A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Inverness vs. Birmingham for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Inverness or Birmingham?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Inverness and Birmingham can help you decide which place is right for you.

Inverness

Inverness is a historic, cultural, and traditional city. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Birmingham

Birmingham is a bustling, historic, and vibrant city. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. And you can't forget about the museums, theater, and nightlife.

Inverness and Birmingham: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Home to Loch Ness
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Numerous theater shows
  • Active nightlife
  • Good music scene
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for students
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers


Is there more to do in Inverness or Birmingham?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Birmingham. Although Inverness and Birmingham are popular destinations, Birmingham has more sights and attractions for tourists. Birmingham is very popular for its theatre productions, nightlife, music, and quaint atmosphere, while Inverness attracts visitors for its food and small town charm. Inverness is more touristy than Birmingham and is popular for its surrounding countryside, but also its regional heritage, local festivals and proximity to the famous Loch Ness. Birmingham is famous for its strong musical routes and its very livable atmosphere. It is also well known for Victoria Square.

How is Inverness different from Birmingham?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Inverness
Birmingham

Plenty of people visit the very good sights and museums in both Inverness and Birmingham.

Many visitors head to Inverness specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. As a city rich in culture and heritage, you'll find a number of sights and museums in town. Check out the Highland House of Fraser, Culloden Moor, and Clava Cairns.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Birmingham can be an interesting and educational experience. Famous sights include the Museum & Art Gallery, Thinktank, and St. Philip's Cathedral.


Is Inverness or Birmingham Better for Theater?

Inverness
Birmingham

Birmingham is a well-known place for its theatre productions. However, Inverness is not a theatre destination.

Birmingham has a number of performance venues where you can see a variety of shows. The impressive theater scene includes Broadway shows and musicals. Birmingham Hippodrome is a major theater in town.

Inverness is not a theatre destination.

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

Inverness
Birmingham

Inverness is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Birmingham is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Inverness. The city makes a great spot to fill your belly after a few days exploring the Scottish Highlands. You'll find local restaurants that serve up regional specialties, and when the weather's nice, there are some spots with outdoor seating.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Birmingham. 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 Inverness or Birmingham Better for Nightlife?

Inverness
Birmingham

Birmingham is a well-known place for nightlife and partying. Also, Inverness is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Birmingham offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Inverness. Nightlife isn't the first thing that comes to mind with this town, but there are actually lots of distilleries in the area and there's a surprising number of high quality bars and pubs that make for a fun evening.


Is Inverness or Birmingham Better for Music?

Inverness
Birmingham

Birmingham is terrific for its live music scene. However, Inverness is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Birmingham 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.

Inverness is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Inverness or Birmingham?

Inverness
Birmingham

Both Inverness and Birmingham are very good shopping destinations.

Inverness is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The town is at the cultural heart of the Scottish Highlands you'll find plenty of local shops where you can pick up local products. Make sure you check out the Inverness Victorian Market.

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.

Is Inverness or Birmingham Better for Families?

Inverness
Birmingham

Birmingham is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Inverness is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Birmingham is a very kid-friendly city. 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.

Inverness is a family-friendly city. The city has some parks and activities that are great for kids. Make sure you explore Inverness Castle and the Inverness Mystery Treasure Trail.


Is Inverness or Birmingham Better for Couples?

Inverness
Birmingham

Birmingham is a well-known place for its romantic activities. Also, Inverness is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Birmingham is a very popular place to visit for couples. Romantic activities around town include taking a beautiful stroll through town, wandering around a park or garden, or seeing the ballet.

Inverness is a good city for couples to visit. Located in the Scottish Highlands, there ae many scenic spots and nice activities that couples can enjoy in the area.

Is Inverness or Birmingham Better for Students?

Inverness
Birmingham

Birmingham is terrific for students. However, Inverness is not popular with students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Birmingham. With world class academic institutions and a very diverse and international population, this is a popular place for international students to study.

Inverness is not popular with students.

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

Inverness
Birmingham

Birmingham is very good for its public transit. However, Inverness is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Inverness. There are local buses that pass through the town.


Is Inverness or Birmingham a more walkable city?

Inverness
Birmingham

Inverness and Birmingham both are very good when exploring on foot.

