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

Should you visit Southampton or Versailles?

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

Should I visit Southampton or Versailles? 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 up-and-coming, waterfront, and dynamic port city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Versailles

Versailles is a ornate, opulent, and historic palace. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the museums.

Southampton and Versailles: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Southampton or Versailles?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Southampton than Versailles. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Southampton is very popular for its food, nightlife, and shopping, while Versailles attracts visitors for its museums and impressive beauty. Versailles is more touristy than Southampton and is known for its long running history and its grand architecture. Southampton is famous for its popularity as a cruise ship port as well as its focus watersports. It is also well known for the SeaCity Museum.

How is Southampton different from Versailles?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Versailles is an amazing palace to visit for its historical sights. Also, Southampton is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its sights and museums.

The museums and tourist attractions in Versailles are world-renowned. The palace is filled with history and impressive items relating to the royal family. Within and near the palace you should make sure you see the Gardens of Versailles, Grand Trianon, the Hall of Mirrors, and the Royal Opera of Versailles.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Southampton. 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.

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

Southampton is a nice place to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Versailles is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Southampton. 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Versailles. There are a couple of restaurants and cafes on the grounds.

Is Southampton or Versailles Better for Nightlife?

Southampton is a nice place to visit for nightlife. However, Versailles is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

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.

Versailles is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is the Shopping Better in Southampton or Versailles?

Southampton is a nice place to visit for shopping. However, Versailles is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Southampton. The city has two indoor shopping centers, as well as a range of markets and several independent vendors.

Versailles is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Southampton or Versailles Better for Families?

Southampton is a nice place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, Versailles is not known for its family-friendly activities.

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.

Versailles does not offer many kid-friendly activities. While there are those unicorn children who fall in love with the grand setting, for most kids, a visit to Versailles can make for make for a long and draining day.

Is Southampton or Versailles Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Southampton and Versailles make for a very good 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.

Versailles is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's opulence, grandeur, and history make this a wonderful place to explore as a couple. There are gardens and other unique settings that make Versailles very romantic.

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

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

The public transit in Versailles can get you around easily. There are SNCF trains that travel from Gare Montparnasse to Versailles Chantiers train station and additional trains that travel between Gare Saint Lazare and Versailles Rive Droite.

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

Is Southampton or Versailles a more walkable city?

Versailles is a great palace 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.

Versailles is a very walkable palace. It's approximately a 20 minute walk from the Versailles Chantiers train station to the entrance to the palace. Versailles Rive Droite is slightly closer.

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 Versailles Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Versailles or Southampton?

How long in Southampton or Versailles?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Southampton or Versailles to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Southampton than Versailles 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 Versailles.

Families should spend more time in Southampton than Versailles. 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.

One day in Southampton or Versailles?

With museums and nightlife around the dynamic port city of Southampton, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Southampton, one day is sufficent for most.

Visitors enjoy the museums when visiting the opulent palace of Versailles. Most people visit for the museums. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this palace has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Southampton or Versailles?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Southampton, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this port city.

Visitors enjoy the museums when visiting the grand destination of Versailles. This palace 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 Versailles?

Southampton, a popular port city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

The historic palace of Versailles offers 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 Versailles?

Southampton is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many people enjoy the museums when visiting Versailles. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people visit for the museums. 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 Sightseeing Tours in France, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Southampton or Versailles?

Southampton has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Versailles. When comparing the sizes of Southampton and Versailles, 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 Versailles?

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 Versailles in the Summer?

Both Versailles and Southampton are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Southampton for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Southampton is generally cooler than Versailles. Daily temperatures in Southampton average around 18°C (64°F), and Versailles fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

It's quite sunny in Versailles. Southampton usually receives less sunshine than Versailles during summer. Southampton gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Versailles receives 239 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Southampton usually receives less rain than Versailles. Southampton gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Versailles receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Southampton or Versailles in the Autumn?

Both Versailles and Southampton during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Southampton in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Versailles for the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Southampton is cooler than Versailles in the autumn. The daily temperature in Southampton averages around 12°C (53°F) in October, and Versailles fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Southampton often gets less sunshine than Versailles. Southampton gets 107 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Versailles receives 126 hours of full sun.

Southampton usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Versailles. Southampton gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Versailles receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Southampton or Versailles in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Southampton and Versailles. Most visitors come to Southampton for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Versailles because of the museums and the cuisine.

The weather in Versailles can be very cold. Southampton can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Southampton is around the same temperature as Versailles. Typically, the winter temperatures in Southampton in January average around 4°C (40°F), and Versailles averages at about 5°C (40°F).

Southampton usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Versailles during winter. Southampton gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Versailles receives 56 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Southampton usually receives around the same amount of rain as Versailles. Southampton gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Versailles receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Southampton or Versailles in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Southampton as well as Versailles. The spring months attract visitors to Southampton because of the natural beauty. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Versailles this time of year.

In April, Southampton is generally cooler than Versailles. Daily temperatures in Southampton average around 9°C (48°F), and Versailles fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the spring, Southampton often gets less sunshine than Versailles. Southampton gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Versailles receives 173 hours of full sun.

Southampton usually gets less rain in April than Versailles. Southampton gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Versailles receives 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Versailles and Southampton