Which place is cheaper, Madrid or Birmingham?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Birmingham or Madrid?
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 Madrid can help you decide which place is right for you.
Birmingham
Birmingham is a fun-filled, bustling, and historic city. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and theater.
Madrid
Madrid is a friendly, authentic, and cultural city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife.
Birmingham and Madrid: Pros and Cons
Birmingham
Pros- Popular museums and historical sights
- Numerous theater shows
- Active nightlife
- Good music scene
- Family-friendly
- Good for couples and romance
- Less popular for food
- Less popular with backpackers
- Public transit not as usable
Madrid
Pros- Popular museums and historical sights
- Popular for food and cuisine
- Active nightlife
- Good music scene
- Family-friendly
- Good for couples and romance
- Good for backpackers and budget travelers
- Good public transit
- Big city activities
Is there more to do in Birmingham or Madrid?
Travelers will usually find more to do in Madrid than Birmingham, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Madrid is more popular for its food, shopping, and big city activities, while Birmingham is known for its museums, theatre productions, and quaint atmosphere. Madrid is more touristy than Birmingham and is known for its art and architecture, its tapas and culinary scene, and its lively flamenco dancing. It is also home to The Prado Museum. Birmingham is popular for its strong musical routes and its very livable atmosphere.
How is Birmingham different from Madrid?
Which is Better for a Holiday?
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Madrid 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 Madrid?
Birmingham
Madrid
Birmingham is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Madrid is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.
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.
Madrid offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are a number of cultural sights in the city including Museo Nacional del Prado, the Royal Palace and Gardens, and Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía.
Is Birmingham or Madrid Better for Theater?
Birmingham
Madrid
Birmingham is a great city for theatre. However, Madrid 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.
Madrid is not a theatre destination.
Is the Food Better in Birmingham or Madrid? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?
Birmingham
Madrid
Madrid 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.
Madrid has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The city has a mix of flavors that come from all of Spain. There are amazing markets where you can grab a meal or snack. There are also many high quality restaurants around town where you're guaranteed a good meal. Local favorites include roast suckling pig, Spanish omelette, and meat and chickpea stew.
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 Madrid Better for Nightlife?
Birmingham
Madrid
The vibe at night is superb in both Birmingham and Madrid.
Many people head to Birmingham for the nightlife scene. 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.
Madrid has plenty to do after the sun goes down. Many tourists and international students hang out in the Huertas area, while Malasaña has a bohemian, hipster vibe with small clubs that play indie music. Chueca is a fun area that's known for being gay-friendly with many good bars. Finally, you'll find that the area around Avenida de Brasil is where famous DJs often perform.
Is Birmingham or Madrid Better for Music?
Birmingham
Madrid
Birmingham and Madrid are both destinations where visitors can find amazing live music.
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.
Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Madrid Rock, jazz, and flamenco are all popular in the city. Some of the most well known music venues include Sala Caracol, Sala Clamores, and Costello Club.
Is the Shopping Better in Birmingham or Madrid?
Birmingham
Madrid
Madrid is an amazing city to visit for shopping. Also, Birmingham is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping opportunities.
People travel from around the world to go shopping in Madrid. Gran Vía is a main thoroughfare in Madrid that is also popular for shopping. Calle Fuencarral is where you'll find the fashion shops and Calle Preciados is a fun pedestrian area to explore.
Birmingham is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.
Is Birmingham or Madrid Better for Families?
Birmingham
Madrid
You'll find superb kid-friendly activities in either Birmingham or Madrid.
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.
Madrid is a very kid-friendly city. Kids love splashing around at Madrid Río, taking a ride on the cable car (Teleférico), and exploring the city's many parks and playgrounds. There's even a maze at Sabatini Gardens. Restaurants around the city are also very kid-friendly.
Is Birmingham or Madrid Better for Couples?
Birmingham
Madrid
Both Birmingham and Madrid 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.
Madrid is a very popular place to visit for couples. Fun and romantic activities around town include taking a boat ride at Casa de Campo, riding a bike in one of the many parks, and enjoy dinner and show in the evening.
Is Birmingham or Madrid Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?
Birmingham
Madrid
Madrid is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Birmingham is not a good destination for backpackers.
Madrid is very popular with the backpacker crowd. The many hostels around town make it easy for backpackers to find affordable accommodation while also meeting other travelers.
