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

Should you visit Birmingham or Calais?

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

Birmingham

Birmingham is a vibrant, fun-filled, and bustling city. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. Other popular activities here include food, shopping, and museums.

Calais

Calais is a authentic, undiscovered, and coastal city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Birmingham and Calais: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Birmingham or Calais?

You'll generally find more things to do in Birmingham than Calais. Birmingham is bigger than Calais, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Birmingham is better known for its museums, theatre productions, nightlife, music, shopping, and quaint atmosphere, while Calais is more popular for its beaches and big city activities. Birmingham is more touristy than Calais and is popular for its strong musical routes and its very livable atmosphere. Also, Birmingham is famous for Victoria Square. Calais is well known for being a gateway for travelers to France.

How is Birmingham different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Birmingham is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Calais 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.

Calais is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's a port city with a few good museums and landmarks to see. Check out the Town Hall, Burghers of Calais, La Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode, and Musée de la Guerre de Calais, as well as the Calais Lighthouse.

Is Birmingham or Calais Better for Theater?

Birmingham is well known for its shows and theatre. However, Calais 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.

Calais is not a theatre destination.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Birmingham and Calais can be difficult as they are each notable 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 Calais. The region is known for its mackerel, andouillette sausage, and endive and ham gratin. If you're passing through, this is also a good place to stock up on wine and cheese.

Is Birmingham or Calais Better for Nightlife?

Birmingham is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

Birmingham is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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 Calais has a few options to choose from. You'll find bars and pubs around town as well as a few clubs. Places range from trendy and high end to local dive bars.

Is Birmingham or Calais Better for Music?

Birmingham is a must-visit destination for its music scene. However, Calais is not a live music destination.

In Birmingham you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. 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.

Calais is not a live music destination.

Is Birmingham or Calais Better for Beaches?

Calais is very good for its beaches. However, Birmingham is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Calais to enjoy the beach. There are some sandy beaches near town that have nice stretches of sand and plenty of sand dunes. Many locals enjoy sunbathing at the beaches.

Birmingham is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Birmingham or Calais?

Birmingham is well known for its shopping areas. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Calais. Many visitors stock up on wine and cheese when they're passing through. It's common to head straight to Auchan or Carrefour to stock up on some items.

Is Birmingham or Calais Better for Families?

Birmingham is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Birmingham is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Calais offers lots of family activities. There's the Nausicaa Aquarium, the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, and the Second World War Museum. There are also beaches and parks to explore as well as some nice playgrounds.

Is Birmingham or Calais Better for Couples?

Birmingham is well known for couples. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Birmingham frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Romantic activities around town include taking a beautiful stroll through town, wandering around a park or garden, or seeing the ballet.

Calais is a nice destination for couples. Couples can picnic with wine and cheese or eat their way through the town's great restaurants. There are also some nice beaches where people enjoy sunbathing or relaxing.

Is Birmingham or Calais Better for Students?

Birmingham is a must-visit destination for students. However, Calais is not popular with students.

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.

Calais is not popular with students.

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

Birmingham and Calais both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While Birmingham offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a reasonably comprehensive bus system.

Calais has a few public transit options. The city has 13 bus lines that run through town and into the surrounding areas. If you're arriving by ferry from the UK, there are shuttle buses that connect the ferry terminal to the train station.

Is Birmingham or Calais a more walkable city?

Birmingham is well known for its ease of walking around. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

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

Calais is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Calais or Birmingham?

How long in Birmingham or Calais?

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

Families should spend more time in Birmingham than Calais. 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 Calais. 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 Birmingham than Calais 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 Birmingham.

One day in Birmingham or Calais?

Many travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the destination of Birmingham. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

With museums and nightlife around the authentic city of Calais, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Calais, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Birmingham or Calais?

Birmingham is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the live music, 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.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Calais, there's plenty to do. 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 Calais?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Birmingham. Don't miss the live music, as that's what most people do. 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.

Calais, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. 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 Calais?

Travelers enjoy the museums and theater when visiting the historic destination of Birmingham. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Calais 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 Budget Tours to France, and The Best Tours for Seniors to France.

When comparing the travel costs between Birmingham and Calais, we can see that Birmingham 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 Birmingham Expensive? and Is Calais Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Birmingham or Calais?

Birmingham has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Calais. When comparing the sizes of Birmingham and Calais, 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 Calais?

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 Calais in the Summer?

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

In July, Birmingham is generally around the same temperature as Calais. Daily temperatures in Birmingham average around 17°C (63°F), and Calais fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Calais. In the summer, Birmingham often gets less sunshine than Calais. Birmingham gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Calais. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Birmingham or Calais in the Autumn?

Both Calais 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 and the shopping scene are the main draw to Calais this time of year.

Birmingham is around the same temperature as Calais in the autumn. The daily temperature in Birmingham averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Calais fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Birmingham usually receives less sunshine than Calais during autumn. Birmingham gets 103 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 119 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Birmingham usually receives less rain than Calais. Birmingham gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Birmingham or Calais in the Winter?

Both Calais 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. Also, many travelers come to Calais for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Calais. It's quite cold in Birmingham in the winter. In the winter, Birmingham is cooler than Calais. Typically, the winter temperatures in Birmingham in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Calais averages at about 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, Birmingham often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Calais. Birmingham gets 58 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets more rain in January than Calais. Birmingham gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Birmingham or Calais in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Birmingham and Calais. Also, many visitors come to Calais in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

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

Birmingham usually receives less sunshine than Calais during spring. Birmingham gets 136 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Birmingham usually receives around the same amount of rain as Calais. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Calais and Birmingham