A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bath vs. Dublin for Attractions, Nightlife, Couples, and Old Town

Should you visit Bath or Dublin?

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 Bath and Dublin can help you decide which place is right for you.

Bath

Bath is a architectural, charming, and historical spa town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Dublin

Dublin is a welcoming, fun, and laid-back city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Bath and Dublin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bath or Dublin?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Dublin than Bath. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Dublin is very popular for its nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Bath attracts visitors for its museums, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Bath is famous for its world-renowned Roman built baths as well as its historical architecture and many museums. Dublin is famous for its friendly and social nightlife, its local pubs, and its role as the birthplace of Guinness. It is also well known for The Guinness Storehouse.

How is Bath different from Dublin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bath or Dublin?

Bath is terrific for its museums and landmarks. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Bath are among the most recognizable in the world. The main draw to Bath is the rich history and most sights are focused on the area's spa city past. The Roman Baths are a highlight of a trip to the city, but other not to be missed places include Bath Abbey, the Royal Crescent, and Pulteney Bridge.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Dublin. There are a number of museums around town including the National Museum of Ireland, the Little Museum of Dublin, and the National Gallery of Ireland.

Is the Food Better in Bath or Dublin? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Bath and Dublin can be an enjoyable experience.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Bath. Sample afternoon tea or try some local fish and chips. There are a diversity of restaurants to choose from so it's easy to find local favorites, vegetarian options, or international cuisine.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Dublin. Seafood has become popular around town, but you can also try traditional favorites like stew, pancakes, or coddle.

Is Bath or Dublin Better for Nightlife?

Dublin is an unbeatable place for nightlife. Also, Bath is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Dublin is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. Temple Bar is where you'll find the greatest concentration of pubs and nightlife. The city is among the friendliest and most welcoming, and this is seen even in the vibe around town at night.

Bath has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Head to George Street, which is the liveliest part of the city at night. You'll find a mix of high end restaurants, pubs, and cocktail bars that keep the energy high. One of the most popular nightlife venues in Bath is Bath Komedia, which is a popular music and comedy club.

Is Bath or Dublin Better for Music?

Dublin is an excellent place to visit for live music. However, Bath is not a live music destination.

Whether you like big venues or smaller artists, Dublin has diverse options. The best places to hear live music around town are the back street pubs that feature local groups.

Bath is not a live music destination.

Is Bath or Dublin Better for its Old Town?

Bath and Dublin are both popular destinations with charming historical areas.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Bath. The Roman old town has charming streets and a vibrant environment. On pleasant weekends you'll find tourists and locals alike filling the restaurants and town squares, giving the city an energy and lively atmosphere.

Many visitors go to Dublin to see the historical old town. On the south side of the River Liffey are three different historic parts to the city. The Medieval Quarter is the oldest. To the east is Temple Bar, and further east is the Georgian Quarter.

Is the Shopping Better in Bath or Dublin?

Shoppers can find a variety of excellent stores in both Bath and Dublin.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Bath. Head to Stall Street and Union Street for the most popular shopping streets in town. Many visitors pick up jewelry, glass, and fudge or other sweets while exploring the area.

Dublin is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Head to Grafton Street to see a number of brand name and local shops. It's a pedestrian street that is fun to wander around.

Is Bath or Dublin Better for Families?

Dublin is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Bath is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Dublin is a very family-friendly destination. Explore the waterways with the viking splash, learn about the vikings at the museum Dublina, or visit any of the other kid-friendly museums around town, or see a show at The Gaiety.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Bath. The city is all about history and architecture, so at times it can be challenging for the kids to stay entertained. For a change of pace, take a boat on the canal or explore one of the beautiful gardens.

Is Bath or Dublin Better for Couples?

Bath is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Bath has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. With its beautiful architecture and fascinating history, this city is perfect for couples. Take a canal cruise or wander through the scenic areas to enjoy a romantic trip.

Dublin is a great spa town if you're traveling as a couple. It's laid-back vibe and countless pubs make it a fun weekend getaway for couples.

Is Bath or Dublin Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dublin is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Bath is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Dublin is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are a number of popular backpacker hostels around town. The pub scene is also popular with the young crowd.

It's common for backpackers to visit Bath. You'll find a surprising number of hostels around town so it's not hard to meet other backpackers while you're in the area.

Is Bath or Dublin Better for Students?

Bath is a great destination for students. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Bath is a great spa town to visit as a student. The University of Bath offers a number of different programs so this is a popular city for local and international students.

It's common for students to visit Dublin. While student accommodation can be a bit expensive in town, the nightlife and social aspect of living in the city center makes it well worth it.

Is Bath or Dublin Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Bath and Dublin.

Bath has some public transit options. You likely won't need public transit because it's easy to walk most places, but there are buses around town.

You'll find some public transit in Dublin, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Bath or Dublin a more walkable city?

Bath and Dublin are terrific when it comes to walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Bath. It is a very walkable city with most sights and activities packed into a very compact area. There are also many pedestrian areas that are easy to explore on foot.

Getting around Dublin on foot is easy. Because it is so compact and flat, it is easy to explore the city center on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Bath Worth Visiting? and Is Dublin Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dublin or Bath?

How long in Bath or Dublin?

In either Bath or Dublin, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Dublin than Bath because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bath, and 2-5 days is enough time in Dublin.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Dublin than Bath 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 Dublin.

One day in Bath or Dublin?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Bath. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Dublin. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Bath or Dublin?

Bath is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Dublin is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the nightlife. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Bath or Dublin?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bath. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the welcoming destination of Dublin. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Bath or Dublin?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the charming destination of Bath. This spa town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

The welcoming city of Dublin offers shopping and museums. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Kingdom, The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Walking Tours in Ireland, and The Best Luxury Tours to Ireland.

When comparing the travel costs between Bath and Dublin, we can see that Bath is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Bath or Dublin?

Dublin has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Bath. When comparing the sizes of Bath and Dublin, 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.