A Travel Price Comparison for France Saint-Etienne vs. Calais for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Saint-Etienne or Calais?

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 Saint-Etienne and Calais. 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.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a historic, park-filled, and industrial city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and hiking.

Calais

Calais is a undiscovered, coastal, and authentic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and shopping.

Saint-Etienne and Calais: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint-Etienne or Calais?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Calais than Saint-Etienne. While Saint-Etienne is larger than Calais, Calais has more sights and attractions for tourists. Calais is more popular for its food, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Saint-Etienne is known for its hiking and impressive beauty. Saint-Etienne is popular for its industrial and manufacturing past. Calais is popular for being a gateway for travelers to France. It is also home to The Town Hall.

How is Saint-Etienne different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint-Etienne or Calais?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Saint-Etienne and Calais.

Saint-Etienne offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are several great museums in town including the Musée d'Art et d'Industrie, Musée de la Mine, Musée des Verts, and the planetarium.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Calais. 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 Saint-Etienne or Calais? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Calais is a good destination for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Calais has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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.

Saint-Etienne may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Try the many local cheeses which are a defining part of the cuisine in the area. You'll find some local restaurants around town where you can sample local flavors.

Is Saint-Etienne or Calais Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is good in both Saint-Etienne and Calais.

If you're looking for night time activities Saint-Etienne has a few options to choose from. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Calais. 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 Saint-Etienne or Calais Better for Beaches?

Calais is a good destination for the beache. However, Saint-Etienne is not a beach destination.

Calais offers a nice beach destination. 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.

Saint-Etienne is not a beach destination.

Is Saint-Etienne or Calais Better for Hiking?

Saint-Etienne is a popular place for its hiking experiences. However, Calais is not a hiking destination.

Saint-Etienne is a good destination for hiking. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Calais is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint-Etienne or Calais?

Calais is a good destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its shopping areas.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Saint-Etienne has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. Shopping malls and several boutique shopping areas make up the city's shopping scene.

Is Saint-Etienne or Calais Better for Families?

Both Saint-Etienne and Calais are good family-friendly destinations.

Saint-Etienne offers lots of family activities. There are several kid-friendly museums as well as plenty of natural settings just outside of town. Your kids can run around and stretch their legs nearby at Crest of the Partridge or on a rainy day, the planetarium is a fun place to visit.

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 Saint-Etienne or Calais Better for Couples?

Calais is a good destination for its romantic activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for couples.

Calais makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Saint-Etienne is not always the best place to visit for a couple. There are museums, parks, gardens, and beautiful architecture that make this a wonderful place for couples.

Is Saint-Etienne or Calais Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Saint-Etienne and Calais both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Saint-Etienne offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are tram and bus options available in town.

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 Saint-Etienne or Calais a more walkable city?

Saint-Etienne and Calais are good when it comes to walkability.

Saint-Etienne is a somewhat walkable place. There are several walkable areas in the city.

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

For even more information, also check out Is Saint-Etienne Worth Visiting? and Is Calais Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Calais or Saint-Etienne?

How long in Saint-Etienne or Calais?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Saint-Etienne and Calais. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Calais than in Saint-Etienne. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Saint-Etienne, and 1-3 days is enough time in Calais.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Calais than Saint-Etienne 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 Calais.

One day in Saint-Etienne or Calais?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Saint-Etienne. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the undiscovered destination of Calais. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Saint-Etienne or Calais?

Saint-Etienne 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Calais. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Saint-Etienne or Calais?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint-Etienne. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the authentic destination of Calais. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days 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.

A week in Saint-Etienne or Calais?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and museums when visiting the park-filled destination of Saint-Etienne. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Calais. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Saint-Etienne or Calais?

Saint-Etienne has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Calais. When comparing the sizes of Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne or Calais in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Saint-Etienne as well as Calais. The hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Saint-Etienne this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Calais for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Saint-Etienne is a little warmer than Calais. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint-Etienne in July average around 22°C (71°F), and Calais averages at about 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Calais. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint-Etienne this time of the year. In the summer, Saint-Etienne often gets more sunshine than Calais. Saint-Etienne gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun.

Saint-Etienne usually gets more rain in July than Calais. Saint-Etienne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Calais in the Autumn?

Both Calais and Saint-Etienne are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Calais in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Saint-Etienne is generally a little warmer than Calais. Daily temperatures in Saint-Etienne average around 14°C (56°F), and Calais fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Saint-Etienne usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Calais during autumn. Saint-Etienne gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 119 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint-Etienne usually receives more rain than Calais. Saint-Etienne gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Calais in the Winter?

Both Calais and Saint-Etienne during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Calais for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Calais can be very cold during winter. Saint-Etienne can get quite cold in the winter. Saint-Etienne is cooler than Calais in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint-Etienne averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Calais fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, Saint-Etienne often gets more sunshine than Calais. Saint-Etienne gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun.

Saint-Etienne usually gets more rain in January than Calais. Saint-Etienne gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Calais in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint-Etienne and Calais. Most visitors come to Saint-Etienne for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Calais because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Saint-Etienne is a little warmer than Calais. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint-Etienne in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Calais averages at about 9°C (47°F).

Saint-Etienne usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Calais during spring. Saint-Etienne gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saint-Etienne usually receives more rain than Calais. Saint-Etienne gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Calais and Saint-Etienne