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

Should you visit Southampton or Saint-Etienne?

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

Should I visit Southampton or Saint-Etienne? 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. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a historic, park-filled, and industrial city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the hiking, museums, and nightlife.

Southampton and Saint-Etienne: Pros and Cons

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

Visitors will generally find more to do in Saint-Etienne than Southampton. While Southampton is larger than Saint-Etienne, Saint-Etienne has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Saint-Etienne is better known for its hiking, while Southampton is more popular for its food and shopping. Southampton is well known for its popularity as a cruise ship port as well as its focus watersports. Saint-Etienne is well known for its industrial and manufacturing past. Also, Saint-Etienne is famous for The Museum of Art and Industry.

How is Southampton different from Saint-Etienne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Southampton and Saint-Etienne.

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 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 Southampton or Saint-Etienne? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Southampton is a good destination for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

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 Southampton or Saint-Etienne Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find notable options in both Southampton and Saint-Etienne.

If you're looking for night time activities Southampton has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene is filled with restaurants, pubs, and bars as well as a few nightclubs mixed in.

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 Southampton or Saint-Etienne Better for Hiking?

Saint-Etienne is a popular place for hiking. However, Southampton is not a hiking destination.

Saint-Etienne is a good destination for hiking. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Southampton is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Southampton or Saint-Etienne?

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

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Southampton. The city has two indoor shopping centers, as well as a range of markets and several independent vendors.

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 Southampton or Saint-Etienne Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Southampton or Saint-Etienne.

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.

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 Southampton or Saint-Etienne Better for Couples?

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

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.

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

Saint-Etienne is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Southampton is not known for its public transit.

While Saint-Etienne offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are tram and bus options available in town.

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

Is Southampton or Saint-Etienne a more walkable city?

Southampton and Saint-Etienne are notable 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.

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

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

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

How long in Southampton or Saint-Etienne?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Southampton or Saint-Etienne to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Southampton than Saint-Etienne because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Southampton, and 1-2 days is enough time in Saint-Etienne.

Families should spend more time in Southampton than Saint-Etienne. 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 Southampton than Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne.

One day in Southampton or Saint-Etienne?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the up-and-coming destination of Southampton. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and museums when visiting the historic city of Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Southampton. 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.

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the industrial destination of Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the dynamic destination of Southampton. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days 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.

The historic city of Saint-Etienne offers nightlife and museums. 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 Saint-Etienne?

You'll find food and shopping around the port city of Southampton. 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.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Saint-Etienne. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Southampton and Saint-Etienne, we can see that Southampton 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 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 Saint-Etienne.

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

Which is Bigger, Southampton or Saint-Etienne?

Southampton has a larger population, and is about 40% larger than the population of Saint-Etienne. When comparing the sizes of Southampton and Saint-Etienne, 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 Saint-Etienne?

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 Southampton or Saint-Etienne in the Summer?

Both Saint-Etienne and Southampton are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Southampton for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Saint-Etienne because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Southampton is cooler than Saint-Etienne in the summer. The daily temperature in Southampton averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

It's quite sunny in Saint-Etienne. Southampton usually receives less sunshine than Saint-Etienne during summer. Southampton gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Southampton usually receives less rain than Saint-Etienne. Southampton gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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

Both Saint-Etienne and Southampton during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Southampton because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Saint-Etienne this time of year.

In the autumn, Southampton is cooler than Saint-Etienne. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Southampton in October average around 12°C (53°F), and Saint-Etienne averages at about 14°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Southampton often gets less sunshine than Saint-Etienne. Southampton gets 107 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 127 hours of full sun.

Southampton usually gets less rain in October than Saint-Etienne. Southampton gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Southampton and Saint-Etienne. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Southampton this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint-Etienne. It's quite cold in Southampton in the winter. In January, Southampton is generally a little warmer than Saint-Etienne. Daily temperatures in Southampton average around 4°C (40°F), and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Southampton usually receives less sunshine than Saint-Etienne during winter. Southampton gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Southampton usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint-Etienne. Southampton gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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

The spring brings many poeple to Southampton as well as Saint-Etienne. Many travelers come to Southampton for the natural beauty. Additionally, many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the spring for the natural beauty.

Southampton is cooler than Saint-Etienne in the spring. The daily temperature in Southampton averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

In the spring, Southampton often gets less sunshine than Saint-Etienne. Southampton gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 174 hours of full sun.

Southampton usually gets less rain in April than Saint-Etienne. Southampton gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Saint-Etienne and Southampton