A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers London vs. Bordeaux for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit London or Bordeaux?

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 Bordeaux can help you decide which place is right for you.

London

London is a historic, diverse, and iconic city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the museums, theater, and nightlife.

Bordeaux

Bordeaux is a historical, elegant, and charming city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

London and Bordeaux: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in London or Bordeaux?

Travelers will usually find more to do in London than Bordeaux, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. London is more popular for its museums, theatre productions, nightlife, music, shopping, christmas markets, and big city activities, while Bordeaux is known for its food and historical sights. London is popular for its international reputation, its world-renowned theater productions, and its many different markets. It is also home to Big Ben. Bordeaux is popular for its world-renowned wine and the many nearby vineyards.

Big Ben

How is London different from Bordeaux?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

London is a world-class destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in London are among the most recognizable in the world. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Bordeaux. The city has many historical landmarks and museums to explore. Cathédrale Saint-André, Tour Le Grand-Théâtre, and Basilique Saint-Seurin are all notable monuments that are worth visiting.

Is London or Bordeaux Better for Theater?

London is a world-class destination for its theatre productions. However, Bordeaux is not a theatre destination.

The theater and performance venues in London draw crowds from around the world. 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.

Bordeaux is not a theatre destination.

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

Bordeaux is terrific for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, London is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Bordeaux has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. Both food and wine are a major draw to this culinary city, which is known for its pastries and rich flavors. Popular local dishes include grilled duck, duck foie gras, and canelés.

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.

Is London or Bordeaux Better for Nightlife?

London is a world-class destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

People head to London just to party. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Bordeaux has a few options to choose from. The city comes to life at night with dance clubs, wine bars, student pubs, and more.

Is London or Bordeaux Better for Music?

London is a world-class destination for its live music scene. However, Bordeaux is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in London Famous music venues include Dominion Theatre, the Roundhouse, and Dublin Castle.

Bordeaux is not a live music destination.

Is London or Bordeaux Better for its Old Town?

Bordeaux is very good for its historic old town charm. However, London does not have a historic old town.

Bordeaux has an old town worth visiting. The old town is between Cours de l'Intendance and rue Peyronnet. The area has many distinct neighborhoods, monuments, and historical buildings.

London does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in London or Bordeaux?

London is a world-class destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in London make it a world-class shopping destination. 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.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Bordeaux. The city has a mix of luxury fashion brands, jewelry shops, perfume suppliers, and leather goods. There are department stores, local boutiques, and pedestrian shopping areas that you can explore.

Is London or Bordeaux Better for Christmas?

London is a world-class destination for its Christmas activities. However, Bordeaux does not offer Christmas activities.

London is a world class destination for shoppers. 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.

Bordeaux does not offer Christmas activities.

Is London or Bordeaux Better for Christmas Markets?

London is a world-class destination for its Christmas markets. However, Bordeaux does not offer Christmas markets.

Many people travel to London specifically for the 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.

Bordeaux does not offer Christmas markets.

Is London or Bordeaux Better for Families?

London is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, London is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

Bordeaux offers lots of family activities. The city has a number of parks and playgrounds as well as museums, including a kid's science museum. Kids also enjoy splashing around in the Miroir d’eau, which is the world's largest water mirror.

Is London or Bordeaux Better for Couples?

London is a world-class destination for its romantic activities. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

London makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

Bordeaux is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Wine lovers will enjoy an amazing weekend in this beautiful city. Some of the most romantic activities include wine walks, river cruises, and exploring scenic gardens.

Is London or Bordeaux Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

London is a world-class destination for backpackers. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit 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.

Bordeaux is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a handful of hostels and a diversity of activities that backpackers can enjoy.

Is London or Bordeaux Better for Students?

London is a world-class destination for students. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Many students frequent 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.

Bordeaux is very popular with students. The city has a great student atmosphere and a unique culture with a diversity of activities. It's grown in popularity with students, and the prices have climbed a bit over the past few years.

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

London is a world-class destination for its public transit. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

With a huge network, the transit system in London can get you around easily. From the iconic double decker buses to the Tube, there are plenty of options throughout the city.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Bordeaux. There are buses, trams and a ferry that runs along the river.

Is London or Bordeaux a more walkable city?

London is a world-class destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

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

Bordeaux is a very walkable destination. The city has many pedestrian areas and large squares to explore.

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

Should I spend more time in Bordeaux or London?

How long in London or Bordeaux?

In either London or Bordeaux, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in London than Bordeaux because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for London, and 2-5 days is enough time in Bordeaux.

Families should spend more time in London than Bordeaux. 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 Bordeaux. 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 Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux?

London is a big city with plenty to do. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Bordeaux. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in London or Bordeaux?

London is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Bordeaux is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, 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 Bordeaux?

London is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in London, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bordeaux. Don't miss the food, 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 Bordeaux?

London is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that London has to offer. This city offers something for everyone.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the romantic destination of Bordeaux. 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 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between London and Bordeaux, we can see that London is more expensive. And not only is Bordeaux much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bordeaux would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux.

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

Which is Bigger, London or Bordeaux?

London has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Bordeaux. When comparing the sizes of London and Bordeaux, 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 Bordeaux?

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 Bordeaux in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to London as well as Bordeaux. Most visitors come to London for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Bordeaux because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, London is generally cooler than Bordeaux. Daily temperatures in London average around 18°C (64°F), and Bordeaux fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bordeaux. In the summer, London often gets less sunshine than Bordeaux. London gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bordeaux receives 276 hours of full sun.

London usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Bordeaux. London gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit London or Bordeaux in the Autumn?

Both Bordeaux and London are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to London because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Bordeaux this time of year.

London is cooler than Bordeaux in the autumn. The daily temperature in London averages around 12°C (53°F) in October, and Bordeaux fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

London usually receives less sunshine than Bordeaux during autumn. London gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Bordeaux receives 165 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, London usually receives less rain than Bordeaux. London gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit London or Bordeaux in the Winter?

Both Bordeaux and London during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to London this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bordeaux for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in London in the winter. In the winter, London is cooler than Bordeaux. Typically, the winter temperatures in London in January average around 4°C (40°F), and Bordeaux averages at about 6°C (43°F).

In the winter, London often gets less sunshine than Bordeaux. London gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bordeaux receives 86 hours of full sun.

Bordeaux gets a good bit of rain this time of year. London usually gets less rain in January than Bordeaux. London gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit London or Bordeaux in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both London and Bordeaux. Many travelers come to London for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Bordeaux in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, London is generally cooler than Bordeaux. Daily temperatures in London average around 9°C (48°F), and Bordeaux fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

London usually receives less sunshine than Bordeaux during spring. London gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Bordeaux receives 190 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, London usually receives less rain than Bordeaux. London gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bordeaux and London