A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Dundee vs. Bristol for Attractions, Nightlife, Food, and Families

Should you visit Dundee or Bristol?

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

Should I visit Dundee or Bristol? 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.

Dundee

Dundee is a historic, coastal, and cultural city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Bristol

Bristol is a cultural, friendly, and authentic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Dundee and Bristol: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for shopping
  • Less popular with couples
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance


Is there more to do in Dundee or Bristol?

You'll generally find more things to do in Bristol than Dundee. Bristol is bigger than Dundee, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Bristol is more touristy than Dundee and is popular for its laid-back atmosphere and progressive environmental policies. Also, Bristol is famous for The Bristol Harbour. Dundee is well known for its maritime and manufacturing history as well as its focus on design.

How is Dundee different from Bristol?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Dundee or Bristol?

Dundee
Bristol

Bristol is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Dundee is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Bristol offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city has some great museums and landmarks such as the SS Great Britain, M Shed, the Clifton Suspension Bridge, and Cabot Tower.

Dundee offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. On the waterfront you'll find a couple of nautical museums such as RRS Discovery, and HM Frigate Unicorn. Other museums and sights include V&A Dundee, Tay Rail Bridge, Camperdown Wildlife Centre, and Glamis Castle.


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

Dundee
Bristol

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Dundee and Bristol can be difficult as they are each notable in their own way.

Dundee offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are a few local dishes that the city is known for. These include Dundee Cake, Dundee marmalade, and Angus beef.

Bristol has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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.

Is Dundee or Bristol Better for Nightlife?

Dundee
Bristol

Bristol is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Dundee is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Bristol offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Dundee. The vibrant student population heavily influences the city's nightlife. There are a number of clubs and bars where you can hang out late into the night.

Is the Shopping Better in Dundee or Bristol?

Dundee
Bristol

Bristol is a well-known place for shopping. However, Dundee is not a good city for its shopping opportunities.

Bristol is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

If you're looking to go shopping, Dundee has some nice offerings. There are shopping centers and a few independent shops that are worth checking out. Head to Overgate Shopping Centre for the standard brands or Dundee's Farmer's Market for some local produce.


Is Dundee or Bristol Better for Families?

Dundee
Bristol

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Dundee or Bristol.

Dundee is a family-friendly place to visit. Head to the Dundee Science Center or check out Discovery Point. There's also the Dundee Treasure Trail as well as climbing walls and other outdoor activities for when the weather's nice.

Bristol is a family-friendly city. 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 Dundee or Bristol Better for Couples?

Dundee
Bristol

Bristol is a popular place for romance. However, Dundee is not a good city for its romantic activities.

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.

Most people don't think of Dundee as a couple's destination. The coastal city has some nice outdoor spaces and interesting restaurants that couples can enjoy.

Is Dundee or Bristol Better for Students?

Dundee
Bristol

Dundee and Bristol are both notable destinations for students and younger travelers.

Dundee is a good city to visit for students. Its affordability and authenticity make this a nice option for students. It's also a very safe city.

Plenty of students visit Bristol. It's a small and friendly city with enough diversity that it stays interesting and dynamic.


Is Dundee or Bristol Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Dundee
Bristol

Both Dundee and Bristol offer notable public transit options.

Dundee has a few public transit options. The city has a public bus system.

Bristol has some public transit options. Metrobus serves the greater Bristol area.

Is Dundee or Bristol a more walkable city?

Dundee
Bristol

Bristol is a well-known place for its walkability. Also, Dundee is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

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

Dundee is a somewhat walkable place. There are a number of walks through the town.

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

Should I spend more time in Bristol or Dundee?

How long in Dundee or Bristol?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Dundee and Bristol. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Bristol than in Dundee. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Dundee, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bristol.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bristol than Dundee 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 Bristol.


  • How many days in Dundee or Bristol? Ideal Length of Stay
    Dundee 1-2 
    Bristol 1-3

One day in Dundee or Bristol?

In Dundee, you'll find museums and nightlife. 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.

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


A weekend in Dundee or Bristol?

In Dundee, you'll find nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Dundee has to offer.

Bristol 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 Dundee or Bristol?

Dundee is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bristol. 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 Dundee or Bristol?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dundee. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Dundee. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the friendly destination of Bristol. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from London, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 10-Day Tours from London, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Edinburgh.


Which place is cheaper, Bristol or Dundee?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Dundee is £234, while the average daily cost in Bristol is £91. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Dundee and Bristol in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dundee £149
    Bristol £49
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dundee £298
    Bristol £98
Compare Hotels in Dundee and Bristol

Looking for a hotel in Dundee or Bristol? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Dundee


Hotels in Bristol


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Dundee Hotel Prices and Bristol Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dundee £16
    Bristol £13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bristol

Also for Bristol, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Bristol Airport(BRS) to Bristol Cruise Port: $36
  • Private Transfer from Bristol Cruise Port to London City Hotels: $43
  • PrivateTransfer from Bristol Port to London Heathrow Airport(LHR): $43
  • Private Transfer from Bristol Cruise Port to Bristol city hotels: $50
  • Private Bristol Arrival Transfer - Airport to Hotel / Accommodation: $56
  • Bristol Airport to London City Hotels Private Round Trip Transfer: $65
  • Arrival Private Transfer Bristol Airport BRS to Bristol by Business Car: $78
  • Bristol Private Transfer from Bristol Airport to central Bristol: $79
  • Departure Private Transfer Bristol to Bristol Airport BRS by Luxury Van: $85
  • Arrival Private Transfer Bristol Airport BRS to Bristol by Luxury Car: $85
  • Departure Private Transfer Bristol to Bristol Airport BRS by Luxury Car: $85
  • Bristol Airport Transfers: Bristol City to Bristol Airport BRS in Business Car: $90

Is it cheaper to fly into Dundee or Bristol?

