A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Volos vs. Carcassonne for Attractions, Food, Backpackers, and Families

Should you visit Volos or Carcassonne?

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 Volos and Carcassonne can help you decide which place is right for you.

Volos

Volos is a authentic, vibrant, and youthful city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Carcassonne

Carcassonne is a historical, fairytale, and medieval town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the food and museums.

Volos and Carcassonne: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Active nightlife
  • Good scuba and snorkeling destination
  • Popular beach
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for students
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Scenic old town
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers


Is there more to do in Volos or Carcassonne?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Volos. Although Volos and Carcassonne are popular destinations, Volos has more sights and attractions for tourists. Volos is very popular for its nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Carcassonne attracts visitors for its museums, historical sights, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Carcassonne is more touristy than Volos and is known for its medieval history, walled fortifications, and well-known castle. Volos is famous for its vibrant seaside setting and its access to nearby natural beauty. It is also well known for The Archaeological Museum of Volos.

How is Volos different from Carcassonne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Volos or Carcassonne?

Volos
Carcassonne

Carcassonne is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Volos is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Carcassonne specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The town is filled with medieval sights including the Château Comtal, the Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus, and the Carcassonne Cathedral.

Volos offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of museums in town including the Archaeological Museum of Volos.


Is the Food Better in Volos or Carcassonne? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Volos
Carcassonne

Foodies will find both Volos and Carcassonne both to be high quality destinations.

Volos has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Greece cuisine is very regional specific, and this area has its own dishes that are very different from elsewhere in the country. Deep fried kolitsianoi (sea anemone), boubari (local sausage), and spetzofai (sausage, tomato, and peppers) are just some of the unique dishes in the area.

Dining out in Carcassonne is an experience not to be missed. There are a number of local restaurants that serve regional specialties such as cassoulet. You can spend a few hours exploring the castle and then grab a delicious bite to eat.

Is Volos or Carcassonne Better for Nightlife?

Volos
Carcassonne

Volos is a very popular place for nightlife. However, Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Volos has a large number of nightlife venues. The universities around town keep the nightlife scene active and fun. There are a number of bars and clubs that are fun throughout the year.

Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Volos or Carcassonne Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Volos
Carcassonne

Volos is a good destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Carcassonne is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Volos. There are some snorkeling and dive shops in town that offer day trips.

Carcassonne is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.


Is Volos or Carcassonne Better for Beaches?

Volos
Carcassonne

Volos is a very popular place for its beaches. However, Carcassonne is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Volos for it's beautiful beaches. If you're willing to travel out of town, this region has some of the best beaches in Greece. The summers are cooler than other parts of the country and the winters are milder, so this is both a beautiful and a comfortable place to explore.

Carcassonne is not a beach destination.

Is Volos or Carcassonne Better for its Old Town?

Volos
Carcassonne

Carcassonne is very good for its old town. However, Volos does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Carcassonne. The medieval walled city is seeped in history and filled with atmosphere. Cars are not allowed in town.

Volos does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Volos or Carcassonne?

Volos
Carcassonne

Volos is a good destination for shopping. However, Carcassonne is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Volos. There are shopping malls and shopping centers around town that have a variety of retail options including clothing, jewelry, and home goods.

Carcassonne is not a noteworthy shopping destination.


Is Volos or Carcassonne Better for Families?

Volos
Carcassonne

You'll find nice kid-friendly activities in either Volos or Carcassonne.

Volos is a family-friendly city. If your kids are adventurous, they'll enjoy horseback riding or exploring the area's beaches. There's also the Archaeological Museum of Volos and Agios Konstantinos Park.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Carcassonne. Kids who love castles will enjoy wandering the maze of rooms and getting lost in the medieval atmosphere.

Is Volos or Carcassonne Better for Couples?

Volos
Carcassonne

Both Volos and Carcassonne are nice destinations to visit as a couple.

Volos makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are gardens and outdoor activities that couples can enjoy. There are also museums and beaches.

