A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bali vs. Manchester for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Bali or Manchester?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Bali and Manchester can help you decide which place is right for you.

Bali

Bali is a tropical, lush, and frequented island. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Manchester

Manchester is a dynamic, diverse, and cultural city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Bali and Manchester: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bali or Manchester?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Manchester. Although Bali and Manchester are popular destinations, Manchester has more sights and attractions for tourists. Manchester is very popular for its museums, music, and big city activities, while Bali attracts visitors for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Bali is more touristy than Manchester and is popular for its many temples, beautiful beaches, world class scuba diving, and cultural retreats. Manchester is famous for its strong music culture as well as being home to the world-renowned Manchester United Football Club. It is also well known for The National Football Museum.

How is Bali different from Manchester?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Manchester and Bali. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bali or Manchester?

Manchester is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Manchester specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Head to the Science and Industry Museum, the Imperial War Museum North, Manchester Cathedral, or John Rylands Library & Manchester Central Library to see some of the cities most interesting sights.

Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Bali or Manchester? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bali is very popular for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Bali has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The food is rich and diverse with a lot of spices and complex flavors. Turmeric is a common spice and many dishes use coconut milk. Popular local dishes include Nasi Ayam (a chicken dish), Satay (grilled chicken), and Babi Guling (a pork dish).

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Manchester. You'll find a great food scene with diverse restaurant options that include international flavors, vegetarian options, and more. There are also many great places to try craft beer.

Is Bali or Manchester Better for Nightlife?

Bali is very popular for nightlife. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

Bali is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. The island is known for its crazy raves and all night pool parties. There are multi-story dance clubs as well as upscale bars and beach clubs that host parties late into the night. The best nightlife areas are around Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu.

Manchester has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The nightlife scene is diverse and high energy. Head to Deansgate or the Northern Quarter for some of the best nightlife venues. You'll also find a huge rave scene in town.

Is Bali or Manchester Better for Music?

Manchester is a well-known place for its live music scene. However, Bali is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Manchester is very popular with diverse venues. There's a long running music reputation here. Some of the iconic bands that began here include Oasis and Stone Roses.

Bali is not a live music destination.

Is Bali or Manchester Better for Resorts?

Bali is very popular for its luxury resorts. However, Manchester is not a resort destination.

If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Bali is a perfect choice. The island has resorts as well as private villas that cater to everyone from celebrities to families or even budget travelers. Private villas offer a more secluded vacation while resorts usually have more amenities and the opportunity to socialize with other guests. There are also many family-friendly resorts around the island.

Manchester is not a resort destination.

Is Bali or Manchester Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Bali is very popular for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Manchester is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

The scuba diving and snorkeling in Bali is not to be missed. The waters are crystal clear and the marine life is abundant making scuba diving and snorkeling popular around the island. There are many snorkeling day trips that you can arrange and there are also dive shops that will take you out on the water.

Manchester is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Bali or Manchester Better for Beaches?

Bali is very popular for its beaches. However, Manchester is not a beach destination.

With world-famous beaches, Bali is a very popular vacation destination. The island is large enough that it has a diversity of beach styles. There are popular beaches with water sports as well as secluded bays where you can enjoy a more peaceful setting. Some beaches are dramatic with limestone cliffs while others are lined with palm trees.

Manchester is not a beach destination.

Is Bali or Manchester Better for Hiking?

Bali is great for hiking. However, Manchester is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Bali for the hiking trails. Walking on the island is beautiful and with its varied landscapes you can explore scenic rice paddies or pristine rainforests. You'll find the most challenging hikes in West Bali National Park, where a guide is recommended, but there are many other shorter hikes on the island that can be explored independently.

Manchester is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bali or Manchester?

Both Bali and Manchester are very good shopping destinations.

Bali is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. A big appeal of shopping on the island is the affordability. There are many local items that are fun to bring home including jewelry, handicrafts, furniture, and clothing.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Manchester. From jewelry to boutique clothing outlets, there are many places to shop around town. Head to Manchester Arndale, Trafford Centre, or Market Street for some of the best shopping.

Is Bali or Manchester Better for Families?

You'll find very good kid-friendly activities in either Bali or Manchester.

Bali is a very kid-friendly island. The island has countless activities that kids can enjoy. There are watersports, snorkeling, surfing lessons and beautiful beaches. You can also expose your kids to the spiritual side of the island with kid-friendly yoga classes. Animals lovers will enjoy getting to see the monkeys up close and for a unique culinary experience, you can take a family cooking class.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Manchester. You'll find a number of kid-friendly activities around town including the popular Legoland Discovery Center. Another fun activity is taking a behind the scenes CBBC interactive tour at MediaCityUK. Animal lovers will enjoy visiting the SeaLife Aquarium or the Chester Zoo and sports enthusiasts will not want to miss a visit to the National Football Museum or doing a tour of Old Trafford where you can also visit the Manchester United Museum.

