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

Should you visit Stratford-upon-Avon or Carcassonne?

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 Carcassonne can help you decide which place is right for you.

Stratford-upon-Avon

Stratford-upon-Avon is a idyllic, peaceful, and park-filled town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. Other reasons to visit include food and theater.

Carcassonne

Carcassonne is a historical, fairytale, and medieval town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the food and museums.

Stratford-upon-Avon and Carcassonne: Pros and Cons

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

Both Carcassonne and Stratford-upon-Avon have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Stratford-upon-Avon is very popular for its theatre productions and small town charm, while Carcassonne attracts visitors for its museums, food, and impressive beauty. Carcassonne is more touristy than Stratford-upon-Avon and is known for its medieval history, walled fortifications, and well-known castle. Stratford-upon-Avon is famous for its status as the birthplace of William Shakespeare.

How is Stratford-upon-Avon different from Carcassonne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Carcassonne is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Carcassonne specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The town is filled with medieval sights including the Château Comtal, the Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus, and the Carcassonne Cathedral.

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 Carcassonne Better for Theater?

Stratford-upon-Avon is very popular for theatre. However, Carcassonne is not a theatre destination.

Stratford-upon-Avon is considered to be a world-class theater destination. 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.

Carcassonne is not a theatre destination.

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

Carcassonne is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Stratford-upon-Avon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Carcassonne has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There are a number of local restaurants that serve regional specialties such as cassoulet. You can spend a few hours exploring the castle and then grab a delicious bite to eat.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Stratford-upon-Avon area. The town center has a few nice restaurants including seafood, Italian food, Indian food, and cafes where you can enjoy high tea.

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

Stratford-upon-Avon and Carcassonne are both popular destinations with charming historical areas.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Stratford-upon-Avon. The old town has a few highlights including Shakespeare's birthplace, and several museums.

Carcassonne offers a nice historic old town area. The medieval walled city is seeped in history and filled with atmosphere. Cars are not allowed in town.

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

You'll find nice kid-friendly activities in either Stratford-upon-Avon or Carcassonne.

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 Carcassonne. Kids who love castles will enjoy wandering the maze of rooms and getting lost in the medieval atmosphere.

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

Both Stratford-upon-Avon and Carcassonne are nice 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.

Carcassonne is a good town for couples to visit. It's a medieval city with an impressive castle and walled fortifications. It's a uniquely European sight that is great for couples who enjoy history.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Carcassonne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Carcassonne is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Carcassonne. There are interesting hostels in the area including a converted 17th century convent.

Stratford-upon-Avon is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. Most backpackers skip this town for the more lively cities. There are affordable places to stay, but no real hostels in town.

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

Carcassonne 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.

Carcassonne has some public transit options. You can reach the town by train from Dijon, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, or Bordeaux and many people visit the town as a day trip.

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 Carcassonne a more walkable city?

Carcassonne is an unbeatable place for its high level of walkability. Also, Stratford-upon-Avon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Carcassonne. Cars aren't allowed in the medieval city so it's best to explore on foot.

Stratford-upon-Avon is a somewhat walkable town. 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.

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

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

How long in Stratford-upon-Avon or Carcassonne?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Stratford-upon-Avon or Carcassonne to fill your time. In our opinion, Carcassonne has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Carcassonne than Stratford-upon-Avon. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

One day in Stratford-upon-Avon or Carcassonne?

Stratford-upon-Avon is a small town with plenty to do. Most people visit for the theater. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Carcassonne, many people enjoy the food and museums 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 Carcassonne?

Stratford-upon-Avon might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. 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.

Many people visit Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Stratford-upon-Avon or Carcassonne?

Because Stratford-upon-Avon is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. 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.

The destination of Carcassonne offers food 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 Carcassonne?

Since Stratford-upon-Avon is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people visit for the theater. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Carcassonne. This town 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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in France, and The Best Historical Tours in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Stratford-upon-Avon and Carcassonne, we can see that Stratford-upon-Avon is more expensive. And not only is Carcassonne much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Carcassonne would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne.

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 Carcassonne Expensive?.

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

Carcassonne has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Stratford-upon-Avon. When comparing the sizes of Stratford-upon-Avon and Carcassonne, 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 Carcassonne?

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 Stratford-upon-Avon or Carcassonne in the Summer?

Both Carcassonne and Stratford-upon-Avon are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Stratford-upon-Avon in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Carcassonne for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Stratford-upon-Avon is generally cooler than Carcassonne. Daily temperatures in Stratford-upon-Avon average around 17°C (63°F), and Carcassonne fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Carcassonne. Stratford-upon-Avon usually receives less sunshine than Carcassonne during summer. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Carcassonne receives 275 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Stratford-upon-Avon usually receives more rain than Carcassonne. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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

Both Carcassonne and Stratford-upon-Avon during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Stratford-upon-Avon for the small town atmosphere during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Carcassonne because of the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area.

Stratford-upon-Avon is cooler than Carcassonne in the autumn. The daily temperature in Stratford-upon-Avon averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Carcassonne fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

In the autumn, Stratford-upon-Avon often gets less sunshine than Carcassonne. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 107 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Carcassonne receives 161 hours of full sun.

Stratford-upon-Avon usually gets less rain in October than Carcassonne. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Stratford-upon-Avon and Carcassonne. The winter months attract visitors to Stratford-upon-Avon because of the museums, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Also, the museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Carcassonne this time of year.

The weather in Stratford-upon-Avon can be very cold. In the winter, Stratford-upon-Avon is much colder than Carcassonne. Typically, the winter temperatures in Stratford-upon-Avon in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Carcassonne averages at about 8°C (47°F).

Stratford-upon-Avon usually receives less sunshine than Carcassonne during winter. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Carcassonne receives 88 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Stratford-upon-Avon usually receives around the same amount of rain as Carcassonne. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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

The spring brings many poeple to Stratford-upon-Avon as well as Carcassonne. The small town charm are the main draw to Stratford-upon-Avon this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Carcassonne for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, Stratford-upon-Avon is generally much colder than Carcassonne. Daily temperatures in Stratford-upon-Avon average around 9°C (48°F), and Carcassonne fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

In the spring, Stratford-upon-Avon often gets less sunshine than Carcassonne. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Carcassonne receives 178 hours of full sun.

Stratford-upon-Avon usually gets less rain in April than Carcassonne. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Carcassonne and Stratford-upon-Avon