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

Should you visit Birmingham or Killarney?

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

Birmingham

Birmingham is a vibrant, fun-filled, and bustling city. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.

Killarney

Killarney is a local, natural, and peaceful 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, hiking, and museums.

Birmingham and Killarney: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Birmingham or Killarney?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Birmingham. Although Birmingham and Killarney are both popular with visitors, Birmingham has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Birmingham is more popular for its museums, theatre productions, nightlife, music, shopping, and quaint atmosphere, while Killarney is known for its hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Killarney is more touristy than Birmingham and is popular for its access to Killarney National Park and its location along the Ring of Kerry scenic drive. 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 Killarney?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Birmingham is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Killarney is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Birmingham. Famous sights include the Museum & Art Gallery, Thinktank, and St. Philip's Cathedral.

Killarney offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. In addition to the area's natural beauty, you should also check out Muckross House Gardens, Muckross Abbey, and Ross Castle.

Is Birmingham or Killarney Better for Theater?

Birmingham is well known for theatre. However, Killarney is not a theatre destination.

Birmingham attracts a wide-range of world-class performances. The impressive theater scene includes Broadway shows and musicals. Birmingham Hippodrome is a major theater in town.

Killarney is not a theatre destination.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Birmingham and Killarney can be difficult as they are each good 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 Killarney. You'll find great local fish and chips shops as well as locally caught seafood and regional produce. There are cafes and other independent restaurants that provide a local taste of the area.

Is Birmingham or Killarney Better for Nightlife?

Birmingham is well known for nightlife. However, Killarney is not particularly known for nightlife and partying.

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.

Killarney doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. You can hang out with the locals at one of the bars or Irish pubs in town.

Is Birmingham or Killarney Better for Music?

Birmingham is terrific for live music. However, Killarney is not a live music destination.

Birmingham is a world class music destination. 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.

Killarney is not a live music destination.

Is Birmingham or Killarney Better for Hiking?

Killarney is great for hiking. However, Birmingham is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Killarney for the hiking trails. You'll find many great hiking trails both in and around Killarney National Park. The town is also the starting and ending point for the 200 km Kerry Way walking trail. Other hikes worth checking out in the area include the Knockreer Circular Walk, Muckross Lake Loop Walk, and Old Kenmare Road Walk.

Birmingham is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Birmingham or Killarney?

Birmingham is well known for shopping. However, Killarney is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Birmingham is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Killarney is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Birmingham or Killarney Better for Families?

You'll find superb kid-friendly activities in either Birmingham or Killarney.

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.

Killarney is a very kid-friendly city. The area has many outdoor activities. You can explore Killarney National Park by horseback or head out on bikes. You can also take a boat ride or there's Kennedys Pet Farm for animal lovers.

Is Birmingham or Killarney Better for Couples?

Both Birmingham and Killarney are superb 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.

Killarney is a very popular place to visit for couples. Nature enthusiasts will enjoy exploring Killarney National Park. You can also go kayaking, biking, horseback riding or relax at The Angsana Spa.

Is Birmingham or Killarney Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Killarney is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. You'll find a surprising number of interesting hostels in the area so you shouldn't have trouble finding a place to stay or meeting fellow backpackers.

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 Killarney Better for Students?

Birmingham is terrific for students. However, Killarney is not popular with students.

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

Killarney is not popular with students.

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

Birmingham is a city with good options for its public transit. However, Killarney is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Birmingham, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a reasonably comprehensive bus system.

Public transit is mostly limited in Killarney. There's a shuttle bus that travels between some of the tourist attractions.

Is Birmingham or Killarney a more walkable city?

Birmingham is well known for its walkability. However, Killarney is not particularly known for its high level of walkability.

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

Killarney is not a very walkable city. While there are many great hikes in the area, you'll need a car to access most of them.

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

Should I spend more time in Killarney or Birmingham?

How long in Birmingham or Killarney?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Birmingham and Killarney. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Birmingham than in Killarney. Usually, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Birmingham, and 2-3 days is enough time in Killarney.

Families should spend more time in Birmingham than Killarney. 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 Killarney. 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 Killarney 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 Killarney?

You'll find museums and theater around the city of Birmingham. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Birmingham has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

With museums and food around the charming town of Killarney, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Birmingham or Killarney?

You'll find theater and nightlife around the vibrant destination of Birmingham. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

With food and museums around the destination of Killarney, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 town.

Five days in Birmingham or Killarney?

You'll find nightlife and live music around the fun-filled city of Birmingham. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Most people head to the area for the live music. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

Killarney, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Killarney?

Birmingham is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Killarney 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 Ireland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Ireland.

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

Which is Bigger, Birmingham or Killarney?

Birmingham has a larger population, and is about 130 times larger than the population of Killarney. When comparing the sizes of Birmingham and Killarney, 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 Killarney?

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 Killarney in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Birmingham as well as Killarney. Many travelers come to Birmingham for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Killarney in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Birmingham is a little warmer than Killarney in the summer. The daily temperature in Birmingham averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Killarney fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

In the summer, Birmingham often gets more sunshine than Killarney. Birmingham gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Killarney receives 140 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets less rain in July than Killarney. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Killarney receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Birmingham or Killarney in the Autumn?

Both Killarney and Birmingham are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Birmingham in the autumn for the shopping scene and the music scene. Also, most visitors come to Killarney for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Birmingham is around the same temperature as Killarney. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Birmingham in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Killarney averages at about 12°C (53°F).

Birmingham usually receives more sunshine than Killarney during autumn. Birmingham gets 103 hours of sunny skies, while Killarney receives 79 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Killarney. In October, Birmingham usually receives less rain than Killarney. Birmingham gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Killarney receives 156 mm (6.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Birmingham or Killarney in the Winter?

Both Killarney and Birmingham during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Birmingham for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Killarney because of the museums and the cuisine.

Birmingham can be very cold during winter. In January, Birmingham is generally much colder than Killarney. Daily temperatures in Birmingham average around 3°C (38°F), and Killarney fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Birmingham often gets more sunshine than Killarney. Birmingham gets 58 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Killarney receives 44 hours of full sun.

Killarney gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Birmingham usually gets less rain in January than Killarney. Birmingham gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Killarney receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Birmingham or Killarney in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Birmingham and Killarney. Also, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Killarney this time of year.

Birmingham is around the same temperature as Killarney in the spring. The daily temperature in Birmingham averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Killarney fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

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

In April, Birmingham usually receives less rain than Killarney. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Killarney receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Killarney and Birmingham