A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Paris vs. Seattle for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Music

Should you visit Paris or Seattle?

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

Should I visit Paris or Seattle? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Paris

Paris is a bustling, energetic, and beautiful city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. You'll find world class beauty here as well. Other popular activities here include food, shopping, and museums.

Seattle

Seattle is a cultural, outdoorsy, and laid-back city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Paris and Seattle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Paris or Seattle?

You'll generally find more things to do in Paris than Seattle. Paris is bigger than Seattle, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Paris is better known for its museums, theatre productions, food, nightlife, music, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Seattle is more popular for its beaches and hiking. Paris is more touristy than Seattle and is popular for its world-renowned cuisine, iconic landmarks, trendsetting fashion, and dynamic markets. Also, Paris is famous for The Eiffel Tower. Seattle is well known for its beautiful waterfront setting, diverse culinary scene, thriving art and cultural venues, and being the home of many international tech companies.

The Eiffel Tower

How is Paris different from Seattle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Paris or Seattle?

Paris is renowned for its sights and museums. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Paris on the map. One of the most world famous landmarks is the Eiffel Tower. The city is also home to the world renowned Louvre, Notre-Dame, and Palais Garnier Opera House. In addition to the many iconic sights, there are beautiful buildings and hidden gems throughout the city.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Seattle. The city's most iconic landmark is the Space Needle. There's also a zoo, aquarium, and a handful of nice museums. Several favorites include the Chihuly Garden and Glass, the Museum of History & Industry, and the Seattle Art Museum.

Is Paris or Seattle Better for Theater?

Paris is renowned for its shows and theatre. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for theatre.

Famous for its theaters and plays, you'll find world-renowned shows in Paris. There are world class theaters as well as smaller local venues where you can enjoy a show.

You'll find a nice selection of shows in Seattle. There are a handful of theaters where you can enjoy traveling Broadway shows or smaller productions.

Is the Food Better in Paris or Seattle? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Paris is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Paris is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. There are countless local restaurants, markets, and patisseries to explore. Make sure you try the steak tartare, pate, and macarons.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Seattle. The city has many diverse dining options that make it a popular foodie destination. The seafood is world-class with many restaurants offering fresh caught salmon and oysters. There are also many great Asian restaurants with Pho, sushi, and dim sum all being popular around town. Seattle is also famous as the birthplace of Starbucks coffee, and both chain and independent coffee shops are common. Finally, make sure you check out the donuts at Pike's Place Market.

Is Paris or Seattle Better for Nightlife?

Paris is renowned for its evening party scene. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Paris is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. Head to Pigalle or the Latin Quarter for some of the city's best nightlife. There are all-night parties, cabarets, and exclusive night clubs that you can experience.

Seattle has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city is known for its breweries and eclectic nightlife scene. There is a thriving theater scene as well as many bars and trendy restaurants. The best neighborhoods for nightlife include Capitol Hill, Belltown, and Downtown.

Is Paris or Seattle Better for Music?

Paris is renowned for its music scene. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for live music.

In Paris you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. Some of the most famous music venues include Le Pop In, La Mécanique Ondulatoire, and Les Disquaires. You'll also find many small bars where you can enjoy live music in a quaint setting.

Whether you like big venues or smaller artists, Seattle has diverse options. The city has developed its own music culture around several genres including alternative rock and grunge.

Is Paris or Seattle Better for Beaches?

Seattle is a popular place for its beaches. However, Paris is not a beach destination.

Seattle is a good option for a beach vacation. The city is surrounded by water so there are a number of rocky and sandy beaches nearby. Some beaches are more popular with locals while others attract a large amount of tourists. Alki Beach Park, Discovery Park, and Golden Gardens Park are among the best.

Paris is not a beach destination.

Is Paris or Seattle Better for Hiking?

Seattle is great for hiking. However, Paris is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Seattle for the hiking trails. It's famously an outdoorsy city and the hiking will not disappoint. Within a half hour drive of town you'll find beautiful forests and stunning natural beauty. Head into the Cascades, to the coastal rainforests, or around Mount Rainier for all kinds of diverse landscapes. Seattle is well situated for you to experience hiking through the diverse Pacific Northwest landscapes.

Paris is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Paris or Seattle?

Paris is renowned for its shopping areas. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for shopping.

Paris is a world class destination for shoppers. Some of the best areas for shopping are Boulevard Haussmann and the Grands Boulevards, the Marais, and Avenue Montaigne and the Champs-Elysées. The city is iconic for its fashion scene and world class shopping venues.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Seattle. Shopping in town has an eclectic mix of high end brands, local vendors, and vintage shops. There are farmers markets as well as the famous Pike Place Market, but also major malls with all of the standard department stores.

Is Paris or Seattle Better for Christmas?

Paris is renowned for its Christmas activities. However, Seattle does not offer Christmas activities.

