A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Newcastle upon Tyne vs. Calais for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Newcastle upon Tyne 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 Newcastle upon Tyne and Calais can help you decide which place is right for you.

Newcastle upon Tyne

Newcastle upon Tyne is a vibrant, high energy, and livable port city. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

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.

Newcastle upon Tyne and Calais: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Newcastle upon Tyne or Calais?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Calais than Newcastle upon Tyne. While Newcastle upon Tyne is larger than Calais, Calais has more sights and attractions for tourists. Calais is very popular for its beaches and big city activities, while Newcastle upon Tyne attracts visitors for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping. Newcastle upon Tyne is more touristy than Calais and is popular for its compact and livable atmosphere as well as its active nightlife scene. Calais is famous for being a gateway for travelers to France. It is also well known for The Town Hall.

How is Newcastle upon Tyne different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Newcastle upon Tyne or Calais?

Newcastle upon Tyne is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Newcastle upon Tyne offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are many historic and cultural sights around town. Some of the most interesting include the Historic Tyne Bridges, the Millennium Bridge, the Castle, Newcastle Cathedral, and the Great North Museum: Hancock.

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 the Food Better in Newcastle upon Tyne or Calais? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Newcastle upon Tyne 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 Newcastle upon Tyne is an experience not to be missed. The city is known for its food and there are some interesting local flavors that you should try. For something unique, try the singing hinny (sweet bread), pan haggerty (similar to potato gratin), stottie cake (bread) or craster kippers (smoked herring). You'll also find a diversity of cosmopolitan restaurants around town.

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 Newcastle upon Tyne or Calais Better for Nightlife?

Newcastle upon Tyne is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

Newcastle upon Tyne is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. Because of the large student population, you'll find a very active nightlife scene. There are several party districts in the city that you should check out including Quayside, the Gate, the Diamond Strip, Bigg Market, and Dean Street.

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 Newcastle upon Tyne or Calais Better for Beaches?

Calais is very good for the beach. However, Newcastle upon Tyne 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.

Newcastle upon Tyne is not a beach destination.

Is Newcastle upon Tyne or Calais Better for its Old Town?

Newcastle upon Tyne is well known for its historic old town charm. However, Calais does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Newcastle upon Tyne. Known as Grainger Town, the city's historic commercial center is famous for its Georgian and Victorian buildings.

Calais does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Newcastle upon Tyne or Calais?

Newcastle upon Tyne is well known for its shopping areas. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Newcastle upon Tyne. The city has boutique shops as well as major shopping malls. Some of the best shopping areas include the pedestrian shopping street of Northumberland Street, the historic Grey Street, and Grainger Market.

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 Newcastle upon Tyne or Calais Better for Families?

You'll find nice kid-friendly activities in either Newcastle upon Tyne or Calais.

Newcastle upon Tyne is a family-friendly port city. Kids will love visiting the Newcastle Castle, but there are also ropes courses and the Victoria Tunnel Tours. Museum lovers will enjoy a visit to Discovery Museum, the Life Science Center, or Beamish, the Living Museum of the North.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Calais. 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 Newcastle upon Tyne or Calais Better for Couples?

Both Newcastle upon Tyne and Calais are nice destinations to visit as a couple.

Newcastle upon Tyne is a good port city for couples to visit. The city boasts many romantic walks as well as fine dining restaurants and interesting entertainment options. It's not hard to enjoy a fun date night out on the town.

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 Newcastle upon Tyne or Calais Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Newcastle upon Tyne is a popular place for backpackers. However, Calais is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Newcastle upon Tyne. There are a number of hostels to choose from and plenty of entertainment choices so you shouldn't have much trouble meeting other people.

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 Newcastle upon Tyne or Calais Better for Students?

Newcastle upon Tyne is well known for students. However, Calais is not popular with students.

Newcastle upon Tyne is a very popular port city for students and younger travelers. The city has a large student population and a lively nightlife scene, so it's a fun place for students to spend a semester or more.

