A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Isle of Skye vs. Birmingham for Food, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Isle of Skye or Birmingham?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Isle of Skye and Birmingham. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Isle of Skye

Isle of Skye is a scenic, picturesque, and stunning island. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include food, beaches, and hiking.

Birmingham

Birmingham is a historic, vibrant, and fun-filled city. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and theater.

Isle of Skye and Birmingham: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Isle of Skye or Birmingham?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Birmingham. Although Isle of Skye and Birmingham are both popular with visitors, Birmingham has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Birmingham is more popular for its museums, theatre productions, nightlife, music, shopping, and quaint atmosphere, while Isle of Skye is known for its food, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Isle of Skye is more touristy than Birmingham and is known for its quaint fishing villages, scenic landscapes, and historic castles. Birmingham is popular for its strong musical routes and its very livable atmosphere. It is also home to Victoria Square.

How is Isle of Skye different from Birmingham?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Isle of Skye or Birmingham?

Birmingham is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Isle of Skye does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Birmingham. Famous sights include the Museum & Art Gallery, Thinktank, and St. Philip's Cathedral.

Isle of Skye does not have museums and landmarks.

Is Isle of Skye or Birmingham Better for Theater?

Birmingham is a very popular place for theatre. However, Isle of Skye is not a theatre destination.

Birmingham offers many theater and performance venues for visitors. The impressive theater scene includes Broadway shows and musicals. Birmingham Hippodrome is a major theater in town.

Isle of Skye is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Isle of Skye or Birmingham? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Isle of Skye 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 Isle of Skye. Foodies will appreciate the seasonal local ingredients that many restaurants use. Both the land and sea offer ingredients that inspire delicious dishes. You can choose from Michelin star restaurants, local cafes, and cozy inns. The food is fresh and well made.

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 Isle of Skye or Birmingham Better for Nightlife?

Birmingham is a very popular place for nightlife. However, Isle of Skye is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Birmingham has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Isle of Skye is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Isle of Skye or Birmingham Better for Music?

Birmingham is terrific for live music. However, Isle of Skye is not a live music destination.

Birmingham is known as a music capital around the world. 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.

Isle of Skye is not a live music destination.

Is Isle of Skye or Birmingham Better for Beaches?

Isle of Skye is great for its beaches. However, Birmingham is not a beach destination.

Isle of Skye is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. Some of the best beaches in Scotland are found on the Isle of Skye. The rugged coastline feels pristine and undiscovered. Some of the best beaches include Coral Beach, Talisker Bay Beach, Rubha Shlèite Beach, and Camasunary Bay.

Birmingham is not a beach destination.

Is Isle of Skye or Birmingham Better for Hiking?

Isle of Skye is an amazing island to visit for hiking. However, Birmingham is not a hiking destination.

Many people visit Isle of Skye specifically for its hiking. Hikes on the island range from family-friendly to some of the most challenging in Scotland. The setting is dramatic and beautiful and the hikes are a varied as the landscape. Some of the most popular hikes include the Fairy Pools, the Old Man of Storr, Neist Point Lighthouse, and the Quiraing.

Birmingham is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Isle of Skye or Birmingham?

Birmingham is a very popular place for shopping. However, Isle of Skye is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Isle of Skye is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Isle of Skye or Birmingham Better for Families?

Birmingham is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Isle of Skye is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Birmingham is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Isle of Skye. Kids who love the outdoors will enjoy many of the kid-friendly hikes in the area. Favorites include the Old Man of Storr Hike and the Brother’s Point Hike. Other fun family-friendly places to visit include the Isle of Skye Fairy Glen, the Fairy Pools, and Slipway Beach.

Is Isle of Skye or Birmingham Better for Couples?

Isle of Skye and Birmingham both high quality destinations for a couple.

Isle of Skye makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With beautiful hikes and impressive castles, this island makes a stunning romantic getaway. There are beautiful viewpoints and coastal backdrops that make for a perfect couples getaway.

Couples visit Birmingham frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Romantic activities around town include taking a beautiful stroll through town, wandering around a park or garden, or seeing the ballet.

Is Isle of Skye or Birmingham Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Isle of Skye is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Birmingham is not a good destination for backpackers.

