A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers York vs. Mont-Saint-Michel for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit York or Mont-Saint-Michel?

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

Should I visit York or Mont-Saint-Michel? 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.

York

York is a medieval, fanciful, and historic city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Mont-Saint-Michel

Mont-Saint-Michel is a historic, breathtaking, and inspiring island. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for food, hiking, and museums.

York and Mont-Saint-Michel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in York or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Travelers will usually find more to do in York. Although York and Mont-Saint-Michel are popular destinations, York has more sights and attractions for tourists. York is very popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Mont-Saint-Michel attracts visitors for its museums, hiking, and impressive beauty. Mont-Saint-Michel is more touristy than York and is known for its Gothic-style abbey and its medieval village that stands at its base. York is famous for its markets, old town, and its many ghost tours. It is also well known for The Shambles.

How is York different from Mont-Saint-Michel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Mont-Saint-Michel and York. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in York or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Mont-Saint-Michel is a world-class destination for its sights and museums. Also, York is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Mont-Saint-Michel that are not to be missed. Visitors come to see the iconic Abbaye du Mont Saint-Michel which has been the inspiration for tourists and religious pilgrims for centuries. Make sure you see the Ramparts and La Grande Rue.

Many visitors head to York specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Popular museums include the York Castle Museum, the National Railway Museum, Castle Howard, and JORVIK Viking Centre.

Is the Food Better in York or Mont-Saint-Michel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

York is a world-class destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Mont-Saint-Michel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

York has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. Meat pies, fudge, and fish and chips are just some of the culinary experiences you'll find here. The Shambles Market has vendors that sell a wide variety of cuisines. There are also food trucks throughout town that offer affordable and delicious meal options.

Mont-Saint-Michel is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are a number of local restaurants to choose from that serve authentic French cuisine including the pre-salted sheep, which is a local specialty.

Is York or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Nightlife?

York is a great destination for nightlife and partying. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is a island with minimal options for its evening party scene.

The people in York know how to have a good time. The young population and thriving tourist scene means there's no shortage of nightlife around town. Check out a pub or music venue to experience everything that city has to offer.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Mont-Saint-Michel Most people visit the island as a daytrip and nightlife is essentially nonexistent.

Is York or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for its Old Town?

York is a world-class destination for its old town. However, Mont-Saint-Michel does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of York is revered around the world. The charming old town is filled with shops and restaurants. There are street performers, fudge shops, and all of the Harry Potter merchandise that a person could need.

Mont-Saint-Michel does not have a historic old town.

Is York or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Hiking?

Mont-Saint-Michel is a popular place for the nearby hiking options. However, York is not a hiking destination.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a good destination for hiking. There's a 4.2 mile out and back trail that can be walked in about 1.5 hours.

York is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in York or Mont-Saint-Michel?

York is very good for its shopping opportunities. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

York offers some nice shopping areas. The old town has many great candy stores that sell fudge and other local specialties. There are also Harry Potter stores that sell potions, t-shirts, games, and more.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is York or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Families?

York is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is a island with minimal options for its kid-friendly activities.

York is one of the most popular family destinations. The city does an amazing job bringing history to life in a way that kids will enjoy. The JORVIK Viking Centre transports visitors back in time and introduces them to a fully immersive viking experience. The York Dungeon is great for older kids as long as they don't scare easily. Actors and special effects offer a terrifying and entertaining visit through a York dungeon. Harry Potter fans will enjoy exploring the potion shops and broomstick stores along the iconic Shambles, which is said to be an inspiration for J.K. Rowling's Diagon Alley.

For families, Mont-Saint-Michel is not always the best place to visit. Kids may enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride or exploring the grounds, but it can make for a long day for kids with short attention spans.

Is York or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Couples?

Mont-Saint-Michel is a world-class destination for romance. Also, York is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Mont-Saint-Michel makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. It's a stunning setting and makes a romantic backdrop for a couples holiday, whether it's part of a longer trip to France or a short weekend away.

York makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples can explore the history and entertainment venues that make York an enjoyable destination. There are museums, restaurants, and outdoor markets that make this a great weekend getaway.

Is York or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

York is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Mont-Saint-Michel is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

York is a great city to visit for backpackers. There are a few hostels around town as well as nightlife venues and entertainment spots that appeal to backpackers and younger travelers. For great and affordable food, grab a meal at one of the many food trucks around town.

It's common for backpackers to visit Mont-Saint-Michel. You'll find a couple of hostels an cheap hotels in the area.

Is York or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both York and Mont-Saint-Michel offer nice public transit options.

York has a few public transit options. There is a reliable and efficient bus system around town.

Mont-Saint-Michel has some public transit options. There's a free shuttle bus that connects Mont-Saint-Michel to the mainland.

Is York or Mont-Saint-Michel a more walkable city?

Mont-Saint-Michel is a well-known place for its walkability. Also, York is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

Mont-Saint-Michel is very walkable. There are many stunning walks in the area.

York is a somewhat walkable place. The old town has many pedestrian streets that are easily explored on food.

For even more information, also check out Is York Worth Visiting? and Is Mont-Saint-Michel Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mont-Saint-Michel or York?

How long in York or Mont-Saint-Michel?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in York or Mont-Saint-Michel to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in York than Mont-Saint-Michel because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for York, and 1-2 days is enough time in Mont-Saint-Michel.

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

Couples should spend more time in Mont-Saint-Michel than York. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Mont-Saint-Michel that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in York than Mont-Saint-Michel 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 York.

One day in York or Mont-Saint-Michel?

With shopping and museums around the destination of York, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Mont-Saint-Michel. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in York or Mont-Saint-Michel?

With museums and nightlife around the fanciful city of York, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Visiting the old town is also a must. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the museums. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in York or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic destination of York. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

You'll find museums and food around the inspiring destination of Mont-Saint-Michel. This island offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in York or Mont-Saint-Michel?

York is a popular choice for travelers. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One of the main draws to the area is the food. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

The breathtaking island of Mont-Saint-Michel offers food and museums. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from London, The Best 10-Day Tours from Edinburgh, The Best River Cruises in France, and The Best Bicycle Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, York or Mont-Saint-Michel?

York has a larger population, and is about 1800 times larger than the population of Mont-Saint-Michel. When comparing the sizes of York and Mont-Saint-Michel, 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 York or Mont-Saint-Michel?

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 York or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both York and Mont-Saint-Michel. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to York this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, York is cooler than Mont-Saint-Michel. Typically, the summer temperatures in York in July average around 16°C (62°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel averages at about 19°C (65°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mont-Saint-Michel this time of the year. York usually receives less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during summer. York gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 246 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, York usually receives more rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. York gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit York or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to York as well as Mont-Saint-Michel. Many travelers come to York for the shopping scene. Additionally, many visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, York is generally cooler than Mont-Saint-Michel. Daily temperatures in York average around 11°C (52°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the autumn, York often gets less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. York gets 112 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 134 hours of full sun.

York usually gets less rain in October than Mont-Saint-Michel. York gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit York or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Winter?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and York are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to York in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

York can get quite cold in the winter. York is cooler than Mont-Saint-Michel in the winter. The daily temperature in York averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

York usually receives less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during winter. York gets 61 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 70 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, York usually receives less rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. York gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit York or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Spring?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and York during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Mont-Saint-Michel because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, York is cooler than Mont-Saint-Michel. Typically, the spring temperatures in York in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel averages at about 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, York often gets less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. York gets 151 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 180 hours of full sun.

York usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Mont-Saint-Michel. York gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Mont-Saint-Michel and York