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

Should you visit Bangkok or Manchester?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Bangkok and Manchester can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Bangkok

Bangkok is a high energy, cultural, and alluring capital city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Manchester

Manchester is a cultural, vibrant, and dynamic city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.

Bangkok and Manchester: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bangkok or Manchester?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Bangkok than Manchester, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Bangkok is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Manchester is known for its music. Bangkok is more touristy than Manchester and is popular for its colorful temples, lively markets, wild nightlife, and sprawling shopping malls. It is also home to The Grand Palace and Wat Prakeaw. Manchester is popular for its strong music culture as well as being home to the world-renowned Manchester United Football Club.

How is Bangkok different from Manchester?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Bangkok is very popular for its historical sights. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Travelers visit Bangkok from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. The city is filled with golden temples and beautiful statues of Buddha. Famous landmarks include the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, and the Temple of the Golden Buddha.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Manchester can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

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

Bangkok 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.

Bangkok has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The city has many colorful markets, street food vendors, and a range of restaurants from casual to high end. The aroma and beautiful flavors of local dishes are a big part of the experience in this city. Dishes that you must try include Pad Thai, Tom Yum Goong (shrimp soup), and Gaeng Daeng (red curry). Many foods are very spicy so make sure you order with "no spice" if that is your preference.

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 Bangkok or Manchester Better for Nightlife?

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

Bangkok is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. Cheap drinks, late nights, and crazy parties make this city a favorite for backpackers and young party-goers. Head to Khao San Road for the biggest crowds and crazy parties. Nana Plaza is another option with a three story building that is filled with bars and clubs.

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 Bangkok or Manchester Better for Music?

Manchester is a great destination for live music. However, Bangkok is not a live music destination.

Manchester has become a hotbed of musicians and artists. There's a long running music reputation here. Some of the iconic bands that began here include Oasis and Stone Roses.

Bangkok is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bangkok or Manchester?

Bangkok is very popular for shopping. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Bangkok. Shopping options range from modern malls to more traditional markets. The malls offer bargain prices for technology and gadgets while the markets offer fabric, food, local goods, and a unique experience. The city also has nearby floating markets as well as night markets, which let you experience a different side to the culture.

Manchester is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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 Bangkok or Manchester Better for Families?

Both Bangkok and Manchester are superb to visit with kids.

Bangkok is a very family-friendly place to visit. This city is full of energy and kids will love the vibrant atmosphere. There are colorful temples, spirited markets, and kid-friendly museums. It's good to choose a hotel with a pool, as temperatures can get hot during the day. Kids will also enjoy having new experiences like riding in a tuk tuk or taking a boat ride. There are also a number of amusement parks and entertainment centers around town.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Manchester is very family-friendly. 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 Bangkok or Manchester Better for Couples?

Bangkok 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, Bangkok has plenty to offer. This is a great city for couples who enjoy culture, food, partying, and soaking up life. Wandering the grounds of the stunning temples, sampling food at the markets, or taking a boat cruise will all make memorable experiences.

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 Bangkok or Manchester Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bangkok 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 Bangkok. This part of the world is a mecca for backpackers, and many arrive or depart from this city. It's filled with hostels and budget accommodation, as well as entertainment, bars, tours (and even scams so stay alert). The most famous backpacker area is around Khao San Road, where you'll find parties, bars, street food, and large crowds. If you're looking for a slightly more mellow vibe, you should consider a different area like Phaya Thai.

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 Bangkok or Manchester Better for Students?

Manchester is a great destination for students. However, Bangkok is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Manchester. 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.

Bangkok is not popular with students.

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

Manchester is a great destination for its public transit. Also, Bangkok is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Manchester is fairly effecient and thorough. The city has bus, train, and tram options for travel.

While Bangkok offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The Skytrain and Metro are the most efficient way to get around. The city's crazy traffic can make buses and taxis a bit frustrating, but tuk tuks are also a fun option.

Is Bangkok or Manchester a more walkable city?

Manchester is a city with good options for its walkability. However, Bangkok is a capital city with minimal options for its high level of walkability.

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

Bangkok is generally not a very walkable capital city. The crowds and size make walking a bit challenging, so it's best to plan your day in advance.

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

Should I spend more time in Manchester or Bangkok?

How long in Bangkok or Manchester?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bangkok 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 Bangkok.

One day in Bangkok or Manchester?

When visiting Bangkok, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Manchester, you'll find shopping and museums. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Bangkok or Manchester?

When visiting Bangkok, people usually allow for lots of time. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this capital city.

In Manchester, 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 Manchester has to offer.

Five days in Bangkok or Manchester?

Bangkok, a popular capital city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this capital city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Manchester 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 Bangkok or Manchester?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Manchester. Many people enjoy the live music and food when visiting Manchester. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Thailand, The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand, 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 Bangkok and Manchester, we can see that Manchester is more expensive. And not only is Bangkok much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bangkok 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 Bangkok would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bangkok 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 Bangkok.

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

Which is Bigger, Bangkok or Manchester?

Bangkok has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Manchester. When comparing the sizes of Bangkok 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 Bangkok or Manchester?

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

Should I visit Bangkok or Manchester in the Summer?

Both Manchester and Bangkok during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Bangkok because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, most visitors come to Manchester for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Bangkok is much warmer than Manchester in the summer. The daily temperature in Bangkok averages around 29°C (84°F) in July, and Manchester fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).

In the summer, Bangkok often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Manchester. Bangkok gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Manchester receives 176 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bangkok. Bangkok usually gets more rain in July than Manchester. Bangkok gets 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bangkok or Manchester in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bangkok and Manchester. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bangkok year-round. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Manchester because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In the autumn, Bangkok is much warmer than Manchester. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bangkok in October average around 28°C (83°F), and Manchester averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In Bangkok, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bangkok usually receives more sunshine than Manchester during autumn. Bangkok gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Manchester receives 97 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Bangkok gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Bangkok usually receives more rain than Manchester. Bangkok gets 242 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn. November to February in Bangkok is the dry season. Also, May to October is the rainy season in Bangkok.

Should I visit Bangkok or Manchester in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Bangkok as well as Manchester. Bangkok attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Manchester this time of year.

It's quite cold in Manchester in the winter. In January, Bangkok is generally much warmer than Manchester. Daily temperatures in Bangkok average around 27°C (80°F), and Manchester fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bangkok this time of the year. In the winter, Bangkok often gets more sunshine than Manchester. Bangkok gets 276 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Manchester receives 53 hours of full sun.

Bangkok usually gets less rain in January than Manchester. Bangkok gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to February in Bangkok is the dry season.

Should I visit Bangkok or Manchester in the Spring?

Both Manchester and Bangkok are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bangkok throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Manchester for the activities around the city.

Bangkok is much warmer than Manchester in the spring. The daily temperature in Bangkok averages around 31°C (87°F) in April, and Manchester fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bangkok. Bangkok usually receives more sunshine than Manchester during spring. Bangkok gets 262 hours of sunny skies, while Manchester receives 144 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bangkok usually receives more rain than Manchester. Bangkok gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring. The rainy season in Bangkok is May to October.

Typical Weather for Manchester and Bangkok