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

Should you visit Windsor or Le Mans?

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

Should I visit Windsor or Le Mans? 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. Since it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors, too. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and museums.

Le Mans

Le Mans is a historic, quaint, and small town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. And you can't forget about the nightlife and museums.

Windsor and Le Mans: 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
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers


Is there more to do in Windsor or Le Mans?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Windsor. Although Windsor and Le Mans are popular destinations, Windsor has more sights and attractions for tourists. Windsor is more touristy than Le Mans and is popular for being home to the largest and oldest operating castle in the world. It is also well known for The Windsor Castle. Le Mans is famous for being the location of the annual 24 Hours of Le Mans, which is one of the world's greatest sports-car races.

How is Windsor different from Le Mans?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Windsor
Le Mans

Windsor is great for its historical sights. Also, Le Mans is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

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.

Le Mans offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. It's most famous as the location of the 24 hour car race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and on some days it's possible to visit the race track which has a museum with simulators and other activities. Around town you'll find museums and activities affiliated with the racing culture, and there's also a cathedral as well as several nice museums relating to the automotive industry among other things.


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

Windsor
Le Mans

Windsor is very good for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Le Mans is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Le Mans. It's not known for its food scene, but there is one dish in particular that you should try. The local specialty is les rillettes de porc, which is a pork paté.

Is Windsor or Le Mans Better for Nightlife?

Windsor
Le Mans

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

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 Le Mans has a few options to choose from. You'll find bars and clubs in the city center around Saint-Nicolas Quarter, rue des Ponts-neufs, Place de la Sirène and around the Republic Square.

Is Windsor or Le Mans Better for its Old Town?

Windsor
Le Mans

Windsor is very good for its historic old town. However, Le Mans does not have a historic old town.

Windsor is a good destination for visiting its old town. The old town is opposite the castle and caters specifically to tourists with its restaurants, pubs, and a few shops.

Le Mans does not have a historic old town.


Is Windsor or Le Mans Better for Families?

Windsor
Le Mans

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Windsor or Le Mans.

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.

Le Mans offers lots of family activities. Make sure you visit on a day when Le Mans Karting International and the 24 Hours of Le Mans Museum is open to visitors. Families can ride on high speed go-carts and train like professionals with special game simulators. This is a popular destination for adults and kids alike. The town also has indoor play areas, waterparks, and beautiful parks to explore.

Is Windsor or Le Mans Better for Couples?

Windsor
Le Mans

Windsor is great for romance. Also, Le Mans is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its romantic activities.

Windsor is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. 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.

Le Mans makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a small town, but racing enthusiasts will enjoy a visit to the 24 Hours of Le Mans Museum.

Is Windsor or Le Mans Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Windsor
Le Mans

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Le Mans. While there aren't many hostels specifically designed for backpackers, it is possible to find affordable accommodation at most times.

Windsor is not a backpacker-friendly destination.


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

Windsor
Le Mans

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

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 Le Mans offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a tram service around town that provides access to many places including the race track via the T1 line (Antarès-Stade Marie Marvingt and exit at the East Entrance).

Is Windsor or Le Mans a more walkable city?

Windsor
Le Mans

Windsor is great for its walkability. Also, Le Mans is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its high level of walkability.

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

Le Mans is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the town are walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Le Mans or Windsor?

How long in Windsor or Le Mans?

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

Families should spend more time in Windsor than Le Mans. 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 Le Mans. 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.


  • How many days in Windsor or Le Mans? Ideal Length of Stay
    Windsor 1-2 
    Le Mans 1-3

One day in Windsor or Le Mans?

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 Le Mans, you'll find nightlife 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 Le Mans?

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 Le Mans, you'll find museums and nightlife. 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 Le Mans has to offer.

Five days in Windsor or Le Mans?

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.

Le Mans 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 Le Mans?

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 Le Mans. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Le Mans. 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 Adventure Tours to France, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in France.


Which place is cheaper, Le Mans 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 Le Mans is £71. 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 Le Mans in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Windsor £70
    Le Mans £32
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Windsor £140
    Le Mans £64
Compare Hotels in Windsor and Le Mans

Looking for a hotel in Windsor or Le Mans? 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 Le Mans


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 and Le Mans Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Windsor £66
    Le Mans £26

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 Le Mans?

Prices for flights to both Le Mans 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
    Le Mans £23
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
    Le Mans £13

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Windsor £7.55
    Le Mans £10


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

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


Which is Bigger, Windsor or Le Mans?

Le Mans has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Windsor. When comparing the sizes of Windsor and Le Mans, 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 Le Mans?

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 Le Mans in the Summer?

Both Le Mans and Windsor during the summer are popular places to visit. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Windsor this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Le Mans for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Windsor is generally around the same temperature as Le Mans. Daily temperatures in Windsor average around 18°C (64°F), and Le Mans fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In Le Mans, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Windsor often gets less sunshine than Le Mans. Windsor gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Le Mans receives 231 hours of full sun.

Windsor usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Le Mans. Windsor gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Windsor 18°C (64°F) 
    Le Mans 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Windsor or Le Mans in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Windsor and Le Mans. Many travelers come to Windsor for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Le Mans in the autumn for the small town atmosphere.

Windsor is around the same temperature as Le Mans in the autumn. The daily temperature in Windsor averages around 12°C (53°F) in October, and Le Mans fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Windsor usually receives less sunshine than Le Mans during autumn. Windsor gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Le Mans receives 117 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Windsor usually receives less rain than Le Mans. Windsor gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Windsor 12°C (53°F) 
    Le Mans 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Windsor or Le Mans in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Windsor as well as Le Mans. Many visitors come to Windsor in the winter for the museums and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Le Mans for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Le Mans can be very cold during winter. Windsor can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Windsor is around the same temperature as Le Mans. Typically, the winter temperatures in Windsor in January average around 4°C (40°F), and Le Mans averages at about 5°C (40°F).

In the winter, Windsor often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Le Mans. Windsor gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Le Mans receives 54 hours of full sun.

Windsor usually gets less rain in January than Le Mans. Windsor gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


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

Should I visit Windsor or Le Mans in the Spring?

Both Le Mans and Windsor are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Windsor for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Le Mans because of the small town charm.

In April, Windsor is generally cooler than Le Mans. Daily temperatures in Windsor average around 9°C (48°F), and Le Mans fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Windsor usually receives less sunshine than Le Mans during spring. Windsor gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Le Mans receives 168 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Windsor usually receives less rain than Le Mans. Windsor gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Windsor 9°C (48°F) 
    Le Mans 10°C (50°F)

Typical Weather for Le Mans and Windsor

Windsor Le Mans
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 4°C (40°F) 52 mm (2 in) 5°C (40°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Feb 5°C (40°F) 35 mm (1.4 in) 5°C (42°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Mar 7°C (44°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 8°C (46°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Apr 9°C (48°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 10°C (50°F) 50 mm (2 in)
May 13°C (55°F) 51 mm (2 in) 14°C (56°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Jun 16°C (61°F) 51 mm (2 in) 17°C (62°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Jul 18°C (64°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 19°C (66°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Aug 18°C (64°F) 51 mm (2 in) 19°C (65°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Sep 15°C (59°F) 51 mm (2 in) 16°C (61°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Oct 12°C (53°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 13°C (55°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Nov 7°C (45°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 8°C (46°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Dec 5°C (42°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 5°C (42°F) 75 mm (3 in)


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