A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Toulouse vs. Pompeii for Attractions, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Toulouse or Pompeii?

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 Pompeii 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 relaxed, dynamic, and historic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Pompeii

Pompeii is a one-of-a-kind, ancient, and famous archeological site. It's also popular because of the museums.

Toulouse and Pompeii: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Toulouse or Pompeii?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Toulouse. Although Toulouse and Pompeii are popular destinations, Toulouse has more sights and attractions for tourists. Toulouse is very popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Pompeii attracts visitors for its museums. Pompeii is more touristy than Toulouse and is known for its well preserved archaeological ruins that are still intact following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Toulouse is famous for its impressive old town, many museums, and delicious local cuisine. It is also well known for Basilique Saint-Sernin.

How is Toulouse different from Pompeii?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Pompeii is a must-visit destination for its historical sights. Also, Toulouse is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Pompeii has many famous sights for visitors. Pompeii is a city frozen in time and it is truly a one-of-a-kind destination. The streets remain as they once stood, lined with shops and homes. Highlights of a visit include the Forum, the Antiquarium, the Temple of Isis, and the Teatro Grande.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Toulouse. 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.

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

Toulouse is renowned for its restaurants. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Toulouse has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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.

While Pompeii is not famous for its food, you'll find what you need there. While there is a café near the Forum, the quality of the food isn't great and it can get crowded. You'd do best to bring your own food as the site is large and you'll want to eat on your own schedule.

Is Toulouse or Pompeii Better for Nightlife?

Toulouse is an excellent place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for nightlife.

Toulouse has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Pompeii. As a popular tourist destination, you'll find some bars nearby, but most people visit as a day trip and head out of town before the evening hours.

Is Toulouse or Pompeii Better for its Old Town?

Toulouse is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Pompeii does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of 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.

Pompeii does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Toulouse or Pompeii?

Toulouse is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Toulouse. There are many great shopping districts around town including Place du Capitole, The Saint Georges district, and Rue Alsace Lorraine.

Pompeii has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There are some souvenir stands outside of the site where you can buy trinkets to remember your visit.

Is Toulouse or Pompeii Better for Families?

Both Toulouse and Pompeii are superb to visit with kids.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Toulouse. 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.

Pompeii is a very family-friendly place to visit. Its a city frozen in time, and even kids will get lost in the history and story behind Pompeii. The trick is to find a kid-friendly tour and understand the layout before you arrive. Because it's so big, you want to know which places to visit and which you might want to skip with kids who have short attention spans.

Is Toulouse or Pompeii Better for Couples?

Toulouse is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Pompeii is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Toulouse makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Pompeii is a nice destination for couples. It's an iconic destination in Italy, and should be added to any Italian trip itinerary. It's not exactly a romantic destination, but it's something that every visitor should see.

Is Toulouse or Pompeii Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Pompeii is a archeological site with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Toulouse is not a good destination for backpackers.

Pompeii is a good archeological site to visit for backpackers. It's touristy and crowded, but also world renowned and not-to-be-missed. Whether you're a backpacker or a luxury traveler, Pompeii is on most itineraries.

Toulouse is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a major stop off for many backpackers in Europe so you won't find as many hostels as you do in other cities.

Is Toulouse or Pompeii Better for Students?

For students, both Toulouse and Pompeii are nice places to visit.

It's common for students to visit Toulouse. You'll find a diverse student population with many international students.

Pompeii is a good city to visit for students. It's history and educational significance make it a great study abroad destination, whether you visit alone, with friends, or as part of a tour group.

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

Toulouse and Pompeii 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.

Pompeii has a few public transit options. Many visitors from Sorrento and Naples arrive via the the Circumvesuviana train. There are also buses from many different locations.

Is Toulouse or Pompeii a more walkable city?

Pompeii is a must-visit destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Toulouse is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

Pompeii is a very easy archeological site to get around on foot. You can walk around the entire site in about 4 hours, but you'll really want to allow a full day if you want to see everything in depth.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Pompeii or Toulouse?

How long in Toulouse or Pompeii?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Toulouse or Pompeii to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Toulouse than Pompeii because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Toulouse, and 1-2 days is enough time in Pompeii.

Couples should spend more time in Toulouse than Pompeii. 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 Pompeii than Toulouse 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 Pompeii.

One day in Toulouse or Pompeii?

In Toulouse, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

The archeological site of Pompeii offers museums. 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 Pompeii?

In Toulouse, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. One reason most visitors come is for the food. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Toulouse has to offer.

Pompeii is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this archeological site makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Pompeii, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Toulouse or Pompeii?

Toulouse is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Pompeii is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. 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 Pompeii?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Toulouse. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Toulouse. One reason most visitors come is for the food. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Pompeii is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This archeological site 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Toulouse or Pompeii?

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 Toulouse or Pompeii in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Toulouse and Pompeii. Many visitors come to Toulouse in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Pompeii for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Toulouse is around the same temperature as Pompeii in the summer. The daily temperature in Toulouse averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and Pompeii fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pompeii this time of the year. In Toulouse, it's very sunny this time of the year. Toulouse usually receives less sunshine than Pompeii during summer. Toulouse gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Toulouse usually receives more rain than Pompeii. Toulouse gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Toulouse or Pompeii in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Toulouse as well as Pompeii. 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.

In the autumn, Toulouse is around the same temperature as Pompeii. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Toulouse in October average around 15°C (60°F), and Pompeii averages at about 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Toulouse often gets less sunshine than Pompeii. Toulouse gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Pompeii. Toulouse usually gets less rain in October than Pompeii. Toulouse gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toulouse or Pompeii in the Winter?

Both Pompeii and Toulouse are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Toulouse because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums are the main draw to Pompeii this time of year.

In January, Toulouse is generally cooler than Pompeii. Daily temperatures in Toulouse average around 6°C (44°F), and Pompeii fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Toulouse usually receives less sunshine than Pompeii during winter. Toulouse gets 88 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 115 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pompeii. In January, Toulouse usually receives less rain than Pompeii. Toulouse gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Toulouse or Pompeii in the Spring?

Both Pompeii and Toulouse during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Toulouse this time of year.

Toulouse is around the same temperature as Pompeii in the spring. The daily temperature in Toulouse averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and Pompeii fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Toulouse often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Pompeii. Toulouse gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun.

Toulouse usually gets less rain in April than Pompeii. Toulouse gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Pompeii and Toulouse