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

Should you visit London or Dallas?

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

London

London is a diverse, iconic, and global 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.

Dallas

Dallas is a chic, active, and upscale 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 Dallas: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in London or Dallas?

Travelers will usually find more to do in London than Dallas, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. London is more touristy than Dallas and is popular for its international reputation, its world-renowned theater productions, and its many different markets. It is also home to Big Ben. Dallas is popular for its Tex Mex cuisine, upscale shopping venues, and cowboy culture.

Big Ben

How is London different from Dallas?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

London is renowned for its sights and museums. Also, Dallas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

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.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Dallas can be an interesting and educational experience. Museums range from historical to art and science with some of the favorites being the Dallas Contemporary Museum, the African American Museum, the Dallas Museum of Art, and the Frontiers of Flight Museum. The city is also home to the George W. Bush Presidential Library and the Nasher Sculpture Center. A must-see is the Sixth Floor Museum, which is in historic Dealey Plaza and is where Lee Harvey Oswald fired the shots that killed JFK. Today there's a museum that goes over the events of that day.

Is London or Dallas Better for Theater?

London is renowned for its theatre productions. However, Dallas is not a theatre destination.

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.

Dallas is not a theatre destination.

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

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

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, Dallas makes for a great culinary experience. There's a perfect combination of Texas cuisine and international flavors. You'll find Texas barbecue, Tex Mex, and steakhouses intermixed with Thai, Japanese, and Caribbean cuisine. There's also a great food truck scene and many local eateries.

Is London or Dallas Better for Nightlife?

London is renowned for nightlife and partying. Also, Dallas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

London is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.

Dallas has a large number of nightlife venues. Head to East Dallas for the most active clubs with large dance floors and great music. The city also has rooftop lounges and plenty of live music as well as comedy clubs.

Is London or Dallas Better for Music?

London is renowned for its live music scene. However, Dallas 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.

Dallas is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in London or Dallas?

London is renowned for its shopping opportunities. Also, Dallas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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 Dallas. You'll find a very diverse shopping scene around town, with everything from quirky local vendors to upscale fashion boutiques. There are cowboy outfitters where you can get a feel for the Texas style, but there are also posh shopping centers and local flea markets.

Is London or Dallas Better for Christmas?

London is renowned for its Christmas activities. However, Dallas 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.

Dallas does not offer Christmas activities.

Is London or Dallas Better for Christmas Markets?

London is renowned for its Christmas markets. However, Dallas does not offer Christmas markets.

People travel to London specifically to enjoy its famous 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.

Dallas does not offer Christmas markets.

Is London or Dallas Better for Families?

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

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Dallas. The city is filled with families, and you'll find many kid-friendly activities around town. For some outdoor time you can visit the Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden or the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. The Dallas Zoo is a favorite for many kids and there are also a number of kid-friendly museums around town such as the Perot Museum of Nature and Science and the Dallas World Aquarium.

Is London or Dallas Better for Couples?

London is renowned for its romantic activities. Also, Dallas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

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.

Dallas makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Head to the observation deck at Reunion Tower for spectacular views of the night skyline. The city also has many great comedy clubs and performing arts venues as well as fine dining restaurants that make for a great date night.

Is London or Dallas Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

London is renowned for backpackers. However, Dallas is not a good city 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.

Dallas is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While there are a couple of hostels around town, this isn't a popular destination for the backpacker crowd.

Is London or Dallas Better for Students?

London is renowned for students. However, Dallas is not a good city for its student-friendly activities.

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.

Dallas is a decent spot for students. There are a couple of universities and colleges in the area that keep things interesting for students.

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

London is renowned for its public transit. Also, Dallas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

London has a great public transit system. From the iconic double decker buses to the Tube, there are plenty of options throughout the city.

Dallas has some public transit options. While it's still very much a car-centered city, the public transportation system, DART, is one of the fastest growing in the country. It includes both light rail and bus service.

Is London or Dallas a more walkable city?

London is renowned for its high level of walkability. However, Dallas is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

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.

Dallas is generally not a very walkable city. The city is not particularly walkable, but there are several more walkable areas such as Ellum and Uptown.

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

Should I spend more time in Dallas or London?

How long in London or Dallas?

It's fun to spend time in either London or Dallas. Generally, people tend to spend more time in London due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for London, and 2-4 days is enough time in Dallas.

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

London is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

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

A weekend in London or Dallas?

London is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Dallas 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 Dallas?

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

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

London is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the chic destination of Dallas. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between London and Dallas, we can see that London is more expensive. And not only is Dallas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since London is in Europe and Dallas is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Dallas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dallas 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 Dallas.

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

Which is Bigger, London or Dallas?

London has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Dallas. When comparing the sizes of London and Dallas, 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 Dallas?

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 Dallas in the Summer?

Both Dallas and London during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to London because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Dallas this time of year.

In July, London is generally much colder than Dallas. Daily temperatures in London average around 18°C (64°F), and Dallas fluctuates around 88°F (31°C).

In Dallas, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, London often gets less sunshine than Dallas. London gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dallas receives 337 hours of full sun.

London usually gets less rain in July than Dallas. London gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit London or Dallas in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both London and Dallas. 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. Also, many travelers come to Dallas for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

London is much colder than Dallas in the autumn. The daily temperature in London averages around 12°C (53°F) in October, and Dallas fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dallas this time of the year. London usually receives less sunshine than Dallas during autumn. London gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Dallas receives 222 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, London usually receives less rain than Dallas. London gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit London or Dallas in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to London as well as Dallas. Many travelers come to London for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Dallas in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in London. In the winter, London is much colder than Dallas. Typically, the winter temperatures in London in January average around 4°C (40°F), and Dallas averages at about 46°F (8°C).

In the winter, London often gets less sunshine than Dallas. London gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dallas receives 183 hours of full sun.

London usually gets more rain in January than Dallas. London gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit London or Dallas in the Spring?

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

In April, London is generally much colder than Dallas. Daily temperatures in London average around 9°C (48°F), and Dallas fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

It's quite sunny in Dallas. London usually receives less sunshine than Dallas during spring. London gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Dallas receives 251 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, London usually receives less rain than Dallas. London gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Dallas and London