A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom London vs. Belfast for Nightlife, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit London or Belfast?

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 London and Belfast can help you decide which place is right for you.

London

London is a iconic, global, and international city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.

Belfast

Belfast is a authentic, affordable, and under-rated city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the nightlife and shopping.

Is there more to do in London or Belfast?

You'll generally find more things to do in London than Belfast. London is bigger than Belfast, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. London is more touristy than Belfast and is popular for its international reputation, its world-renowned theater productions, and its many different markets. Also, London is famous for Big Ben. Belfast is well known for being the birthplace of the Titanic and the location of the era of the "Troubles".

Big Ben

How is London different from Belfast?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in London or Belfast?

London is an unbeatable place for its sights and museums. However, Belfast does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in London that are not to be missed. The city has so many iconic sights that we can't list them all, but some of the most famous include the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and the British Museum. You can fill many days exploring the treasures found at each of the venues.

Belfast does not have museums and landmarks.

Is London or Belfast Better for Theater?

London is an unbeatable place for theatre. However, Belfast is not a theatre destination.

Famous for its theaters and plays, you'll find world-renowned shows in London. The West End theater district is where you'll find the most popular musicals. Famous theaters include Apollo Theatre, Palace Theatre, and Piccadilly Theatre. There are often Wednesday matinees that are a bit cheaper than the evening shows. You may also be able to get discounted last minute tickets if you're visiting during the less touristy times.

Belfast is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in London or Belfast? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

London is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Belfast is not a good city for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, London makes for a great culinary experience. Although food here was once the butt of a number of jokes, the restaurant scene has come a long way, and you can find anything and everything around town. Head to Chinatown to try dim sum or hot pot. There are no shortage of Indian restaurants as well. If you want the best food for the lowest prices, your best bet is to get out of the touristy areas and discover where the locals eat. There are also many markets that are perfect for grabbing a unique lunch or snack. Burrough Market has a number of ethnic and seafood vendors as well as fresh produce and snack options.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Belfast. While many restaurants have moved towards more modern cuisines, there are still places that hold tight to the traditions of the area. Traditional dishes include pasties, full Irish breakfasts, and oysters.

Is London or Belfast Better for Nightlife?

London is an unbeatable place for nightlife. Also, Belfast is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in London is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. Some of the best neighborhoods for nightlife are Camden, West End, Soho, and Shoreditch. There are many festivals, concerts, and shows worth checking out and the nightlife scene is diverse enough that there really is something for everyone.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Belfast. The city has a number of bars and clubs with local DJs or musicians.

Is London or Belfast Better for Music?

London is an unbeatable place for live music. However, Belfast is not a live music destination.

London is a world class music destination. Famous music venues include Dominion Theatre, the Roundhouse, and Dublin Castle.

Belfast is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in London or Belfast?

London is an unbeatable place for shopping. Also, Belfast is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

London is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. With so much iconic shopping around town, it's hard to decide where to go. Head to Oxford Street, Regent Street, or Piccadilly Circus for a quintessential British shopping experience.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Belfast. The main shopping areas in the city are Victoria Square Shopping Centre and CastleCourt.

Is London or Belfast Better for Christmas?

London is an unbeatable place for its Christmas activities. However, Belfast does not offer Christmas activities.

London is a world class destination during the Christmas season. There's Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, outdoor ice skating, and beautiful Christmas lights throughout the city. You can also listen to Christmas Carols in Trafalgar Square or see a classic Christmas show.

Belfast does not offer Christmas activities.

Is London or Belfast Better for Christmas Markets?

London is an unbeatable place for its Christmas markets. However, Belfast does not offer Christmas markets.

People travel from around the world to visit the Christmas markets in London. The city has many Christmas markets. There is Winter Wonderland Christmas market, Southbank Centre Winter Market, and Selfridges Christmas Market, among many others.

Belfast does not offer Christmas markets.

Is London or Belfast Better for Families?

London is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Belfast is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

London is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. Whether you do a Harry Potter Tour, take a ride on the London Eye, or enjoy afternoon tea, there are plenty of activities for kids around town. The Harry Potter Studio Tour is fun for everyone, but should be booked well in advance as it sells out. Theatre enthusiasts will enjoy catching a musical in West End and sampling dim sum or a hot pot in Chinatown. There are often Wednesday matinee showings that are perfect for kids with early bedtimes.