Inverness is a very walkable city. It's compact enough that you can explore much of the town on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Birmingham or Inverness?

How long in Inverness or Birmingham?

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

Families should spend more time in Birmingham than Inverness. 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 Inverness. 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 Birmingham than Inverness 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 Birmingham.


  • How many days in Inverness or Birmingham? Ideal Length of Stay
    Inverness 1-3 
    Birmingham 1-5

One day in Inverness or Birmingham?

With museums and nightlife around the traditional city of Inverness, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Inverness, one day is sufficent for most.

You'll find museums and theater around the city of Birmingham. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Birmingham has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Inverness or Birmingham?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Inverness, 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.

You'll find theater and nightlife around the historic destination of Birmingham. 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.


Five days in Inverness or Birmingham?

Inverness, 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.

You'll find nightlife and live music around the vibrant city of Birmingham. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Most people head to the area for the live music. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Inverness or Birmingham?

Inverness 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.

Birmingham is a popular choice for travelers. 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.


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, Birmingham or Inverness?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Inverness is £168, while the average daily cost in Birmingham is £133. 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 Inverness and Birmingham in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Inverness £91
    Birmingham £66
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Inverness £182
    Birmingham £132
Compare Hotels in Inverness and Birmingham

Looking for a hotel in Inverness or Birmingham? 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 Inverness


Hotels in Birmingham


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: Inverness Hotel Prices and Birmingham Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Inverness £33
    Birmingham £25

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Inverness

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Inverness:

  • Glasgow to Inverness Direct Transfer: $1,241
  • Inverness to Glasgow Direct Transfer: $1,241
  • Inverness direct transfer to mallaig : $265
  • Inverness Private Transfer to oban: $233
  • Inverness Private Transfer to Ullapool : $199
  • Transfers / Tour from , inverness, Edinburgh ,Glasgow ,Aberdeen : $193
  • Inverness Private Transfer to Fort William : $166
  • Inverness Airport to Glenshee Ski Resort - Round-Trip Transfer: $134

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Birmingham

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

  • Birmingham Airport : Bus transferring to/from Birmingham: $5.62
  • Birmingham Airport : Bus transferring to/from Leicester: $10
  • Manchester Airport: BUS Transfer to/from Birmingham: $13
  • Private Transfer from Birmingham Airport (BHX) to Birmingham City: $37
  • Private Birmingham Arrival Transfer - Airport to Hotel / Accommodation: $59
  • Private Birmingham Departure Transfer - Hotel / Accommodation to Airport: $59
  • Birmingham Airport Transfers: Birmingham City to Airport BHX in Business Car: $66
  • Arrival Private Transfers from Airport BHX to Birmingham in Business Car: $66
  • Arrival Private Transfers from Airport BHX to Birmingham in Luxury Van: $78
  • Birmingham Airport Transfers: Airport BHX to Birmingham City in Luxury Car: $104
  • Birmingham Airport (BHX): Private Transfer to Birmingham: $114
  • Birmingham Private Transfer from Birmingham Airport to City centre: $117

Is it cheaper to fly into Inverness or Birmingham?

Prices for flights to both Birmingham and Inverness 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
    Inverness £49
    Birmingham £38

Typical Food Prices in Birmingham

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Birmingham:


  • Two Subs at Birmingham Bus Station
    £5.58

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Inverness £44
    Birmingham £48

Tours and Activities in Inverness

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

  • Inverness Tour-Cawdor Castle,Culloden Battlefield,Clava Cairns : $146
  • 1 Hour Shared Rewilding Walking Tour at Dundreggan: $20
  • 1 Hour Shared Tree Nursery Tour at Dundreggan: $20
  • 1-Day Moray Coast Tour with Speyside Whisky from Inverness: $102
  • 2-Day Tour to Isle of Skye, The Fairy Pools & Highland Castles: $199
  • 2-Hour Private Celtic Handfasting Ceremony Experience: $113
  • Cawdor Castle, Inverness, Culloden, Outlander and Loch Ness Tour: $171
  • Chauffeur driven sightseeing Edinburgh to & from Inverness: $1,045
  • City Sightseeing Inverness Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $16
  • Clan Tour - of Speyside Distilleries: $219
  • Craigs Luxury Speyside Private Whisky Tour: $913
  • Day tour to Isle of Skye and Fairy Pools from Inverness: $132

