A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Christchurch vs. Manchester for Families, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Christchurch or Manchester?

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

Should I visit Christchurch or Manchester? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Christchurch

Christchurch is a cultural, outdoorsy, and adventure-filled city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Manchester

Manchester is a cultural, vibrant, and dynamic city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the food, shopping, and museums.

Christchurch and Manchester: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Christchurch or Manchester?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Manchester. Although Christchurch and Manchester are roughly the same size, Manchester has more sights and attractions for tourists. Manchester is very popular for its music and big city activities, while Christchurch attracts visitors for its beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Christchurch is famous for its outdoor beauty and relaxing, scenic atmosphere. Manchester is famous for its strong music culture as well as being home to the world-renowned Manchester United Football Club. It is also well known for The National Football Museum.

How is Christchurch different from Manchester?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Christchurch or Manchester?

Plenty of people visit the great sights and museums in both Christchurch and Manchester.

Christchurch offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is filled with street art and local galleries. There's also Canterbury Museum, the International Antarctic Centre, the Arts Centre, and the Riccarton House & Bush.

Many visitors head to Manchester specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Head to the Science and Industry Museum, the Imperial War Museum North, Manchester Cathedral, or John Rylands Library & Manchester Central Library to see some of the cities most interesting sights.

Is the Food Better in Christchurch or Manchester? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Christchurch and Manchester.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Christchurch. There's a mix of cozy cafes and casual eateries around town. You'll also find some fine dining restaurants as well as international flavors.

Manchester has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. You'll find a great food scene with diverse restaurant options that include international flavors, vegetarian options, and more. There are also many great places to try craft beer.

Is Christchurch or Manchester Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Christchurch and Manchester.

Christchurch is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The city has its share of dance clubs, live music venues, and laid back bars. You'll find a number of popular hangout spots around Oxford Terrace or on the historic New Regent Street.

Many people head to Manchester for the nightlife scene. The nightlife scene is diverse and high energy. Head to Deansgate or the Northern Quarter for some of the best nightlife venues. You'll also find a huge rave scene in town.

Is Christchurch or Manchester Better for Music?

Manchester is well known for its live music scene. However, Christchurch is not a live music destination.

Music is a popular form of entertainment in Manchester. There's a long running music reputation here. Some of the iconic bands that began here include Oasis and Stone Roses.

Christchurch is not a live music destination.

Is Christchurch or Manchester Better for Beaches?

Christchurch is great for its beaches. However, Manchester is not a beach destination.

Christchurch is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. There are sandy beaches in the area with water sports and various amenities. The summer months are the most popular time for hanging out at the beach, and you'll find local families playing in the sun or enjoying a picnic.

Manchester is not a beach destination.

Is Christchurch or Manchester Better for Hiking?

Christchurch is great for hiking. However, Manchester is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Christchurch for the hiking trails. There are many beautiful hikes in the area that take you along the coastline or past local historic sights. The landscape is diverse and you'll find many amazing parks in the area. Hooker Valley Track is one of the best hiking routes nearby.

Manchester is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Christchurch or Manchester?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Manchester and Christchurch.

Christchurch is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. There's a mix of boutique shops, outlet malls, and open air markets. Some of the best shopping places include the Tannery and the Colombo.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Manchester. From jewelry to boutique clothing outlets, there are many places to shop around town. Head to Manchester Arndale, Trafford Centre, or Market Street for some of the best shopping.

Is Christchurch or Manchester Better for Families?

Christchurch is very popular for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Christchurch is one of the most popular family destinations. The International Antarctic Centre is a thrilling and fun experience. There's also the Orana Wildlife Park or Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. For adrenaline junkies there are the ropes courses at the Adrenalin Forest. There are also many indoor playgrounds and rock climbing facilities.

Manchester is a very kid-friendly city. You'll find a number of kid-friendly activities around town including the popular Legoland Discovery Center. Another fun activity is taking a behind the scenes CBBC interactive tour at MediaCityUK. Animal lovers will enjoy visiting the SeaLife Aquarium or the Chester Zoo and sports enthusiasts will not want to miss a visit to the National Football Museum or doing a tour of Old Trafford where you can also visit the Manchester United Museum.

Is Christchurch or Manchester Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Christchurch and Manchester make for a great place to visit.

Couples visit Christchurch frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Punting on the Avon River is one of the most romantic activities in the city. There are also botanical gardens, parks, and natural areas that are fun to explore. Nearby, you can do a wine tour, or there are cocktail bars and charming restaurants in town. The city also has a nice theater and many other date night activities.