Is Bali or Manchester Better for Couples?

Bali is very popular for romance. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

For those traveling as a couple, Bali has plenty to offer. This beautiful island offers stunning beaches, adventure sports, and world class snorkeling. There are beautiful resorts with spas as well as couples yoga classes impressive natural areas.

Manchester is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples can enjoy a visit to a spa, a nice meal out, or simply wandering down the canal. For a unique experience, you can hit to slopes at Chill Factore.

Is Bali or Manchester Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bali is very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Bali. Backpackers flock to this beautiful island for its stunning setting and affordable accommodation. There are many nice places where backpackers can hang out and get to know other travelers. If you want to get off the beaten path, it's best to head into the countryside and away from the main tourist hubs.

It's common for backpackers to visit Manchester. You'll find hostels around town and a number of visitors, particularly during the sports season.

Is Bali or Manchester Better for Students?

Manchester is a well-known place for students. However, Bali is not popular with students.

Manchester is very popular with students. There's a large number of students as well as a great music scene and tons of festivals that make this a great city to do your studies.

Bali is not popular with students.

Is Bali or Manchester Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Manchester is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Bali is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Manchester can get you to some places easily. The city has bus, train, and tram options for travel.

Bali has some public transit options. There are minibuses and tourist shuttle buses around the island. You can also hire a taxi or rent a car, scooter, or bicycle.

Is Bali or Manchester a more walkable city?

Manchester is very good for its high level of walkability. However, Bali is not a good island for its ease of walking around.

Manchester is a somewhat walkable place. Some neighborhoods are more walkable than others.

Bali is generally not a very walkable island. There are some walkable towns and cities on the island, but many areas can be challenging to navigate on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Bali Worth Visiting? and Is Manchester Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Manchester or Bali?

How long in Bali or Manchester?

It's fun to spend time in either Bali or Manchester. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Bali due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Bali, and 2-4 days is enough time in Manchester.

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

Couples should spend more time in Bali than Manchester. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Bali that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bali than Manchester 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 Bali.

One day in Bali or Manchester?

With shopping and nightlife around the cultural island of Bali, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Manchester is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Bali or Manchester?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Bali, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Manchester is a fun place to experience. 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 Bali or Manchester?

Bali, a popular island, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this island. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find food and shopping around the dynamic big city of Manchester. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bali or Manchester?

Bali is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this island makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The dynamic city of Manchester offers shopping 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 Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia, The Best 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bali and Manchester, we can see that Manchester is more expensive. And not only is Bali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bali is in Asia and Manchester is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Bali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bali 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 Manchester would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Manchester than you might in Bali.

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

Which is Bigger, Bali or Manchester?

Bali has a larger population, and is about 3% larger than the population of Manchester. When comparing the sizes of Bali and Manchester, 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 Bali or Manchester?

Manchester has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Bali experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Bali or Manchester in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bali as well as Manchester. Bali attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Manchester this time of year.

In July, Bali is generally much warmer than Manchester. Daily temperatures in Bali average around 27°C (81°F), and Manchester fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bali this time of the year. In the summer, Bali often gets more sunshine than Manchester. Bali gets 253 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Manchester receives 176 hours of full sun.

Bali usually gets less rain in July than Manchester. Bali gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, April to September in Bali is the dry season.

Should I visit Bali or Manchester in the Autumn?

Both Manchester and Bali are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bali throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Manchester for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

Bali is much warmer than Manchester in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bali averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Manchester fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bali. Bali usually receives more sunshine than Manchester during autumn. Bali gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while Manchester receives 97 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Bali usually receives less rain than Manchester. Bali gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The rainy season in Bali is October to March.

Should I visit Bali or Manchester in the Winter?

Both Manchester and Bali during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Bali because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many visitors come to Manchester in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Manchester can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Bali is much warmer than Manchester. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bali in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Manchester averages at about 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Bali often gets more sunshine than Manchester. Bali gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Manchester receives 53 hours of full sun.

Bali usually gets more rain in January than Manchester. Bali gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March is the rainy season in Bali.

Should I visit Bali or Manchester in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bali and Manchester. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bali year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Manchester for the activities around the city during these months.

In April, Bali is generally much warmer than Manchester. Daily temperatures in Bali average around 27°C (81°F), and Manchester fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

In Bali, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bali usually receives more sunshine than Manchester during spring. Bali gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Manchester receives 144 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bali usually receives more rain than Manchester. Bali gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring. April to September in Bali is the dry season.

Typical Weather for Manchester and Bali