A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Birmingham vs. Basel for Attractions, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Birmingham or Basel?

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 Birmingham and Basel can help you decide which place is right for you.

Birmingham

Birmingham is a bustling, historic, and vibrant city. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. And you can't forget about the museums, theater, and nightlife.

Basel

Basel is a cultural, museum-filled, and easily accessible city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Birmingham and Basel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Birmingham or Basel?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Birmingham than Basel. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Birmingham is very popular for its theatre productions, nightlife, music, and quaint atmosphere, while Basel attracts visitors for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Birmingham is famous for its strong musical routes and its very livable atmosphere. It is also well known for Victoria Square. Basel is famous for its many museums and its nice old town.

How is Birmingham different from Basel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Birmingham or Basel?

Spend time exploring the excellent sights and museums in either Birmingham or Basel.

Many visitors head to Birmingham specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Famous sights include the Museum & Art Gallery, Thinktank, and St. Philip's Cathedral.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Basel can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is filled with history. Head to Minster Hill to see the beautiful historic church and Münsterplatz. There are also several unique museums around town including Jean Tinguely Museum, the Paper Mill Museum, the Historical Museum, and the Museum of Art.

Is Birmingham or Basel Better for Theater?

Birmingham is notable for its theatre productions. However, Basel is not a theatre destination.

Many visitors plan to see a show while visiting Birmingham. The impressive theater scene includes Broadway shows and musicals. Birmingham Hippodrome is a major theater in town.

Basel is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Birmingham or Basel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Birmingham and Basel can be difficult as they are each nice in their own way.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Birmingham. Food reviews are mixed around town. The city has its share of award-winning restaurants, but there are also popular dishes that are more of an acquired taste. Local flavors include pork scratching, Birmingham soup, and brummie bacon cakes.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Basel. Food around town can be expensive, but there are some outdoor markets where you can buy fruit and a bratwurst for a reasonable price. The city is known for its breads, soups, and pastries, which are all delicious.

Is Birmingham or Basel Better for Nightlife?

Birmingham is notable for nightlife and partying. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Birmingham has plenty to do after the sun goes down. With tons of students and young people looking to party, there is plenty to do in the evening. You'll find no shortage of pubs, clubs, and music venues around town.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Basel. The city's nightlife comes alive as the sun sets. There are bars, pubs, and dance clubs that stay active until the early morning hours.

Is Birmingham or Basel Better for Music?

Birmingham is a world-class destination for its live music scene. However, Basel is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Birmingham The city has long been a haven for musical creativity, and its influence over the global music scene is apparent. Popular music venues around town include Ghetto Golf, Digbeth Dining Club, and the Sunflower Lounge.

Basel is not a live music destination.

Is Birmingham or Basel Better for its Old Town?

Basel is great for its historic old town. However, Birmingham does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Basel. The charming old town is fun to explore on foot with its quaint streets and meandering alleys. The beautiful architecture and ornate fountains give the area a unique personality. On the hottest days you may even see locals swimming in some of the fountains.

Birmingham does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Birmingham or Basel?

If you're looking to go shopping, Birmingham and Basel both offer plenty of excellent spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Birmingham. The city offers everything from large department stores to smaller local shops. There are several good shopping streets around town as well as large markets and even a jewelry quarter.

Basel is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The old town is filled with shops that you can wander through as you explore. Popular shopping streets include Freie Strasse and the area around Marktplatz, where you'll find boutique shops and interesting trinkets. You can also head to the city's oldest department store - Manor.

Is Birmingham or Basel Better for Families?

You'll find excellent kid-friendly activities in either Birmingham or Basel.

Birmingham is a very family-friendly destination. The city has put effort into making sure there are plenty of family-friendly activities around. You can visit a chocolate factory, explore an aquarium, enjoy an animal safari, or explore one of the hands-on museums.

Basel is a very kid-friendly city. The city has an impressive zoo, a really unique toy museum, as well as Aquabasilea with its pools and slides. It's also compact enough that little legs can explore and enjoy everything that it has to offer. If the weather's warm, head for the river to cool off.

Is Birmingham or Basel Better for Couples?

Birmingham is notable for its romantic activities. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Birmingham is a very popular place to visit for couples. Romantic activities around town include taking a beautiful stroll through town, wandering around a park or garden, or seeing the ballet.

