A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Southampton vs. Lille for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Southampton or Lille?

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

Should I visit Southampton or Lille? 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 waterfront, dynamic, and up-and-coming port city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Lille

Lille is a under-rated, fascinating, and cultural city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and nightlife.

Southampton and Lille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Southampton or Lille?

You'll generally find more things to do in Lille than Southampton. Lille is bigger than Southampton, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Lille is better known for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Southampton is more popular for its museums. Lille is more touristy than Southampton and is popular for its beautiful architecture, excellent shopping, and world class food scene. Also, Lille is famous for Grand Place (Place du Général de Gaulle). Southampton is well known for its popularity as a cruise ship port as well as its focus watersports.

Grand Place (Place du Général de Gaulle)

How is Southampton different from Lille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Southampton is a nice place to visit for its sights and museums. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its museums and history.

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.

While most people don't head to Lille specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. The city offers an amazing atmosphere, with many of the most beautiful buildings near Place du Général de Gaulle (the main square). Top rated attractions in town include Palais des Beaux-Arts, Musée du Louvre-Lens, and Eglise Saint-Maurice.

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

Lille is an amazing city to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Southampton is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

For foodies, Lille is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The city has a cuisine all its own. There are many local dishes that are recommended with some of the most popular being les moules (mussels), the Welsh (a beer and cheddar cheese dish), and la carbonade flamande (beef stew). Most dishes are served with a hearty side of fries. The mussels are a favorite and are served with various toppings including local cheese. You can expect your very own pot of mussels with each order. Many of the restaurants around the main square (General de Gaulle Square) offer these local specialties. Outside the old town you'll also find plenty of international restaurants including Asian street food.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Southampton area. 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.

Is Southampton or Lille Better for Nightlife?

Lille is a great city for nightlife and partying. Also, Southampton is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Lille has something for everybody. With its young population and countless places to hang out, there's rarely a dull night around town. The most popular nightlife areas are Rue Masséna and Rue Solférino. The city also offers plenty of theaters and shows that you can enjoy.

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.

Is Southampton or Lille Better for its Old Town?

Lille is a great city for its old town. However, Southampton does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Lille. The old town (Le Vieux Lille) is charming to explore. Many of the buildings are from the 16th or 17th centuries and feature very ornate architecture. The area is filled with shops and restaurants and it stays active throughout the day. This is an area where locals and tourists alike live and play.

Southampton does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Southampton or Lille?

Lille is an amazing city to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Southampton is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Lille draws large crowds to its stores. The city is filled with shopping opportunities. Almost any store you could want is in or around the old town and the two main shopping centers in town are McArthur Glen and A l'Usine. Also by the train station is a shopping mall.

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.

Is Southampton or Lille Better for Families?

Southampton is a nice place to visit for its family-friendly activities. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

Southampton is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Lille is not always a place people visit with their families. There are a handful of kid-focused activities like a small zoo, a small amusement park, several museums and even a puppet theater. Many of the restaurants also have kid's menus that are reasonably priced.

Is Southampton or Lille Better for Couples?

Southampton is notable for its romantic activities. Also, Lille is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Southampton is a very popular place to visit for couples. Museums, parks, gardens, and chartered boats all offer a romantic experience for couples visiting the area.

Lille is a good port city for couples to visit. Couples who enjoy shopping, dining out, and exploring beautiful cities will enjoy a visit. There are many great restaurants worth experiencing, as well as beautiful architecture and fun shops.

Is Southampton or Lille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Lille. This small city flies under the radar for most backpackers, but there are a handful of hostels and a great experience for those who venture here. It feels more off the beaten path than some French cities, but you'll find great food and a nice atmosphere.

Southampton is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Southampton or Lille Better for Students?

Lille is a great city for its student-friendly activities. However, Southampton is not popular with students.

Lille is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city is home to a number of students, both local and international. It has a lower cost of living than many places in France as well as a youthful vibe with fun activities and plenty of shopping.

Southampton is not popular with students.

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

Lille is a great city for times when you don't have a car. However, Southampton is not known for its public transit.

The public transit in Lille can get you around easily. There is a metro as well as trams and buses throughout the city.

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

Is Southampton or Lille a more walkable city?

Lille is an amazing city to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Southampton is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its ease of walking around.

Lille is a very easy city to get around on foot. The old town in particular is compact and best explored on foot, but even outside of the old town, many areas are easily explored on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Lille or Southampton?

How long in Southampton or Lille?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Southampton and Lille. In our opinion, Lille has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Lille than Southampton. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

One day in Southampton or Lille?

In Southampton, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this up-and-coming 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 nightlife and food when visiting the culinary city of Lille. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Southampton or Lille?

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 food and shopping when visiting the fascinating destination of Lille. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city 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 Lille?

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 historic city of Lille offers shopping and nightlife. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Lille?

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 nightlife and food when visiting Lille. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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 Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Southampton and Lille, we can see that Southampton is more expensive. And not only is Lille much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lille would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lille 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 Southampton would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Southampton than you might in Lille.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Southampton Expensive? and Is Lille Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Southampton or Lille?

Lille has a larger population, and is about 22% larger than the population of Southampton. When comparing the sizes of Southampton and Lille, 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 Lille?

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 Lille in the Summer?

Both Lille and Southampton during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Southampton for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Lille in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Southampton is around the same temperature as Lille in the summer. The daily temperature in Southampton averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Lille fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In Lille, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Southampton often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lille. Southampton gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 202 hours of full sun.

Southampton usually gets less rain in July than Lille. Southampton gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Lille receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Southampton or Lille in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Southampton and Lille. Many visitors come to Southampton in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Lille for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Southampton is around the same temperature as Lille. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Southampton in October average around 12°C (53°F), and Lille averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Southampton usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lille during autumn. Southampton gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Southampton usually receives less rain than Lille. Southampton gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Lille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Southampton or Lille in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Southampton as well as Lille. Most visitors come to Southampton for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Lille because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Lille can be very cold. Southampton can be very cold during winter. In January, Southampton is generally a little warmer than Lille. Daily temperatures in Southampton average around 4°C (40°F), and Lille fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Southampton often gets more sunshine than Lille. Southampton gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 47 hours of full sun.

Southampton usually gets less rain in January than Lille. Southampton gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Lille receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Southampton or Lille in the Spring?

Both Lille and Southampton are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Southampton because of the natural beauty. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Lille this time of year.

Southampton is around the same temperature as Lille in the spring. The daily temperature in Southampton averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Lille fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Southampton usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lille during spring. Southampton gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

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

Typical Weather for Lille and Southampton