A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Toulouse vs. Cartagena for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Toulouse or Cartagena?

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 Cartagena 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.

Where Should I go: Toulouse or Cartagena?

Toulouse

Toulouse is the capital city of the southwest French Department of Haute-Garonne, as well as the Occitanie region. It rests on the banks of the River Garonne. Toulouse is the fourth largest city and metropolitan area in France with nearly 500,000 inhabitants. Toulouse is the headquarters of the European aerospace industry, with the headquarters of Airbus, the Galileo positioning system, the SPOT satellite system, the Aerospace Group, ATR, and the Aerospace Valley. Toulouse is a city with unique architecture made of pink terracotta bricks, which earned it the nickname la Ville Rose ("the Pink City"). Its enchanting Vieux Quartier (Old Quarter) is a dreamy jumble of coral-colored shop fronts and churches. Toulouse knows how to have a good time, whether in food markets or the thick of its smoldering jazz, techno and rock scenes. From the tips of dusky pink spires to its loudest bars, time spent in Toulouse truly has a rose colored glow.

Cartagena

The capital of the Bolivar Department of Colombia, Cartagena is one of the most visited cities in the country. It sits on Colombia's northern coast by the Caribbean Sea. It's a port city with a population of almost 900,000, making it the fifth largest city in Colombia. The city has a rich history and was the first Spanish colony on the American continent. It was also one of the first sanctuaries for freed African slaves in the Americas.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in France, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.


Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or Toulouse?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Toulouse is €125, while the average daily cost in Cartagena is €44. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Toulouse and Cartagena in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Toulouse 67
    Cartagena 25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Toulouse 134
    Cartagena 50
Compare Hotels in Toulouse and Cartagena

Looking for a hotel in Toulouse or Cartagena? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Toulouse


Hotels in Cartagena


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Toulouse Hotel Prices and Cartagena Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Toulouse 41
    Cartagena 6.97

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Toulouse

Also for Toulouse, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Arrival Transfer Toulouse Airport TLS to Toulouse by Car or Van: $41
  • Departure Private Transfer: Toulouse to Toulouse Airport TLS in Luxury Van: $92
  • Private transfer from or to Toulouse Airport: $87
  • Toulouse Private Transfer from Toulouse Airport to City centre: $67
  • Toulouse Private Transfer from Toulouse city centre to Toulouse Airport: $66
  • Transfer Toulouse to Carcassonne center: $240

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:

  • 15. Transfer to SANTA MARTA from Cartagena Private or vice versa.: $290
  • Cartagena to Santa Marta Private Transfer Service: $268
  • Cartagena to Santa Marta (or vice versa) Private Transfer : $265
  • 8. Transfer to BARRANQUILLA from Cartagena Private or vice versa: $160
  • San Diego to Long Beach Airport (LGB) - Departure Private Transfer: $157
  • Cartagena to or from Tayrona Park Private Transfer: $156
  • 20. Transfer Rafael N. Airport-HOTEL LAS ISLAS-CALABLANCA: $142
  • Cartagena to or from Tayrona Park Private Transfer: $136
  • Cartagena to or from Santa Marta Private Transfer: $125
  • Full-Day in Isla del Encanto with Lunch and Transfer to the Pier: $114
  • Walking Tour with Transfers - Gabriel García Márquez & Cartagena Walled City: $110
  • Cartagena Rafael Nunez Airport (CTG): Transfer to Cartagena: $109

Is it cheaper to fly into Toulouse or Cartagena?

Prices for flights to both Cartagena and Toulouse change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Toulouse 34
    Cartagena 9.13

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Toulouse

For Toulouse, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • No Diet Club - Best food tour in Toulouse !: $53
  • Bakeries, Chocolate & Patisseries Food Tour: $77
  • Traditional Toulouse Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $104
  • Victor Hugo Market Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $105
  • Marché Victor Hugo Small Group Food Tour: $107

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cartagena

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.

  • Featured in NYTimes > Arepas and Dancing: Danceable Cooking Class in Cartagena: $32
  • Cooking class of typical food at the beach and sunset view: $39
  • Taste Cartagena Food tour: $40
  • Street Food Tour in Cartagena: $42
  • Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $44
  • Local Flavors Food Tour with Native Chef: $50
  • Cooking Class: Street food & Mojito making: $50
  • Cruise by the Bay with Dinner and Wine: $55
  • Private Dinner at a Local Chef's House in Cartagena: $58
  • Cartagena Gourmet: Cooking Class with a View, Elegance & Flavor: $59
  • Street food tour: $61
  • 2 hours Sibarita Express Dinner: $63

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Toulouse 15
    Cartagena 20

Tours and Activities in Toulouse

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Toulouse.

