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

Should you visit Birmingham or Bordeaux?

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 Bordeaux can help you decide which place is right for you.

Birmingham

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

Bordeaux

Bordeaux is a historical, elegant, and charming city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Birmingham and Bordeaux: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Birmingham or Bordeaux?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Bordeaux than Birmingham. While Birmingham is larger than Bordeaux, Bordeaux has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bordeaux is very popular for its food, historical sights, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Birmingham attracts visitors for its museums, theatre productions, nightlife, music, and quaint atmosphere. Bordeaux is more touristy than Birmingham and is popular for its world-renowned wine and the many nearby vineyards. It is also well known for Cathédrale Saint-André. Birmingham is famous for its strong musical routes and its very livable atmosphere.

How is Birmingham different from Bordeaux?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux?

Birmingham is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Birmingham offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Famous sights include the Museum & Art Gallery, Thinktank, and St. Philip's Cathedral.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Bordeaux. The city has many historical landmarks and museums to explore. Cathédrale Saint-André, Tour Le Grand-Théâtre, and Basilique Saint-Seurin are all notable monuments that are worth visiting.

Is Birmingham or Bordeaux Better for Theater?

Birmingham is a great destination for its theatre productions. However, Bordeaux is not a theatre destination.

While in town, many visitors enjoy seeing a show in Birmingham. The impressive theater scene includes Broadway shows and musicals. Birmingham Hippodrome is a major theater in town.

Bordeaux is not a theatre destination.

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

Bordeaux is an amazing city to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Birmingham is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Bordeaux has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. Both food and wine are a major draw to this culinary city, which is known for its pastries and rich flavors. Popular local dishes include grilled duck, duck foie gras, and canelés.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in 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.

Is Birmingham or Bordeaux Better for Nightlife?

Birmingham is a great destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

The people in Birmingham know how to have a good time. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Bordeaux has a few options to choose from. The city comes to life at night with dance clubs, wine bars, student pubs, and more.

Is Birmingham or Bordeaux Better for Music?

Birmingham is a world-class destination for its live music scene. However, Bordeaux 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.

Bordeaux is not a live music destination.

Is Birmingham or Bordeaux Better for its Old Town?

Bordeaux is very good for its historic old town. However, Birmingham does not have a historic old town.

Bordeaux is a good destination for visiting its old town. The old town is between Cours de l'Intendance and rue Peyronnet. The area has many distinct neighborhoods, monuments, and historical buildings.

Birmingham does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Birmingham or Bordeaux?

If you're looking to go shopping, Birmingham and Bordeaux both offer plenty of great 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.

Bordeaux is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has a mix of luxury fashion brands, jewelry shops, perfume suppliers, and leather goods. There are department stores, local boutiques, and pedestrian shopping areas that you can explore.

Is Birmingham or Bordeaux Better for Families?

Birmingham is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Birmingham is a very kid-friendly city. 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.

Bordeaux offers lots of family activities. The city has a number of parks and playgrounds as well as museums, including a kid's science museum. Kids also enjoy splashing around in the Miroir d’eau, which is the world's largest water mirror.

Is Birmingham or Bordeaux Better for Couples?

Both Birmingham and Bordeaux are great destinations to visit as a couple.

Birmingham is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Romantic activities around town include taking a beautiful stroll through town, wandering around a park or garden, or seeing the ballet.

Bordeaux is a very popular place to visit for couples. Wine lovers will enjoy an amazing weekend in this beautiful city. Some of the most romantic activities include wine walks, river cruises, and exploring scenic gardens.

Is Birmingham or Bordeaux Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Bordeaux is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a handful of hostels and a diversity of activities that backpackers can enjoy.

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 Bordeaux Better for Students?

Birmingham is a world-class destination for students. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

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

Bordeaux is very popular with students. The city has a great student atmosphere and a unique culture with a diversity of activities. It's grown in popularity with students, and the prices have climbed a bit over the past few years.

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

Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux can move around easily with public transportation. There are buses, trams and a ferry that runs along the river.

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

Is Birmingham or Bordeaux a more walkable city?

Birmingham and Bordeaux are great when it comes to walkability.

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

Bordeaux is a very walkable city. The city has many pedestrian areas and large squares to explore.

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

Should I spend more time in Bordeaux or Birmingham?

How long in Birmingham or Bordeaux?

In either Birmingham or Bordeaux, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Birmingham has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Birmingham than Bordeaux. In general, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Birmingham, and 2-5 days is enough time in Bordeaux.

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

Couples should spend more time in Birmingham than Bordeaux. 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 Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux.

One day in Birmingham or Bordeaux?

The city of Birmingham offers shopping and museums. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

With museums and nightlife around the historical city of Bordeaux, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the food. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Birmingham or Bordeaux?

Birmingham is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Birmingham, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Bordeaux, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the food. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Birmingham or Bordeaux?

Birmingham is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that live music is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Birmingham, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Bordeaux, a popular 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 city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Birmingham or Bordeaux?

Birmingham is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that live music is why people visit. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Bordeaux is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the food. 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 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Birmingham or Bordeaux?

Birmingham has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Bordeaux. When comparing the sizes of Birmingham and Bordeaux, 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 Bordeaux?

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 Bordeaux in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Birmingham as well as Bordeaux. Most visitors come to Birmingham for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Bordeaux because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Birmingham is cooler than Bordeaux. Typically, the summer temperatures in Birmingham in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Bordeaux averages at about 21°C (69°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bordeaux. In the summer, Birmingham often gets less sunshine than Bordeaux. Birmingham gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bordeaux receives 276 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Bordeaux. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Birmingham or Bordeaux in the Autumn?

Both Bordeaux and Birmingham are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Birmingham because of the shopping scene and the music scene. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Bordeaux this time of year.

In October, Birmingham is generally cooler than Bordeaux. Daily temperatures in Birmingham average around 11°C (52°F), and Bordeaux fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

Birmingham usually receives less sunshine than Bordeaux during autumn. Birmingham gets 103 hours of sunny skies, while Bordeaux receives 165 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Birmingham usually receives less rain than Bordeaux. Birmingham gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Birmingham or Bordeaux in the Winter?

Both Bordeaux and Birmingham during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Birmingham this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Bordeaux for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Birmingham in the winter. Birmingham is much colder than Bordeaux in the winter. The daily temperature in Birmingham averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Bordeaux fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

In the winter, Birmingham often gets less sunshine than Bordeaux. Birmingham gets 58 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bordeaux receives 86 hours of full sun.

Bordeaux gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Birmingham usually gets less rain in January than Bordeaux. Birmingham gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Birmingham or Bordeaux in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Birmingham and Bordeaux. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bordeaux in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

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

Birmingham usually receives less sunshine than Bordeaux during spring. Birmingham gets 136 hours of sunny skies, while Bordeaux receives 190 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Birmingham usually receives less rain than Bordeaux. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bordeaux and Birmingham