Tours and Activities in Birmingham

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

  • On the Origins of Charles Darwin: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Shrewsbury: $6.99
  • Haunted Birmingham Self-Guided Tour: $7.23
  • Winterbourne House and Garden Admission Ticket: $10
  • Skip the Line: House and Garden Admission Ticket : $11
  • Birmingham Private Self-Guided Walking Tour: $12
  • Guided City Center Walking Tour: $16
  • Birmingham City Centre Daily Walking Tour (10:30am): $16
  • 2.5-Hours Walking Tour of Birmingham into Black Heritage Madiba: $19
  • Digbeth, Public art and Peaky Film Guided Walking Tour: $20
  • Victorian Canals to Today's City Walking Tour: $20
  • Discovering Birmingham Walking Tour: $20
  • Shrewsbury Prison Self-Guided Tour: $20

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Inverness £23
    Birmingham £11

Sample the Local Flavors in Inverness

Also in Inverness, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Distillery and Brewery Tour in Inverness Scotland: $47
  • INVERGORDON PORT Tour Dunrobin, Dornoch & Distillery : $120
  • Speyside Distillery Tour From Inverness: $1,176

Sample the Local Flavors in Birmingham

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Birmingham:

  • Birmingham Bar Maid-led Pub Crawl for Special Events: $50


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

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


Which is Bigger, Inverness or Birmingham?

Birmingham has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Inverness. When comparing the sizes of Inverness 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 Inverness or Birmingham?

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 Inverness or Birmingham in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Inverness as well as Birmingham. The summer months attract visitors to Inverness because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Birmingham this time of year.

In July, Inverness is generally cooler than Birmingham. Daily temperatures in Inverness average around 14°C (58°F), and Birmingham fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In the summer, Inverness often gets less sunshine than Birmingham. Inverness gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Birmingham receives 196 hours of full sun.

Inverness usually gets more rain in July than Birmingham. Inverness gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Inverness 14°C (58°F) 
    Birmingham 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Inverness or Birmingham in the Autumn?

Both Birmingham and Inverness are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Inverness this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Birmingham for the shopping scene and the music scene.

Inverness is cooler than Birmingham in the autumn. The daily temperature in Inverness averages around 9°C (49°F) in October, and Birmingham fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Inverness usually receives less sunshine than Birmingham during autumn. Inverness gets 84 hours of sunny skies, while Birmingham receives 103 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Inverness usually receives around the same amount of rain as Birmingham. Inverness gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Inverness 9°C (49°F) 
    Birmingham 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Inverness or Birmingham in the Winter?

Both Birmingham and Inverness during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Inverness for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Birmingham in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Birmingham can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Inverness. In the winter, Inverness is around the same temperature as Birmingham. Typically, the winter temperatures in Inverness in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Birmingham averages at about 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Inverness often gets less sunshine than Birmingham. Inverness gets 42 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Birmingham receives 58 hours of full sun.

Inverness usually gets less rain in January than Birmingham. Inverness gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Inverness 3°C (38°F) 
    Birmingham 3°C (38°F)

Should I visit Inverness or Birmingham in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Inverness and Birmingham. Many visitors come to Inverness in the spring for the small town charm.

In April, Inverness is generally cooler than Birmingham. Daily temperatures in Inverness average around 7°C (44°F), and Birmingham fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Inverness usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Birmingham during spring. Inverness gets 136 hours of sunny skies, while Birmingham receives 136 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Inverness usually receives less rain than Birmingham. Inverness gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Inverness 7°C (44°F) 
    Birmingham 9°C (48°F)

Typical Weather for Birmingham and Inverness

Inverness Birmingham
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (38°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 3°C (38°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Feb 3°C (38°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 4°C (40°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Mar 5°C (41°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 6°C (42°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Apr 7°C (44°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 9°C (48°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
May 10°C (50°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 12°C (53°F) 52 mm (2.1 in)
Jun 13°C (55°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 15°C (59°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Jul 14°C (58°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 17°C (63°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
Aug 14°C (57°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 17°C (62°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 14°C (58°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Oct 9°C (49°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 11°C (52°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Nov 5°C (42°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 7°C (45°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Dec 4°C (39°F) 52 mm (2 in) 5°C (40°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)