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

Should you visit Dublin or Baltimore?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Dublin or Baltimore, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Dublin

Dublin is a fun, laid-back, and friendly city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Baltimore

Baltimore is a colorful, historic, and vibrant city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Dublin and Baltimore: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dublin or Baltimore?

You'll generally find more things to do in Dublin than Baltimore. Dublin is bigger than Baltimore, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Dublin is better known for its nightlife, music, and historical sights, while Baltimore is more popular for its food. Dublin is well known for its friendly and social nightlife, its local pubs, and its role as the birthplace of Guinness. Also, Dublin is famous for The Guinness Storehouse. Baltimore is well known for the Inner Harbor and its many water based activities.

How is Dublin different from Baltimore?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the excellent sights and museums in both Dublin and Baltimore.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Dublin can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Baltimore. The city is known for its historic ships that are found in the Inner Harbor. There are many other museums around town as well like the American Visionary Art Museum, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, and the Baltimore Museum of Art. Many days can be filled exploring the many art, history, or science museums in the area.

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

Baltimore 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 Baltimore. The city's location near the Chesapeake Bay means that there are many great local seafood dishes. Blue crab is a regional favorite and is often served as crab soup, crab dip, or crab cakes. You'll find many famous restaurants in the Inner Harbor, but if you want something more local you should check out Little Italy or Fells Point.

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 Dublin or Baltimore Better for Nightlife?

Dublin is a world-class destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Baltimore is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

People head to Dublin just to party. 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.

Many people head to Baltimore for the nightlife scene. It's a vibrant city with many night time activities like breweries, night clubs, and cocktail bars. There's even outside the box activities like ballroom dancing or arcade bars.

Is Dublin or Baltimore Better for Music?

Dublin is well known for its live music scene. However, Baltimore is not a live music destination.

Music is a popular form of entertainment in Dublin. The best places to hear live music around town are the back street pubs that feature local groups.

Baltimore is not a live music destination.

Is Dublin or Baltimore Better for its Old Town?

Dublin is well known for its old town. However, Baltimore does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights 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.

Baltimore does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Dublin or Baltimore?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Baltimore and Dublin.

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.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Baltimore. Shopping is a great way to experience the different neighborhoods around town. For high end shopping head to Harbor East. For a bit more history check out Federal Hill. Hampden is known for its quirky style and Fell's Point is particularly popular with tourists.

Is Dublin or Baltimore Better for Families?

Dublin and Baltimore are both excellent destinations for the whole family.

Dublin is a very kid-friendly city. 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 family-friendly things to do in Baltimore. The National Aquarium is a highlight for many families. It's an impressive aquarium with dolphins, sharks, puffins, and fish. Also in town is the Port Discovery Children’s Museum which has many interactive exhibits. The Maryland Science Center, the Maryland Zoo, and the many historic ships in the harbor also offer educational opportunities for kids. For something a bit different, check out Urban Pirates in the Inner Harbor.

Is Dublin or Baltimore Better for Couples?

Dublin is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Baltimore is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

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.

Baltimore is a good city for couples to visit. Most visitors spend the majority of their time around the Inner Harbor. There are restaurants and romantic hotels that are perfect for couples. The city also has many entertainment options and other activities that make for a great date night.

Is Dublin or Baltimore Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dublin is well known for backpackers. Also, Baltimore is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Dublin is a great city to visit for backpackers. There are a number of popular backpacker hostels around town. The pub scene is also popular with the young crowd.

It's common for backpackers to visit Baltimore. There are a couple of hostels around town, but most international travelers overlook this city.

Is Dublin or Baltimore Better for Students?

Dublin is very good for students. However, Baltimore is not popular with students.

Dublin is popular with students. 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.

Baltimore is not popular with students.

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

Baltimore is a great destination for its public transit. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Baltimore can get you around easily. There are water taxis and a free downtown bus service that's called the Charm City Circulator. MTA also operates a metro and a light rail system.

While Dublin offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Dublin or Baltimore a more walkable city?

Dublin is a world-class destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Baltimore is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

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

Baltimore is a very walkable destination. The downtown area is the most walkable part of the city. In particular, the Inner Harbor and Fells Point are particularly walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Baltimore or Dublin?

How long in Dublin or Baltimore?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Dublin and Baltimore. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Dublin than in Baltimore. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Dublin, and 2-3 days is enough time in Baltimore.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Dublin than Baltimore 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 Dublin or Baltimore?

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.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Baltimore. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Dublin or Baltimore?

You'll find live music and food around the friendly 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.

Baltimore 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.

Five days in Dublin or Baltimore?

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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Baltimore. 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.

A week in Dublin or Baltimore?

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.

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

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Walking Tours in Ireland, The Best Luxury Tours to Ireland, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Dublin or Baltimore?

Dublin has a larger population, and is about 68% larger than the population of Baltimore. When comparing the sizes of Dublin and Baltimore, 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 Dublin or Baltimore?

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 Dublin or Baltimore in the Summer?

Both Baltimore and Dublin are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Dublin for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Baltimore because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Dublin is much colder than Baltimore in the summer. The daily temperature in Dublin averages around 16°C (60°F) in July, and Baltimore fluctuates around 78°F (25°C).

It's quite sunny in Baltimore. Dublin usually receives less sunshine than Baltimore during summer. Dublin gets 166 hours of sunny skies, while Baltimore receives 283 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Baltimore. In July, Dublin usually receives less rain than Baltimore. Dublin gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Baltimore receives 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Dublin or Baltimore in the Autumn?

Both Baltimore and Dublin during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Dublin because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Baltimore this time of year.

In the autumn, Dublin is cooler than Baltimore. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dublin in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Baltimore averages at about 57°F (14°C).

In the autumn, Dublin often gets less sunshine than Baltimore. Dublin gets 97 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Baltimore receives 196 hours of full sun.

Dublin usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Baltimore. Dublin gets 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Baltimore receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dublin or Baltimore in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Dublin and Baltimore. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Dublin this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Baltimore for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Baltimore. In January, Dublin is generally much warmer than Baltimore. Daily temperatures in Dublin average around 6°C (42°F), and Baltimore fluctuates around 32°F (0°C).

Dublin usually receives less sunshine than Baltimore during winter. Dublin gets 56 hours of sunny skies, while Baltimore receives 153 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Dublin usually receives around the same amount of rain as Baltimore. Dublin gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Baltimore receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Dublin or Baltimore in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Dublin as well as Baltimore. Many travelers come to Dublin for the activities around the city. Additionally, many visitors come to Baltimore in the spring for the activities around the city.

Dublin is cooler than Baltimore in the spring. The daily temperature in Dublin averages around 8°C (47°F) in April, and Baltimore fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Baltimore. In the spring, Dublin often gets less sunshine than Baltimore. Dublin gets 157 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Baltimore receives 225 hours of full sun.

Dublin usually gets less rain in April than Baltimore. Dublin gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Baltimore receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Baltimore and Dublin