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

Should you visit London or Galway?

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 Galway 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.

Galway

Galway is a lively, friendly, and cultural 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 Galway: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in London or Galway?

You'll generally find more things to do in London than Galway. London is bigger than Galway, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. London is more touristy than Galway and is popular for its international reputation, its world-renowned theater productions, and its many different markets. Also, London is famous for Big Ben. Galway is well known for its many festivals, its traditional pubs, and its live Irish folk music.

Big Ben

How is London different from Galway?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

London is an unbeatable place for its sights and museums. Also, Galway 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.

Galway offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Popular landmarks and sights in town include Eyre Square, St. Nicholas' Church, the Galway Cathedral, and the Galway City Museum.

Is London or Galway Better for Theater?

London is an unbeatable place for theatre. However, Galway 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.

Galway is not a theatre destination.

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

London is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Galway has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are local pubs and traditional restaurants offering authentic Irish dishes. