A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cambridge vs. Dublin for Nightlife, Attractions, Food, and Families

Should you visit Cambridge or Dublin?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Cambridge and Dublin. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Cambridge

Cambridge is a beautiful, collegiate, and scholarly university town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Dublin

Dublin is a welcoming, fun, and laid-back city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include live music, food, and shopping.

Cambridge and Dublin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cambridge or Dublin?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Dublin than Cambridge. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Dublin is very popular for its nightlife, music, historical sights, and big city activities, while Cambridge attracts visitors for its food, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Cambridge is famous for its iconic university and the many colleges associated with it. Dublin is famous for its friendly and social nightlife, its local pubs, and its role as the birthplace of Guinness. It is also well known for The Guinness Storehouse.

How is Cambridge different from Dublin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cambridge or Dublin?

Spend time exploring the great sights and museums in either Cambridge or Dublin.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Cambridge. The history is rich and impressive in this university town. There are countless museums and architectural sights that you should check out. High on the list are the Cambridge University buildings, The Fitzwilliam Museum, the Bridge of Sighs, The Round Church, and many more.

Dublin offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are a number of museums around town including the National Museum of Ireland, the Little Museum of Dublin, and the National Gallery of Ireland.

Is the Food Better in Cambridge or Dublin? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Cambridge is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Cambridge. You'll find college pubs, local eateries, and fine dining, all in one charming town. Enjoy afternoon tea or fish chips at one of the many local restaurants around town.

Dublin is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Seafood has become popular around town, but you can also try traditional favorites like stew, pancakes, or coddle.

Is Cambridge or Dublin Better for Nightlife?

Dublin is a must-visit destination for nightlife. Also, Cambridge is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Dublin is a world class party destination. Temple Bar is where you'll find the greatest concentration of pubs and nightlife. The city is among the friendliest and most welcoming, and this is seen even in the vibe around town at night.

Cambridge has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife scene is centered around the student culture and you'll find many university pubs, some lively clubs, theaters, and wine bars around town. Whether you're looking for a chill night with friends or a more wild experience, there are options in Cambridge.

Is Cambridge or Dublin Better for Music?

Dublin is an excellent place to visit for live music. However, Cambridge is not a live music destination.

Whether you like big venues or smaller artists, Dublin has diverse options. The best places to hear live music around town are the back street pubs that feature local groups.

Cambridge is not a live music destination.

Is Cambridge or Dublin Better for its Old Town?

Dublin is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town. However, Cambridge does not have a historic old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Dublin. On the south side of the River Liffey are three different historic parts to the city. The Medieval Quarter is the oldest. To the east is Temple Bar, and further east is the Georgian Quarter.

Cambridge does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Cambridge or Dublin?

Shoppers can find a variety of great stores in both Cambridge and Dublin.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Cambridge. The town offers independent boutique shops, local brands, and a 7 day a week market. The three main shopping areas in town are The Grafton, Lion Yard and Grand Arcade.

Dublin is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Head to Grafton Street to see a number of brand name and local shops. It's a pedestrian street that is fun to wander around.

Is Cambridge or Dublin Better for Families?

Dublin is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Cambridge is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Dublin is a very family-friendly destination. Explore the waterways with the viking splash, learn about the vikings at the museum Dublina, or visit any of the other kid-friendly museums around town, or see a show at The Gaiety.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Cambridge. Kids will enjoy following the Treasure Trail, or climbing to the top of the Great St Mary’s Tower. Punting is another iconic experience. On a rainy day, head to the Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences, the Museum of Zoology, or the Cambridge Science Centre.

Is Cambridge or Dublin Better for Couples?

Cambridge and Dublin both great destinations for a couple.

Cambridge makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The quaint town is fun to explore as a couple. Try your hand at punting or take a tour of one of the colleges. You can also enjoy a picnic in the botanical gardens or have tea at the Orchard Tea Garden.

Couples visit Dublin frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's laid-back vibe and countless pubs make it a fun weekend getaway for couples.

Is Cambridge or Dublin Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dublin is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Cambridge is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Dublin is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are a number of popular backpacker hostels around town. The pub scene is also popular with the young crowd.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Cambridge. With a handful of hostels and a vibrant student population, the town makes for a fun stop on your backpacking trip.

Is Cambridge or Dublin Better for Students?

Cambridge is terrific for students. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Cambridge is a great destination for students. The town is home to more than 25,000 students who come from 140 different countries. This is one of the most iconic university towns in the world, and there's really no better place for students to visit or reside.

It's common for students to visit Dublin. While student accommodation can be a bit expensive in town, the nightlife and social aspect of living in the city center makes it well worth it.

Is Cambridge or Dublin Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Cambridge and Dublin.

Cambridge has some public transit options. There is a regional bus service that operates through town.

You'll find some public transit in Dublin, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Cambridge or Dublin a more walkable city?

Cambridge and Dublin are world-class when it comes to walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Cambridge. Walking is the best way to explore the town.

Getting around Dublin on foot is easy. Because it is so compact and flat, it is easy to explore the city center on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Cambridge Worth Visiting? and Is Dublin Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dublin or Cambridge?

How long in Cambridge or Dublin?

In either Cambridge or Dublin, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Dublin than Cambridge because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Cambridge, and 2-5 days is enough time in Dublin.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Dublin than Cambridge 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 Dublin.

One day in Cambridge or Dublin?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Cambridge. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

You'll find nightlife and live music around the city of Dublin. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Cambridge or Dublin?

Cambridge is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find live music and food around the laid-back destination of Dublin. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Cambridge or Dublin?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cambridge. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find food and shopping around the laid-back city of Dublin. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the nightlife. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Cambridge or Dublin?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic destination of Cambridge. This university town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Dublin is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from London, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from London, The Best Walking Tours in Ireland, and The Best Luxury Tours to Ireland.

When comparing the travel costs between Cambridge and Dublin, we can see that Cambridge 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 Cambridge Expensive? and Is Dublin Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cambridge or Dublin?

Dublin has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Cambridge. When comparing the sizes of Cambridge and Dublin, 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.