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

Should you visit Dublin or Seattle?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Dublin or Seattle, 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 friendly, welcoming, and fun city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and live music.

Seattle

Seattle is a laid-back, bustling, and progressive city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the museums, theater, and nightlife.

Dublin and Seattle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dublin or Seattle?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Seattle than Dublin. While Dublin is larger than Seattle, Seattle has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Seattle is more popular for its theatre productions, food, beaches, hiking, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Dublin is known for its nightlife, historical sights, and shopping. Dublin is popular for its friendly and social nightlife, its local pubs, and its role as the birthplace of Guinness. Seattle is popular for its beautiful waterfront setting, diverse culinary scene, thriving art and cultural venues, and being the home of many international tech companies. It is also home to The Space Needle.

How is Dublin different from Seattle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the superb sights and museums in both Dublin and Seattle.

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 Seattle. The city's most iconic landmark is the Space Needle. There's also a zoo, aquarium, and a handful of nice museums. Several favorites include the Chihuly Garden and Glass, the Museum of History & Industry, and the Seattle Art Museum.

Is Dublin or Seattle Better for Theater?

Seattle is a nice place to visit for its theatre productions. However, Dublin is not a theatre destination.

With some theater and performance venues, you might want to see a show in Seattle. There are a handful of theaters where you can enjoy traveling Broadway shows or smaller productions.

Dublin is not a theatre destination.

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

Seattle 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 Seattle. The city has many diverse dining options that make it a popular foodie destination. The seafood is world-class with many restaurants offering fresh caught salmon and oysters. There are also many great Asian restaurants with Pho, sushi, and dim sum all being popular around town. Seattle is also famous as the birthplace of Starbucks coffee, and both chain and independent coffee shops are common. Finally, make sure you check out the donuts at Pike's Place Market.

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 Seattle Better for Nightlife?

Dublin is renowned for its evening party scene. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Dublin is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.

Seattle has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city is known for its breweries and eclectic nightlife scene. There is a thriving theater scene as well as many bars and trendy restaurants. The best neighborhoods for nightlife include Capitol Hill, Belltown, and Downtown.

Is Dublin or Seattle Better for Music?

Live music enthusiatsts will find something to enjoy in either Dublin or Seattle.

Dublin has become a hotbed of musicians and artists. The best places to hear live music around town are the back street pubs that feature local groups.

Seattle has a thriving music scene. The city has developed its own music culture around several genres including alternative rock and grunge.

Is Dublin or Seattle Better for Beaches?

Seattle is a nice place to visit for the beache. However, Dublin is not a beach destination.

Seattle has a beach worth visiting. The city is surrounded by water so there are a number of rocky and sandy beaches nearby. Some beaches are more popular with locals while others attract a large amount of tourists. Alki Beach Park, Discovery Park, and Golden Gardens Park are among the best.

Dublin is not a beach destination.

Is Dublin or Seattle Better for its Old Town?

Dublin is notable for its historic old town charm. However, Seattle does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Dublin to see the historical old town. 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.

Seattle does not have a historic old town.

Is Dublin or Seattle Better for Hiking?

Seattle is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Dublin is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Seattle. It's famously an outdoorsy city and the hiking will not disappoint. Within a half hour drive of town you'll find beautiful forests and stunning natural beauty. Head into the Cascades, to the coastal rainforests, or around Mount Rainier for all kinds of diverse landscapes. Seattle is well situated for you to experience hiking through the diverse Pacific Northwest landscapes.

Dublin is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Dublin or Seattle?

Dublin is notable for its shopping areas. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Dublin. 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Seattle. Shopping in town has an eclectic mix of high end brands, local vendors, and vintage shops. There are farmers markets as well as the famous Pike Place Market, but also major malls with all of the standard department stores.

Is Dublin or Seattle Better for Families?

Dublin is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Dublin is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Seattle is a family-friendly city. This is an outdoor city with plenty of places where kids can run around and experience nature. There are several good museums as well as outdoor activities, parks, and a zoo. Make sure you check out the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Volunteer Park, and Artists at Play Playground.