  • Toulouse : Self-guided Reading Tour: $2.14
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
  • Toulouse : Walking tour with audio guide: $5.33
  • City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.40
  • Toulouse Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self Guided Tour: $6.56
  • Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $7.00
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $7.00
  • Toulouse's Timeless Splendor: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Toulous: Glory of Occitania Audio Tour: $15
  • Aeroscopia Admission Ticket: $16
  • Sightseeing Tour by Open-Top Minibus: $17

Tours and Activities in Cartagena

Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Beach Buggy ATV Adventure Tour CARTAGENA: $135
  • Eco cultural Historical Tour beyond Old City! + Pool: $98
  • Exciting Beach Buggy ATV Tour in Cartagena : $165
  • Palenque Native Guide, free entrance tickets, dance show & lunch: $110
  • Playa Morena Beach Club Whith Lunch And Walking tour of fort San Fernando: $39
  • Private Beach Tour in Barú and Optional Bird Aviary: $120
  • Private Tour & the best coffee of the world in Cartagena (Also for cruisers): $250
  • Private city tour: $197
  • Shore excursion Accessible sightseeing tour : $250
  • Tour around the Rosario Islands 4 islands: $65
  • "Essential Cartagena" Private Tour. : $70
  • 16. Punta Arena Tour (Tierra Bomba Island): $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Toulouse 7.50
    Cartagena 8.56

Sample the Local Flavors in Toulouse

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Toulouse:

  • From Toulouse Cite de carcassonne et wine tasting: $534

Sample the Local Flavors in Cartagena

Also in Cartagena, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Pub Crawl with Dancing Lessons and Free Shots: $19
  • Cartagena's Best Pub Crawl all included!: $23
  • Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $24
  • Pub Crawl Only Locals Have Fun In The Walled City: $35
  • Nightlife Pub crawl in Cartagena: $72


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Toulouse and Cartagena, we can see that Toulouse is more expensive. And not only is Cartagena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Toulouse is in Europe and Cartagena is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Cartagena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cartagena 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 Toulouse would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Toulouse than you might in Cartagena.

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


Which is Bigger, Toulouse or Cartagena?

Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Toulouse. When comparing the sizes of Toulouse and Cartagena, 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 Cartagena?

Toulouse has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Cartagena experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Toulouse or Cartagena in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Toulouse as well as Cartagena. Many visitors come to Toulouse in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.

In July, Toulouse is generally cooler than Cartagena. Daily temperatures in Toulouse average around 22°C (72°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Toulouse this time of the year. In the summer, Toulouse often gets more sunshine than Cartagena. Toulouse gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 207 hours of full sun.

Toulouse usually gets less rain in July than Cartagena. Toulouse gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Toulouse 22°C (72°F) 
    Cartagena 29°C (84°F)

Should I visit Toulouse or Cartagena in the Autumn?

Both Cartagena and Toulouse are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Toulouse for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Toulouse is much colder than Cartagena in the autumn. The daily temperature in Toulouse averages around 15°C (60°F) in October, and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Toulouse usually receives less sunshine than Cartagena during autumn. Toulouse gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 175 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. In October, Toulouse usually receives less rain than Cartagena. Toulouse gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Toulouse 15°C (60°F) 
    Cartagena 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Toulouse or Cartagena in the Winter?

Both Cartagena and Toulouse during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Toulouse because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round.

In the winter, Toulouse is much colder than Cartagena. Typically, the winter temperatures in Toulouse in January average around 6°C (44°F), and Cartagena averages at about 27°C (81°F).

In Cartagena, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Toulouse often gets less sunshine than Cartagena. Toulouse gets 88 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 278 hours of full sun.

Toulouse usually gets more rain in January than Cartagena. Toulouse gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Toulouse 6°C (44°F) 
    Cartagena 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Toulouse or Cartagena in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Toulouse and Cartagena. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Toulouse this time of year. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In April, Toulouse is generally much colder than Cartagena. Daily temperatures in Toulouse average around 12°C (54°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cartagena this time of the year. Toulouse usually receives less sunshine than Cartagena during spring. Toulouse gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 209 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Toulouse usually receives more rain than Cartagena. Toulouse gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Toulouse 12°C (54°F) 
    Cartagena 28°C (82°F)

Typical Weather for Cartagena and Toulouse

Toulouse Cartagena
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 6°C (44°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 8°C (46°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 10°C (49°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 12°C (54°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 28°C (82°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
May 16°C (60°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 29°C (84°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jun 19°C (67°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 29°C (84°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Jul 22°C (72°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 29°C (84°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 22°C (71°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 28°C (82°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Sep 20°C (67°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 29°C (84°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Oct 15°C (60°F) 52 mm (2 in) 27°C (81°F) 150 mm (5.9 in)
Nov 10°C (50°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 28°C (82°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Dec 7°C (45°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)