A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Meknes vs. Mont-Saint-Michel for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Meknes or Mont-Saint-Michel?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Meknes and Mont-Saint-Michel can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Meknes or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Meknes

So you love a bustling nightlife with fine restaurants and meaningful historical buildings, but you hate all the tourists. Well, it maybe time to visit Meknes, Morocco. Since most travelers head straight to Fez, that leaves Meknes relatively untouched and remains free of the usual hassles that plague other major destinations.

Mont-Saint-Michel

Mont Saint-Michel is an island community in Normandy, France. It is located about a half of a mile (or one kilometer) off of the country's northwest coast, at the mouth of the Couesnon River near Avranches. The population of the island, at last count, was just under 50 people. The island has been a strategic fortifications since ancient times and since the 8th century AD has been the seat of the monastery from which it was named. The structural composition of the town exemplifies the feudal society that constructed it: on top, God, the abbey and monastery; below, the great halls; then stores and housing; and at the bottom, outside the walls, houses for fishermen and farmers. One of France's most recognizable landmarks, visited by more than 3 million people each year, Mont Saint-Michel and its bay are on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Over 60 buildings within the commune are protected in France as historical monuments.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Morocco, The Best Cultural Tours in Morocco, The Best River Cruises in France, and The Best Bicycle Tours in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Meknes and Mont-Saint-Michel, we can see that Mont-Saint-Michel is more expensive. And not only is Meknes much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Meknes is in Africa and Mont-Saint-Michel is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Meknes would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Meknes 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 Mont-Saint-Michel would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mont-Saint-Michel than you might in Meknes.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Meknes Expensive? and Is Mont-Saint-Michel Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Meknes or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Meknes has a larger population, and is about 6820 times larger than the population of Mont-Saint-Michel. When comparing the sizes of Meknes and Mont-Saint-Michel, 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 Meknes or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Mont-Saint-Michel has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Meknes experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Meknes or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Meknes as well as Mont-Saint-Michel. Meknes attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Meknes is generally a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel. Daily temperatures in Meknes average around 23°C (73°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mont-Saint-Michel. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Meknes this time of the year. In the summer, Meknes often gets more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Meknes gets 330 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 246 hours of full sun.

Meknes usually gets less rain in July than Mont-Saint-Michel. Meknes gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Meknes or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Autumn?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Meknes are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Meknes throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Mont-Saint-Michel because of the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

Meknes is much warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel in the autumn. The daily temperature in Meknes averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Meknes. Meknes usually receives more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during autumn. Meknes gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 134 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Meknes usually receives less rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Meknes gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Meknes or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Winter?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Meknes during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Meknes because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Mont-Saint-Michel this time of year.

In the winter, Meknes is much warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel. Typically, the winter temperatures in Meknes in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel averages at about 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Meknes often gets more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Meknes gets 165 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 70 hours of full sun.

Meknes usually gets more rain in January than Mont-Saint-Michel. Meknes gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Meknes or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Meknes and Mont-Saint-Michel. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Meknes year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the natural beauty.

In April, Meknes is generally much warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel. Daily temperatures in Meknes average around 16°C (60°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In Meknes, it's very sunny this time of the year. Meknes usually receives more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during spring. Meknes gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Meknes usually receives more rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Meknes gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Mont-Saint-Michel and Meknes