A Travel Price Comparison for France Toulouse vs. Calais for Food, Attractions, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Toulouse or Calais?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Toulouse and Calais can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Toulouse

Toulouse is a friendly, relaxed, and dynamic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Calais

Calais is a coastal, authentic, and undiscovered city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Toulouse and Calais: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Toulouse or Calais?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Toulouse than Calais. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Toulouse is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Calais attracts visitors for its beaches. Toulouse is famous for its impressive old town, many museums, and delicious local cuisine. It is also well known for Basilique Saint-Sernin. Calais is famous for being a gateway for travelers to France.

How is Toulouse different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Toulouse or Calais?

Toulouse is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Toulouse offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There is a long running history with countless landmarks and museums. Highlights include Basilique Saint-Sernin, Place du Capitole, Muséum de Toulouse, and Fondation Bemberg.

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.

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

Toulouse is a must-visit destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

For foodies, Toulouse is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. There are many unique regional recipes that make use of poultry, cold meats, and foie gras. Toulouse sausage, cassoulet, Poulet à la Toulousaine, and Foie gras d’oie are all popular local dishes.

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 Toulouse or Calais Better for Nightlife?

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

Toulouse is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. You'll find a large number of students in town so the nightlife scene is active and fun. For the most lively atmosphere head to Carmes, Saint-Cyprien, or Place Saint-Pierre.

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 Toulouse or Calais Better for Beaches?

Calais is a city with good options for the beach. However, Toulouse is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Calais. 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.

Toulouse is not a beach destination.

Is Toulouse or Calais Better for its Old Town?

Toulouse is well known for its historic old town charm. However, Calais does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Toulouse. The old town is filled with terra-cota buildings and pedestrian walkways. The area flows out around the Capitole and is crossed by the Garonne.

Calais does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Toulouse or Calais?

Toulouse 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 Toulouse. There are many great shopping districts around town including Place du Capitole, The Saint Georges district, and Rue Alsace Lorraine.

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 Toulouse or Calais Better for Families?

Toulouse is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Toulouse is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city's known for its space industry so the La Cite de l’Espace (Space Museum) is a favorite attraction for kids and adults alike. You can also visit Aeroscopia, the airplane museum. La Halle de la machine is a truly unique and impressive playground. The city also has many other museums and outdoor spaces to explore.

Calais offers lots of family activities. 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 Toulouse or Calais Better for Couples?

Toulouse is well known for couples. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Toulouse frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are many beautiful parks, gardens, and walking paths. Make sure you take a stroll along the Canal du Midi and visit Jardin Japonais Pierre Baudis. This is also a great city for visiting a spa.

Calais is a nice destination for couples. 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 Toulouse or Calais Better for Students?

Toulouse is a popular place for students. However, Calais is not popular with students.

Toulouse is popular with students. You'll find a diverse student population with many international students.

Calais is not popular with students.

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

Toulouse and Calais both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Toulouse offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are a large number of bus routes that travel both locally and regionally.

Calais has a few 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.

Is Toulouse or Calais a more walkable city?

Toulouse is well known for its ease of walking around. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Toulouse is a very walkable destination. Within the city center it is very walkable and easy to explore on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Calais or Toulouse?

How long in Toulouse or Calais?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Toulouse and Calais. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Toulouse than in Calais. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Toulouse, and 1-3 days is enough time in Calais.

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

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

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

One day in Toulouse or Calais?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Toulouse. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The city of Calais offers food and shopping. 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 Toulouse or Calais?

Toulouse is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, 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.

Calais is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. 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 Toulouse or Calais?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Toulouse. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

Calais is a popular choice for travelers. 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 entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Toulouse or Calais?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the friendly destination of Toulouse. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Calais is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in France, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, and The Best 2-Week Tours in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Toulouse and Calais, we can see that Calais is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Toulouse or Calais?

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

The summer brings many poeple to Toulouse as well as Calais. Many travelers come to Toulouse for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Calais in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Toulouse is a little warmer than Calais in the summer. The daily temperature in Toulouse averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and Calais fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Calais. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Toulouse this time of the year. In the summer, Toulouse often gets more sunshine than Calais. Toulouse gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun.

Toulouse usually gets less rain in July than Calais. Toulouse gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toulouse or Calais in the Autumn?

Both Calais and Toulouse are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Toulouse in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Calais for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Toulouse is a little warmer than Calais. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Toulouse in October average around 15°C (60°F), and Calais averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Toulouse usually receives more sunshine than Calais during autumn. Toulouse gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 119 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Toulouse usually receives less rain than Calais. Toulouse gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Toulouse or Calais in the Winter?

Both Calais and Toulouse during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Toulouse for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Calais because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Calais can be very cold. In January, Toulouse is generally a little warmer than Calais. Daily temperatures in Toulouse average around 6°C (44°F), and Calais fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, Toulouse often gets more sunshine than Calais. Toulouse gets 88 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun.

Toulouse usually gets more rain in January than Calais. Toulouse gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toulouse or Calais in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Toulouse and Calais. The spring months attract visitors to Toulouse because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Calais this time of year.

Toulouse is a little warmer than Calais in the spring. The daily temperature in Toulouse averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and Calais fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

Toulouse usually receives more sunshine than Calais during spring. Toulouse gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Toulouse usually receives more rain than Calais. Toulouse gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Calais and Toulouse