Carcassonne is a good city for couples to visit. It's a medieval city with an impressive castle and walled fortifications. It's a uniquely European sight that is great for couples who enjoy history.

Is Volos or Carcassonne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Volos
Carcassonne

Carcassonne is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Volos is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Carcassonne. There are interesting hostels in the area including a converted 17th century convent.

Volos is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a popular backpacker destination and you won't find that many hostels in the area.


Is Volos or Carcassonne Better for Students?

Volos
Carcassonne

Volos is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Carcassonne is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Volos. You'll find several universities in town. The port city also offers access to different parts of the country.

Carcassonne is not popular with students.

Is Volos or Carcassonne Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Volos
Carcassonne

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Volos and Carcassonne.

Volos has some public transit options. There is a bus system that travels around town.

You'll find some public transit in Carcassonne, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. You can reach the town by train from Dijon, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, or Bordeaux and many people visit the town as a day trip.

Is Volos or Carcassonne a more walkable city?

Volos
Carcassonne

Carcassonne is a world-class destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Volos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Carcassonne. Cars aren't allowed in the medieval city so it's best to explore on foot.

Volos is a very walkable destination. The city is flat and there's a historic district that you can explore on foot.


For even more information, also check out Is Volos Worth Visiting? and Is Carcassonne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Carcassonne or Volos?

How long in Volos or Carcassonne?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Volos or Carcassonne to fill your time. In our opinion, Volos has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Volos than Carcassonne. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Carcassonne than Volos 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 Carcassonne.


  • How many days in Volos or Carcassonne? Ideal Length of Stay
    Volos 1-2 
    Carcassonne 1-2

One day in Volos or Carcassonne?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the youthful city of Volos. It's also a great beach destination, too. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Carcassonne, many people enjoy the food and museums that this fairytale destination offers. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Volos or Carcassonne?

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the vibrant destination of Volos. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Carcassonne. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Volos or Carcassonne?

The youthful city of Volos offers scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Carcassonne is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the destination of Carcassonne. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.


A week in Volos or Carcassonne?

Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Volos. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people come for the beaches. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find museums and food around the medieval destination of Carcassonne. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.


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


Which place is cheaper, Carcassonne or Volos?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Volos is €95, while the average daily cost in Carcassonne is €106. 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 Volos and Carcassonne in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Volos 43
    Carcassonne 61
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Volos 86
    Carcassonne 122
Compare Hotels in Volos and Carcassonne

Looking for a hotel in Volos or Carcassonne? 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 Volos


Hotels in Carcassonne


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: Volos Hotel Prices and Carcassonne Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Volos 37
    Carcassonne 7.14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Volos

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

  • Volos to Athens, Athens Airport and Piraeus Port Private Transfer: $257
  • Volos to Athens Easy & Economy Transfer: $524
  • From Volos to Athens Airport / Athens / Piraeus Private Transfer: $280

Is it cheaper to fly into Volos or Carcassonne?

Prices for flights to both Carcassonne and Volos 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
    Volos 30
    Carcassonne 39

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Volos

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

  • Cooking Session "Pelion Flavours": $71
  • Cook like a local Greek Cooking lesson in Mt Pelion Greece: $109

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Volos 17
    Carcassonne 14

Tours and Activities in Volos

For Volos, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • BIKING PELION Private Guided Full or Half Day Tour: $211
  • East Pelion - Sea Kayak Tour "Short Paddle": $38
  • From Hidden Sights of Meteora Private Tour: $214
  • HIKING PELION - Private Guided Full or Half Day Tour: $197
  • Half-Day Sea Kayak Tour "The Secret Cave": $49
  • Kayaking Adventure around Pelion Coastline : $33
  • Volos Pelion Full Day Tour : $240
  • Pagasetic Gulf Full-Day Sailboat Experience: $735

