A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Bristol vs. Birmingham for Attractions, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Bristol or Birmingham?

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 Birmingham 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 museums, nightlife, and food.

Birmingham

Birmingham is a fun-filled, bustling, and historic city. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the theater, nightlife, and live music.

Bristol and Birmingham: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bristol or Birmingham?

Both Birmingham and Bristol have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Bristol is better known for its big city activities, while Birmingham is more popular for its theatre productions, music, and quaint atmosphere. Bristol is well known for its laid-back atmosphere and progressive environmental policies. Birmingham is well known for its strong musical routes and its very livable atmosphere.

How is Bristol different from Birmingham?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of superb museums and attractions in both Birmingham 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 Birmingham. Famous sights include the Museum & Art Gallery, Thinktank, and St. Philip's Cathedral.

Is Bristol or Birmingham Better for Theater?

Birmingham is great for its shows and theatre. However, Bristol 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.

Bristol is not a theatre destination.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Bristol and Birmingham 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.

Birmingham offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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 Bristol or Birmingham Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is superb in both Bristol and Birmingham.

Many people head to Bristol for the nightlife scene. 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.

Birmingham has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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.

Is Bristol or Birmingham Better for Music?

Birmingham is an unbeatable place for its music scene. However, Bristol is not a live music destination.

Birmingham has become a mecca for musicians from 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.

Bristol is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bristol or Birmingham?

If you're looking to go shopping, Bristol and Birmingham 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.

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.

Is Bristol or Birmingham Better for Families?

Birmingham 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 Birmingham. 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.

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 Birmingham Better for Couples?

Birmingham is great for couples. Also, Bristol is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

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.

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 Birmingham Better for Students?

Birmingham is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Bristol is not as popular, but is still a nice city for 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.

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

Bristol and Birmingham 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.

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

Is Bristol or Birmingham a more walkable city?

Bristol and Birmingham are superb when it comes to walkability.

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

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

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

Should I spend more time in Birmingham or Bristol?

How long in Bristol or Birmingham?

In either Bristol or Birmingham, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Birmingham than Bristol because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bristol, and 1-5 days is enough time in Birmingham.

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

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

One day in Bristol or Birmingham?

With museums and nightlife around the friendly city of Bristol, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bristol, one day is sufficent for most.

In Birmingham, you'll find food and shopping. One reason most visitors come is for the live music. 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 Birmingham?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Bristol, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

In Birmingham, you'll find shopping and museums. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the live music. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Birmingham has to offer.

Five days in Bristol or Birmingham?

Bristol, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Birmingham is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Birmingham has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Bristol or Birmingham?

Bristol 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Birmingham. Many people enjoy the theater and nightlife when visiting Birmingham. One reason most visitors come is for the live music. 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 Birmingham, we can see that Birmingham 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 Birmingham would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Birmingham 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 Birmingham Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bristol or Birmingham?

Birmingham has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Bristol. When comparing the sizes of Bristol and Birmingham, 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 Birmingham?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Bristol or Birmingham in the Summer?

Both Birmingham and Bristol are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Bristol in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Birmingham for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Bristol is around the same temperature as Birmingham. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bristol in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Birmingham averages at about 17°C (63°F).

In July, Bristol usually receives less rain than Birmingham. Bristol gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bristol or Birmingham in the Autumn?

Both Birmingham and Bristol during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Bristol for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Birmingham because of the shopping scene and the music scene.

In October, Bristol is generally a little warmer than Birmingham. Daily temperatures in Bristol average around 13°C (55°F), and Birmingham fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Bristol usually gets more rain in October than Birmingham. Bristol gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bristol or Birmingham in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bristol and Birmingham. The winter months attract visitors to Bristol because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Birmingham this time of year.

It's quite cold in Birmingham in the winter. Bristol is much warmer than Birmingham in the winter. The daily temperature in Bristol averages around 6°C (43°F) in January, and Birmingham fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In January, Bristol usually receives more rain than Birmingham. Bristol gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bristol or Birmingham in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bristol as well as Birmingham. The activities around the city are the main draw to Bristol this time of year.

In the spring, Bristol is a little warmer than Birmingham. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bristol in April average around 10°C (50°F), and Birmingham averages at about 9°C (48°F).

Bristol usually gets less rain in April than Birmingham. Bristol gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Birmingham and Bristol