A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Windsor vs. Calais for Attractions, Couples, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Windsor or Calais?

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

Should I visit Windsor or Calais? 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.

Windsor

Windsor is a traditional, touristy, and beautiful town. Because it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors for a good reason. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and food.

Calais

Calais is a undiscovered, coastal, and authentic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Windsor and Calais: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Windsor or Calais?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Calais. Although Windsor and Calais are both popular with visitors, Calais has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Calais is more popular for its beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Windsor is known for its museums, historical sights, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Windsor is more touristy than Calais and is known for being home to the largest and oldest operating castle in the world. Calais is popular for being a gateway for travelers to France. It is also home to The Town Hall.

How is Windsor different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Windsor offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The main draw is the Windsor Castle, which many people explore in a few hours. Then you can pass some time wandering around the town.

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 Windsor or Calais? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Windsor and Calais both to be good destinations.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Windsor. There are cafes, pubs, and local restaurants that let you sample regional dishes. There are also chain restaurants and international options including Japanese and Thai food.

Calais is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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 Windsor or Calais Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Windsor and Calais.

Windsor has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There's a low key nightlife scene with local pubs and a theater. Dinner cruises are also a fun activity.

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 Windsor or Calais Better for Beaches?

Calais is a popular place for the beache. However, Windsor is not a beach destination.

Calais is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

Windsor is not a beach destination.

Is Windsor or Calais Better for its Old Town?

Windsor is a popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Calais does not have a historic old town.

Windsor offers a nice historic old town area. The old town is opposite the castle and caters specifically to tourists with its restaurants, pubs, and a few shops.

Calais does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Windsor or Calais?

Calais is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Windsor is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Calais offers some nice shopping areas. 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.

Windsor is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Windsor or Calais Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Windsor or Calais.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Windsor. Kids will enjoy seeing a working castle when they visit Windsor Castle. While a visit to Windsor Castle is the obvious draw to the town, there are also river cruises, parks, and even the Royal Windsor Maze at the Goswells Park that the whole family will enjoy. There is also a Legoland in the area for those who have more time.

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 Windsor or Calais Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Windsor frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Exploring the Windsor Castle, taking a river cruise, and wandering the parks and gardens hand in hand make this a great place for a couples retreat.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Windsor and Calais.

You'll find some public transit in Windsor, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a bus system around town.

While Calais offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. 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 Windsor or Calais a more walkable city?

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

Windsor is a very walkable destination. The town is compact and relatively easy to walk around. There are also several walking routes in the area.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Calais or Windsor?

How long in Windsor or Calais?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Calais than Windsor 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 Calais.

One day in Windsor or Calais?

Windsor might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Calais, you'll find nightlife and food. This city 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 Windsor or Calais?

Windsor is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In Calais, you'll find food and shopping. 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 Calais has to offer.

Five days in Windsor or Calais?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Windsor. 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 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 Windsor or Calais?

Windsor is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Calais. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Calais. 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 Historical Tours in United Kingdom, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Budget Tours to France, and The Best Tours for Seniors to France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Windsor or Calais?

Calais has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Windsor. When comparing the sizes of Windsor 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 Windsor or Calais?

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 Windsor or Calais in the Summer?

Both Calais and Windsor are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Windsor because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Calais this time of year.

In the summer, Windsor is around the same temperature as Calais. Typically, the summer temperatures in Windsor in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Calais averages at about 17°C (63°F).

It's quite sunny in Calais. Windsor usually receives less sunshine than Calais during summer. Windsor gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Windsor usually receives around the same amount of rain as Calais. Windsor gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Windsor or Calais in the Autumn?

Both Calais and Windsor during the autumn are popular places to visit. The small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Windsor this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Calais for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Windsor is generally around the same temperature as Calais. Daily temperatures in Windsor average around 12°C (53°F), and Calais fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Windsor often gets less sunshine than Calais. Windsor gets 107 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 119 hours of full sun.

Windsor usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Calais. Windsor gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Windsor or Calais in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Windsor and Calais. Many travelers come to Windsor for the museums and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Calais in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Calais can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Windsor. Windsor is around the same temperature as Calais in the winter. The daily temperature in Windsor averages around 4°C (40°F) in January, and Calais fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

Windsor usually receives less sunshine than Calais during winter. Windsor gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Windsor usually receives more rain than Calais. Windsor gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Windsor or Calais in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Windsor as well as Calais. Many visitors come to Windsor in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Calais for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Windsor is around the same temperature as Calais. Typically, the spring temperatures in Windsor in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Calais averages at about 9°C (47°F).

In the spring, Windsor often gets less sunshine than Calais. Windsor gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun.

Windsor usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Calais. Windsor gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Calais and Windsor