoland Discovery Center. Another fun activity is taking a behind the scenes CBBC interactive tour at MediaCityUK. Animal lovers will enjoy visiting the SeaLife Aquarium or the Chester Zoo and sports enthusiasts will not want to miss a visit to the National Football Museum or doing a tour of Old Trafford where you can also visit the Manchester United Museum.

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 Manchester or Saint-Etienne Better for Couples?

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

Manchester is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Couples can enjoy a visit to a spa, a nice meal out, or simply wandering down the canal. For a unique experience, you can hit to slopes at Chill Factore.

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 Manchester or Saint-Etienne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of backpackers visit Manchester. You'll find hostels around town and a number of visitors, particularly during the sports season.

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 Manchester or Saint-Etienne Better for Students?

Manchester is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not popular with students.

Many students visit Manchester. There's a large number of students as well as a great music scene and tons of festivals that make this a great city to do your studies.

Saint-Etienne is not popular with students.

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

Manchester is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Public transit in Manchester can get you to some places easily. The city has bus, train, and tram options for travel.

Saint-Etienne has a few public transit options. There are tram and bus options available in town.

Is Manchester or Saint-Etienne a more walkable city?

Manchester and Saint-Etienne are nice when it comes to walkability.

Manchester is somewhat walkable. Some neighborhoods are more walkable than others.

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

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

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

How long in Manchester or Saint-Etienne?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Manchester or Saint-Etienne to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Manchester 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 Manchester, and 1-2 days is enough time in Saint-Etienne.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Manchester 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 Manchester.

One day in Manchester or Saint-Etienne?

Manchester is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. 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.

With museums and nightlife around the authentic city of Saint-Etienne, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Saint-Etienne, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Manchester or Saint-Etienne?

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

With nightlife and museums around the destination of Saint-Etienne, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Manchester or Saint-Etienne?

Travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the cultural big city of Manchester. This city 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.

Saint-Etienne, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Manchester or Saint-Etienne?

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Manchester. 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.

Saint-Etienne is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom, 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 Manchester and Saint-Etienne, we can see that Manchester 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 Manchester would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Manchester 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 Manchester Expensive? and Is Saint-Etienne Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Manchester or Saint-Etienne?

Manchester has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Saint-Etienne. When comparing the sizes of Manchester 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 Manchester 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 Manchester or Saint-Etienne in the Summer?

Both Saint-Etienne and Manchester are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Manchester in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Saint-Etienne for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Manchester is cooler than Saint-Etienne. Typically, the summer temperatures in Manchester in July average around 16°C (62°F), and Saint-Etienne averages at about 22°C (71°F).

It's quite sunny in Saint-Etienne. Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Saint-Etienne during summer. Manchester gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Manchester usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint-Etienne. Manchester gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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

Both Saint-Etienne and Manchester during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Manchester for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Saint-Etienne because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Manchester is generally cooler than Saint-Etienne. Daily temperatures in Manchester average around 11°C (52°F), and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Saint-Etienne. Manchester gets 97 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 127 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Saint-Etienne. Manchester gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Manchester and Saint-Etienne. The winter months attract visitors to Manchester because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Saint-Etienne this time of year.

It's quite cold in Saint-Etienne in the winter. The weather in Manchester can be very cold. Manchester is around the same temperature as Saint-Etienne in the winter. The daily temperature in Manchester averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Saint-Etienne during winter. Manchester gets 53 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Manchester usually receives more rain than Saint-Etienne. Manchester gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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

The spring brings many poeple to Manchester as well as Saint-Etienne. The activities around the city are the main draw to Manchester this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Manchester is cooler than Saint-Etienne. Typically, the spring temperatures in Manchester in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Saint-Etienne averages at about 11°C (53°F).

In the spring, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Saint-Etienne. Manchester gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 174 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets less rain in April than Saint-Etienne. Manchester gets 51 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 Manchester