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

Should you visit London or Cork?

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

London

London is a global, international, and historic 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.

Cork

Cork is a seaside, youthful, and energetic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

London and Cork: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in London or Cork?

You'll generally find more things to do in London than Cork. London is bigger than Cork, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. London is more touristy than Cork and is popular for its international reputation, its world-renowned theater productions, and its many different markets. Also, London is famous for Big Ben. Cork is well known for its friendly personality, its thriving art scene and its local craft beer.

Big Ben

How is London different from Cork?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

London is a must-visit destination for its sights and museums. Also, Cork is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

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.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Cork. The city is filled with historic sights and landmarks. Most notable is the Blarney Castle and Blarney Stone, but also make sure you check out St. Fin Barre's Cathedral, the Cork Public Museum, Cork City Gaol Heritage Centre, and St. Anne's Church.

Is London or Cork Better for Theater?

London is a must-visit destination for theatre. However, Cork is not a theatre destination.

Visitors will find world class theater shows, plays, and musicals in London that are not to be missed. 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.

Cork is not a theatre destination.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both London and Cork.

London has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Cork makes for a great culinary experience. You'll find charming seaside cafes and award winning restaurants. Also make sure you check out the English Market, which is among the best in Ireland.

Is London or Cork Better for Nightlife?

London is a must-visit destination for nightlife. Also, Cork is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

London is a world class party destination. 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.

Cork has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. It's a university city, so you'll find plenty of students, bars, clubs, and cheap beer. Many pubs also have live music with everything from rock to Irish folk music.

Is London or Cork Better for Music?

London is a must-visit destination for live music. However, Cork is not a live music destination.

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

Cork is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in London or Cork?

London is a must-visit destination for shopping. Also, Cork 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.

Cork is well-known for its shopping. It offers a mix of high street shops and boutique vendors. Head to St. Patrick’s Street for some of the city's best shopping. Also check out Opera Lane and Oliver Plunkett Street.

Is London or Cork Better for Christmas?

London is a must-visit destination for its Christmas activities. However, Cork does not offer Christmas activities.

London is a fantastic destination at 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.

Cork does not offer Christmas activities.

Is London or Cork Better for Christmas Markets?

London is a must-visit destination for its Christmas markets. However, Cork does not offer Christmas markets.

The active Christmas markets during the holiday season make London very popular during this season. The city has many Christmas markets. There is Winter Wonderland Christmas market, Southbank Centre Winter Market, and Selfridges Christmas Market, among many others.

Cork does not offer Christmas markets.

Is London or Cork Better for Families?

London is a must-visit destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Cork is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

London is an extremely popular city to visit for families. 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.

Cork is a family-friendly city. For a bit of outside time, head to Fota Wildlife Park, Regional Park Ballincollig, or Inchydoney Beach. Kids will also enjoy exploring Cork City Gaol which is a heritage museum, or the Toy Soldier Factory. And of course, there's the Blarney Castle and the Blarney Stone.

Is London or Cork Better for Couples?

London is a must-visit destination for romance. Also, Cork is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

London is a great city for couples, as it 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.

Cork makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Visiting Blarney Castle is a highlight, but you can also wander along the river or do the Ballycotton Cliff Walk. There are also several gardens to explore or small theaters where you can see a play.

Is London or Cork Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

London is a must-visit destination for backpackers. Also, Cork is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Cork. There are plenty of hostels as well as a large student population and an active nightlife.

Is London or Cork Better for Students?

London is a must-visit destination for students. Also, Cork is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

London is a very popular city 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.

Many students visit Cork. It's a university town with many students and plenty to do. The city plays host to many international students.

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

London is a must-visit destination for its public transit. However, Cork is a mediocre city for times when you don't have a car.

London has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. From the iconic double decker buses to the Tube, there are plenty of options throughout the city.

Public transit is mostly limited in Cork. In town you'll find bus service but if you want to explore anywhere else in the county you really need your own vehicle.

Is London or Cork a more walkable city?

London is a must-visit destination for its walkability. Also, Cork 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.

Cork is a somewhat walkable place. The city center is compact and easy enough to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Cork or London?

How long in London or Cork?

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

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

London is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

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

A weekend in London or Cork?

London is a fun place to experience. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Cork 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 Cork?

London is a global big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cork. 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 Cork?

London is a diverse city where you can fill many days. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the energetic destination of Cork. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Ireland, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ireland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, London or Cork?

London has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Cork. When comparing the sizes of London and Cork, 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 Cork?

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 Cork in the Summer?

Both Cork and London during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to London for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Cork in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, London is a little warmer than Cork. Typically, the summer temperatures in London in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Cork averages at about 16°C (60°F).

In the summer, London often gets more sunshine than Cork. London gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cork receives 178 hours of full sun.

London usually gets less rain in July than Cork. London gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Cork receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit London or Cork in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both London and Cork. Many visitors come to London in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Cork for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

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

London usually receives more sunshine than Cork during autumn. London gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Cork receives 90 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, London usually receives less rain than Cork. London gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Cork receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit London or Cork in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to London as well as Cork. Most visitors come to London for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Cork because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

London can be very cold during winter. London is cooler than Cork in the winter. The daily temperature in London averages around 4°C (40°F) in January, and Cork fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

In the winter, London often gets less sunshine than Cork. London gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cork receives 60 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Cork. London usually gets less rain in January than Cork. London gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Cork receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit London or Cork in the Spring?

Both Cork and London are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to London because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Cork this time of year.

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

London usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cork during spring. London gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Cork receives 157 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, London usually receives less rain than Cork. London gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Cork receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Cork and London