Which place is cheaper, Montpellier or Saint-Tropez?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Saint-Tropez or Montpellier? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Saint-Tropez is a ritzy, celebrity-filled, and extravagant resort town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.
Montpellier is a bustling, beautiful, and friendly city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and museums.
Both Montpellier and Saint-Tropez have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Saint-Tropez is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and shopping, while Montpellier is known for its museums and historical sights. Saint-Tropez is more touristy than Montpellier and is known for its trendy beach clubs around the Bay of Pampelonne, as well as its popularity with celebrities and the extravagantly wealthy. Montpellier is popular for its relaxed atmosphere, grand boulevards, and authentic personality.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Montpellier and Saint-Tropez. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Montpellier is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Saint-Tropez does not have museums and landmarks.
Montpellier offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. With such a long history, the city has many landmarks and monuments. Also make sure you visit Musée Fabre and Saint-Pierre Cathedral.
Saint-Tropez does not have museums and landmarks.
Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Saint-Tropez and Montpellier can be difficult as they are each good in their own way.
Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Saint-Tropez. The food is all about the local flavors. You'll find plenty of local seafood as well as local organic meats, fruits, vegetables, olive oil, garlic, and truffles. Cheese is a common ingredient as well. There are many different soups and stews, and bouillabaisse is a common fish soup found in the restaurants around town. Daube is another popular stew that is made with beef. Ratatouille is a vegetable casserole that has made a name for itself both inside and outside of France. And, of course, you have to try the local salads and pastries. Because it's such a touristy area, there are many restaurants geared specifically to the tourists, many of which are overpriced.
Montpellier is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The dishes are made with fresh ingredients produced in the agricultural areas just outside of town. The area is known for its seafood and fish stews.
Saint-Tropez is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.
The nightlife in Saint-Tropez is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. It is a place to see and be seen, so if you're looking for A-list celebrities, glamourous yacht parties, and ritzy dance clubs, then this is your place. While the nightlife scene is filled with extravagance, there are still laid back clubs where you can sip a cocktail in style. The best season to come and party is during the summer months, but you'll still find plenty to do throughout the year.
If you're looking for night time activities Montpellier has a few options to choose from. The weather is mild, making for a nice evening out. The population is also young, so you can expect a lot of activity during the evenings, particularly in the area around Place Jean Jaurés. Make sure you enjoy local wine and champagne while you're in town.
Saint-Tropez is an unbeatable place for its resorts. However, Montpellier is not a resort destination.
Vacationers flock to Saint-Tropez for its luxury resorts. Luxury and extravagance is what this resort town is all about. If you have the money to spend, you'll have no trouble finding a glamourous villa or luxury hotel where you can relax, party, or soak up the French Riviera sun.
Montpellier is not a resort destination.
Saint-Tropez is an unbeatable place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Montpellier is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
People travel from around the world to go scuba diving and snorkeling in Saint-Tropez. The Gulf of Saint Tropez is one of the best places to snorkel and scuba dive along the French Riviera. There are wreck dives including the most famous, The Rubis, a submarine that is surrounded by marine life. Although you're not allowed to enter the vessel, there is still plenty to see. There are also plenty of dive spots that feature rock formations, schools of fish, and lobsters.
Montpellier is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
For a relaxing beach holiday, both Saint-Tropez and Montpellier are superb choices.
Saint-Tropez is considered a top beach destination. The beaches are frequented by celebrities, so you'll find plenty of glitz and glamour by the water. For some of the best beaches, you'll want to head a little out of town. The most famous beach in the area is Pampelonne Beach which is popular with Hollywood celebrities during the summer months. Bouillabaisse Beach is the place to go if you want to look at the yachts, but for a more natural setting head to Graniers Beach.
Montpellier is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. The coastline near Montpellier feels pristine and beautiful. You can also visit Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone to the southwest of town, which is a protected area.
Montpellier is an amazing city to visit for its old town. However, Saint-Tropez does not have a historic old town.
Montpellier offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. Known as L'Écusson the town's old town dates back to the Middle Ages. It is a pedestrian area that is filled with boutiques, restaurants, and churches.
Saint-Tropez does not have a historic old town.
Saint-Tropez is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.
Saint-Tropez is a world class destination for shoppers. Surrounded by luxury, shopping is a must in this glamourous resort town. There are international luxury brands as well as local designer boutiques. Whether you're looking for yachting clothes, cigars, jewelry, or perfume, this is one of the best shopping destinations along the Cote d'Azur. Art is a particularly popular item to purchase while you're in town.
Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Montpellier. Head to Rue de la Loge for some of the city's best shopping.
Saint-Tropez is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.
With a huge array of activities for kids, Saint-Tropez is very family-friendly. With great beaches, several amusement parks, waterparks, and even Marineland, there are an endless supply of activities for kids. There's also a zoo and nature reserve for wildlife enthusiasts. For adventure lovers, there are a number of different watersports to try and if the weather isn't cooperating, there are a few good museums and other indoor activities as well.
Montpellier offers lots of family activities. Popular activities for kids include taking a ride on the carousel in the Comedie, visiting the playground - Jardin Champs de Mars, and visiting the botanical garden - Jardin des Plantes.
Saint-Tropez is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.
Saint-Tropez is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. Whether you're honeymooning or taking a short getaway to the French Riviera, this is a great option for couples. You can take a stroll at sunset, relax on one of the beautiful beaches, dine on local seafood, and soak up the rich local culture. The romance and beauty of this French Riviera city make it a world class romantic destination.
