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

Should you visit Windsor or Saint-Etienne?

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

Should I visit Windsor or Saint-Etienne? 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.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a historic, park-filled, and industrial city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and nightlife.

Windsor and Saint-Etienne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Windsor or Saint-Etienne?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Windsor than Saint-Etienne, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Windsor is better known for its museums, food, historical sights, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Saint-Etienne is more popular for its hiking and shopping. Windsor is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is popular for being home to the largest and oldest operating castle in the world. Also, Windsor is famous for The Windsor Castle. Saint-Etienne is well known for its industrial and manufacturing past.

How is Windsor different from Saint-Etienne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne?

Windsor is great for its historical sights. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Windsor. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Saint-Etienne. There are several great museums in town including the Musée d'Art et d'Industrie, Musée de la Mine, Musée des Verts, and the planetarium.

Is the Food Better in Windsor or Saint-Etienne? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Windsor is a good destination for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Windsor has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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.

Saint-Etienne may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Try the many local cheeses which are a defining part of the cuisine in the area. You'll find some local restaurants around town where you can sample local flavors.

Is Windsor or Saint-Etienne Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Saint-Etienne has a few options to choose from. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

Is Windsor or Saint-Etienne Better for its Old Town?

Windsor is a good destination for its old town. However, Saint-Etienne 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.

Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

Is Windsor or Saint-Etienne Better for Hiking?

Saint-Etienne is a popular place for its hiking experiences. However, Windsor is not a hiking destination.

Saint-Etienne is a good destination for hiking. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Windsor is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Windsor or Saint-Etienne?

Saint-Etienne is a city with a few options for its shopping opportunities. However, Windsor is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

If you're looking to go shopping, Saint-Etienne has some nice offerings. Shopping malls and several boutique shopping areas make up the city's shopping scene.

Windsor is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Windsor or Saint-Etienne Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Windsor or Saint-Etienne.

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.

Saint-Etienne offers lots of family activities. There are several kid-friendly museums as well as plenty of natural settings just outside of town. Your kids can run around and stretch their legs nearby at Crest of the Partridge or on a rainy day, the planetarium is a fun place to visit.

Is Windsor or Saint-Etienne Better for Couples?

Windsor is great for its romantic activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for couples.

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.

Saint-Etienne is not always the best place to visit for a couple. There are museums, parks, gardens, and beautiful architecture that make this a wonderful place for couples.

Is Windsor or Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne.

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 Saint-Etienne offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are tram and bus options available in town.

Is Windsor or Saint-Etienne a more walkable city?

Windsor is great for its high level of walkability. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Saint-Etienne is a somewhat walkable town. There are several walkable areas in the city.

For even more information, also check out Is Windsor Worth Visiting? and Is Saint-Etienne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Saint-Etienne or Windsor?

How long in Windsor or Saint-Etienne?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Windsor or Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Windsor than Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne.

One day in Windsor or Saint-Etienne?

Even though Windsor is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

In Saint-Etienne, you'll find nightlife and museums. 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 Saint-Etienne?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Windsor. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

In Saint-Etienne, 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 Saint-Etienne has to offer.

Five days in Windsor or Saint-Etienne?

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. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne?

Windsor is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint-Etienne. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Saint-Etienne. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Windsor or Saint-Etienne?

Saint-Etienne has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Windsor. When comparing the sizes of Windsor and Saint-Etienne, 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 Saint-Etienne?

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 Saint-Etienne in the Summer?

Both Saint-Etienne and Windsor during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Windsor for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Saint-Etienne because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Windsor is cooler than Saint-Etienne in the summer. The daily temperature in Windsor averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

In Saint-Etienne, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Windsor often gets less sunshine than Saint-Etienne. Windsor gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 285 hours of full sun.

Windsor usually gets less rain in July than Saint-Etienne. Windsor gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Windsor or Saint-Etienne in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Windsor and Saint-Etienne. The autumn months attract visitors to Windsor because of the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Saint-Etienne this time of year.

In the autumn, Windsor is cooler than Saint-Etienne. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Windsor in October average around 12°C (53°F), and Saint-Etienne averages at about 14°C (56°F).

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

In October, Windsor usually receives less rain than Saint-Etienne. Windsor gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Windsor or Saint-Etienne in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Windsor as well as Saint-Etienne. The museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Windsor this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint-Etienne. It's quite cold in Windsor in the winter. In January, Windsor is generally a little warmer than Saint-Etienne. Daily temperatures in Windsor average around 4°C (40°F), and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

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

Windsor usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Saint-Etienne. Windsor gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Windsor or Saint-Etienne in the Spring?

Both Saint-Etienne and Windsor are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Windsor for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the spring for the natural beauty.

Windsor is cooler than Saint-Etienne in the spring. The daily temperature in Windsor averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

Windsor usually receives less sunshine than Saint-Etienne during spring. Windsor gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Windsor usually receives less rain than Saint-Etienne. Windsor gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Saint-Etienne and Windsor