Manchester is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Couples can enjoy a visit to a spa, a nice meal out, or simply wandering down the canal. For a unique experience, you can hit to slopes at Chill Factore.

Is Christchurch or Manchester Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Christchurch is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Christchurch is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There's no shortage of hostels around town, and many backpackers pass through Christchurch on their epic New Zealand adventure.

It's common for backpackers to visit Manchester. You'll find hostels around town and a number of visitors, particularly during the sports season.

Is Christchurch or Manchester Better for Students?

Christchurch and Manchester are great places to visit for students.

Christchurch is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It's the largest city on the South Island and there are plenty of activities and nearby trips that you can enjoy.

Manchester is very popular with students. There's a large number of students as well as a great music scene and tons of festivals that make this a great city to do your studies.

Is Christchurch or Manchester Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Manchester is well known for its public transit. Also, Christchurch is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Manchester has some very good public transit options. The city has bus, train, and tram options for travel.

While Christchurch offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. While it's not a diverse transit system, the buses are well connected and offer the cheapest way to get around town.

Is Christchurch or Manchester a more walkable city?

Christchurch is great for its walkability. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

Christchurch is very walkable. The city center is relatively flat and easy to explore on foot.

Manchester is a somewhat walkable place. Some neighborhoods are more walkable than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Christchurch Worth Visiting? and Is Manchester Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Manchester or Christchurch?

How long in Christchurch or Manchester?

It's fun to spend time in either Christchurch or Manchester. In our opinion, Christchurch has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Christchurch than Manchester. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Christchurch than Manchester 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 Christchurch.

One day in Christchurch or Manchester?

With museums and nightlife around the cultural city of Christchurch, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Each neighborhood in Manchester has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Christchurch or Manchester?

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

Manchester is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Christchurch or Manchester?

Christchurch, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find nightlife and live music around the vibrant big city of Manchester. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Christchurch or Manchester?

Christchurch 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.

Manchester is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland, The Best 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Christchurch and Manchester, we can see that Manchester is more expensive. And not only is Christchurch much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Christchurch is in Pacific and Manchester is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Christchurch would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Christchurch 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 Manchester would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Manchester than you might in Christchurch.

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

Which is Bigger, Christchurch or Manchester?

Manchester has a larger population, and is about 9% larger than the population of Christchurch. When comparing the sizes of Christchurch and Manchester, 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 Christchurch or Manchester?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Christchurch is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Manchester has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Christchurch or Manchester in the Summer?

Both Manchester and Christchurch during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Christchurch this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Manchester for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In January, Christchurch is generally around the same temperature as Manchesterin July. Daily temperatures in Christchurch average around 18°C (64°F), and Manchester fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).

It's quite sunny in Christchurch. In the summer, Christchurch often gets more sunshine than Manchesterin July. Christchurch gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Manchester receives 176 hours of full sun.

Christchurch usually gets less rain in January than Manchesterin July. Christchurch gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Christchurch or Manchester in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Christchurch and Manchester. Many travelers come to Christchurch for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Manchester in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

Christchurch is a little warmer than Manchester in the autumn. The daily temperature in Christchurch averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and Manchester fluctuates around 11°C (52°F)in October.

Christchurch usually receives more sunshine than Manchester during autumn. Christchurch gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Manchester receives 97 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In April, Christchurch usually receives less rain than Manchesterin October. Christchurch gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Christchurch or Manchester in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Christchurch as well as Manchester. Many visitors come to Christchurch in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Manchester for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Manchester can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Christchurch is much warmer than Manchester. Typically, the winter temperatures in Christchurch in July average around 6°C (43°F), and Manchester averages at about 4°C (39°F)in January.

In the winter, Christchurch often gets more sunshine than Manchesterin January. Christchurch gets 122 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Manchester receives 53 hours of full sun.

Christchurch usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Manchesterin January. Christchurch gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Christchurch or Manchester in the Spring?

Both Manchester and Christchurch are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Christchurch for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Manchester because of the activities around the city.

In October, Christchurch is generally much warmer than Manchesterin April. Daily temperatures in Christchurch average around 12°C (54°F), and Manchester fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Christchurch. Christchurch usually receives more sunshine than Manchester during spring. Christchurch gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Manchester receives 144 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Christchurch usually receives less rain than Manchesterin April. Christchurch gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Manchester and Christchurch