Paris is a fantastic destination at Christmas. The city of lights really proves itself around the holiday season. In addition to checking out the Christmas lights, it's fun to go window shopping or check out one of the city's Christmas markets.

Seattle does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Paris or Seattle Better for Families?

Paris is renowned for its family-friendly activities. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Paris is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. Check out Jardin du Luxembourg, or one of the city's many playgrounds. Also grab a treat at one of the city's many patisseries. And of course, there's Disneyland Paris.

Seattle is a family-friendly city. This is an outdoor city with plenty of places where kids can run around and experience nature. There are several good museums as well as outdoor activities, parks, and a zoo. Make sure you check out the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Volunteer Park, and Artists at Play Playground.

Is Paris or Seattle Better for Couples?

Paris is renowned for couples. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Paris has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. A city filled with romance, you really can't find a more ideal destination for a European honeymoon or a couple's getaway.

Seattle is a nice destination for couples. The city has a laid back vibe, a nice downtown area, and plenty of outdoor activities. There are a diversity of restaurants to enjoy and a great nightlife scene that makes for a good couple's getaway.

Is Paris or Seattle Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Paris is renowned for backpackers. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Paris is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. It's a big city, so it's easy to get lost in the chaos, but there are many hostels and other backpacker hangouts around town.

Seattle is a good city to visit for backpackers. Although it's not the most popular city for backpackers in America, the city's chill vibe, fun breweries, and lively setting make it a great spot for young backpackers.

Is Paris or Seattle Better for Students?

Paris is renowned for students. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Paris is a great destination for students. The city is one of the most popular destinations for international and study abroad students.

Students come from all over to stay in Seattle. It is a major IT center with a large university, so international students will have plenty of opportunities here. It's also a vibrant city with many outdoor recreational opportunities and a fun nightlife scene.

Is Paris or Seattle Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Paris is renowned for its public transit. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Paris has a great public transit system. The city's metro system is very comprehensive. There's also a bus system that you can use to get around.

Seattle has some public transit options. There is a light rail system, a monorail, a street car, and buses.

Is Paris or Seattle a more walkable city?

Paris and Seattle are very good when it comes to walkability.

Paris is very walkable. Some streets can feel a bit overwhelming, but there are many parts of the city that are easily explored on foot.

Seattle is a very walkable city. Many neighborhoods are very walkable, particularly in the downtown and major tourist areas.

For even more information, also check out Is Paris Worth Visiting? and Is Seattle Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Seattle or Paris?

How long in Paris or Seattle?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Paris and Seattle. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Paris than in Seattle. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Paris, and 2-3 days is enough time in Seattle.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Paris than Seattle 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 Paris.

One day in Paris or Seattle?

Because Paris is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

In Seattle, many people enjoy the nightlife and live music that this cultural big city offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Paris or Seattle?

Because Paris is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Seattle. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Paris or Seattle?

Paris is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Paris has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Seattle is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the big city destination of Seattle. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Paris or Seattle?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Paris. Because Paris is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

You'll find shopping and museums around the laid-back big city of Seattle. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in France, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Paris or Seattle?

Paris has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Seattle. When comparing the sizes of Paris and Seattle, 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 Paris or Seattle?

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 Paris or Seattle in the Summer?

Both Seattle and Paris during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Paris for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Seattle in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Paris is generally around the same temperature as Seattle. Daily temperatures in Paris average around 20°C (68°F), and Seattle fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

In Seattle, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Paris. In the summer, Paris often gets less sunshine than Seattle. Paris gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 313 hours of full sun.

Paris usually gets more rain in July than Seattle. Paris gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Paris or Seattle in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Paris and Seattle. Many visitors come to Paris in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Seattle for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Paris is around the same temperature as Seattle in the autumn. The daily temperature in Paris averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Seattle fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

Paris usually receives less sunshine than Seattle during autumn. Paris gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 143 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Paris usually receives less rain than Seattle. Paris gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Paris or Seattle in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Paris as well as Seattle. Most visitors come to Paris for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Seattle because of the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Paris can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Paris is cooler than Seattle. Typically, the winter temperatures in Paris in January average around 5°C (40°F), and Seattle averages at about 42°F (5°C).

In the winter, Paris often gets less sunshine than Seattle. Paris gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 67 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Seattle. Paris usually gets less rain in January than Seattle. Paris gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 5.4 inches (136 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Paris or Seattle in the Spring?

Both Seattle and Paris are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Paris because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Seattle this time of year.

In April, Paris is generally around the same temperature as Seattle. Daily temperatures in Paris average around 11°C (52°F), and Seattle fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

It's quite sunny in Seattle. Paris usually receives less sunshine than Seattle during spring. Paris gets 172 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Paris usually receives less rain than Seattle. Paris gets 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Seattle and Paris