Belfast is a family-friendly city. The city has several great kid-friendly museums, a zoo, and a few indoor or outdoor activity centers where you can let kids play and explore.

Is London or Belfast Better for Couples?

London is an unbeatable place for romance. However, Belfast is not a good city for its romantic activities.

London has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. With every type of entertainment that you can imagine, this city is the ultimate couple's getaway. There are world class musicals, evening concerts, and restaurants of every style, cuisine, and budget. It's easy for couples to fill days in this vibrant city.

Most people don't think of Belfast as a couple's destination. There are gardens and parks to explore, several nice hotels with spas, and an Observatory on the 23rd floor of the Grand Central Hotel.

Is London or Belfast Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

London is an unbeatable place for backpackers. However, Belfast is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

London is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. Although the city is very expensive, it has tons of hostels, affordable restaurant options, and great public transit. There's a huge backpacker network here and it's easy to meet other travelers. The nightlife scene is also second to none.

Belfast is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's a reasonably affordable destination with a few hostels to choose from, but most backpackers don't make their way to this city.

Is London or Belfast Better for Students?

London is an unbeatable place for students. Also, Belfast is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

London is a great destination for students. The city has a number of universities and is a popular study abroad destination. It's also a very diverse city, so international students will feel right at home.

Plenty of students visit Belfast. The city's affordability has made it a popular option for international students headed to the area.

Is London or Belfast Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

London is an unbeatable place for its public transit. However, Belfast is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors in London can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. From the iconic double decker buses to the Tube, there are plenty of options throughout the city.

Public transit is mostly limited in Belfast. There is a bus service in the city.

Is London or Belfast a more walkable city?

London is an unbeatable place for its walkability. Also, Belfast is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

It is easy to get around London on foot. With many walkable areas, it is considered to be one of the world's most walkable major cities.

Belfast is a somewhat walkable place.

For even more information, also check out Is London Worth Visiting? and Is Belfast Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Belfast or London?

How long in London or Belfast?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both London and Belfast. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in London than in Belfast. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for London, and 1-3 days is enough time in Belfast.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in London than Belfast 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 London.

One day in London or Belfast?

Because London is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

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

A weekend in London or Belfast?

Because London is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Belfast 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 London or Belfast?

London 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 London has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Belfast. 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 London or Belfast?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in London. Because London is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the authentic destination of Belfast. 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 in United Kingdom, The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Bicycle Tours in United Kingdom, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United Kingdom.

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

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

Which is Bigger, London or Belfast?

London has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Belfast. When comparing the sizes of London and Belfast, 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 London or Belfast?

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 London or Belfast in the Summer?

Both Belfast and London during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to London this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Belfast for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, London is a little warmer than Belfast. Typically, the summer temperatures in London in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Belfast averages at about 15°C (59°F).

In the summer, London often gets more sunshine than Belfast. London gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Belfast receives 151 hours of full sun.

London usually gets less rain in July than Belfast. London gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Belfast receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit London or Belfast in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both London and Belfast. Many travelers come to London for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Belfast in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, London is generally a little warmer than Belfast. Daily temperatures in London average around 12°C (53°F), and Belfast fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

London usually receives more sunshine than Belfast during autumn. London gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Belfast receives 92 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, London usually receives less rain than Belfast. London gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Belfast receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit London or Belfast in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to London as well as Belfast. Many visitors come to London in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Belfast for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

Belfast can be very cold during winter. London can get quite cold in the winter. London is around the same temperature as Belfast in the winter. The daily temperature in London averages around 4°C (40°F) in January, and Belfast fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, London often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Belfast. London gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Belfast receives 50 hours of full sun.

London usually gets less rain in January than Belfast. London gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Belfast receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit London or Belfast in the Spring?

Both Belfast and London are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to London for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Belfast because of the activities around the city.

In the spring, London is a little warmer than Belfast. Typically, the spring temperatures in London in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Belfast averages at about 8°C (46°F).

London usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Belfast during spring. London gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Belfast receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, London usually receives less rain than Belfast. London gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Belfast receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Belfast and London