A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Southampton vs. Dover for Couples, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Southampton or Dover?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Southampton or Dover? 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.

Southampton

Southampton is a dynamic, up-and-coming, and waterfront port city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Dover

Dover is a natural, breathtaking, and iconic town. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the hiking, museums, and food.

Southampton and Dover: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Southampton or Dover?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Dover. Although Southampton and Dover are both popular with visitors, Dover has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Dover is more popular for its hiking and impressive beauty, while Southampton is known for its nightlife and shopping. Dover is more touristy than Southampton and is popular for the famous White Cliffs of Dover as well as the ferry connection to mainland Europe. It is also home to The White Cliffs of Dover. Southampton is popular for its popularity as a cruise ship port as well as its focus watersports.

The White Cliffs of Dover

How is Southampton different from Dover?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Southampton or Dover?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Southampton and Dover.

Southampton offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Museums are a favorite activity in town. There are a surprising number of options including SeaCity Museum, the Tudor House and Garden, and Southampton City Art Gallery.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Dover. Aside from the iconic White Cliffs of Dover, there is the Dover Castle, the South Foreland Lighthouse, and the Grand Shaft.

Is the Food Better in Southampton or Dover? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Southampton and Dover can be difficult as they are each good in their own way.

Southampton has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. While most people used to pass through Southampton on their way somewhere else, the city now offers a dynamic food scene with local restaurants mixed with international options and even fine dining.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Dover area. The town has a growing food scene that includes waterfront restaurants and local dishes. Find a restaurant with a view to make sure you take full advantage of the setting.

Is Southampton or Dover Better for Nightlife?

Southampton is very good for its evening party scene. However, Dover is not a good town for nightlife.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Southampton. The nightlife scene is filled with restaurants, pubs, and bars as well as a few nightclubs mixed in.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Dover. The nightlife has a relaxed atmosphere with wine bars and microbreweries.

Is Southampton or Dover Better for Hiking?

Dover is a great town for hiking. However, Southampton is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Dover for the hiking trails. There are many beautiful countryside walks that take you through the rolling hills and along the iconic white cliffs. Some of the best hikes in the area include The England Coast Path, The North Downs Way Saxon Shore Way.

Southampton is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Southampton or Dover?

Southampton is very good for its shopping areas. However, Dover is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors go to Southampton to go shopping. The city has two indoor shopping centers, as well as a range of markets and several independent vendors.

Dover is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Southampton or Dover Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Southampton or Dover.

Southampton offers lots of family activities. This cruise port city offers a handful of fascinating activities for kids including learning about the Mayflower and the Titanic. There are also many parks and gardens as well as the Mayflower Theater, which regularly has kid-family productions.

Dover is a family-friendly place to visit. There are a few kid-friendly museums like the Dover Transport Museum and the Dover Castle. Also make sure you check out the South Foreland Lighthouse.

Is Southampton or Dover Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Southampton and Dover make for a great place to visit.

Southampton is a great port city if you're traveling as a couple. Museums, parks, gardens, and chartered boats all offer a romantic experience for couples visiting the area.

Dover is a very popular place to visit for couples. The White Cliffs of Dover are an iconic sight and perfect for a romantic trip away. Also make sure you check out St. Margaret's Bay Beach and the Kearsney Abbey Gardens.

Is Southampton or Dover Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dover is a popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Southampton is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Dover. You'll find several nice hostels to choose from in the town.

Southampton is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Southampton or Dover Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Southampton and Dover both offer decent public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Southampton. There are buses around town that make some areas accessible even without a car.

Public transit is generally limited in Dover. There are public buses through the district.

Is Southampton or Dover a more walkable city?

Southampton and Dover are good when it comes to walkability.

Southampton is a somewhat walkable place. It's possible to walk in parts of Southampton but in general it's easier to take a taxi.

Dover is a somewhat walkable port city. You can wander around the countryside, but prepare for rolling hills and great views.

For even more information, also check out Is Southampton Worth Visiting? and Is Dover Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dover or Southampton?

How long in Southampton or Dover?

It's fun to spend time in either Southampton or Dover. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Dover due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Southampton, and 2-4 days is enough time in Dover.

Couples should spend more time in Southampton than Dover. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Southampton that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Dover than Southampton 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 Dover.

One day in Southampton or Dover?

In Southampton, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this dynamic destination offers. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Visitors enjoy the food and museums when visiting the stunning town of Dover. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.

A weekend in Southampton or Dover?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Southampton. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the breathtaking destination of Dover. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This 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.

Five days in Southampton or Dover?

Southampton is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Southampton. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

The rustic town of Dover offers food and museums. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

A week in Southampton or Dover?

You'll find food and shopping around the dynamic destination of Southampton. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Dover. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 10-Day Tours from London, The Best 10-Day Tours from Edinburgh, and The Best 2-Week Tours from London.

When comparing the travel costs between Southampton and Dover, we can see that Southampton 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 Southampton Expensive? and Is Dover Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Southampton or Dover?

Southampton has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Dover. When comparing the sizes of Southampton and Dover, 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 Southampton or Dover?

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 Southampton or Dover in the Summer?

Both Dover and Southampton during the summer are popular places to visit. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Southampton this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Dover for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Southampton is around the same temperature as Dover. Typically, the summer temperatures in Southampton in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Dover averages at about 17°C (63°F).

In Dover, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Southampton often gets less sunshine than Dover. Southampton gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dover receives 212 hours of full sun.

Southampton usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Dover. Southampton gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Dover receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Southampton or Dover in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Southampton and Dover. Many travelers come to Southampton for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Dover in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Southampton is generally around the same temperature as Dover. Daily temperatures in Southampton average around 12°C (53°F), and Dover fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Southampton usually receives less sunshine than Dover during autumn. Southampton gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Dover receives 119 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Southampton usually receives around the same amount of rain as Dover. Southampton gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Dover receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Southampton or Dover in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Southampton as well as Dover. Many visitors come to Southampton in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Dover for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Dover can be very cold during winter. Southampton can get quite cold in the winter. Southampton is around the same temperature as Dover in the winter. The daily temperature in Southampton averages around 4°C (40°F) in January, and Dover fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, Southampton often gets less sunshine than Dover. Southampton gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dover receives 57 hours of full sun.

Southampton usually gets more rain in January than Dover. Southampton gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Dover receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Southampton or Dover in the Spring?

Both Dover and Southampton are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Southampton for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Dover because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Southampton is around the same temperature as Dover. Typically, the spring temperatures in Southampton in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Dover averages at about 9°C (47°F).

Southampton usually receives less sunshine than Dover during spring. Southampton gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Dover receives 162 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Southampton usually receives around the same amount of rain as Dover. Southampton gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Dover receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Dover and Southampton