Basel is a good city for couples to visit. Nice restaurants, interesting museums, and several great spas make this a nice place for a romantic trip.

Is Birmingham or Basel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Basel is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Birmingham is not a good destination for backpackers.

Basel is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a few hostels and a really useful City Pass that make this city an option for backpackers and budget travelers. It's also a major transit center so accessibility is convenient. If you're traveling around Europe by train, you'll likely pass through Basel at some point.

Birmingham is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not the most popular destination for backpackers, but there's at least one affordable hostel in town.

Is Birmingham or Basel Better for Students?

Birmingham is a world-class destination for students. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Birmingham is a great destination for students. With world class academic institutions and a very diverse and international population, this is a popular place for international students to study.

Students come from all over to stay in Basel. The University of Basel brings in international students from around the world. The city makes a nice base for exploring Europe, but it's also a bit expensive which can be challenging on a student income.

Is Birmingham or Basel Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Basel is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Birmingham is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Visitors to Basel can move around easily with public transportation. Trams and buses make it easy to get around town.

Birmingham has a few public transit options. There is a reasonably comprehensive bus system.

Is Birmingham or Basel a more walkable city?

Basel is an amazing city to visit for its walkability. Also, Birmingham is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

Basel is a very easy city to get around on foot. The old town and most of the major attractions are easily accessible on foot.

Birmingham is a very walkable city. Many parts of the city are very walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Birmingham Worth Visiting? and Is Basel Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Basel or Birmingham?

How long in Birmingham or Basel?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Birmingham and Basel. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Birmingham than in Basel. Usually, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Birmingham, and 1-3 days is enough time in Basel.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Basel than Birmingham 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 Basel.

One day in Birmingham or Basel?

In Birmingham, many people enjoy the nightlife and live music that this fun-filled destination offers. Lots of people come for the live music. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

With museums and nightlife around the museum-filled city of Basel, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Basel, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Birmingham or Basel?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Birmingham. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Basel, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Birmingham or Basel?

Birmingham is a fun place to experience. In Birmingham, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this destination offers. Lots of people come for the live music. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Basel, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Birmingham or Basel?

You'll find shopping and museums around the fun-filled destination of Birmingham. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the live music. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Basel is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in United Kingdom, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United Kingdom, The Best 2-Week Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Switzerland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Birmingham or Basel?

Birmingham has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Basel. When comparing the sizes of Birmingham and Basel, 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 Birmingham or Basel?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Birmingham or Basel in the Summer?

Both Basel and Birmingham during the summer are popular places to visit. The music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Birmingham this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Basel for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Birmingham is cooler than Basel. Typically, the summer temperatures in Birmingham in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Basel averages at about 21°C (70°F).

In Basel, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Birmingham often gets less sunshine than Basel. Birmingham gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basel receives 241 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets less rain in July than Basel. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Basel receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Birmingham or Basel in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Birmingham and Basel. Many travelers come to Birmingham for the shopping scene and the music scene. Also, many visitors come to Basel in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Birmingham is generally cooler than Basel. Daily temperatures in Birmingham average around 11°C (52°F), and Basel fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Birmingham usually receives less sunshine than Basel during autumn. Birmingham gets 103 hours of sunny skies, while Basel receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Birmingham usually receives less rain than Basel. Birmingham gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Basel receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Birmingham or Basel in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Birmingham as well as Basel. Many visitors come to Birmingham in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Basel for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Basel can be very cold during winter. Birmingham can get quite cold in the winter. Birmingham is a little warmer than Basel in the winter. The daily temperature in Birmingham averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Basel fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Birmingham often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Basel. Birmingham gets 58 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basel receives 55 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets less rain in January than Basel. Birmingham gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Basel receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Birmingham or Basel in the Spring?

Both Basel and Birmingham are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Basel because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Birmingham is cooler than Basel. Typically, the spring temperatures in Birmingham in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Basel averages at about 12°C (53°F).

Birmingham usually receives less sunshine than Basel during spring. Birmingham gets 136 hours of sunny skies, while Basel receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Birmingham usually receives less rain than Basel. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Basel receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Basel and Birmingham