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

Should you visit Saint-Etienne or Vitoria-Gasteiz?

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 Vitoria-Gasteiz. 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 Vitoria-Gasteiz?

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.

Vitoria-Gasteiz

In the midst of a vast, starry night, medieval cathedrals and ancient buildings are scattered with light across the humming city. This is none other than Vitoria-Gasteiz, a town located in the province of Araba/Alava in northern Spain. Within its border, this city contains Basque Country's House of Parliament, the headquarters of the Government, and the Lehendakari's (Prime Minister's) official residence. In 2012, Vitoria-Gasteiz was awarded the title of European Green Capital and now is one of the top five places to live in Spain. This multicultural city is chock full of amazing national history as well as unique cultural traditions. Vitoria-Gasteiz is also well known for its festivals, including Azkena rock festival, FesTVal, Vitoria-Gasteiz jazz festival, and the Virgen Blanca Festivities. Whether you seek to explore its world-renowned wineries or dine in a chic restaurant, Vitoria-Gasteiz holds an endless amount of possibilities.

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 Adventure Tours to Spain, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint-Etienne and Vitoria-Gasteiz, we can see that Vitoria-Gasteiz 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 Vitoria-Gasteiz would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Vitoria-Gasteiz 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 Vitoria-Gasteiz Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint-Etienne or Vitoria-Gasteiz?

Vitoria-Gasteiz has a larger population, and is about 27% larger than the population of Saint-Etienne. When comparing the sizes of Saint-Etienne and Vitoria-Gasteiz, 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 Vitoria-Gasteiz?

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 Vitoria-Gasteiz in the Summer?

Both Vitoria-Gasteiz and Saint-Etienne are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. 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 Vitoria-Gasteiz. Daily temperatures in Saint-Etienne average around 22°C (71°F), and Vitoria-Gasteiz fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint-Etienne. Saint-Etienne usually receives more sunshine than Vitoria-Gasteiz during summer. Saint-Etienne gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Vitoria-Gasteiz receives 188 hours of full sun in the summer.

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

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Vitoria-Gasteiz in the Autumn?

Both Vitoria-Gasteiz and Saint-Etienne during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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 Vitoria-Gasteiz in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint-Etienne averages around 14°C (56°F) in October, and Vitoria-Gasteiz fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).

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

Vitoria-Gasteiz gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Saint-Etienne usually gets less rain in October than Vitoria-Gasteiz. Saint-Etienne gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Vitoria-Gasteiz receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Vitoria-Gasteiz in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint-Etienne and Vitoria-Gasteiz. 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 Vitoria-Gasteiz. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint-Etienne in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Vitoria-Gasteiz averages at about 9°C (48°F).

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

Vitoria-Gasteiz receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Saint-Etienne usually receives less rain than Vitoria-Gasteiz. Saint-Etienne gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Vitoria-Gasteiz receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Vitoria-Gasteiz in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Saint-Etienne as well as Vitoria-Gasteiz. 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 Vitoria-Gasteiz. Daily temperatures in Saint-Etienne average around 11°C (53°F), and Vitoria-Gasteiz fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

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

It's quite rainy in Vitoria-Gasteiz. Saint-Etienne usually gets less rain in April than Vitoria-Gasteiz. Saint-Etienne gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Vitoria-Gasteiz receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Vitoria-Gasteiz and Saint-Etienne