A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Bristol vs. Bath for Attractions, Couples, Nightlife, and Food

Should you visit Bristol or Bath?

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 Bath 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 friendly, authentic, and historic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Bath

Bath is a charming, historical, and beautiful spa town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Bristol and Bath: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bristol or Bath?

You'll generally find more things to do in Bristol than Bath. Bristol is bigger than Bath, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Bristol is better known for its nightlife and big city activities, while Bath is more popular for its museums, historical sights, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Bath is more touristy than Bristol and is known for its world-renowned Roman built baths as well as its historical architecture and many museums. Bristol is well known for its laid-back atmosphere and progressive environmental policies. Also, Bristol is famous for The Bristol Harbour.

How is Bristol different from Bath?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Bath is an unbeatable place for its historical sights. Also, Bristol is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Bath has many famous sights for visitors. The main draw to Bath is the rich history and most sights are focused on the area's spa city past. The Roman Baths are a highlight of a trip to the city, but other not to be missed places include Bath Abbey, the Royal Crescent, and Pulteney Bridge.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Bristol. The city has some great museums and landmarks such as the SS Great Britain, M Shed, the Clifton Suspension Bridge, and Cabot Tower.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Bristol and Bath 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.

Bath offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. Sample afternoon tea or try some local fish and chips. There are a diversity of restaurants to choose from so it's easy to find local favorites, vegetarian options, or international cuisine.

Is Bristol or Bath Better for Nightlife?

Bristol is an excellent place to visit for nightlife. Also, Bath is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Bristol has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Bath has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Head to George Street, which is the liveliest part of the city at night. You'll find a mix of high end restaurants, pubs, and cocktail bars that keep the energy high. One of the most popular nightlife venues in Bath is Bath Komedia, which is a popular music and comedy club.

Is Bristol or Bath Better for its Old Town?

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

Bath is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The Roman old town has charming streets and a vibrant environment. On pleasant weekends you'll find tourists and locals alike filling the restaurants and town squares, giving the city an energy and lively atmosphere.

Bristol does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bristol or Bath?

If you're looking to go shopping, Bristol and Bath both offer plenty of superb 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.

Bath is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Head to Stall Street and Union Street for the most popular shopping streets in town. Many visitors pick up jewelry, glass, and fudge or other sweets while exploring the area.

Is Bristol or Bath Better for Families?

Both Bristol and Bath are notable to visit with kids.

Bristol offers lots of family activities. 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.

Bath is a family-friendly place to visit. The city is all about history and architecture, so at times it can be challenging for the kids to stay entertained. For a change of pace, take a boat on the canal or explore one of the beautiful gardens.

Is Bristol or Bath Better for Couples?

Bath is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Bristol is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Bath is a great spa town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. With its beautiful architecture and fascinating history, this city is perfect for couples. Take a canal cruise or wander through the scenic areas to enjoy a romantic trip.

Bristol is a nice destination for couples. There are romantic restaurants, fun bars, and unique museums that make for a variety of different date options.

Is Bristol or Bath Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bath is a spa town with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Bristol is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Bath is a good spa town to visit for backpackers. You'll find a surprising number of hostels around town so it's not hard to meet other backpackers while you're in the area.

Bristol is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Bristol or Bath Better for Students?

Bath 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 Bath. The University of Bath offers a number of different programs so this is a popular city for local and international students.

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 Bath Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bristol and Bath both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While Bristol offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Metrobus serves the greater Bristol area.

Bath has a few public transit options. You likely won't need public transit because it's easy to walk most places, but there are buses around town.

Is Bristol or Bath a more walkable city?

Bath 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.

Bath is a very easy spa town to get around on foot. It is a very walkable city with most sights and activities packed into a very compact area. There are also many pedestrian areas that are easy to explore 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 Bath Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bath or Bristol?

How long in Bristol or Bath?

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

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

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

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

One day in Bristol or Bath?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Bristol. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

In Bath, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. This spa town 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 Bath?

Bristol is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Bath, 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. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bath has to offer.

Five days in Bristol or Bath?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the friendly destination of Bristol. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Bath 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 Bath?

The diverse city of Bristol offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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's hard to know how much time to spend in Bath. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Bath. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Kingdom, and The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bristol and Bath, we can see that Bath 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 Bath would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bath 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 Bath Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bristol or Bath?

Bristol has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Bath. When comparing the sizes of Bristol and Bath, 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.