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

Should you visit Windsor or Giverny?

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

Should I visit Windsor or Giverny? 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 touristy, beautiful, and royal town. You'll find plenty of local activities in this small town. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the food, museums, and nightlife.

Giverny

Giverny is a inspiring, picturesque, and peaceful town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the food and museums.

Windsor and Giverny: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Scenic old town
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Small town charm
  • Impressive beauty
  • Home to the Windsor Castle
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty
  • Home to the Home and Gardens of Claude Monet
Things to Consider
  • Less family-friendly


Is there more to do in Windsor or Giverny?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Giverny than Windsor, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Giverny is more touristy than Windsor and is popular for being the home and inspiration for Claude Monet. Also, Giverny is famous for The Home and Gardens of Claude Monet. Windsor is well known for being home to the largest and oldest operating castle in the world.

How is Windsor different from Giverny?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Windsor
Giverny

Plenty of people visit the high quality sights and museums in both Windsor and Giverny.

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.

Many visitors head to Giverny specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The town is most notable as the home of Claude Monet between 1883 and 1926. Highlights of a visit include visiting Jardin d'Eau (The Water Garden), The Normandy Garden, and Monet's House.


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

Windsor
Giverny

Foodies will find both Windsor and Giverny both to be notable 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.

Giverny is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are cozy cafes and charming restaurants in the town. If you visit as part of a tour, a restaurant stop may be included.

Is Windsor or Giverny Better for Nightlife?

Windsor
Giverny

Windsor is a popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Giverny is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Windsor has a few options to choose from. There's a low key nightlife scene with local pubs and a theater. Dinner cruises are also a fun activity.

Giverny is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Windsor or Giverny Better for its Old Town?

Windsor
Giverny

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

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Windsor. The old town is opposite the castle and caters specifically to tourists with its restaurants, pubs, and a few shops.

Giverny does not have a historic old town.


Is Windsor or Giverny Better for Families?

Windsor
Giverny

Windsor is a popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Giverny is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Windsor offers lots of family activities. 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.

Giverny is not the most family-friendly destination. The gardens are stunning and the house is impressive, but it's best to prepare younger kids with some activities beforehand. Even the most art-minded children will appreciate a hands-on activity that helps bring the experience to life.

Is Windsor or Giverny Better for Couples?

Windsor
Giverny

With fun activities for couples, both Windsor and Giverny make for a high quality 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.

Giverny is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. The setting seeped in romance and the gardens bring art to life. On occasion you may even see a young couple get engaged during their visit.

Is Windsor or Giverny Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Windsor
Giverny

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Giverny. Many people, backpackers included, visit the town as a day trip from Paris. It's possible to visit by train and shuttle bus.

Windsor is not a backpacker-friendly destination.


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

Windsor
Giverny

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

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 Giverny offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. You can reach Giverny by train from Paris. You'll leave from the Gare Saint-Lazare train station in Paris and arrive in the town of Vernon. The trip is about 45 minutes. From there you can take a bus or taxi on to Giverny.

Is Windsor or Giverny a more walkable city?

Windsor
Giverny

Windsor is great for its high level of walkability. Also, Giverny is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its ease of walking around.

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

Giverny is a somewhat walkable town. Many people choose to walk between the town of Vernon and Giverny, both of which are worth visiting. They're separated by about 6 kilometers (3.5 miles).

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

Should I spend more time in Giverny or Windsor?

How long in Windsor or Giverny?

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

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


  • How many days in Windsor or Giverny? Ideal Length of Stay
    Windsor 1-2 
    Giverny 1-2

One day in Windsor or Giverny?

Windsor is a small town with plenty to do. 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.

In Giverny, 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 Windsor or Giverny?

Windsor might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. 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 Windsor has to offer.

In Giverny, 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 Giverny has to offer.

Five days in Windsor or Giverny?

Windsor 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.

Giverny 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 Giverny?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Windsor. Since Windsor is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. 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 Giverny. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Giverny. 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 Coach Bus Tours in France, and The Best Adventure Tours to France.


Which place is cheaper, Giverny or Windsor?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Windsor is £150, while the average daily cost in Giverny is £107. 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 Windsor and Giverny in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Windsor £70
    Giverny £51
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Windsor £140
    Giverny £102
Compare Hotels in Windsor and Giverny

Looking for a hotel in Windsor or Giverny? 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 Windsor


Hotels in Giverny


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: Windsor Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Windsor £66
    Giverny £41

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Windsor

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Windsor:

  • London: Windsor Castle Private Tour with Hotel Transfers: $562
  • Windsor Castle Ticket & Private Transfer: $319
  • London: Transfer to Southampton with Windsor Castle Visit: $161
  • "Private Transfer: From London Heathrow Airport to Windsor": $56

Is it cheaper to fly into Windsor or Giverny?