Isle of Skye is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are many beautiful places to camp, so backpackers will enjoy hiking during the day and sleeping under the stars at night.

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 Isle of Skye or Birmingham Better for Students?

Birmingham is terrific for its student-friendly activities. However, Isle of Skye is not popular with students.

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

Isle of Skye is not popular with students.

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

Birmingham is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Isle of Skye is lacking in good options for its public transit.

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

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Isle of Skye. There are local bus routes on the island that are operated by Stagecoach.

Is Isle of Skye or Birmingham a more walkable city?

Birmingham is a very popular place for its walkability. However, Isle of Skye is not a walkable destination.

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

Isle of Skye is not a walkable destination.

For even more information, also check out Is Isle of Skye Worth Visiting? and Is Birmingham Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Birmingham or Isle of Skye?

How long in Isle of Skye or Birmingham?

In either Isle of Skye or Birmingham, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Birmingham has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Birmingham than Isle of Skye. In general, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Isle of Skye, and 1-5 days is enough time in Birmingham.

Families should spend more time in Birmingham than Isle of Skye. 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 Isle of Skye. 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.

One day in Isle of Skye or Birmingham?

With food around the diverse island of Isle of Skye, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Birmingham, many people enjoy the live music and food that this fun-filled city offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this city.

A weekend in Isle of Skye or Birmingham?

With food around the destination of Isle of Skye, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this island.

Birmingham is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Lots of people come for the live music. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Isle of Skye or Birmingham?

Isle of Skye, a popular island, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this island. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In Birmingham, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this bustling destination offers. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Lots of people come for the live music. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A week in Isle of Skye or Birmingham?

Isle of Skye is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. 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 place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to United Kingdom, The Best 3-Day Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 3-Day Tours from London, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from London.

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

Which is Bigger, Isle of Skye or Birmingham?

Birmingham has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Isle of Skye. When comparing the sizes of Isle of Skye 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 Isle of Skye 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 Isle of Skye or Birmingham in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Isle of Skye and Birmingham. Many travelers come to Isle of Skye for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Birmingham in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

Isle of Skye is cooler than Birmingham in the summer. The daily temperature in Isle of Skye averages around 13°C (55°F) in July, and Birmingham fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Isle of Skye usually receives less sunshine than Birmingham during summer. Isle of Skye gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Birmingham receives 196 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Isle of Skye usually receives more rain than Birmingham. Isle of Skye gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Isle of Skye or Birmingham in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Isle of Skye as well as Birmingham. Many visitors come to Isle of Skye in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Birmingham for the shopping scene and the music scene during these months.

In the autumn, Isle of Skye is cooler than Birmingham. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Isle of Skye in October average around 9°C (49°F), and Birmingham averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Isle of Skye often gets less sunshine than Birmingham. Isle of Skye gets 82 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Birmingham receives 103 hours of full sun.

Isle of Skye receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Isle of Skye usually gets more rain in October than Birmingham. Isle of Skye gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Isle of Skye or Birmingham in the Winter?

Both Birmingham and Isle of Skye are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Isle of Skye for the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Birmingham because of the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

The weather in Birmingham can be very cold. Isle of Skye can be very cold during winter. In January, Isle of Skye is generally a little warmer than Birmingham. Daily temperatures in Isle of Skye average around 4°C (40°F), and Birmingham fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Isle of Skye usually receives less sunshine than Birmingham during winter. Isle of Skye gets 41 hours of sunny skies, while Birmingham receives 58 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Isle of Skye. In January, Isle of Skye usually receives more rain than Birmingham. Isle of Skye gets 127 mm (5 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Isle of Skye or Birmingham in the Spring?

Both Birmingham and Isle of Skye during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Isle of Skye because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

Isle of Skye is cooler than Birmingham in the spring. The daily temperature in Isle of Skye averages around 7°C (44°F) in April, and Birmingham fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the spring, Isle of Skye often gets more sunshine than Birmingham. Isle of Skye gets 168 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Birmingham receives 136 hours of full sun.

Isle of Skye usually gets more rain in April than Birmingham. Isle of Skye gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Birmingham and Isle of Skye