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

Should you visit London 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 London and Birmingham can help you decide which place is right for you.

London

London is a diverse, iconic, and global 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. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and theater.

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.

London and Birmingham: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in London or Birmingham?

You'll generally find more things to do in London than Birmingham. London is bigger than Birmingham, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. London is better known for its museums, theatre productions, food, nightlife, shopping, christmas markets, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Birmingham is more popular for its quaint atmosphere. London is more touristy than Birmingham and is known for its international reputation, its world-renowned theater productions, and its many different markets. Also, London is famous for Big Ben. Birmingham is well known for its strong musical routes and its very livable atmosphere.

Big Ben

How is London different from Birmingham?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Birmingham 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 Birmingham?

London is an amazing city to visit for its historical sights. Also, Birmingham is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Travelers visit London from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. 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.

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 London or Birmingham Better for Theater?

London is an amazing city to visit for theatre. Also, Birmingham is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its theatre productions.

The theater scene in London is world-class. 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.

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.

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

London 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 London. 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.

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 London or Birmingham Better for Nightlife?

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

London has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

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 London or Birmingham Better for Music?

London and Birmingham are both destinations where visitors can find fantastic live music.

London has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. Famous music venues include Dominion Theatre, the Roundhouse, and Dublin Castle.

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 the Shopping Better in London or Birmingham?

London is an amazing city to visit for shopping. Also, Birmingham is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in London. 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.

Birmingham is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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 London or Birmingham Better for Christmas?

London is an amazing city to visit for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Birmingham does not offer Christmas activities.

With so many activities, London is a top place to visit during Christmas. 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.

Birmingham does not offer Christmas activities.

Is London or Birmingham Better for Christmas Markets?

London is an amazing city to visit for visiting Christmas markets. However, Birmingham does not offer Christmas markets.

The holiday season is a very popular time to visit London because of the beautiful Christmas markets. The city has many Christmas markets. There is Winter Wonderland Christmas market, Southbank Centre Winter Market, and Selfridges Christmas Market, among many others.

Birmingham does not offer Christmas markets.

Is London or Birmingham Better for Families?

London is an amazing city to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Birmingham is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

London is one of the most popular family destinations. 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.

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.

Is London or Birmingham Better for Couples?

London is an amazing city to visit for romance. Also, Birmingham is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

For those traveling as a couple, London has plenty to offer. 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.

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.

Is London or Birmingham Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

London is an amazing city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Birmingham is not a good destination for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent London. 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.

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 London or Birmingham Better for Students?

For students, both London and Birmingham are fantastic places to visit.

Students come from all over the world to visit London. 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.

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.

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

London is an amazing city to visit 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.

Public transit in London is top-notch. From the iconic double decker buses to the Tube, there are plenty of options throughout the city.

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

Is London or Birmingham a more walkable city?

London is an amazing city to visit for its walkability. Also, Birmingham is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

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

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

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

Should I spend more time in Birmingham or London?

How long in London or Birmingham?

In either London or Birmingham, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in London than Birmingham because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for London, and 1-5 days is enough time in Birmingham.

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

One day in London or Birmingham?

When visiting London, people usually allow for lots of time. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the destination of Birmingham. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in London or Birmingham?

When visiting London, people usually allow for lots of time. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Birmingham is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the live music, as that's what most people do. 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 Birmingham?

London, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Birmingham. Don't miss the live music, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in London or Birmingham?

London is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this city makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the museums and theater when visiting the fun-filled destination of Birmingham. 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 Birmingham, we can see that London 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 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 Birmingham.

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

Which is Bigger, London or Birmingham?

London has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Birmingham. When comparing the sizes of London 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 London 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 London or Birmingham in the Summer?

Both Birmingham and London are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to London because of the city activities, the music scene, 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 the summer, London is around the same temperature as Birmingham. Typically, the summer temperatures in London in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Birmingham averages at about 17°C (63°F).

London usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Birmingham during summer. London gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Birmingham receives 196 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, London usually receives around the same amount of rain as Birmingham. London gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit London or Birmingham in the Autumn?

Both Birmingham and London during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to London this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Birmingham for the shopping scene and the music scene.

In October, London is generally around the same temperature as Birmingham. Daily temperatures in London average around 12°C (53°F), and Birmingham fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, London often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Birmingham. London gets 107 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Birmingham receives 103 hours of full sun.

London usually gets more rain in October than Birmingham. London gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit London or Birmingham in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both London and Birmingham. Many travelers come to London for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, 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 London. London is a little warmer than Birmingham in the winter. The daily temperature in London averages around 4°C (40°F) in January, and Birmingham fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

London usually receives less sunshine than Birmingham during winter. London gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Birmingham receives 58 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, London usually receives less rain than Birmingham. London gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit London or Birmingham in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to London as well as Birmingham. Many visitors come to London in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, London is around the same temperature as Birmingham. Typically, the spring temperatures in London in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Birmingham averages at about 9°C (48°F).

In the spring, London often gets more sunshine than Birmingham. London gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Birmingham receives 136 hours of full sun.

London usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Birmingham. London gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Birmingham and London