Montpellier is a great resort town if you're traveling as a couple. Rich in history and beautiful architecture, this city offers a romantic setting for a great couple's getaway.
Montpellier is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Saint-Tropez is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.
Montpellier is a great city to visit for backpackers. With a young population and a number of hostels to choose from, Montpellier attracts its share of backpackers.
Saint-Tropez is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. For many backpackers it may seem cost prohibitive to visit the French Riviera, but for those with the money, it is well worth the splurge. You can save some money by staying outside of town or finding a vacation rental where you can cook meals. There are also hostels and rooms in local homes that come at a more reasonable price.
Montpellier is an amazing city to visit for students. However, Saint-Tropez is not popular with students.
Many students frequent Montpellier. Montpellier is a popular university town that is home to many trendy university students. It's also where you'll find the youngest population of any city in France.
Saint-Tropez is not popular with students.
Montpellier is a great destination for its public transit. Also, Saint-Tropez is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.
The public transit in Montpellier can get you around easily. There are a number of options for getting around town including the tramway, bus, and tourist train.
While Saint-Tropez offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a bus system that connects many parts of the area.
Saint-Tropez is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.
Getting around Saint-Tropez on foot is easy. It's easy to explore many places on foot, passing by beautiful beaches, stunning views, impressive yachts, and glamourous villas.
Montpellier is very walkable. Many of the sights and attractions are easily accessible on foot and can be enjoyed as part of a self-guided walking tour.
For even more information, also check out Is Saint-Tropez Worth Visiting? and Is Montpellier Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Saint-Tropez and Montpellier. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Saint-Tropez than in Montpellier. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Saint-Tropez, and 1-3 days is enough time in Montpellier.
Families should spend more time in Saint-Tropez than Montpellier. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Saint-Tropez, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Saint-Tropez than Montpellier. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Saint-Tropez that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Montpellier than Saint-Tropez 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 Montpellier.
Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the extravagant resort town of Saint-Tropez. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
In Montpellier, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this vibrant city offers. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this city.
Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the glamourous destination of Saint-Tropez. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This resort town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.
Montpellier is a fun place to experience. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.
The luxurious resort town of Saint-Tropez offers scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.
You'll find museums and nightlife around the bustling destination of Montpellier. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.
Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Saint-Tropez. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.
Montpellier is a popular place to visit. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in France, The Best Luxury Tours to France, and The Best Budget Tours to France.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint-Tropez is €148, while the average daily cost in Montpellier is €118. 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 Saint-Tropez and Montpellier in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Saint-Tropez or Montpellier? 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.
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.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint-Tropez:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montpellier:
Prices for flights to both Montpellier and Saint-Tropez 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.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint-Tropez.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Montpellier.
Here are a few actual costs in Saint-Tropez for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Here are a few actual costs in Montpellier for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Also in Saint-Tropez, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Montpellier:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint-Tropez and Montpellier, we can see that Saint-Tropez is more expensive. And not only is Montpellier much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Montpellier would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Montpellier 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 Saint-Tropez would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint-Tropez than you might in Montpellier.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Saint-Tropez Expensive? and Is Montpellier Expensive?.
Montpellier has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Saint-Tropez. When comparing the sizes of Saint-Tropez and Montpellier, 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.
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.
Both Montpellier and Saint-Tropez are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Saint-Tropez for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Montpellier because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Saint-Tropez is around the same temperature as Montpellier. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint-Tropez in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Montpellier averages at about 23°C (73°F).
It's quite sunny in Montpellier. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint-Tropez. Saint-Tropez usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Montpellier during summer. Saint-Tropez gets 366 hours of sunny skies, while Montpellier receives 351 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Saint-Tropez usually receives less rain than Montpellier. Saint-Tropez gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Both Montpellier and Saint-Tropez during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Saint-Tropez because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Montpellier this time of year.
In October, Saint-Tropez is generally around the same temperature as Montpellier. Daily temperatures in Saint-Tropez average around 17°C (63°F), and Montpellier fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).
It's quite sunny in Saint-Tropez. In the autumn, Saint-Tropez often gets more sunshine than Montpellier. Saint-Tropez gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montpellier receives 187 hours of full sun.
Montpellier gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint-Tropez. Saint-Tropez usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Montpellier. Saint-Tropez gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint-Tropez and Montpellier. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Saint-Tropez this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Montpellier for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Saint-Tropez is a little warmer than Montpellier in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint-Tropez averages around 9°C (48°F) in January, and Montpellier fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
Saint-Tropez usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Montpellier during winter. Saint-Tropez gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Montpellier receives 147 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Saint-Tropez usually receives more rain than Montpellier. Saint-Tropez gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
The spring brings many poeple to Saint-Tropez as well as Montpellier. Many travelers come to Saint-Tropez for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Montpellier in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Saint-Tropez is around the same temperature as Montpellier. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint-Tropez in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Montpellier averages at about 13°C (55°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montpellier. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint-Tropez this time of the year. In the spring, Saint-Tropez often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Montpellier. Saint-Tropez gets 245 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montpellier receives 230 hours of full sun.
Saint-Tropez usually gets more rain in April than Montpellier. Saint-Tropez gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
Saint-Tropez | Montpellier | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 9°C (48°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
Feb | 9°C (49°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
Mar | 11°C (51°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
Apr | 13°C (56°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
May | 16°C (62°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
Jun | 20°C (68°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
Sep | 21°C (69°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
Oct | 17°C (63°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
Dec | 10°C (49°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |