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

Should you visit Saint-Etienne or Lyon?

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 Lyon. 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 industrial, undiscovered, and authentic city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and nightlife.

Lyon

Lyon is a beautiful, cultural, and quaint city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Saint-Etienne and Lyon: Pros and Cons

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

You'll generally find more things to do in Lyon than Saint-Etienne. Lyon is bigger than Saint-Etienne, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Lyon is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Saint-Etienne is more popular for its hiking. Lyon is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is popular for its world-renowned cuisine, charming old town, and vibrant new town. Also, Lyon is famous for The Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Saint-Etienne is well known for its industrial and manufacturing past.

How is Saint-Etienne different from Lyon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Lyon 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 Lyon?

Lyon is an amazing city to visit for its historical sights. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

The museums and tourist attractions in Lyon are world-renowned. There are many world class museums and historic landmarks in the city including Musée des Beaux Arts, Musée de la Civilisation Gallo-Romaine, and Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Saint-Etienne. 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.

Is the Food Better in Saint-Etienne or Lyon? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Lyon is an amazing city to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Eat your way through Lyon, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. Known as "the Gastronomic Capital of the World" this city stands above the rest when it comes to Michelin star restaurants (there are 17!), fresh ingredients, and unique local flavors. Favorite local dishes include pâté en croûte, rosette de Lyon, and saucisson brioché.

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 Lyon Better for Nightlife?

Lyon is great for nightlife and partying. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

Many people head to Lyon for the nightlife scene. The city has enough diverse neighborhoods that you'll find a scene that is great for everyone. There are dance clubs, cocktail bars, and wine bars that meet every personality and style.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Saint-Etienne. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

Is Saint-Etienne or Lyon Better for its Old Town?

Lyon is an amazing city to visit for its old town. However, Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

Lyon offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. This impressive old town climbs from the river into Fourvière Hill. It's a Renaissance era district with beautiful buildings and plenty of character. You can spend days wandering the quaint streets and popping in the world class restaurants.

Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

Is Saint-Etienne or Lyon Better for Hiking?

Saint-Etienne is a nice place to visit for the nearby hiking options. However, Lyon is not a hiking destination.

Saint-Etienne has hiking trails worth exploring. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Lyon is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint-Etienne or Lyon?

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

Lyon is well-known for its shopping. The city has many trendy markets, pedestrian shopping areas, and character-filled boutiques. From the charming shops in old town to the chic shopping streets, there are plenty of places to splurge around town.

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 Lyon Better for Families?

Lyon is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Lyon is very family-friendly. The city has many kid-friendly museums including Musée des Confluences and the Cinema and Miniature Museum. There are also playgrounds, patisseries, and river cruises that you can enjoy as a family. Puppet shows are also fun, but do note that they're usually in French. While the restaurants are amazing for adults, it can be tricky to find a kid-friendly option with early opening hours that are convenient for little ones.

Saint-Etienne is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Is Saint-Etienne or Lyon Better for Couples?

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

Lyon is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Couples can enjoy wandering the beautiful Old Town, taking a river cruise, and dining on some of the best food in France.

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 Lyon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lyon is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Lyon. The city has several hostels and a number of activities that are fun for budget travelers and backpackers.

Saint-Etienne is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not high on the backpacker trail, but there are hostels and plenty of activities to enjoy.

Is Saint-Etienne or Lyon Better for Students?

Lyon is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not popular with students.

Lyon is a very popular place to visit for students. It is a very livable city with many fun cultural activities for students. There are many different entertainment options during the day, and during the evening there are plenty of places to hang out.

Saint-Etienne is not popular with students.

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

Lyon is an amazing city to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Public transit in Lyon is top-notch. The city has a metro, trams, and buses, that make it easy to get around.

Saint-Etienne has a few public transit options. There are tram and bus options available in town.

Is Saint-Etienne or Lyon a more walkable city?

Lyon is great for its high level of walkability. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

Lyon is a very walkable city. The old town is particularly walkable, but the hills can make things a bit challenging. There are also a number of pedestrian streets around town.

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

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

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

How long in Saint-Etienne or Lyon?

In either Saint-Etienne or Lyon, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Lyon than Saint-Etienne because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Saint-Etienne, and 2-5 days is enough time in Lyon.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lyon 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 Lyon.

One day in Saint-Etienne or Lyon?

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Saint-Etienne. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Lyon is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Saint-Etienne or Lyon?

Saint-Etienne is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lyon. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Lyon?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the park-filled destination of Saint-Etienne. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Lyon is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A week in Saint-Etienne or Lyon?

The undiscovered city of Saint-Etienne offers nightlife and museums. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful city of Lyon. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Lyon, we can see that Lyon 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 Lyon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lyon 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 Lyon Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint-Etienne or Lyon?

Lyon has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Saint-Etienne. When comparing the sizes of Saint-Etienne and Lyon, 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 Lyon?

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 Lyon in the Summer?

Both Lyon and Saint-Etienne during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Lyon for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Saint-Etienne is around the same temperature as Lyon in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint-Etienne averages around 22°C (71°F) in July, and Lyon fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

In Lyon, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint-Etienne. In the summer, Saint-Etienne often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lyon. Saint-Etienne gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 285 hours of full sun.

Saint-Etienne usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Lyon. Saint-Etienne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint-Etienne and Lyon. Most visitors come to Saint-Etienne for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Lyon because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Saint-Etienne is around the same temperature as Lyon. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint-Etienne in October average around 14°C (56°F), and Lyon averages at about 14°C (56°F).

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

In October, Saint-Etienne usually receives around the same amount of rain as Lyon. Saint-Etienne gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

The winter brings many poeple to Saint-Etienne as well as Lyon. The winter months attract visitors to Saint-Etienne because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Lyon this time of year.

It's quite cold in Lyon in the winter. The weather in Saint-Etienne can be very cold. In January, Saint-Etienne is generally around the same temperature as Lyon. Daily temperatures in Saint-Etienne average around 4°C (39°F), and Lyon fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Saint-Etienne often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lyon. Saint-Etienne gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 62 hours of full sun.

Saint-Etienne usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Lyon. Saint-Etienne gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Lyon and Saint-Etienne are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The natural beauty are the main draw to Saint-Etienne this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Lyon for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Saint-Etienne is around the same temperature as Lyon in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint-Etienne averages around 11°C (53°F) in April, and Lyon fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

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

In April, Saint-Etienne usually receives around the same amount of rain as Lyon. Saint-Etienne gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Lyon and Saint-Etienne