A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Odense vs. Nantes for Food, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Odense or Nantes?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Odense and Nantes. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Odense

It's also popular because of the food.

Nantes

Nantes is a beautiful, vibrant, and welcoming city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Odense and Nantes: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Family-friendly
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for food
  • Less popular with couples
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Active nightlife
  • Scenic old town
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good public transit
  • Very walkable
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers


Is there more to do in Odense or Nantes?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Nantes than Odense. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Nantes is more touristy than Odense and is popular for its castles and historical landmarks, local wine, and beautiful parks and gardens. It is also well known for The Castle of the Dukes of Brittany. Odense is famous for

How is Odense different from Nantes?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Odense or Nantes?

Odense
Nantes

Nantes is notable for its sights and museums. However, Odense does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Nantes. The city is filled with historical monuments, particularly in the Bouffay District. Highlights include Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul, Château des Ducs de Bretagne, and the Musée d'Arts de Nantes.

Odense does not have museums and landmarks.


Is the Food Better in Odense or Nantes? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Odense
Nantes

Nantes is terrific for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Odense is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Eat your way through Nantes, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The region lends itself to unique flavors with a great mix of seafood from the Atlantic, freshwater fish from the Loire, and dairy from the surrounding countryside. The region is also famous for its wine. Local dishes that you should try include Filet de Sandre au Beurre Blanc (fresh fish in butter sauce), Crepes Bretonnes (breakfast crepes), and Le Canard Nantais (duck with Muscadet wine).

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Odense. You'll find local restaurants serving local favorites such as smoked salmon. You'll also find burger joints and international options such as sushi.

Is Odense or Nantes Better for Nightlife?

Odense
Nantes

Nantes is notable for its evening party scene. However, Odense is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Nantes has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The large student population heavily influences the nightlife scene. You'll find a young vibe with a lot of bars and clubs to choose from, particularly around Île de Nantes.

Odense is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Odense or Nantes Better for its Old Town?

Odense
Nantes

Nantes is a good destination for its historic old town charm. However, Odense does not have a historic old town.

Nantes offers a nice historic old town area. The city's old town is in the Bouffay District and it is filled with half-timbered houses and a maze of streets and shops.

Odense does not have a historic old town.


Is the Shopping Better in Odense or Nantes?

Odense
Nantes

Nantes is notable for its shopping areas. However, Odense is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Nantes. There are impressive shopping streets, boutique stores, and grand shopping malls. Make sure you check out Rue Crébillon, Passage Pommeraye, and the shops around the Bouffay District. Talensac Market is also a historical covered market that you can explore.

Odense is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Odense or Nantes Better for Families?

Odense
Nantes

Both Odense and Nantes are great family-friendly destinations.

Odense is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. As the home of Hans Christian Andersen, this town is a child's playhouse. You can visit the H.C. Andersen House, which will bring his fairytale mind to life. The city also has more than 200 playgrounds, an amazing zoo, and the Funen Village, which is an open air museum. There's also a castle to explore and paddle boating on the water.

Nantes is a very family-friendly destination. It's filled with gardens, museums, and theme parks, making it a great combination of fascinating activities for adults and kids alike. Some of the top kid-friendly activities include a visit to Machine of the Isle of Nantes (both a theme park and a museum), seeing a show at Le Lieu Unique, or experiencing Naudières Park (a smaller theme park). Kids will also enjoy seeing Goulaine Castle or wandering around Jardin Extraordinaire or the Botanical Gardens.

Is Odense or Nantes Better for Couples?

Odense
Nantes

Nantes is notable for couples. However, Odense is a mediocre city for romance.

Nantes is a very popular place to visit for couples. There is a mix of both natural and historical beauty. Couples can enjoy a nice meal, stroll through one of the many parks and gardens, or even spend the day at the spa.

Odense is not the best destination for a couple to visit. It's a charming city with a lot of green space and paddle boating on the water, but it lacks some of the romance that you find in many European cities.


Is Odense or Nantes Better for Students?

Odense
Nantes

Odense and Nantes are both nice destinations for students and younger travelers.

Odense is a good city to visit for students. It's a charming and friendly city that makes a fun place to learn and live. There's a fascinating culture and a number of things to do.

