A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Stratford-upon-Avon vs. Calais for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Stratford-upon-Avon or Calais?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Stratford-upon-Avon and Calais can help you decide which place is right for you.

Stratford-upon-Avon

Stratford-upon-Avon is a quaint, idyllic, and peaceful town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. Other popular activities here include food and theater.

Calais

Calais is a undiscovered, coastal, and authentic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Stratford-upon-Avon and Calais: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Stratford-upon-Avon or Calais?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Calais. Although Stratford-upon-Avon and Calais are both popular with visitors, Calais has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Calais is more popular for its museums, nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Stratford-upon-Avon is known for its theatre productions, historical sights, and small town charm. Stratford-upon-Avon is popular for its status as the birthplace of William Shakespeare. Calais is popular for being a gateway for travelers to France. It is also home to The Town Hall.

How is Stratford-upon-Avon different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Calais and Stratford-upon-Avon. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Stratford-upon-Avon or Calais?

Calais is very good for its museums and history. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

Calais offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. It's a port city with a few good museums and landmarks to see. Check out the Town Hall, Burghers of Calais, La Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode, and Musée de la Guerre de Calais, as well as the Calais Lighthouse.

Stratford-upon-Avon offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Many visitors make a point of seeing Shakespeare's Birthplace, Hall's Croft, and Anne Hathaway's Cottage.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Calais Better for Theater?

Stratford-upon-Avon is a must-visit destination for its shows and theatre. However, Calais is not a theatre destination.

The theater and performance venues in Stratford-upon-Avon draw crowds from around the world. Shakespeare enthusiasts must check out a Shakespeare play at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. There are often tickets available the day of for a reduced price.

Calais is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Stratford-upon-Avon or Calais? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Stratford-upon-Avon and Calais can be an enjoyable experience.

Stratford-upon-Avon has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The town center has a few nice restaurants including seafood, Italian food, Indian food, and cafes where you can enjoy high tea.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Calais area. The region is known for its mackerel, andouillette sausage, and endive and ham gratin. If you're passing through, this is also a good place to stock up on wine and cheese.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Calais Better for Nightlife?

Calais is very good for nightlife and partying. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Calais. You'll find bars and pubs around town as well as a few clubs. Places range from trendy and high end to local dive bars.

Stratford-upon-Avon is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Calais Better for Beaches?

Calais is very good for the beache. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Calais to enjoy the beach. There are some sandy beaches near town that have nice stretches of sand and plenty of sand dunes. Many locals enjoy sunbathing at the beaches.

Stratford-upon-Avon is not a beach destination.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Calais Better for its Old Town?

Stratford-upon-Avon is a popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Calais does not have a historic old town.

Stratford-upon-Avon offers a nice historic old town area. The old town has a few highlights including Shakespeare's birthplace, and several museums.

Calais does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Stratford-upon-Avon or Calais?

Calais is very good for its shopping opportunities. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Calais. Many visitors stock up on wine and cheese when they're passing through. It's common to head straight to Auchan or Carrefour to stock up on some items.

Stratford-upon-Avon is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Calais Better for Families?

You'll find good kid-friendly activities in either Stratford-upon-Avon or Calais.

Stratford-upon-Avon is a family-friendly town. This small town has a ferris wheel that offers beautiful views. There's also a the Stratford Butterfly Farm, which is a beautiful setting and if you stand still enough, you might even be lucky enough to have one land on your shoulder. You can also check out Tudor World, the MAD Museum, or one of the playgrounds around town.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Calais. There's the Nausicaa Aquarium, the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, and the Second World War Museum. There are also beaches and parks to explore as well as some nice playgrounds.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Calais Better for Couples?

Both Stratford-upon-Avon and Calais are good destinations to visit as a couple.

Stratford-upon-Avon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The charming town offers a few nice restaurants where you can enjoy a meal. For a lovely date night, check out a Shakespeare play at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. During the day, wander around the old town or stroll down the river and enjoy the beautiful outdoor setting. Many residents have converted properties into Bed and Breakfasts, so there are a number of cute and affordable places where couples can stay.

