A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Glasgow vs. Birmingham for Nightlife, Music, Attractions, and Families

Should you visit Glasgow or Birmingham?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Glasgow or Birmingham, 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.

Glasgow

Glasgow is a high energy, friendly, and cultural city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Birmingham

Birmingham is a fun-filled, bustling, and historic city. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the theater, nightlife, and live music.

Glasgow and Birmingham: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Glasgow or Birmingham?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Glasgow than Birmingham. While Birmingham is larger than Glasgow, Glasgow has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Glasgow is better known for its nightlife, historical sights, and big city activities, while Birmingham is more popular for its theatre productions, shopping, and quaint atmosphere. Glasgow is well known for its rich culture, its beautiful Victorian and art nouveau architecture, and its large student population. Also, Glasgow is famous for Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Birmingham is well known for its strong musical routes and its very livable atmosphere.

How is Glasgow different from Birmingham?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Glasgow or Birmingham?

You'll find a number of excellent museums and attractions in both Birmingham and Glasgow.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Glasgow can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is rich in culture and offers many fascinating sights including the Glasgow Cathedral, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, and the Necropolis.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Birmingham. Famous sights include the Museum & Art Gallery, Thinktank, and St. Philip's Cathedral.

Is Glasgow or Birmingham Better for Theater?

Birmingham is great for its shows and theatre. However, Glasgow is not a theatre destination.

Many visitors plan to see a show while visiting Birmingham. The impressive theater scene includes Broadway shows and musicals. Birmingham Hippodrome is a major theater in town.

Glasgow is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Glasgow or Birmingham? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Glasgow and Birmingham offer a number of notable restaurants to choose from.

Glasgow is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The city's food scene continues to grow and innovate. You'll find plenty of seafood options as well as international cuisine and everything from fine dining to local cafes.

Birmingham offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. Food reviews are mixed around town. The city has its share of award-winning restaurants, but there are also popular dishes that are more of an acquired taste. Local flavors include pork scratching, Birmingham soup, and brummie bacon cakes.

Is Glasgow or Birmingham Better for Nightlife?

Glasgow is an amazing city to visit for nightlife. Also, Birmingham is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

Glasgow has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. The city has some of the best nightlife in the entire country. There are clubs, bars, techno warehouses and more. Some of the best clubs include Sub Club, The Berkeley Suite, and The Garage.

Birmingham has plenty to do after the sun goes down. With tons of students and young people looking to party, there is plenty to do in the evening. You'll find no shortage of pubs, clubs, and music venues around town.

Is Glasgow or Birmingham Better for Music?

Glasgow and Birmingham are both destinations where visitors can find terrific live music.

Glasgow has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. Known to some as "the city of music", you'll find a wide range of music venues, live shows, festivals, and even a great underground music scene.

Birmingham is a world class music destination. The city has long been a haven for musical creativity, and its influence over the global music scene is apparent. Popular music venues around town include Ghetto Golf, Digbeth Dining Club, and the Sunflower Lounge.

Is Glasgow or Birmingham Better for its Old Town?

Glasgow is very good for its historic old town. However, Birmingham does not have a historic old town.

Glasgow is a good destination for visiting its old town. High Street is one of the oldest and most well known streets in the city.

Birmingham does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Glasgow or Birmingham?

Birmingham is great for its shopping areas. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Birmingham. The city offers everything from large department stores to smaller local shops. There are several good shopping streets around town as well as large markets and even a jewelry quarter.

Glasgow is a great destination for shopping. The city has independent boutique shops as well as major brands. Head to the "Style Mile" for some of the best shopping. It's a district that offers pedestrian-friendly shopping and includes high end boutiques and independent markets. Also check out The Barras Market, Buchanan Street, and High Street.

Is Glasgow or Birmingham Better for Families?

Birmingham is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Birmingham. The city has put effort into making sure there are plenty of family-friendly activities around. You can visit a chocolate factory, explore an aquarium, enjoy an animal safari, or explore one of the hands-on museums.

Glasgow is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has some family-friendly museums including the hands on The Burrell Collection, the Glasgow Science Center, and The Riverside Museum. If you have older kids who enjoy the water, there are some water activities in town. Check out Pinkston Watersports, Glasgow Wake Park or Outdoor Pursuits. There are also climbing gyms and skate parks.

Is Glasgow or Birmingham Better for Couples?