Prices for flights to both Giverny and Windsor 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
    Windsor £39
    Giverny £30
Typical Food Prices in Windsor

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Windsor:


  • Morning Tea
    £2.50

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Windsor £26
    Giverny £22

Tours and Activities in Windsor

Here are a few actual costs in Windsor for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 1,000 Years of Royal History from Windsor to Eton: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
  • 3 Hour Private Tour in Windsor Old Town and Castle: $191
  • From London: Half-Day Trip to Windsor with Castle Tickets: $111
  • From Southampton: Bath and Windsor Tour with London Drop-Off: $230
  • LEGOLAND Windsor Resort 2 Day Admission Ticket: $66
  • LEGOLAND Windsor Resort: Entrance Ticket: $44
  • Private Tour Windsor, Eton & Hampton Court: $650
  • Private Windsor Town & Guided Castle Walking Tour: $350
  • Private Windsor Walking Tour: $146
  • Royal Windsor & Stonehenge Private Tour: $1,998
  • Royal Windsor Castle Tour Private including tickets: $362
  • Stonehenge and Windsor Castle Tour from London With Entry Tickets: $126

Tours and Activities in Giverny

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Giverny.

  • Bike tour from Vernon to Giverny with local guide: $37
  • Monet’s House and Gardens Skip-the-Line Tour: $59
  • Giverny Monet House and Gardens Skip the line Walking tour: $60
  • Monet's House and Gardens Guided Tour: $62
  • Guided Tour of Monet's Gardens/small group: $63
  • Guided tour Monet's house and gardens/small group: $64
  • Trip from Paris to Monet's house in Giverny Skip the Line: $96
  • Monet's House & Gardens Private Guided Walking Tour: $256
  • Monet's House & Gardens Private Guided Walking Tour: $278
  • Giverny Private Guided Walking Tour: $294

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Windsor £7.55
    Giverny £5.68


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

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


Which is Bigger, Windsor or Giverny?

Windsor has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Giverny. When comparing the sizes of Windsor and Giverny, 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 Giverny?

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 Windsor or Giverny in the Summer?

Both Giverny and Windsor during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Windsor because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Giverny this time of year.

Windsor is cooler than Giverny in the summer. The daily temperature in Windsor averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Giverny fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In Giverny, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Windsor often gets less sunshine than Giverny. Windsor gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Giverny receives 241 hours of full sun.

Windsor usually gets less rain in July than Giverny. Windsor gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Windsor 18°C (64°F) 
    Giverny 20°C (68°F)

Should I visit Windsor or Giverny in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Windsor and Giverny. 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 Giverny for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Windsor is cooler than Giverny. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Windsor in October average around 12°C (53°F), and Giverny averages at about 13°C (56°F).

Windsor usually receives less sunshine than Giverny during autumn. Windsor gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Giverny receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Windsor usually receives around the same amount of rain as Giverny. Windsor gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Windsor 12°C (53°F) 
    Giverny 13°C (56°F)

Should I visit Windsor or Giverny in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Windsor as well as Giverny. Many travelers come to Windsor for the museums and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Giverny in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

Giverny can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Windsor. In January, Windsor is generally around the same temperature as Giverny. Daily temperatures in Windsor average around 4°C (40°F), and Giverny fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

In the winter, Windsor often gets less sunshine than Giverny. Windsor gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Giverny receives 62 hours of full sun.

Windsor usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Giverny. Windsor gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Windsor 4°C (40°F) 
    Giverny 5°C (40°F)

Should I visit Windsor or Giverny in the Spring?

Both Giverny and Windsor are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Windsor in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Giverny for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

Windsor is cooler than Giverny in the spring. The daily temperature in Windsor averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Giverny fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Windsor usually receives less sunshine than Giverny during spring. Windsor gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Giverny receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Windsor usually receives less rain than Giverny. Windsor gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Windsor 9°C (48°F) 
    Giverny 11°C (52°F)

Typical Weather for Giverny and Windsor

Windsor Giverny
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 4°C (40°F) 52 mm (2 in) 5°C (40°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Feb 5°C (40°F) 35 mm (1.4 in) 6°C (42°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Mar 7°C (44°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 8°C (47°F) 52 mm (2.1 in)
Apr 9°C (48°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 11°C (52°F) 50 mm (1.9 in)
May 13°C (55°F) 51 mm (2 in) 15°C (59°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 16°C (61°F) 51 mm (2 in) 18°C (64°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Jul 18°C (64°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 20°C (68°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Aug 18°C (64°F) 51 mm (2 in) 20°C (67°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Sep 15°C (59°F) 51 mm (2 in) 17°C (63°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Oct 12°C (53°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 13°C (56°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Nov 7°C (45°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 8°C (47°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Dec 5°C (42°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 5°C (42°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)


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