A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bristol vs. Basel for Attractions, Nightlife, Families, and Food

Should you visit Bristol or Basel?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Bristol and Basel can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Bristol

Bristol is a authentic, historic, and diverse city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Basel

Basel is a easily accessible, beautiful, and vibrant city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Bristol and Basel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bristol or Basel?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Bristol than Basel, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Bristol is more popular for its nightlife and big city activities, while Basel is known for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Bristol is popular for its laid-back atmosphere and progressive environmental policies. It is also home to The Bristol Harbour. Basel is popular for its many museums and its nice old town.

How is Bristol different from Basel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Basel and Bristol. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bristol or Basel?

You'll find a number of high quality museums and attractions in both Basel and Bristol.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Bristol. The city has some great museums and landmarks such as the SS Great Britain, M Shed, the Clifton Suspension Bridge, and Cabot Tower.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Basel. The city is filled with history. Head to Minster Hill to see the beautiful historic church and Münsterplatz. There are also several unique museums around town including Jean Tinguely Museum, the Paper Mill Museum, the Historical Museum, and the Museum of Art.

Is the Food Better in Bristol or Basel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Bristol and Basel can be an enjoyable experience.

Bristol is becoming an appealing option for foodies. You'll find all of the classic British specialties such as bangers and mash or fish and chips. There are many restaurants, markets, and pubs where you can grab a relaxing meal and enjoy the British ambiance.

Basel offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. Food around town can be expensive, but there are some outdoor markets where you can buy fruit and a bratwurst for a reasonable price. The city is known for its breads, soups, and pastries, which are all delicious.

Is Bristol or Basel Better for Nightlife?

Bristol is notable for nightlife and partying. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Bristol has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The nightlife scene is diverse and inclusive. There are huge clubs that host well known DJs. There is also an underground music scene as well as local bars and even traditional speakeasies. Whether your interest is live jazz or upscale cocktail bars, there really is something for everyone.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Basel. The city's nightlife comes alive as the sun sets. There are bars, pubs, and dance clubs that stay active until the early morning hours.

Is Bristol or Basel Better for its Old Town?

Basel is great for its historic old town charm. However, Bristol does not have a historic old town.

Basel is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The charming old town is fun to explore on foot with its quaint streets and meandering alleys. The beautiful architecture and ornate fountains give the area a unique personality. On the hottest days you may even see locals swimming in some of the fountains.

Bristol does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bristol or Basel?

If you're looking to go shopping, Bristol and Basel both offer plenty of high quality spots.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Bristol. Head to Clifton Village for the most upscale boutiques or the Bristol Shopping Quarter for a diversity of budgets and brands. Gloucester Street is famous for its independent shops or there are the student neighborhoods of Park Street and the Triangle which have a number of trendy shops.

Basel is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The old town is filled with shops that you can wander through as you explore. Popular shopping streets include Freie Strasse and the area around Marktplatz, where you'll find boutique shops and interesting trinkets. You can also head to the city's oldest department store - Manor.

Is Bristol or Basel Better for Families?

Basel is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Bristol is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Basel. The city has an impressive zoo, a really unique toy museum, as well as Aquabasilea with its pools and slides. It's also compact enough that little legs can explore and enjoy everything that it has to offer. If the weather's warm, head for the river to cool off.

Bristol is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has a number of kid-friendly museums, activities, and playgrounds. For museums, check out the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, the M Shed, or Aerospace Bristol. There are also boat rides and the Bristol Aquarium among other unique activities.

Is Bristol or Basel Better for Couples?

Both Bristol and Basel are good destinations for a couple's getaway.

Bristol is a good city for couples to visit. There are romantic restaurants, fun bars, and unique museums that make for a variety of different date options.

Basel is a nice destination for couples. Nice restaurants, interesting museums, and several great spas make this a nice place for a romantic trip.

Is Bristol or Basel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Basel is a city with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Bristol is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Basel is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a few hostels and a really useful City Pass that make this city an option for backpackers and budget travelers. It's also a major transit center so accessibility is convenient. If you're traveling around Europe by train, you'll likely pass through Basel at some point.

Bristol is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Bristol or Basel Better for Students?

Basel is great for its student-friendly activities. Also, Bristol is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Students come from all over to stay in Basel. The University of Basel brings in international students from around the world. The city makes a nice base for exploring Europe, but it's also a bit expensive which can be challenging on a student income.

Bristol is a good city to visit for students. It's a small and friendly city with enough diversity that it stays interesting and dynamic.

Is Bristol or Basel Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Basel is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Bristol is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

The public transit in Basel can get you to most places easily. Trams and buses make it easy to get around town.

Bristol has a few public transit options. Metrobus serves the greater Bristol area.

Is Bristol or Basel a more walkable city?

Basel is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Bristol is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

Basel is a very easy city to get around on foot. The old town and most of the major attractions are easily accessible on foot.

Bristol is very walkable. The city center is well designed for walking.

For even more information, also check out Is Bristol Worth Visiting? and Is Basel Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Basel or Bristol?

How long in Bristol or Basel?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bristol and Basel. In our opinion, Basel has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Basel than Bristol. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Basel than Bristol 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 Basel.

One day in Bristol or Basel?

In Bristol, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this friendly destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

In Basel, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Bristol or Basel?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bristol. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

In Basel, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Basel has to offer.

Five days in Bristol or Basel?

Bristol is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Bristol. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Basel is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Bristol or Basel?

You'll find food and shopping around the friendly destination of Bristol. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Basel. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Basel. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Historical Tours in United Kingdom, The Best 2-Week Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Switzerland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Bristol or Basel?

Bristol has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Basel. When comparing the sizes of Bristol and Basel, 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 Bristol or Basel?

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 Bristol or Basel in the Summer?

Both Basel and Bristol during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Bristol for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Basel because of the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Bristol is generally cooler than Basel. Daily temperatures in Bristol average around 18°C (64°F), and Basel fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

Bristol usually gets less rain in July than Basel. Bristol gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Basel receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bristol or Basel in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bristol and Basel. The autumn months attract visitors to Bristol because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Basel this time of year.

Bristol is around the same temperature as Basel in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bristol averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and Basel fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In October, Bristol usually receives more rain than Basel. Bristol gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Basel receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bristol or Basel in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Bristol as well as Basel. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bristol this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Basel for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Basel. In the winter, Bristol is much warmer than Basel. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bristol in January average around 6°C (43°F), and Basel averages at about 3°C (37°F).

Bristol usually gets more rain in January than Basel. Bristol gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Basel receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bristol or Basel in the Spring?

Both Basel and Bristol are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Bristol for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Basel in the spring for the natural beauty.

In April, Bristol is generally cooler than Basel. Daily temperatures in Bristol average around 10°C (50°F), and Basel fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In April, Bristol usually receives less rain than Basel. Bristol gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Basel receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Basel and Bristol