A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Berlin vs. London for Attractions, Nightlife, Music, and Families

Should you visit Berlin or London?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Berlin or London, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Berlin

Berlin is a historic, cultural, and artsy city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

London

London is a iconic, global, and international city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the live music, food, and shopping.

Berlin and London: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Berlin or London?

Travelers will usually find more to do in London than Berlin, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. London is more touristy than Berlin and is known for its international reputation, its world-renowned theater productions, and its many different markets. It is also home to Big Ben. Berlin is popular for its art scene, cultural activities, and war torn history.

Big Ben

How is Berlin different from London?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Berlin or London?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Berlin and London.

The museums and tourist attractions in Berlin are world-renowned. Famous landmarks include the rebuilt Reichstag, the Berlin Wall Memorial, and Berliner Fernsehturm. Many of the city's oldest and most famous museums are found on Museum Island, where you'll find the Pergamon Museum, the James Simon Gallery, the Altes Museum, and the Neues Museum, among others.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put London on the map. The city has so many iconic sights that we can't list them all, but some of the most famous include the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and the British Museum. You can fill many days exploring the treasures found at each of the venues.

Is Berlin or London Better for Theater?

London is an unbeatable place for its theatre productions. However, Berlin is not a theatre destination.

Famous for its theaters and plays, you'll find world-renowned shows in London. The West End theater district is where you'll find the most popular musicals. Famous theaters include Apollo Theatre, Palace Theatre, and Piccadilly Theatre. There are often Wednesday matinees that are a bit cheaper than the evening shows. You may also be able to get discounted last minute tickets if you're visiting during the less touristy times.

Berlin is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Berlin or London? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Berlin and London can be an enjoyable experience.

Berlin has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There's a great international food scene, but also all of the traditional favorites like currywurst, spätzle, and schnitzel. You'll find many diverse food halls, street markets, and local restaurants, as well as a large selection of traditional German restaurants that cater to the tourists.

Dining out in London is an experience not to be missed. Although food here was once the butt of a number of jokes, the restaurant scene has come a long way, and you can find anything and everything around town. Head to Chinatown to try dim sum or hot pot. There are no shortage of Indian restaurants as well. If you want the best food for the lowest prices, your best bet is to get out of the touristy areas and discover where the locals eat. There are also many markets that are perfect for grabbing a unique lunch or snack. Burrough Market has a number of ethnic and seafood vendors as well as fresh produce and snack options.

Is Berlin or London Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find terrific options in both Berlin and London.

The nightlife in Berlin is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The nightlife scene here is legendary. There are club nights that last for days, bars and parties that appeal to every personality, and a diversity of venues that you can choose from. You'll find the classic techno warehouses, but there are also modern dance clubs, bunker parties, and raves.

London is a world class party destination. Some of the best neighborhoods for nightlife are Camden, West End, Soho, and Shoreditch. There are many festivals, concerts, and shows worth checking out and the nightlife scene is diverse enough that there really is something for everyone.

Is Berlin or London Better for Music?

Berlin and London are both destinations where visitors can find terrific live music.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Berlin. From the raves to the techno parties, there is a hugely diverse music scene in the city. It is so much more than the stereotypical punk and techno music that Berlin is known for. Rock, pop, and other genres are popular as well.

In London you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. Famous music venues include Dominion Theatre, the Roundhouse, and Dublin Castle.

Is the Shopping Better in Berlin or London?

If you're looking to go shopping, Berlin and London both offer plenty of terrific spots.

Known for shopping, Berlin draws large crowds to its stores. Bookshops, flea markets, luxury boutiques and artisan shops all make up the shopping scene in the city. Kurfürstendamm is one of the most famous shopping districts in the city.

London is a world class destination for shoppers. With so much iconic shopping around town, it's hard to decide where to go. Head to Oxford Street, Regent Street, or Piccadilly Circus for a quintessential British shopping experience.

Is Berlin or London Better for Christmas?

London is an unbeatable place for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Berlin does not offer Christmas activities.

People travel from all around to experience the Christmas season in London. There's Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, outdoor ice skating, and beautiful Christmas lights throughout the city. You can also listen to Christmas Carols in Trafalgar Square or see a classic Christmas show.

Berlin does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Berlin or London Better for Christmas Markets?

London is an unbeatable place for visiting Christmas markets. However, Berlin does not offer Christmas markets.

People travel from around the world to visit the Christmas markets in London. The city has many Christmas markets. There is Winter Wonderland Christmas market, Southbank Centre Winter Market, and Selfridges Christmas Market, among many others.

Berlin does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Berlin or London Better for Families?