Tours and Activities in Carcassonne

For Carcassonne, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • A Self-Guided Tour of Carcassonne’s Ancient Basilica: $20
  • Best of Cathar Country: Full-Day Private Tour.: $207
  • Carcassonne 's Medieval Walls: A Self-Guided Tour: $20
  • Carcassonne Private Guided Walking Tour: $294
  • 2-Hour Private Walking Tour : $201
  • Castle and Ramparts Entry Ticket: $12
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.42
  • Fortress Walking Tour: $171
  • Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $6.42
  • Medieval Walls Self-Guided Smartphone App Tour: $20
  • Photoshoot Experience: $160
  • Private Walking Tour with Cité de Carcassonne: $187

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Volos 7.86
    Carcassonne 13

Sample the Local Flavors in Carcassonne

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Carcassonne:

  • Wine tour Cathar country: $471


When comparing the travel costs between Volos and Carcassonne, we can see that Carcassonne 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 Volos Expensive? and Is Carcassonne Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Volos or Carcassonne?

Volos has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Carcassonne. When comparing the sizes of Volos and Carcassonne, 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 Volos or Carcassonne?

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 Volos or Carcassonne in the Summer?

Both Carcassonne and Volos are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Volos in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Carcassonne for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Volos is generally around the same temperature as Carcassonne. Daily temperatures in Volos average around 26°C (78°F), and Carcassonne fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Carcassonne. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Volos. Volos usually receives more sunshine than Carcassonne during summer. Volos gets 330 hours of sunny skies, while Carcassonne receives 275 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Volos usually receives more rain than Carcassonne. Volos gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Volos 26°C (78°F) 
    Carcassonne 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Volos or Carcassonne in the Autumn?

Both Carcassonne and Volos during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Volos for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Carcassonne because of the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area.

Volos is around the same temperature as Carcassonne in the autumn. The daily temperature in Volos averages around 17°C (62°F) in October, and Carcassonne fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

In the autumn, Volos often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Carcassonne. Volos gets 165 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Carcassonne receives 161 hours of full sun.

Volos usually gets less rain in October than Carcassonne. Volos gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Volos 17°C (62°F) 
    Carcassonne 17°C (62°F)

Should I visit Volos or Carcassonne in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Volos and Carcassonne. The winter months attract visitors to Volos because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Carcassonne this time of year.

In the winter, Volos is much colder than Carcassonne. Typically, the winter temperatures in Volos in January average around 6°C (42°F), and Carcassonne averages at about 8°C (47°F).

Volos usually receives more sunshine than Carcassonne during winter. Volos gets 112 hours of sunny skies, while Carcassonne receives 88 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Volos usually receives less rain than Carcassonne. Volos gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Volos 6°C (42°F) 
    Carcassonne 8°C (47°F)

Should I visit Volos or Carcassonne in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Volos as well as Carcassonne. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Volos this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Carcassonne for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, Volos is generally around the same temperature as Carcassonne. Daily temperatures in Volos average around 14°C (56°F), and Carcassonne fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Volos this time of the year. In the spring, Volos often gets more sunshine than Carcassonne. Volos gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Carcassonne receives 178 hours of full sun.

Volos usually gets less rain in April than Carcassonne. Volos gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Volos 14°C (56°F) 
    Carcassonne 14°C (56°F)

Typical Weather for Carcassonne and Volos

Volos Carcassonne
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 6°C (42°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 8°C (47°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Feb 7°C (45°F) 35 mm (1.4 in) 9°C (49°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Mar 10°C (49°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 11°C (52°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
Apr 14°C (56°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 14°C (56°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
May 19°C (66°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 17°C (63°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jun 23°C (74°F) 24 mm (0.9 in) 21°C (70°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Jul 26°C (78°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 24°C (75°F) 17 mm (0.7 in)
Aug 25°C (77°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 24°C (74°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Sep 22°C (71°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 21°C (69°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Oct 17°C (62°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 17°C (62°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Nov 11°C (52°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 12°C (53°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Dec 7°C (44°F) 52 mm (2 in) 9°C (49°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)