A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers The Hague vs. Calais for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit The Hague 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 The Hague and Calais can help you decide which place is right for you.

The Hague

The Hague is a bustling, diverse, and global city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Other popular activities here include food, shopping, and nightlife.

Calais

Calais is a authentic, undiscovered, and coastal city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

The Hague and Calais: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in The Hague or Calais?

You'll generally find more things to do in The Hague than Calais. The Hague is bigger than Calais, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. The Hague is better known for its food, nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Calais is more popular for its museums and beaches. The Hague is well known for its large international population and its roll in international politics and diplomacy. Also, The Hague is famous for The Peace Palace. Calais is well known for being a gateway for travelers to France.

How is The Hague different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in The Hague or Calais?

Calais is very good for its museums and history. However, The Hague does not have museums and landmarks.

Calais is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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.

The Hague does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in The Hague or Calais? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

The Hague is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in The Hague is an experience not to be missed. The city has a diverse population and the large number of ethnic restaurants reflects that.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Calais. 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 The Hague or Calais Better for Nightlife?

The Hague is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

The Hague is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. Many of the city's restaurants turn into clubs at night. Head to The Grote Markt for some of the most energetic nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Calais has a few options to choose from. 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.

Is The Hague or Calais Better for Music?

The Hague is well known for its music scene. However, Calais is not a live music destination.

Music is a popular form of entertainment in The Hague. There's an active music scene here and the city actually played an active role in the development and popularity of electronic music.

Calais is not a live music destination.

Is The Hague or Calais Better for Beaches?

Calais is very good for its beaches. However, The Hague 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.

The Hague is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in The Hague or Calais?

The Hague is well known for its shopping areas. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in The Hague. There's a dynamic shopping scene with indoor malls, outdoor markets, and a number of neighborhoods that have shops that sell eclectic items.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in 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.

Is The Hague or Calais Better for Families?

You'll find notable kid-friendly activities in either The Hague or Calais.

The Hague is a family-friendly city. This city has a bit more of a family-friendly vibe than nearby Amsterdam. Kids enjoy exploring by bike or heading to the Scheveningen Beach Resort.

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 The Hague or Calais Better for Couples?

Both The Hague and Calais are notable destinations to visit as a couple.

The Hague is a nice destination for couples. Couples can enjoy the diverse restaurants and the busting atmosphere that the city offers.

Calais makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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 The Hague or Calais Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

The Hague is a popular place for backpackers. However, Calais is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit The Hague. While most backpackers head to the more popular city of Amsterdam, The Hague has a fun atmosphere with a diversity of activities and restaurants.

Calais is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This part of France is often overlooked by tourists so you won't find many backpackers or hostels in the area. It does offer a glimpse into an authentic side of France.

Is The Hague or Calais Better for Students?

The Hague is a must-visit destination for students. However, Calais is not popular with students.

Many students frequent The Hague. This is a very popular study abroad destination so you'll find plenty of international students living here. It's an internationally oriented city so everyone feels right at home.

Calais is not popular with students.

Is The Hague or Calais Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

The Hague is well known for its public transit. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors use the public transit system in The Hague. There are bus and tram lines throughout the city.

While Calais offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. 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.

Is The Hague or Calais a more walkable city?

The Hague and Calais are notable when it comes to walkability.

The Hague is somewhat walkable. There are a number of walk tours through the city center.

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

For even more information, also check out Is The Hague Worth Visiting? and Is Calais Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Calais or The Hague?

How long in The Hague or Calais?

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

Families should spend more time in Calais than The Hague. 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 The Hague than Calais. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in The Hague that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in The Hague than Calais 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 The Hague.

One day in The Hague or Calais?

The Hague is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Calais. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Calais has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in The Hague or Calais?

The Hague is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the authentic destination of Calais. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in The Hague or Calais?

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

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the coastal city of Calais. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in The Hague or Calais?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the international big city of The Hague. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Calais is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Netherlands, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Netherlands, The Best Budget Tours to France, and The Best Tours for Seniors to France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between The Hague and Calais, we can see that The Hague 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 The Hague would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in The Hague 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 The Hague Expensive? and Is Calais Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, The Hague or Calais?

The Hague has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Calais. When comparing the sizes of The Hague 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 The Hague 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 The Hague or Calais in the Summer?

Both Calais and The Hague during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to The Hague for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Calais because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, The Hague is generally around the same temperature as Calais. Daily temperatures in The Hague average around 17°C (62°F), and Calais fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In Calais, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in The Hague. In the summer, The Hague often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Calais. The Hague gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun.

The Hague usually gets more rain in July than Calais. The Hague gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit The Hague or Calais in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both The Hague and Calais. The autumn months attract visitors to The Hague because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Calais this time of year.

The Hague is cooler than Calais in the autumn. The daily temperature in The Hague averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Calais fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

The Hague usually receives less sunshine than Calais during autumn. The Hague gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 119 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, The Hague usually receives more rain than Calais. The Hague gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit The Hague or Calais in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to The Hague as well as Calais. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to The Hague this time of year. Additionally, 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 The Hague in the winter. In the winter, The Hague is much colder than Calais. Typically, the winter temperatures in The Hague in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Calais averages at about 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, The Hague often gets less sunshine than Calais. The Hague gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun.

The Hague usually gets more rain in January than Calais. The Hague gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit The Hague or Calais in the Spring?

Both Calais and The Hague are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to The Hague for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Calais in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In April, The Hague is generally cooler than Calais. Daily temperatures in The Hague average around 8°C (46°F), and Calais fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

The Hague usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Calais during spring. The Hague gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, The Hague usually receives more rain than Calais. The Hague gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Calais and The Hague