A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saint-Etienne vs. Ezcaray for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Saint-Etienne or Ezcaray?

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 Ezcaray. 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.

Where Should I go: Saint-Etienne or Ezcaray?

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne (Saint Stephen), a city southwest of Lyon, is drawing on its Industrial Revolution origins and its history of arms, bicycle, textile and ribbon production, to reinvent itself as design city. And the change is noticeable. After almost 30 years of decline, the city is now looking optimistically towards the future. Its center and suburbs are smartening up at a rapid pace. There are plenty of good surprises, including two great museums and a great eating scene.

Ezcaray

Ezcaray, Spain is a great place to go if you are looking for a scenic, relaxing, and peaceful destination. It is located in the Sierra de la Demanda mountains on the banks of the Oja river. Because of the mountain range nearby, it is also a great place for mountaineers. Ezcaray is a small town with big charm and momentous possibilities. It is located right at the base of the San Lorenzo peak in the Oja valley in the La Rioja region of Spain. The town has a population of less than 2,000, so it is a far cry from big city life, but that's part of what makes it such a gem to visit. Some say it is one of the best locations to get an authentic feel of real Spain without the big touristy populations. Its sheer beauty has also been compared to something out of a fairy tale.

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 Luxury Tours to Spain, and The Best Budget Tours to Spain.

When comparing the travel costs between Saint-Etienne and Ezcaray, we can see that Ezcaray 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 Saint-Etienne Expensive? and Is Ezcaray Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint-Etienne or Ezcaray?

Saint-Etienne has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Ezcaray. When comparing the sizes of Saint-Etienne and Ezcaray, 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 Ezcaray?

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 Saint-Etienne or Ezcaray in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint-Etienne and Ezcaray. Many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Saint-Etienne is generally around the same temperature as Ezcaray. Daily temperatures in Saint-Etienne average around 22°C (71°F), and Ezcaray fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In Saint-Etienne, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint-Etienne usually receives more sunshine than Ezcaray during summer. Saint-Etienne gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Ezcaray receives 188 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saint-Etienne usually receives more rain than Ezcaray. Saint-Etienne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Ezcaray receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint-Etienne as well as Ezcaray. Most visitors come to Saint-Etienne for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Saint-Etienne is cooler than Ezcaray in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint-Etienne averages around 14°C (56°F) in October, and Ezcaray fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).

In the autumn, Saint-Etienne often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ezcaray. Saint-Etienne gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ezcaray receives 125 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Ezcaray. Saint-Etienne usually gets less rain in October than Ezcaray. Saint-Etienne gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Ezcaray receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Ezcaray and Saint-Etienne are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Saint-Etienne because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Saint-Etienne can be very cold. In the winter, Saint-Etienne is much colder than Ezcaray. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint-Etienne in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Ezcaray averages at about 9°C (48°F).

Saint-Etienne usually receives less sunshine than Ezcaray during winter. Saint-Etienne gets 62 hours of sunny skies, while Ezcaray receives 77 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Ezcaray. In January, Saint-Etienne usually receives less rain than Ezcaray. Saint-Etienne gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Ezcaray receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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

Both Ezcaray and Saint-Etienne during the spring are popular places to visit. The natural beauty are the main draw to Saint-Etienne this time of year.

In April, Saint-Etienne is generally around the same temperature as Ezcaray. Daily temperatures in Saint-Etienne average around 11°C (53°F), and Ezcaray fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Saint-Etienne often gets more sunshine than Ezcaray. Saint-Etienne gets 174 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ezcaray receives 117 hours of full sun.

Ezcaray gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Saint-Etienne usually gets less rain in April than Ezcaray. Saint-Etienne gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Ezcaray receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Ezcaray and Saint-Etienne