Plenty of students visit Nantes. There's a decent sized student population and the city has a welcoming atmosphere. It's also easy to get around with public transportation.

Is Odense or Nantes Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Odense
Nantes

Nantes is notable for its public transit. However, Odense does not have public transit.

The public transit in Nantes can get you to most places easily. There are both trams and buses throughout the city that are operated by TAN (Transport de l'Agglomeration Nantaise).

Odense does not have public transit.

Is Odense or Nantes a more walkable city?

Odense
Nantes

Nantes is notable for its ease of walking around. However, Odense is not a walkable destination.

Nantes is a very walkable destination. The city is very walkable. Both locals and tourists alike choose to walk in Nantes.

Odense is not a walkable destination.


Should I spend more time in Nantes or Odense?

How long in Odense or Nantes?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Odense and Nantes. In our opinion, Nantes has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Nantes than Odense. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Couples should spend more time in Nantes than Odense. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Nantes that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Nantes than Odense 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 Nantes.


  • How many days in Odense or Nantes? Ideal Length of Stay
    Odense 2-3 
    Nantes 2-3

One day in Odense or Nantes?

Many travelers enjoy the food when visiting the destination of Odense. 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 Nantes. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Odense or Nantes?

Odense 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.

Nantes is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Odense or Nantes?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nantes. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. 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 Odense or Nantes?

Travelers enjoy the food when visiting the destination of Odense. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the friendly destination of Nantes. 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 2-Week Tours from Copenhagen, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Denmark, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France.


Which place is cheaper, Nantes or Odense?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Odense is $160, while the average daily cost in Nantes is $116. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Odense and Nantes in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Odense $80
    Nantes $64
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Odense $160
    Nantes $128
Compare Hotels in Odense and Nantes

Looking for a hotel in Odense or Nantes? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Odense


Hotels in Nantes


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Odense Hotel Prices and Nantes Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Odense $44
    Nantes $38

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nantes

Also for Nantes, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Nantes Airport (NTE) to Nantes hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $26
  • Nantes to Nantes Airport (NTE) - Departure Private Transfer: $26
  • Private Transfer from Airports to Nantes: $33
  • Nantes Airport (NTE) to Nantes - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $52
  • Nantes Private Transfer from Nantes city centre to Nantes Airport: $65
  • Nantes Private Transfer from Nantes Airport to City centre: $65
  • Private Transfer from Nantes Hotels to La Rochelle Cruise Port: $88
  • Private Transfer from Nantes Airport (NTE) to La Rochelle Port: $88
  • Private Transfer from Nantes Atlantique Airport NTE to Puy du Fou Park: $174

Is it cheaper to fly into Odense or Nantes?

Prices for flights to both Nantes and Odense change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Odense $51
    Nantes $29

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nantes

For Nantes, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Nantes Traditional Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience : $104
  • All Inclusive Food Tour of Nantes Old Town with Local Guide: $145

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Odense $29
    Nantes $14

Tours and Activities in Odense

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Odense are as follows:

  • Christmas Charms in Odense - Walking Tour: $587
  • Copenhagen Audio Tour: Following Hans Christian Andersen: $9.99
  • GoBoat Self-drive Boat Tour: $57
  • Inspiring Odense - Walking Tour for Couples: $480
  • River Cruise on the Odense River: $16

Tours and Activities in Nantes

For Nantes, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.42
  • Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $6.42
  • Nantes Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.54
  • Guided treetop adventure course in the heart of Nantes: $31
  • Private custom tour with a local guide: $50
  • Nantes : Private Walking Tour With A Local : $51
  • Welcome to Private Tour with a Local: $51
  • Nantes Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $52
  • Panoramic Tour by Electric Bike: $59
  • PANORAMA TOUR OF NANTES by electric bike: $60
  • Nantes : Must-see Attractions Walking Tour: $75

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Odense $22
    Nantes $6.89

Sample the Local Flavors in Nantes

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Nantes:

  • Château du Bois-Huaut: Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting Class: $35


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Odense and Nantes, we can see that Odense is more expensive. And not only is Nantes much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nantes would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nantes 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 Odense would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Odense than you might in Nantes.

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


Which is Bigger, Odense or Nantes?

Nantes has a larger population, and is about 90% larger than the population of Odense. When comparing the sizes of Odense and Nantes, 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.