Prices for flights to both Bristol and Dundee change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Dundee £47
    Bristol £32
Typical Food Prices in Dundee

Some typical examples of dining costs in Dundee are as follows:


  • Moroccan Sandwich
    £2.70
  • Drinks and Scottish Shortbread at Discovery
    £4.70
  • Kebabs (for 2)
    £8.80

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bristol

For Bristol, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • (Thur 7pm) Comedy Magic Show includes 1x Pizza & 2 glasses of Prosecco: $25

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dundee £106
    Bristol £13
Typical Entertainment Prices in Dundee

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Dundee are as follows:


  • Newspaper
    £0.85

Tours and Activities in Dundee

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Dundee are as follows:

  • Boat Seafari Adventure: $34
  • Dundee Tour App, Hidden Gems Game and Big Britain Quiz (1 Day Pass) UK: $19
  • Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $6.99
  • Made in A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Original Dundee Photoshoot Tour: $83
  • Skip-the-Line: Botanic Garden Entry Ticket: $6.36

Tours and Activities in Bristol

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Bristol.

  • Self-Guided Sightseeing Audio Tour: $5.31
  • Self-Guided Craft Beer Tour with Optional Tasting: $5.31
  • Self-Guided Walking Tour of Bristol's Harbourside History: $5.99
  • The Harbourside's Hidden History Audio Tour: $5.99
  • Bristol's Brilliant Pubs: A Self-Guided GPS Audio Tour of the Old City: $6.99
  • Brunel’s A Self-Guided Tour from SS Great Britain to Clifton Bridge: $7.99
  • Brunel’s Iconic Engineering Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
  • Bristol's Time-Honored Pubs: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Bristol Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $11
  • Bristol Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $11
  • Bristol Harbourside Self-Guided Walking Tour: $11
  • Clifton Suspension Bridge Vaults Experiences: $12

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dundee £13
    Bristol £11

Sample the Local Flavors in Bristol

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Bristol:

  • Bristol’s Best Brewery Taprooms: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99


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


Which is Bigger, Dundee or Bristol?

Bristol has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Dundee. When comparing the sizes of Dundee and Bristol, 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 Dundee or Bristol?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Dundee or Bristol in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Dundee as well as Bristol. Many visitors come to Dundee in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Bristol for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Dundee is generally cooler than Bristol. Daily temperatures in Dundee average around 14°C (58°F), and Bristol fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

Dundee usually gets more rain in July than Bristol. Dundee gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bristol receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Dundee 14°C (58°F) 
    Bristol 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Dundee or Bristol in the Autumn?

Both Bristol and Dundee are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Dundee for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Bristol because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Dundee is cooler than Bristol in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dundee averages around 10°C (49°F) in October, and Bristol fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In October, Dundee usually receives less rain than Bristol. Dundee gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Bristol receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Dundee 10°C (49°F) 
    Bristol 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Dundee or Bristol in the Winter?

Both Bristol and Dundee during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Dundee because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bristol this time of year.

The weather in Dundee can be very cold. In the winter, Dundee is much colder than Bristol. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dundee in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Bristol averages at about 6°C (43°F).

Dundee usually gets less rain in January than Bristol. Dundee gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bristol receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Dundee 3°C (38°F) 
    Bristol 6°C (43°F)

Should I visit Dundee or Bristol in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Dundee and Bristol. The activities around the city are the main draw to Dundee this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Bristol for the activities around the city.

In April, Dundee is generally cooler than Bristol. Daily temperatures in Dundee average around 7°C (45°F), and Bristol fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In April, Dundee usually receives around the same amount of rain as Bristol. Dundee gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Bristol receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Dundee 7°C (45°F) 
    Bristol 10°C (50°F)

Typical Weather for Bristol and Dundee

Dundee Bristol
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (38°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 6°C (43°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Feb 3°C (38°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 5°C (41°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Mar 5°C (41°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 8°C (46°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Apr 7°C (45°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 10°C (50°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
May 10°C (49°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 13°C (55°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Jun 13°C (55°F) 50 mm (2 in) 16°C (61°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jul 14°C (58°F) 52 mm (2 in) 18°C (64°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Aug 14°C (58°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 18°C (64°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 15°C (59°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Oct 10°C (49°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 13°C (55°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Nov 5°C (42°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 8°C (46°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Dec 4°C (39°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 7°C (45°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)