Calais is a good town for couples to visit. Couples can picnic with wine and cheese or eat their way through the town's great restaurants. There are also some nice beaches where people enjoy sunbathing or relaxing.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Calais Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Calais is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Calais has some public transit options. The city has 13 bus lines that run through town and into the surrounding areas. If you're arriving by ferry from the UK, there are shuttle buses that connect the ferry terminal to the train station.

Public transit is generally limited in Stratford-upon-Avon. The train station is a bit removed from the town center, but because the town is so small, it's still possible to reach it on foot from most places.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Calais a more walkable city?

Stratford-upon-Avon and Calais are good when it comes to walkability.

Stratford-upon-Avon is a somewhat walkable place. It's easy to stroll around town on foot, but there aren't many pedestrian only areas. Head for the river for some of the nicest walking areas.

Calais is a somewhat walkable town. Parts of the town are more walkable than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Stratford-upon-Avon Worth Visiting? and Is Calais Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Calais or Stratford-upon-Avon?

How long in Stratford-upon-Avon or Calais?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Stratford-upon-Avon and Calais. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Calais than in Stratford-upon-Avon. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Stratford-upon-Avon, and 1-3 days is enough time in Calais.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Calais than Stratford-upon-Avon 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 Calais.

One day in Stratford-upon-Avon or Calais?

Stratford-upon-Avon might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Calais, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this destination offers. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Stratford-upon-Avon or Calais?

Stratford-upon-Avon is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the theater, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Many people visit Calais for a weekend. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Calais, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Stratford-upon-Avon or Calais?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Stratford-upon-Avon. Don't miss the theater, as that's what most people do. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The destination of Calais offers shopping and museums. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Stratford-upon-Avon or Calais?

Stratford-upon-Avon is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Calais. This city offers something for everyone. One week 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to United Kingdom, The Best 3-Day Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Budget Tours to France, and The Best Tours for Seniors to France.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Stratford-upon-Avon Expensive? and Is Calais Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Stratford-upon-Avon or Calais?

Calais has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Stratford-upon-Avon. When comparing the sizes of Stratford-upon-Avon and Calais, 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 Stratford-upon-Avon or Calais?

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 Stratford-upon-Avon or Calais in the Summer?

Both Calais and Stratford-upon-Avon during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Stratford-upon-Avon for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Calais because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Stratford-upon-Avon is around the same temperature as Calais. Typically, the summer temperatures in Stratford-upon-Avon in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Calais averages at about 17°C (63°F).

In Calais, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Stratford-upon-Avon often gets less sunshine than Calais. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun.

Stratford-upon-Avon usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Calais. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Stratford-upon-Avon or Calais in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Stratford-upon-Avon and Calais. The autumn months attract visitors to Stratford-upon-Avon because of the small town atmosphere. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Calais this time of year.

In October, Stratford-upon-Avon is generally around the same temperature as Calais. Daily temperatures in Stratford-upon-Avon average around 11°C (52°F), and Calais fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Stratford-upon-Avon usually receives less sunshine than Calais during autumn. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 119 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Stratford-upon-Avon usually receives around the same amount of rain as Calais. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Stratford-upon-Avon or Calais in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Stratford-upon-Avon as well as Calais. The museums, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Stratford-upon-Avon this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Calais for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Calais. It's quite cold in Stratford-upon-Avon in the winter. Stratford-upon-Avon is cooler than Calais in the winter. The daily temperature in Stratford-upon-Avon averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Calais fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, Stratford-upon-Avon often gets less sunshine than Calais. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun.

Stratford-upon-Avon usually gets more rain in January than Calais. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Stratford-upon-Avon or Calais in the Spring?

Both Calais and Stratford-upon-Avon are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Stratford-upon-Avon for the small town charm. Also, many visitors come to Calais in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Stratford-upon-Avon is around the same temperature as Calais. Typically, the spring temperatures in Stratford-upon-Avon in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Calais averages at about 9°C (47°F).

Stratford-upon-Avon usually receives less sunshine than Calais during spring. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Stratford-upon-Avon usually receives around the same amount of rain as Calais. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Calais and Stratford-upon-Avon