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

Should you visit Liverpool or Birmingham?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Liverpool and Birmingham can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Liverpool

Liverpool is a historic, fun-filled, and diverse port city. Other reasons to visit include museums, theater, and nightlife.

Birmingham

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

Liverpool and Birmingham: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Liverpool or Birmingham?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Birmingham than Liverpool. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Liverpool is famous for its many museums and art galleries, as well as being the hometown of "The Beatles." Birmingham is famous for its strong musical routes and its very livable atmosphere. It is also well known for Victoria Square.

How is Liverpool different from Birmingham?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Birmingham is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Liverpool is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Liverpool. Popular museums around town include Merseyside Maritime Museum, Victoria Gallery and Museum, and Walker Art Gallery.

Is Liverpool or Birmingham Better for Theater?

With a variety of venues, both Liverpool and Birmingham provide superb options for theater-goers.

Liverpool attracts a wide-range of world-class performances. The city has a diverse theater scene with major venues showing world renowned productions as well as cozy, local venues with small shows.

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.

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

Birmingham is a city with good options for its restaurant scene. However, Liverpool is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

Liverpool may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. There are a diversity of flavors that are influenced by the city's international population. There are also several famous local dishes including scouse (a meat stew), toad in the hole (a giant yorkie stuffed with British sausages) and wet nelly (a dessert).

Is Liverpool or Birmingham Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Liverpool and Birmingham.

Liverpool is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The nightlife is fun and diverse Head to the waterfront for comedy clubs or the Ropewalks and Seel Street if you want a swanky experience. Cavern Quarter is the place to go for an all night party.

Many people head to Birmingham for the nightlife scene. 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 Liverpool or Birmingham Better for Music?

Live music enthusiatsts will find something to enjoy in either Liverpool or Birmingham.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Liverpool Known as the birthplace of the Beatles, the city has been established as a rock and pop capital since the 1950s.

Birmingham has become a mecca for musicians from 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Liverpool or Birmingham?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Birmingham and Liverpool.

Liverpool is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Head to Liverpool ONE for the area's best shopping. This is the largest open-air shopping center in the UK and it's filled with a mix of name brands and independent vendors.

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 Liverpool or Birmingham Better for Families?

Both Liverpool and Birmingham are superb to visit with kids.

Liverpool is a very kid-friendly port city. One of the most popular activities for families is Pleasureland, an amuseument park with rides that are fun for young kids. The city also has many museums and play spaces that are great for families.

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.

Is Liverpool or Birmingham Better for Couples?

Birmingham is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Liverpool is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

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.

Liverpool is a good port city for couples to visit. The city is fun, and the best way to enjoy a romantic getaway is to find a fun or unique activity that you can enjoy together. Going dancing, dining out, or seeing a show are all fun activities in the area.

Is Liverpool or Birmingham Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Liverpool is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. The city has some fun hostels where you can stay and meet other travelers.

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 Liverpool or Birmingham Better for Students?

Birmingham is an unbeatable place for students. Also, Liverpool is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

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

Many students visit Liverpool. The city is diverse, affordable, and offers an excellent academic environment. International students will fill welcomed and enjoy a fun city with a lot to offer.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Liverpool and Birmingham.

You'll find some public transit in Liverpool, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are trains, buses, and ferries around the area.

While Birmingham offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a reasonably comprehensive bus system.

Is Liverpool or Birmingham a more walkable city?

Liverpool and Birmingham both are superb when exploring on foot.

Liverpool is a very walkable port city.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Birmingham or Liverpool?

How long in Liverpool or Birmingham?

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

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

One day in Liverpool or Birmingham?

With live music and shopping around the diverse port city of Liverpool, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the live music. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

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 Liverpool or Birmingham?

With shopping and museums around the destination of Liverpool, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the live music. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this port city.

You'll find theater and nightlife around the vibrant 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 Liverpool or Birmingham?

Liverpool, a popular port 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 historic 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 Liverpool or Birmingham?

Liverpool is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the live music. 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 3-Day Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 3-Day Tours from London, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from London, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh.

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

Which is Bigger, Liverpool or Birmingham?

Birmingham has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Liverpool. When comparing the sizes of Liverpool 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 Liverpool 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 Liverpool or Birmingham in the Summer?

Both Birmingham and Liverpool during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Liverpool in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Birmingham for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Liverpool is generally cooler than Birmingham. Daily temperatures in Liverpool average around 15°C (60°F), and Birmingham fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In the summer, Liverpool often gets less sunshine than Birmingham. Liverpool gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Birmingham receives 196 hours of full sun.

Liverpool usually gets more rain in July than Birmingham. Liverpool gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Liverpool or Birmingham in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Liverpool and Birmingham. Most visitors come to Liverpool for the shopping scene and the music scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Birmingham because of the shopping scene and the music scene.

Liverpool is around the same temperature as Birmingham in the autumn. The daily temperature in Liverpool averages around 12°C (53°F) in October, and Birmingham fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Liverpool usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Birmingham during autumn. Liverpool gets 97 hours of sunny skies, while Birmingham receives 103 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Liverpool usually receives more rain than Birmingham. Liverpool gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Liverpool or Birmingham in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Liverpool as well as Birmingham. The winter months attract visitors to Liverpool because of the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Birmingham this time of year.

It's quite cold in Birmingham in the winter. In the winter, Liverpool is much warmer than Birmingham. Typically, the winter temperatures in Liverpool in January average around 5°C (42°F), and Birmingham averages at about 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Liverpool often gets less sunshine than Birmingham. Liverpool gets 53 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Birmingham receives 58 hours of full sun.

Liverpool usually gets more rain in January than Birmingham. Liverpool gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Liverpool or Birmingham in the Spring?

Both Birmingham and Liverpool are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

In April, Liverpool is generally around the same temperature as Birmingham. Daily temperatures in Liverpool average around 8°C (47°F), and Birmingham fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Liverpool usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Birmingham during spring. Liverpool gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Birmingham receives 136 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Liverpool usually receives more rain than Birmingham. Liverpool gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Birmingham and Liverpool