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

Should you visit Birmingham or Zurich?

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

Birmingham

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

Zurich

Zurich is a liberal, beautiful, and historic city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Birmingham and Zurich: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Birmingham or Zurich?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Zurich than Birmingham. While Birmingham is larger than Zurich, Zurich has more sights and attractions for tourists. Zurich is very popular for its food, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Birmingham attracts visitors for its theatre productions, music, and quaint atmosphere. Zurich is more touristy than Birmingham and is popular for its beautiful setting on Lake Zurich as well as its cafes, restaurants, and high prices. It is also well known for The Grossmünster. Birmingham is famous for its strong musical routes and its very livable atmosphere.

How is Birmingham different from Zurich?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Zurich can be an interesting and educational experience. Make sure you check out the Museum of Fine Arts, the Fraumünster, as well as the Swiss National Museum.

Is Birmingham or Zurich Better for Theater?

Birmingham is a well-known place for its theatre productions. However, Zurich 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.

Zurich is not a theatre destination.

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

Zurich 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 Zurich. Many restaurants have a strong German influence, but you'll also find traditional Swiss dishes such as cheese and chocolate fondue. There are also several Michelin star restaurants in town.

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 Zurich Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is high quality in both Birmingham and Zurich.

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.

Zurich has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The city has some of the best nightlife in Switzerland. There are a high concentration of bars and clubs around town, or you could check out one of the badis, which are pools that also act as bars during the summer months. They're usually located by the lake.

Is Birmingham or Zurich Better for Music?

Birmingham is a must-visit destination for its live music scene. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its music scene.

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.

It's worth checking out the music scene in Zurich while you're in town. There are many nightclubs that offer a variety of music types including electronic music, rock, and even reggae.

Is Birmingham or Zurich Better for its Old Town?

Zurich is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town. However, Birmingham does not have a historic old town.

Zurich offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The city has an old town that is split into two parts on each side of the Limmat River. The historic districts are filled with churches, squares, and charming areas that are fun to explore. Walking tours are the best way to explore the old town.

Birmingham does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Birmingham or Zurich?

Zurich 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 Zurich. Visitors often buy chocolate, watches, and jewelry in this city. You'll find brand names and luxury items that are of high quality. Each neighborhood has its own character with stores ranging from traditional to international.

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 Zurich Better for Families?

You'll find high quality kid-friendly activities in either Birmingham or Zurich.

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.

Zurich is a very kid-friendly city. It's a surprisingly mellow city with a relaxing vibe that makes it easy to explore with kids. Popular family-friendly activities include swimming in the Limmat River, sailing on Lake Zurich, and visiting Josefwiese park, which has a large playground.

Is Birmingham or Zurich Better for Couples?

Both Birmingham and Zurich are high quality 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.

Zurich is a very popular place to visit for couples. One of the most romantic experiences you can have in town is visiting the Zurich Thermal Baths and Spa. There's an outdoor rooftop thermal pool as well as many ways that you can pamper yourselves.

Is Birmingham or Zurich Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Zurich is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. The city has a number of hostels to choose from, but, like most of Switzerland, the city is expensive in general.

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 Zurich Better for Students?

For students, both Birmingham and Zurich are first-rate 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.

Zurich is a great destination for students. The city offers a number of unique experiences for international students. The academics are good and the university campuses are nice.

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

Zurich 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 Zurich can move around easily with public transportation. The system is made up of streetcars and buses.

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

Is Birmingham or Zurich a more walkable city?

Birmingham and Zurich are high quality when it comes to walkability.

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

Zurich is a very walkable city. There are paths that lead along the rivers and the lake connecting the old town areas to other parts of the city.

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

Should I spend more time in Zurich or Birmingham?

How long in Birmingham or Zurich?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Zurich than Birmingham. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Zurich that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Zurich 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 Zurich.

One day in Birmingham or Zurich?

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 live music and food around the historic city of Zurich, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the shopping. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Birmingham or Zurich?

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 food and shopping around the destination of Zurich, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the shopping. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Birmingham or Zurich?

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.

Zurich, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Zurich?

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.

Zurich is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the shopping. 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 Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Birmingham or Zurich?

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

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 Zurich in the Summer?

Both Zurich and Birmingham during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Birmingham in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Zurich for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Birmingham is cooler than Zurich. Typically, the summer temperatures in Birmingham in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Zurich averages at about 21°C (70°F).

In Zurich, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Birmingham often gets less sunshine than Zurich. Birmingham gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zurich receives 241 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets less rain in July than Zurich. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Birmingham or Zurich in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Birmingham and Zurich. Most visitors come to Birmingham for the shopping scene and the music scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Zurich because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Birmingham is generally cooler than Zurich. Daily temperatures in Birmingham average around 11°C (52°F), and Zurich fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Birmingham usually receives less sunshine than Zurich during autumn. Birmingham gets 103 hours of sunny skies, while Zurich receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Birmingham usually receives less rain than Zurich. Birmingham gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Birmingham or Zurich in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Birmingham as well as Zurich. The winter months attract visitors to Birmingham because of the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Zurich this time of year.

It's quite cold in Zurich in the winter. The weather in Birmingham can be very cold. Birmingham is a little warmer than Zurich in the winter. The daily temperature in Birmingham averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Zurich fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Birmingham often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Zurich. Birmingham gets 58 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zurich receives 55 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets less rain in January than Zurich. Birmingham gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Birmingham or Zurich in the Spring?

Both Zurich and Birmingham are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Zurich for the natural beauty.

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

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

In April, Birmingham usually receives less rain than Zurich. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Zurich and Birmingham