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

Should you visit Birmingham or Carcassonne?

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

Birmingham

Birmingham is a historic, vibrant, and fun-filled city. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and theater.

Carcassonne

Carcassonne is a medieval, historical, and fairytale town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include food and museums.

Birmingham and Carcassonne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Birmingham or Carcassonne?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Birmingham. Although Birmingham and Carcassonne are both popular with visitors, Birmingham has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Birmingham is more popular for its theatre productions, nightlife, music, shopping, and quaint atmosphere, while Carcassonne is known for its food, historical sights, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Carcassonne is more touristy than Birmingham and is known for its medieval history, walled fortifications, and well-known castle. Birmingham is popular for its strong musical routes and its very livable atmosphere. It is also home to Victoria Square.

How is Birmingham different from Carcassonne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Spend time exploring the high quality sights and museums in either Birmingham or Carcassonne.

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 Carcassonne can be an interesting and educational experience. The town is filled with medieval sights including the Château Comtal, the Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus, and the Carcassonne Cathedral.

Is Birmingham or Carcassonne Better for Theater?

Birmingham is a very popular place for theatre. However, Carcassonne is not a theatre destination.

Birmingham offers many theater and performance venues for visitors. The impressive theater scene includes Broadway shows and musicals. Birmingham Hippodrome is a major theater in town.

Carcassonne is not a theatre destination.

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

Carcassonne is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Birmingham is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Carcassonne. There are a number of local restaurants that serve regional specialties such as cassoulet. You can spend a few hours exploring the castle and then grab a delicious bite to eat.

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 Carcassonne Better for Nightlife?

Birmingham is a very popular place for nightlife. However, Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Birmingham has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Birmingham or Carcassonne Better for Music?

Birmingham is very popular for live music. However, Carcassonne is not a live music destination.

Birmingham is known as a music capital around the world. 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.

Carcassonne is not a live music destination.

Is Birmingham or Carcassonne Better for its Old Town?

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

Carcassonne is a good destination for visiting its old town. The medieval walled city is seeped in history and filled with atmosphere. Cars are not allowed in town.

Birmingham does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Birmingham or Carcassonne?

Birmingham is a very popular place for shopping. However, Carcassonne is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Carcassonne is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Birmingham or Carcassonne Better for Families?

Birmingham is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Carcassonne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Carcassonne. Kids who love castles will enjoy wandering the maze of rooms and getting lost in the medieval atmosphere.

Is Birmingham or Carcassonne Better for Couples?

Birmingham is a very popular place for romance. Also, Carcassonne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Birmingham makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Romantic activities around town include taking a beautiful stroll through town, wandering around a park or garden, or seeing the ballet.

Carcassonne makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a medieval city with an impressive castle and walled fortifications. It's a uniquely European sight that is great for couples who enjoy history.

Is Birmingham or Carcassonne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Carcassonne is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Birmingham is not a good destination for backpackers.

Carcassonne is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are interesting hostels in the area including a converted 17th century convent.

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 Carcassonne Better for Students?

Birmingham is very popular for its student-friendly activities. However, Carcassonne is not popular with students.

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

Carcassonne is not popular with students.

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

Birmingham and Carcassonne both offer good 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.

Carcassonne has a few public transit options. You can reach the town by train from Dijon, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, or Bordeaux and many people visit the town as a day trip.

Is Birmingham or Carcassonne a more walkable city?

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

Carcassonne is a very easy town to get around on foot. Cars aren't allowed in the medieval city so it's best to explore 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 Carcassonne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Carcassonne or Birmingham?

How long in Birmingham or Carcassonne?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Birmingham or Carcassonne to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Birmingham than Carcassonne because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Birmingham, and 1-2 days is enough time in Carcassonne.

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

One day in Birmingham or Carcassonne?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the bustling city of Birmingham. Most people visit for the live music. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

A weekend in Birmingham or Carcassonne?

Visitors enjoy the live music and food when visiting the fun-filled destination of Birmingham. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

With food and museums around the destination of Carcassonne, 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 town.

Five days in Birmingham or Carcassonne?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the historic city of Birmingham. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Carcassonne, a popular town, 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 Carcassonne?

Many people enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting Birmingham. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people visit for the live music. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Carcassonne 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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in France, and The Best Historical Tours in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Birmingham and Carcassonne, we can see that Birmingham is more expensive. And not only is Carcassonne much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Carcassonne would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne.

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

Which is Bigger, Birmingham or Carcassonne?

Birmingham has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Carcassonne. When comparing the sizes of Birmingham and Carcassonne, 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 Carcassonne?

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 Birmingham or Carcassonne in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Birmingham and Carcassonne. Many visitors come to Birmingham in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Carcassonne for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Birmingham is cooler than Carcassonne in the summer. The daily temperature in Birmingham averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Carcassonne fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Carcassonne this time of the year. Birmingham usually receives less sunshine than Carcassonne during summer. Birmingham gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Carcassonne receives 275 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Birmingham usually receives more rain than Carcassonne. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Birmingham or Carcassonne in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Birmingham as well as Carcassonne. Most visitors come to Birmingham for the shopping scene and the music scene during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Carcassonne because of the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Birmingham is cooler than Carcassonne. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Birmingham in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Carcassonne averages at about 17°C (62°F).

In the autumn, Birmingham often gets less sunshine than Carcassonne. Birmingham gets 103 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Carcassonne receives 161 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets less rain in October than Carcassonne. Birmingham gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Birmingham or Carcassonne in the Winter?

Both Carcassonne and Birmingham are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Birmingham because of the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Also, the museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Carcassonne this time of year.

The weather in Birmingham can be very cold. In January, Birmingham is generally much colder than Carcassonne. Daily temperatures in Birmingham average around 3°C (38°F), and Carcassonne fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Birmingham usually receives less sunshine than Carcassonne during winter. Birmingham gets 58 hours of sunny skies, while Carcassonne receives 88 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Birmingham usually receives more rain than Carcassonne. Birmingham gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Birmingham or Carcassonne in the Spring?

Both Carcassonne and Birmingham during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Carcassonne for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Birmingham is much colder than Carcassonne in the spring. The daily temperature in Birmingham averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Carcassonne fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

In the spring, Birmingham often gets less sunshine than Carcassonne. Birmingham gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Carcassonne receives 178 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets less rain in April than Carcassonne. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Carcassonne and Birmingham