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 Madrid Better for Students?
Birmingham
Madrid
For students, both Birmingham and Madrid are amazing places to visit.
Students come from all over the world to visit Birmingham. With world class academic institutions and a very diverse and international population, this is a popular place for international students to study.
Madrid is a great destination for students. With several great universities, this city is popular with international and study abroad students. The city also has a diverse population and an active nightlife that appeals to students.
Is Birmingham or Madrid Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?
Birmingham
Madrid
Madrid is an amazing city to visit 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.
Public transit in Madrid is top-notch. The system includes the Madrid Metro, buses, and a light rail system.
Birmingham has a few public transit options. There is a reasonably comprehensive bus system.
Is Birmingham or Madrid a more walkable city?
Birmingham
Madrid
Madrid 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.
Madrid is a very easy city to get around on foot. Most tourists stay in the central part of Madrid where it's compact and relatively easy to walk to most tourist sights.
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 Madrid Worth Visiting?.
Should I spend more time in Madrid or Birmingham?
How long in Birmingham or Madrid?
In either Birmingham or Madrid, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Madrid has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Madrid than Birmingham. In general, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Birmingham, and 2-5 days is enough time in Madrid.
Families should spend more time in Madrid than Birmingham. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Madrid, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Madrid than Birmingham. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Madrid that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Madrid 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 Madrid.
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How many days in Birmingham or Madrid? Ideal Length of StayBirmingham 1-5Madrid 2-5
One day in Birmingham or Madrid?
Many travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the destination of Birmingham. One day is often enough time to do most activities.
When visiting Madrid, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.
A weekend in Birmingham or Madrid?
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.
When visiting Madrid, people usually allow for lots of time. 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 Madrid?
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.
Madrid, 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 Madrid?
Travelers enjoy the museums and theater when visiting the fun-filled 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.
Madrid 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 Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United Kingdom, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBirmingham £133Madrid £117
The average daily cost (per person) in Birmingham is £133, while the average daily cost in Madrid is £117. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Birmingham and Madrid in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBirmingham £66Madrid £66
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBirmingham £132Madrid £132
Compare Hotels in Birmingham and Madrid
Looking for a hotel in Birmingham or Madrid? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Birmingham Hotel Prices and Madrid Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Birmingham £25Madrid £16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Birmingham
Also for Birmingham, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Birmingham to Heathrow Airport private taxi transfers: $278
- Private Transfer from Birmingham to Manchester Airport (MAN): $199
- Birmingham Private Transfer from Birmingham Airport to City centre: $114
- Birmingham Private Transfer from Birmingham city centre to Birmingham Airport: $114
- Birmingham Airport (BHX): Private Transfer to Birmingham: $111
- Birmingham Airport Transfers: Airport BHX to Birmingham City in Luxury Car: $101
- Arrival Private Transfers from Airport BHX to Birmingham in Luxury Van: $76
- Birmingham Airport Transfers: Birmingham City to Airport BHX in Business Car: $64
- Private Birmingham Arrival Transfer - Airport to Hotel / Accommodation: $56
- Private Transfer from Birmingham Airport to Birmingham City: $36
- Manchester Airport: BUS Transfer to/from Birmingham: $8.04
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Madrid
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Madrid are as follows:
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Taxi Ride£22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Madrid
Also for Madrid, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Segovia: Full-Day Tour with Transfer to and from Madrid: $448
- Private Transfer Madrid City to Valladolid City by Sedan: $299
- Private Transfer from Moratalla to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $273
- Private Transfer from Madrid Airport MAD to Segovia City by Van: $266
- Balloon Ride with Transfer Option from Madrid City: $261
- From Hot Air Balloon over Segovia with Transfer: $261
- Private Transfer from Bolnuevo to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $254
- Private Transfer from La Manga strip dos Mares to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $237
- Private Transfer from La Manga Club to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $227
- Private Transfer from Corvera Golf Resort to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $218
- Private Transfer from Cieza to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $205
- Private Transfer from El Verger to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $191
Is it cheaper to fly into Birmingham or Madrid?
