A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Windsor vs. Dover for Attractions, Couples, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Windsor or Dover?

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

Should I visit Windsor or Dover? 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 beautiful, royal, and traditional town. Because it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors for a good reason. You'll find world class beauty here as well. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and food.

Dover

Dover is a natural, breathtaking, and iconic town. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and food.

Windsor and Dover: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Windsor or Dover?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Windsor. Although Windsor and Dover are both popular with visitors, Windsor has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Windsor is more popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, and small town charm, while Dover is known for its hiking. Windsor is more touristy than Dover and is known for being home to the largest and oldest operating castle in the world. It is also home to The Windsor Castle. Dover is popular for the famous White Cliffs of Dover as well as the ferry connection to mainland Europe.

How is Windsor different from Dover?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Windsor is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Dover is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

Many visitors head to Windsor specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

Dover is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Aside from the iconic White Cliffs of Dover, there is the Dover Castle, the South Foreland Lighthouse, and the Grand Shaft.

Is the Food Better in Windsor or Dover? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Windsor and Dover 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.

Dover is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The town has a growing food scene that includes waterfront restaurants and local dishes. Find a restaurant with a view to make sure you take full advantage of the setting.

Is Windsor or Dover Better for Nightlife?

Windsor is very good for its evening party scene. However, Dover is not a good town for nightlife.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Windsor. There's a low key nightlife scene with local pubs and a theater. Dinner cruises are also a fun activity.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Dover. The nightlife has a relaxed atmosphere with wine bars and microbreweries.

Is Windsor or Dover Better for its Old Town?

Windsor is very good for its historic old town charm. However, Dover 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.

Dover does not have a historic old town.

Is Windsor or Dover Better for Hiking?

Dover is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Windsor is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Dover. There are many beautiful countryside walks that take you through the rolling hills and along the iconic white cliffs. Some of the best hikes in the area include The England Coast Path, The North Downs Way Saxon Shore Way.

Windsor is not a hiking destination.

Is Windsor or Dover Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Windsor or Dover.

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.

Dover offers lots of family activities. There are a few kid-friendly museums like the Dover Transport Museum and the Dover Castle. Also make sure you check out the South Foreland Lighthouse.

Is Windsor or Dover Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Windsor and Dover make for a great place to visit.

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.

Dover is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. The White Cliffs of Dover are an iconic sight and perfect for a romantic trip away. Also make sure you check out St. Margaret's Bay Beach and the Kearsney Abbey Gardens.

Is Windsor or Dover Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dover is a popular place for backpackers. However, Windsor is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Dover. You'll find several nice hostels to choose from in the town.

Windsor is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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

Windsor is very good for its public transit. However, Dover is not a good town for times when you don't have a car.

Windsor has a few public transit options. There is a bus system around town.

Public transit is mostly limited in Dover. There are public buses through the district.

Is Windsor or Dover a more walkable city?

Windsor is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. Also, Dover is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit 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.

Dover is somewhat walkable. You can wander around the countryside, but prepare for rolling hills and great views.

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

Should I spend more time in Dover or Windsor?

How long in Windsor or Dover?

It's fun to spend time in either Windsor or Dover. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Dover due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Windsor, and 2-4 days is enough time in Dover.

Families should spend more time in Windsor than Dover. 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 Dover. 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.

One day in Windsor or Dover?

Even though Windsor is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

In Dover, you'll find food and museums. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Windsor or Dover?

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

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

Five days in Windsor or Dover?

Windsor is a fun place to experience. Windsor is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Dover is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Dover?

Windsor is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dover. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Dover. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom, and The Best Bicycle Tours in United Kingdom.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Windsor and Dover, we can see that Windsor is more expensive. And not only is Dover much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dover would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dover 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 Dover.

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

Which is Bigger, Windsor or Dover?

Windsor has a larger population, and is about 1% larger than the population of Dover. When comparing the sizes of Windsor and Dover, 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 Dover?

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 Dover in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Windsor and Dover. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Windsor this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Dover for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dover this time of the year. Windsor usually receives less sunshine than Dover during summer. Windsor gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Dover receives 212 hours of full sun in the summer.

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

Should I visit Windsor or Dover in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Windsor as well as Dover. Many travelers come to Windsor for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, many visitors come to Dover in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

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

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

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

Should I visit Windsor or Dover in the Winter?

Both Dover and Windsor are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Windsor in the winter for the museums and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Dover for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Dover can be very cold during winter. Windsor can get quite cold in the winter. Windsor is around the same temperature as Dover in the winter. The daily temperature in Windsor averages around 4°C (40°F) in January, and Dover fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

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

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

Should I visit Windsor or Dover in the Spring?

Both Dover and Windsor during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Windsor for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Dover because of the natural beauty.

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

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

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

Typical Weather for Dover and Windsor