Birmingham is great for couples. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Birmingham is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Romantic activities around town include taking a beautiful stroll through town, wandering around a park or garden, or seeing the ballet.

Glasgow is a nice destination for couples. Couples can enjoy a museum or one of the parks around town. There are also river cruises and spas. For a more locally specific activity, check out the Bothwell Castle.

Is Glasgow or Birmingham Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Glasgow is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Birmingham is not a good destination for backpackers.

Glasgow is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a good number of hostels around town as well as a good social scene, making this a decent option for backpackers.

Birmingham is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not the most popular destination for backpackers, but there's at least one affordable hostel in town.

Is Glasgow or Birmingham Better for Students?

Birmingham is a must-visit destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Birmingham is a great destination for students. With world class academic institutions and a very diverse and international population, this is a popular place for international students to study.

Students come from all over to stay in Glasgow. The city has the second largest student population in the UK, so you'll find plenty of students to hang out with.

Is Glasgow or Birmingham Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Glasgow is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Birmingham is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Visitors to Glasgow can move around easily with public transportation. The subway is convenient in the city center, west end, and southside. There are also buses throughout the city.

Birmingham has a few public transit options. There is a reasonably comprehensive bus system.

Is Glasgow or Birmingham a more walkable city?

Glasgow and Birmingham are excellent when it comes to walkability.

Glasgow is a very walkable destination. The city center is generally walkable and can be explored on foot.

Birmingham is very walkable. Many parts of the city are very walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Glasgow Worth Visiting? and Is Birmingham Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Birmingham or Glasgow?

How long in Glasgow or Birmingham?

In either Glasgow or Birmingham, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Birmingham than Glasgow because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Glasgow, and 1-5 days is enough time in Birmingham.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Glasgow than Birmingham 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 Glasgow.

One day in Glasgow or Birmingham?

With live music and food around the friendly city of Glasgow, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Birmingham, you'll find food and shopping. One reason most visitors come is for the live music. 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.

A weekend in Glasgow or Birmingham?

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

In Birmingham, you'll find shopping and museums. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the live music. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Birmingham has to offer.

Five days in Glasgow or Birmingham?

Glasgow, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Birmingham is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Birmingham has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Glasgow or Birmingham?

Glasgow 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Birmingham. Many people enjoy the theater and nightlife when visiting Birmingham. One reason most visitors come is for the live music. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United Kingdom, and The Best Historical Tours in United Kingdom.

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

Which is Bigger, Glasgow or Birmingham?

Birmingham has a larger population, and is about 61% larger than the population of Glasgow. When comparing the sizes of Glasgow and Birmingham, 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 Glasgow or Birmingham?

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 Glasgow or Birmingham in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Glasgow is cooler than Birmingham. Typically, the summer temperatures in Glasgow in July average around 15°C (59°F), and Birmingham averages at about 17°C (63°F).

Glasgow usually receives less sunshine than Birmingham during summer. Glasgow gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Birmingham receives 196 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Glasgow usually receives more rain than Birmingham. Glasgow gets 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Glasgow or Birmingham in the Autumn?

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

In October, Glasgow is generally cooler than Birmingham. Daily temperatures in Glasgow average around 10°C (49°F), and Birmingham fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Glasgow often gets less sunshine than Birmingham. Glasgow gets 69 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Birmingham receives 103 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Glasgow. Glasgow usually gets more rain in October than Birmingham. Glasgow gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Glasgow or Birmingham in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Glasgow and Birmingham. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Glasgow this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Birmingham for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Birmingham. It's quite cold in Glasgow in the winter. Glasgow is around the same temperature as Birmingham in the winter. The daily temperature in Glasgow averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Birmingham fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Glasgow usually receives less sunshine than Birmingham during winter. Glasgow gets 40 hours of sunny skies, while Birmingham receives 58 hours of full sun in the winter.

Glasgow gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Glasgow usually receives more rain than Birmingham. Glasgow gets 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Glasgow or Birmingham in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Glasgow as well as Birmingham. Many travelers come to Glasgow for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Glasgow is cooler than Birmingham. Typically, the spring temperatures in Glasgow in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Birmingham averages at about 9°C (48°F).

In the spring, Glasgow often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Birmingham. Glasgow gets 134 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Birmingham receives 136 hours of full sun.

Glasgow usually gets more rain in April than Birmingham. Glasgow gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Birmingham and Glasgow