Prices for flights to both Madrid and Birmingham change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayBirmingham £38Madrid £29
Typical Food Prices in Birmingham
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Birmingham:
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Two Subs at Birmingham Bus Station£5.58
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Birmingham
For Birmingham, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Birmingham Slogging Gangs Walking and Food Tour: $69
Typical Food Prices in Madrid
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Madrid:
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Coffee£1.72
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Ice Cream£2.57
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Kebabs (for 2)£14
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Croissant£1.29
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Lunch at Airport (for 2)£14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Madrid
For Madrid, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Tipsy Tapas Food Tour with Drinks and Food: $27
- Drunken Tapas Food Tour with Dinner in Madrid: $32
- Tapas Dinner Party Food Tour with Guide: $33
- Tapas Crawl Food Tour with 6 Tapas and 4 Drinks: $35
- Torres Bermejas Flamenco Show in Madrid with Dinner, Tapas or Drink: $38
- Madrid Tipsy Tapas Guided Food Tour with Dinner: $42
- Paella and Sangria Workshop with Dinner and Drinks: $42
- Madrid Tipsy Tapas Tour with Dinner and Drinks: $42
- San Miguel Market and Street Food Tour: $52
- The Authentic Morning Madrid's Food Tour: $59
- Zarzuela Opera and Dinner at La Castafiore Restaurant in Madrid: $60
- Opera and Zarzuela Show and Dinner: $61
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Birmingham £48Madrid £29
Tours and Activities in Birmingham
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Birmingham.
- 2.5-Hours Walking Tour of Birmingham into Black Heritage Madiba: $18
- Birmingham : Must-see Attractions Private Walking Tour: $75
- Birmingham : Private Custom Walking Tour With a Local Guide: $85
- Birmingham Beer Bike - Private 1h tour with unlimited drinks: $619
- Birmingham City Centre Daily Walking Tour (10:30am & 5pm): $15
- Birmingham Gangs Nighttime Historical Walking Tour with Pub Stops: $32
- Birmingham Private Ghosts and Gallows Tour: $142
- Birmingham Private Guided Walking Tour: $266
- Birmingham Private Self-Guided Walking Tour: $11
- Birmingham Private Walking Tour with a Professional Guide: $235
- Birmingham Slogging Gangs Walking Tour with Edward Shelby: $25
- Birmingham Tour App, Hidden Gems Game and Big Britain Quiz (1 Day Pass) UK: $19
Tours and Activities in Madrid
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Madrid.
- Madrid Photo Tour with Pro Photographer Lifestyle and Portrait: $82
- Private Combo Tour Prado Museum and Reina Sofia: $221
- Toledo with Cathedral from Madrid Full Day Tour: $134
- "Prado Museum" Tour A Treasure of World Art: $65
- 1 Hour Private Tuk tuk Tour in Madrid: $98
- 1-Hour Private Flamenco Class in Madrid Experience: $45
- 2 Hour Madrid Walking Tour : $4.35
- 2 Hours Private Tuk tuk Tour in Madrid: $163
- 2-Hour Tour of the Madrid of Mysteries: $14
- 2.5-Hour Evening Tapas Tour through Madrid: $37
- 3 Hours Walking Tour in Madrid: $266
- 3-Hour Tapas Walking Tour of Madrid Food and Drink Included: $93
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBirmingham £11Madrid £17
Sample the Local Flavors in Birmingham
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Birmingham:
- Birmingham Bar Maid-led Pub Crawl for Special Events: $47
Typical Alcohol Prices in Madrid
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Madrid are as follows:
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Beer£4.29
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Drinks and Tapas (for 2)£11
Sample the Local Flavors in Madrid
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Madrid:
- Pub Crawl with Tapas and VIP Club Entry: $9.59
- Madrid Pub Crawl with VIP Club Entrance: $11
- Visit to the Winery with Wine Tasting and Appetizers in Navarra: $12
- Pub crawl & Party Tour Madrid: $14
- Pub Crawl Madrid Running since 2005 Bar Exploration: $16
- Guided Pub Crawl Madrid Experience and Club Entry: $16
- Pub Crawl Madrid-The Original since 2005-Shots-Fun-Clubs-Dance: $16
- Pub Crawl Madrid: $19
- Wine Tasting near Plaza Mayor: $22
- Pub Crawl Madrid: $22
- Wine Tasting Experience with 4 Spanish Wines: $26
- Wine Tour with tasting in the Natural Park of La Mata: $38
When comparing the travel costs between Birmingham and Madrid, 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 Madrid Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Birmingham or Madrid?
Madrid has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Birmingham. When comparing the sizes of Birmingham and Madrid, 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.