A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Utrecht vs. Auxerre for Nightlife, Couples, Backpackers, and Attractions

Should you visit Utrecht or Auxerre?

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

Should I visit Utrecht or Auxerre? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Utrecht

With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Auxerre

Auxerre is a authentic, under-rated, and undiscovered town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It's also known for food and museums.

Utrecht and Auxerre: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Utrecht or Auxerre?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Utrecht than Auxerre, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Utrecht is better known for its nightlife, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Auxerre is more popular for its small town charm. Utrecht is more touristy than Auxerre and is popular for its beautiful canals, huge number of bikes, and charming old town. Also, Utrecht is famous for the Dom Tower. Auxerre is well known for its food, wine, and art history.

How is Utrecht different from Auxerre?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Utrecht or Auxerre?

Both Utrecht and Auxerre have notable landmarks and museums for visitors.

Utrecht is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The Dom Tower and St. Martin's Cathedral is a highlight of the city, but you'll also find smaller, more local museums and several beautiful churches. If you're up for heading out of town, you can visit De Haar Castle, which is most accessible if you have a private vehicle.

Auxerre offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Although the town is often overlooked by tourists, there are many nice cathedrals and churches around town.

Is the Food Better in Utrecht or Auxerre? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Utrecht and Auxerre both to be notable destinations.

Utrecht offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are a number of interesting international restaurants around town including Greek, Italian, and Spanish tapas. It's particularly fun to dine canal-side and sip wine as the boats pass by.

Auxerre has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The town is a the heart of the wine industry, so you'll find many great restaurants where you can enjoy local food and wine.

Is Utrecht or Auxerre Better for Nightlife?

Utrecht is great for its evening party scene. However, Auxerre is not a good destination for nightlife.

Many people head to Utrecht for the nightlife scene. The student population keeps the nightlife scene fun and lively. There are plenty of bars in the old town and you'll find tourists and locals hanging out at the same spots.

Most people don't head to Auxerre specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It has a quiet nightlife with some nice bars and pubs.

Is Utrecht or Auxerre Better for its Old Town?

Utrecht is an amazing to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Auxerre does not have a historic old town.

Utrecht offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The old town is large, charming, and filled with locals. There are canals that that see a frequent stream of boats and kayakers. There are also historic buildings and cobblestone streets. The city is unique because many cafes offer seating directly next to the canals.

Auxerre does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Utrecht or Auxerre?

Utrecht is great for its shopping areas. However, Auxerre is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Utrecht. You'll find both local shops and European chains throughout the old town. There's also a large mall right next to the main tourist area.

Auxerre is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Utrecht or Auxerre Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Utrecht or Auxerre.

Utrecht is a family-friendly place to visit. There are a few museums around town that are fun for kids. Make sure you check out the Miffy Museum, which is great for younger kids. The Museum Speelklok is fun for kids and adults alike. Families will also enjoy renting bikes for the day or taking a canal boat tour. Also make sure you try some local pancakes.

Auxerre is a family-friendly . There's the Zoo de La Fleche and the Aquarium de Touraine. You can also wander through Musee de l'Avallon or des Plantes.

Is Utrecht or Auxerre Better for Couples?

Utrecht is great for couples. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for romance.

Utrecht is a great if you're traveling as a couple. The charming old town and cozy cafes make for a wonderful date day. You can take a canal boat tour, sip coffee at a cafe by a canal, or explore the city as it lights up at night.

Auxerre is a nice destination for couples. There are many great eateries as well nice architecture and, of course, excellent wine.

Is Utrecht or Auxerre Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Utrecht is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Auxerre is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Utrecht. It's a university city with a young population and plenty to do in the evening. There are also a decent number of hostels to choose from and a lively atmosphere with fun activities and festivals.

Auxerre is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a popular stop off on the backpacker circuit, but you will find some affordable accommodation options.

Is Utrecht or Auxerre Better for Students?

Utrecht is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Auxerre is not popular with students.

Utrecht is very popular with students. This is a great university city. The population is young, but housing can be challenging to find and very expensive.

Auxerre is not popular with students.

Is Utrecht or Auxerre Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Utrecht is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its public transit.

The public transit in Utrecht can get you to most places easily. There are buses around town and two tram lines that travel to the suburbs.

Auxerre has a few public transit options. There are buses around town.

Is Utrecht or Auxerre a more walkable city?

Utrecht is an amazing to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its walkability.

Utrecht is a very easy to get around on foot. The old town is easy to explore on foot, but don't walk in a bike lane or you'll likely receive a firm scolding from a local. Utrecht is regularly ranked as one of the world's most bike-friendly cities.

Auxerre is somewhat walkable. The center is walkable but it is a bit more difficult to navigate than some nearby towns.

For even more information, also check out Is Utrecht Worth Visiting? and Is Auxerre Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Auxerre or Utrecht?

How long in Utrecht or Auxerre?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Utrecht or Auxerre to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Utrecht than Auxerre because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Utrecht, and 1-2 days is enough time in Auxerre.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Utrecht than Auxerre 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 Utrecht.

One day in Utrecht or Auxerre?

In Utrecht, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

In Auxerre, you'll find food and museums. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Utrecht or Auxerre?

In Utrecht, 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. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Utrecht has to offer.

In Auxerre, you'll find museums and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Auxerre has to offer.

Five days in Utrecht or Auxerre?

Utrecht 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.

Auxerre is a great place to explore. 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.

A week in Utrecht or Auxerre?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Utrecht. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Utrecht. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Auxerre. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Auxerre. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Netherlands, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Netherlands, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, and The Best 2-Week Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Utrecht or Auxerre?

Utrecht has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Auxerre. When comparing the sizes of Utrecht and Auxerre, 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 Utrecht or Auxerre?

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 Utrecht or Auxerre in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Utrecht as well as Auxerre. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Utrecht this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Auxerre for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Utrecht is generally cooler than Auxerre. Daily temperatures in Utrecht average around 17°C (62°F), and Auxerre fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Auxerre. In the summer, Utrecht often gets less sunshine than Auxerre. Utrecht gets 194 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Auxerre receives 255 hours of full sun.

Utrecht usually gets more rain in July than Auxerre. Utrecht gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Utrecht or Auxerre in the Autumn?

Both Auxerre and Utrecht are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Utrecht for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Auxerre in the autumn for the small town atmosphere.

Utrecht is cooler than Auxerre in the autumn. The daily temperature in Utrecht averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Auxerre fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Utrecht usually receives less sunshine than Auxerre during autumn. Utrecht gets 100 hours of sunny skies, while Auxerre receives 126 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Utrecht usually receives more rain than Auxerre. Utrecht gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Utrecht or Auxerre in the Winter?

Both Auxerre and Utrecht during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Utrecht in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Auxerre for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Auxerre can be very cold during winter. Utrecht can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Utrecht is cooler than Auxerre. Typically, the winter temperatures in Utrecht in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Auxerre averages at about 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Utrecht often gets less sunshine than Auxerre. Utrecht gets 38 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Auxerre receives 53 hours of full sun.

Utrecht usually gets more rain in January than Auxerre. Utrecht gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Utrecht or Auxerre in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Utrecht and Auxerre. Most visitors come to Utrecht for the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Auxerre because of the small town charm.

In April, Utrecht is generally cooler than Auxerre. Daily temperatures in Utrecht average around 8°C (46°F), and Auxerre fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Utrecht usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Auxerre during spring. Utrecht gets 156 hours of sunny skies, while Auxerre receives 167 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Utrecht usually receives around the same amount of rain as Auxerre. Utrecht gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Auxerre and Utrecht