A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Orkney Islands vs. Calais for Food, Beaches, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Orkney Islands 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 Orkney Islands and Calais can help you decide which place is right for you.

Orkney Islands

Orkney Islands is a natural, pristine, and remote archipelago. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include hiking, museums, and food.

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.

Orkney Islands and Calais: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Orkney Islands or Calais?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Calais. Although Orkney Islands and Calais are popular destinations, Calais has more sights and attractions for tourists. Calais is very popular for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Orkney Islands attracts visitors for its food, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Orkney Islands is famous for its sandy beaches, serene landscape, and well-preserved Neolithic sights. Calais is famous for being a gateway for travelers to France. It is also well known for The Town Hall.

How is Orkney Islands different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Orkney Islands or Calais?

You'll find a number of nice museums and attractions in both Calais and Orkney Islands.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Orkney Islands. The islands is home to a number of archaeological ruins including the stone age village of Skara Brae and the neolithic chambered cairn of Maes Howee. Also check out impressive Ring of Brodgar stone circle as well as the oldest dwelling in the UK, the Knap of Howar on Papa Westray.

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 Orkney Islands or Calais? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Orkney Islands 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 Orkney Islands is an experience not to be missed. You'll find so many local products on the islands. It's famous for its local beef, lamb, salmon, and seafood, but you'll also find cheeses and produce. There are two breweries on the island as well. Many people pick up some items that they take home with them.

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 Orkney Islands or Calais Better for Nightlife?

Calais is very good for its evening party scene. However, Orkney Islands is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

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.

Orkney Islands is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Orkney Islands or Calais Better for Beaches?

Orkney Islands is well known for the beach. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its beaches.

Orkney Islands is considered a top beach destination. The archipelago has hundreds of miles of beaches that feel serene and remote. If you're looking for a tranquil setting that is natural and untouched, you'll have many to choose from. Some of the best beaches on the islands include Tresness Beach, Grobust Beach, and Sands of Evie Beach.

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.

Is Orkney Islands or Calais Better for Hiking?

Orkney Islands is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Calais is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Orkney Islands. Rolling hills and rugged landscapes make for relaxing and beautiful walks. There are also many archaeological ruins that you can explore. Favorite hikes in the area include Balfour Village and Mill Dam, Birsay Whalebone, and Birwick to Barth Head.

Calais is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Orkney Islands or Calais?

Calais is very good for its shopping areas. However, Orkney Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Calais has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

Orkney Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Orkney Islands or Calais Better for Families?

You'll find nice kid-friendly activities in either Orkney Islands or Calais.

Orkney Islands offers lots of family activities. Exploring the beaches is one of the best way to spend your days with kids. There are also several places you can take the kids like Barony Mill, Skate Rumple Alpaca Farm, Corrigall Farm Museum, and Kirbuster Farm Museum.

Calais is a family-friendly place to visit. 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 Orkney Islands or Calais Better for Couples?

Orkney Islands is well known for couples. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Orkney Islands frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Nature lovers will enjoy the stunning beaches and beautiful natural setting. There are also some great restaurants and even live music performances that make for a fun date night.

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 Orkney Islands or Calais Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Orkney Islands is well known for backpackers. However, Calais is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Orkney Islands is a very popular archipelago for backpackers and budget travelers. If camping is your style, you'll find some great campgrounds and campsites that make the most of this beautiful natural setting.

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 Orkney Islands or Calais Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Orkney Islands and Calais both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Orkney Islands offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Buses travel to many parts of the islands and many islands are connected by ferries.

Calais has a few public transit options. 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 Orkney Islands or Calais a more walkable city?

Calais is very good for its ease of walking around. However, Orkney Islands is not a walkable destination.

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

Orkney Islands is not a walkable destination.

For even more information, also check out Is Orkney Islands Worth Visiting? and Is Calais Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Calais or Orkney Islands?

How long in Orkney Islands or Calais?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Orkney Islands and Calais. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Orkney Islands than in Calais. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Orkney Islands, and 1-3 days is enough time in Calais.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Orkney Islands 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 Orkney Islands.

One day in Orkney Islands or Calais?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Orkney Islands. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Calais, you'll find museums and nightlife. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Orkney Islands or Calais?

Orkney Islands 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.

Calais is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Orkney Islands or Calais?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Orkney Islands. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Calais. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Orkney Islands or Calais?

Many travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the remote destination of Orkney Islands. This archipelago offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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 city of Calais. Your budget might influence how long you stay. 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 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Budget Tours to France, and The Best Tours for Seniors to France.

When comparing the travel costs between Orkney Islands and Calais, we can see that Orkney Islands 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 Orkney Islands Expensive? and Is Calais Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Orkney Islands 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 Orkney Islands or Calais in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Orkney Islands as well as Calais. Most visitors come to Orkney Islands for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Calais because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Orkney Islands is cooler than Calais in the summer. The daily temperature in Orkney Islands averages around 12°C (54°F) in July, and Calais fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Calais. In the summer, Orkney Islands often gets less sunshine than Calais. Orkney Islands gets 129 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun.

Orkney Islands usually gets more rain in July than Calais. Orkney Islands gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Calais in the Autumn?

Both Calais and Orkney Islands are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Orkney Islands because of the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Calais this time of year.

In the autumn, Orkney Islands is cooler than Calais. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Orkney Islands in October average around 9°C (48°F), and Calais averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Orkney Islands usually receives less sunshine than Calais during autumn. Orkney Islands gets 73 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 119 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Orkney Islands. In October, Orkney Islands usually receives more rain than Calais. Orkney Islands gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Calais in the Winter?

Both Calais and Orkney Islands during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Orkney Islands 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 Orkney Islands in the winter. In January, Orkney Islands is generally cooler than Calais. Daily temperatures in Orkney Islands average around 4°C (39°F), and Calais fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, Orkney Islands often gets less sunshine than Calais. Orkney Islands gets 29 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Orkney Islands. Orkney Islands usually gets more rain in January than Calais. Orkney Islands gets 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Calais in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Orkney Islands and Calais. Many travelers come to Orkney Islands for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Calais in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

Orkney Islands is cooler than Calais in the spring. The daily temperature in Orkney Islands averages around 6°C (43°F) in April, and Calais fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

Orkney Islands usually receives less sunshine than Calais during spring. Orkney Islands gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Orkney Islands usually receives more rain than Calais. Orkney Islands gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Calais and Orkney Islands