Is Dublin or Seattle Better for Couples?

Dublin is notable for couples. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Dublin is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's laid-back vibe and countless pubs make it a fun weekend getaway for couples.

Seattle is a nice destination for couples. The city has a laid back vibe, a nice downtown area, and plenty of outdoor activities. There are a diversity of restaurants to enjoy and a great nightlife scene that makes for a good couple's getaway.

Is Dublin or Seattle Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dublin is notable for backpackers. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Dublin is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. There are a number of popular backpacker hostels around town. The pub scene is also popular with the young crowd.

Seattle is a good city to visit for backpackers. Although it's not the most popular city for backpackers in America, the city's chill vibe, fun breweries, and lively setting make it a great spot for young backpackers.

Is Dublin or Seattle Better for Students?

Seattle is a great destination for students. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Seattle is a great city to visit as a student. It is a major IT center with a large university, so international students will have plenty of opportunities here. It's also a vibrant city with many outdoor recreational opportunities and a fun nightlife scene.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Dublin and Seattle.

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.

While Seattle offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a light rail system, a monorail, a street car, and buses.

Is Dublin or Seattle a more walkable city?

Dublin is renowned for its ease of walking around. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its walkability.

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

Seattle is very walkable. Many neighborhoods are very walkable, particularly in the downtown and major tourist areas.

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

Should I spend more time in Seattle or Dublin?

How long in Dublin or Seattle?

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

Families should spend more time in Dublin than Seattle. 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 Seattle. 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 Seattle 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 Seattle?

In Dublin, you'll find shopping and museums. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Seattle is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Dublin or Seattle?

In Dublin, you'll find museums and nightlife. 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 nightlife. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Dublin has to offer.

Seattle 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 Seattle?

Dublin is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Dublin has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Seattle. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Seattle?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dublin. Many people enjoy the live music and food when visiting Dublin. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. 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.

Travelers enjoy the museums and theater when visiting the cultural big city of Seattle. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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 Las Vegas, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage.

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

Which is Bigger, Dublin or Seattle?

Dublin has a larger population, and is about 80% larger than the population of Seattle. When comparing the sizes of Dublin and Seattle, 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 Seattle?

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 Seattle in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dublin and Seattle. The summer months attract visitors to Dublin because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Seattle this time of year.

In the summer, Dublin is cooler than Seattle. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dublin in July average around 16°C (60°F), and Seattle averages at about 67°F (19°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Seattle this time of the year. Dublin usually receives less sunshine than Seattle during summer. Dublin gets 166 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Dublin usually receives more rain than Seattle. Dublin gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Dublin or Seattle in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Dublin as well as Seattle. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Dublin this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Seattle for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Dublin is generally cooler than Seattle. Daily temperatures in Dublin average around 11°C (52°F), and Seattle fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

In the autumn, Dublin often gets less sunshine than Seattle. Dublin gets 97 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 143 hours of full sun.

Dublin usually gets less rain in October than Seattle. Dublin gets 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dublin or Seattle in the Winter?

Both Seattle and Dublin are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Dublin for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Seattle in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Dublin is around the same temperature as Seattle in the winter. The daily temperature in Dublin averages around 6°C (42°F) in January, and Seattle fluctuates around 42°F (5°C).

Dublin usually receives less sunshine than Seattle during winter. Dublin gets 56 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 67 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Seattle. In January, Dublin usually receives less rain than Seattle. Dublin gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 5.4 inches (136 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Dublin or Seattle in the Spring?

Both Seattle and Dublin during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Dublin in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Seattle for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Dublin is cooler than Seattle. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dublin in April average around 8°C (47°F), and Seattle averages at about 51°F (11°C).

In Seattle, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Dublin often gets less sunshine than Seattle. Dublin gets 157 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 212 hours of full sun.

Dublin usually gets less rain in April than Seattle. Dublin gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Seattle and Dublin