London is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Berlin is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

London is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. Whether you do a Harry Potter Tour, take a ride on the London Eye, or enjoy afternoon tea, there are plenty of activities for kids around town. The Harry Potter Studio Tour is fun for everyone, but should be booked well in advance as it sells out. Theatre enthusiasts will enjoy catching a musical in West End and sampling dim sum or a hot pot in Chinatown. There are often Wednesday matinee showings that are perfect for kids with early bedtimes.

Berlin is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has a number of great kid-friendly museums such as the Museum of Natural History and the Computer Games Museum. There's also Legoland, an impressive aquarium, and lots of parks and playgrounds to explore.

Is Berlin or London Better for Couples?

London is an unbeatable place for its romantic activities. Also, Berlin is not as popular, but is still a nice city for couples.

London has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. With every type of entertainment that you can imagine, this city is the ultimate couple's getaway. There are world class musicals, evening concerts, and restaurants of every style, cuisine, and budget. It's easy for couples to fill days in this vibrant city.

Berlin is a good city for couples to visit. Romantic activities in the city include wandering through Schloss Charlottenburg gardens and learning to dance at Clärchen’s Ballhaus. For couples who enjoy a night out on the town, there are many great restaurants and nightclubs that you can check out.

Is Berlin or London Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Berlin and London are terrific places to visit.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Berlin is extremely popular for backpackers. The city has no shortage of hostels to choose from, many of which organize activities and tours that guests can enjoy.

London is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. Although the city is very expensive, it has tons of hostels, affordable restaurant options, and great public transit. There's a huge backpacker network here and it's easy to meet other travelers. The nightlife scene is also second to none.

Is Berlin or London Better for Students?

For students, both Berlin and London are terrific places to visit.

Berlin is a great destination for students. With it's rich culture and eclectic creative side, this city appeals to many international students. There's also a great social scene that is perfect for university students.

London is a very popular city for students. The city has a number of universities and is a popular study abroad destination. It's also a very diverse city, so international students will feel right at home.

Is Berlin or London Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Berlin and London both offer terrific public transit to get you around.

Visitors in Berlin can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. The transportation system is diverse and includes the S-Bahn, U-Bahn, buses, and trams.

London has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. From the iconic double decker buses to the Tube, there are plenty of options throughout the city.

Is Berlin or London a more walkable city?

London is an unbeatable place for its high level of walkability. Also, Berlin is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

London is a very easy city to get around on foot. With many walkable areas, it is considered to be one of the world's most walkable major cities.

Berlin is a somewhat walkable city. While parts of the city are very walkable, the neighborhoods are spread out and the city covers a large amount of space, so walking isn't always practical.

For even more information, also check out Is Berlin Worth Visiting? and Is London Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in London or Berlin?

How long in Berlin or London?

Both Berlin and London have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, London has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in London than Berlin. In general, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Berlin, and 3-7 days is enough time in London.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in London than Berlin 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 London.

One day in Berlin or London?

Berlin is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the big city destination of London. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Berlin or London?

Berlin is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

London is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Berlin or London?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Berlin. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in London. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Berlin or London?

Berlin is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and theater when visiting the iconic big city of London. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Germany, The Best Cultural Tours in Germany, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Kingdom, and The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Berlin or London?

London has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Berlin. When comparing the sizes of Berlin and London, 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 Berlin or London?

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 Berlin or London in the Summer?

Both London and Berlin are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Berlin this time of year. Also, many travelers come to London for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Berlin is generally around the same temperature as London. Daily temperatures in Berlin average around 19°C (66°F), and London fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Berlin. Berlin usually receives more sunshine than London during summer. Berlin gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while London receives 195 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Berlin usually receives more rain than London. Berlin gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while London receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Berlin or London in the Autumn?

Both London and Berlin during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Berlin for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, many visitors come to London in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Berlin is cooler than London in the autumn. The daily temperature in Berlin averages around 10°C (50°F) in October, and London fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In the autumn, Berlin often gets around the same amount of sunshine as London. Berlin gets 106 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while London receives 107 hours of full sun.

Berlin usually gets less rain in October than London. Berlin gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while London receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Berlin or London in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Berlin and London. Many visitors come to Berlin in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to London for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.

London can be very cold during winter. Berlin can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Berlin is much colder than London. Typically, the winter temperatures in Berlin in January average around -0°C (31°F), and London averages at about 4°C (40°F).

Berlin usually receives less sunshine than London during winter. Berlin gets 42 hours of sunny skies, while London receives 52 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Berlin usually receives less rain than London. Berlin gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while London receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Berlin or London in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Berlin as well as London. Most visitors come to Berlin for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to London because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Berlin is generally around the same temperature as London. Daily temperatures in Berlin average around 9°C (47°F), and London fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the spring, Berlin often gets more sunshine than London. Berlin gets 160 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while London receives 147 hours of full sun.

Berlin usually gets less rain in April than London. Berlin gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while London receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for London and Berlin