Calais is not popular with students.

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

Newcastle upon Tyne is well known for its public transit. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Newcastle upon Tyne. There are bus, ferry, and light rail services in 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 Newcastle upon Tyne or Calais a more walkable city?

Newcastle upon Tyne 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 Newcastle upon Tyne on foot is easy. The city is one of the most walkable in the UK.

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

For even more information, also check out Is Newcastle upon Tyne Worth Visiting? and Is Calais Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Calais or Newcastle upon Tyne?

How long in Newcastle upon Tyne or Calais?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Newcastle upon Tyne and Calais. In our opinion, Newcastle upon Tyne has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Newcastle upon Tyne than Calais. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Newcastle upon Tyne, and 1-3 days is enough time in Calais.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Newcastle upon Tyne 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 Newcastle upon Tyne.

One day in Newcastle upon Tyne or Calais?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Newcastle upon Tyne. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Calais, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this destination offers. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Newcastle upon Tyne or Calais?

Newcastle upon Tyne 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.

Many people visit Calais for a weekend. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Calais, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Newcastle upon Tyne or Calais?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Newcastle upon Tyne. 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.

The destination of Calais offers shopping and museums. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Newcastle upon Tyne or Calais?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the high energy destination of Newcastle upon Tyne. This port city 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.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Calais. This city offers something for everyone. One week 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Historical Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Budget Tours to France, and The Best Tours for Seniors to France.

When comparing the travel costs between Newcastle upon Tyne and Calais, we can see that Newcastle upon Tyne is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Newcastle upon Tyne or Calais?

Newcastle upon Tyne has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Calais. When comparing the sizes of Newcastle upon Tyne 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 Newcastle upon Tyne 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 Newcastle upon Tyne or Calais in the Summer?

Both Calais and Newcastle upon Tyne during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Newcastle upon Tyne for 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.

Newcastle upon Tyne is cooler than Calais in the summer. The daily temperature in Newcastle upon Tyne averages around 15°C (59°F) in July, and Calais fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In Calais, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Newcastle upon Tyne often gets less sunshine than Calais. Newcastle upon Tyne gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun.

Newcastle upon Tyne usually gets more rain in July than Calais. Newcastle upon Tyne gets 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Newcastle upon Tyne or Calais in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Newcastle upon Tyne and Calais. The autumn months attract visitors to Newcastle upon Tyne because of the shopping scene. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Calais this time of year.

In the autumn, Newcastle upon Tyne is cooler than Calais. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Newcastle upon Tyne in October average around 10°C (49°F), and Calais averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Newcastle upon Tyne usually receives less sunshine than Calais during autumn. Newcastle upon Tyne gets 69 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 119 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Newcastle upon Tyne gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Newcastle upon Tyne usually receives more rain than Calais. Newcastle upon Tyne gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Newcastle upon Tyne or Calais in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Newcastle upon Tyne as well as Calais. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Newcastle upon Tyne this time of year. Also, 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 Newcastle upon Tyne in the winter. In January, Newcastle upon Tyne is generally cooler than Calais. Daily temperatures in Newcastle upon Tyne average around 3°C (38°F), and Calais fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, Newcastle upon Tyne often gets less sunshine than Calais. Newcastle upon Tyne gets 40 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun.

Newcastle upon Tyne receives a lot of rain in the winter. Newcastle upon Tyne usually gets more rain in January than Calais. Newcastle upon Tyne gets 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Newcastle upon Tyne or Calais in the Spring?

Both Calais and Newcastle upon Tyne are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Calais in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

Newcastle upon Tyne is cooler than Calais in the spring. The daily temperature in Newcastle upon Tyne averages around 7°C (45°F) in April, and Calais fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

Newcastle upon Tyne usually receives less sunshine than Calais during spring. Newcastle upon Tyne gets 134 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Newcastle upon Tyne usually receives more rain than Calais. Newcastle upon Tyne gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Calais and Newcastle upon Tyne