A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Playa Blanca vs. Caen for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Playa Blanca or Caen?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Playa Blanca and Caen 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: Playa Blanca or Caen?

Playa Blanca

Located on the southern tip of the Canary Island of Lanzarote, Playa Blanca is a resort area popular with families and couples seeking a quieter vacation alternative to the lively neighbor resort of Puerto del Carmen. The resort's white sandy beaches are peaceful and sheltered from the higher winds found on other parts of the island. Timanfaya National Park is also nearby, as well as a number of other spectacular volcanic features.

Caen

Caen is a city in France on the coast in the Calvados department of Lower Normandy. Caen is known for its historical buildings built during the reign of William the Conqueror, who was buried there. The town was destroyed almost completely in 1944 during WWII and it is a remarkable achievement that Caen has kept so many of its historical monuments given the terrible battle that besieged the town following the Normandy beach landings. After the war the town passed through 15 years of reconstruction, and continued to improve afterwards. In recent years the town has made further significant efforts and Caen now has an attractive, carefully restored, historic center. The city has also preserved the memory of its past by erecting a memorial and a museum dedicated to peace, the Memorial de Caen. The city is often considered the archetype of Normandy.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France.


Which place is cheaper, Caen or Playa Blanca?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Playa Blanca is €155, while the average daily cost in Caen is €123. 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 Playa Blanca and Caen in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Playa Blanca 81
    Caen 61
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Playa Blanca 162
    Caen 122
Compare Hotels in Playa Blanca and Caen

Looking for a hotel in Playa Blanca or Caen? 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 Playa Blanca


Hotels in Caen


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: Playa Blanca Hotel Prices and Caen Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Playa Blanca 49
    Caen 35

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Caen

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

  • Private Transfer Round-Trip from Caen Airport (CFR) to Caen: $63
  • Caen to Caen Carpiquet Airport (CFR) - Departure Private Transfer: $32
  • Caen Carpiquet Airport (CFR) to Caen - Arrival Private Transfer: $32

Is it cheaper to fly into Playa Blanca or Caen?

Prices for flights to both Caen and Playa Blanca 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
    Playa Blanca 45
    Caen 40

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Playa Blanca 20
    Caen 19

Tours and Activities in Caen

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

  • Caen Like a Local: Customized Guided Walking Tour: $51
  • Guided D-Day Sites Tour & Caen Memorial Museum Ticket: $127
  • Memorial Museum Entrance Ticket: $21
  • Private Guided Walking Tour: $307
  • Private Guided Walking Tour: $160
  • Private custom tour with a local guide: $59
  • D-Day private tour Juno Beach departing Caen with audio guide. 2Pers. minimum: $268
  • D-Day private tour Omaha Beach from Caen with audio guide.: $268
  • From Caen or Bayeux: Normandy History Private Full-Day Tour: $1,283
  • Guided Tour in an Old Convertible Car on the Côte de Nacre: $93
  • Guided Tour of the Landing Sites and the Memorial of Caen: $191
  • Mémorial de Caen Museum Admission and Guided Tour of D-Day Sites: $133

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Playa Blanca 9.29
    Caen 17


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

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


Which is Bigger, Playa Blanca or Caen?

Caen has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Playa Blanca. When comparing the sizes of Playa Blanca and Caen, 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 Playa Blanca or Caen?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Playa Blanca or Caen in the Summer?

Both Caen and Playa Blanca are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Caen for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Playa Blanca is generally a little warmer than Caen. Daily temperatures in Playa Blanca average around 23°C (73°F), and Caen fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Caen. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa Blanca. Playa Blanca usually receives more sunshine than Caen during summer. Playa Blanca gets 282 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 227 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Playa Blanca usually receives less rain than Caen. Playa Blanca gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Caen receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Playa Blanca 23°C (73°F) 
    Caen 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Playa Blanca or Caen in the Autumn?

Both Caen and Playa Blanca during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Caen in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions.

Playa Blanca is much warmer than Caen in the autumn. The daily temperature in Playa Blanca averages around 22°C (72°F) in October, and Caen fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

It's quite sunny in Playa Blanca. In the autumn, Playa Blanca often gets more sunshine than Caen. Playa Blanca gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 128 hours of full sun.

Playa Blanca usually gets less rain in October than Caen. Playa Blanca gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Caen receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Playa Blanca 22°C (72°F) 
    Caen 12°C (54°F)

Should I visit Playa Blanca or Caen in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Playa Blanca and Caen. Also, most visitors come to Caen for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Caen can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Playa Blanca is much warmer than Caen. Typically, the winter temperatures in Playa Blanca in January average around 17°C (63°F), and Caen averages at about 5°C (41°F).

In Playa Blanca, it's very sunny this time of the year. Playa Blanca usually receives more sunshine than Caen during winter. Playa Blanca gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 70 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Playa Blanca usually receives less rain than Caen. Playa Blanca gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Caen receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Playa Blanca 17°C (63°F) 
    Caen 5°C (41°F)

Should I visit Playa Blanca or Caen in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Playa Blanca as well as Caen. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Caen because of the activities around the city.

In April, Playa Blanca is generally much warmer than Caen. Daily temperatures in Playa Blanca average around 19°C (66°F), and Caen fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Playa Blanca this time of the year. In the spring, Playa Blanca often gets more sunshine than Caen. Playa Blanca gets 250 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 171 hours of full sun.

Playa Blanca usually gets less rain in April than Caen. Playa Blanca gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Caen receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Playa Blanca 19°C (66°F) 
    Caen 9°C (49°F)

Typical Weather for Caen and Playa Blanca

Playa Blanca Caen
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 17°C (63°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 5°C (41°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Feb 17°C (63°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 5°C (42°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Mar 18°C (64°F) 11 mm (0.4 in) 7°C (45°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Apr 19°C (66°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 9°C (49°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
May 20°C (68°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 13°C (55°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Jun 22°C (72°F) 0 mm (0 in) 15°C (60°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 0 mm (0 in) 18°C (64°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Aug 25°C (77°F) 0 mm (0 in) 18°C (64°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Sep 24°C (75°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 16°C (60°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 22°C (72°F) 9 mm (0.4 in) 12°C (54°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Nov 20°C (68°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 8°C (47°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Dec 18°C (64°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 6°C (43°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)


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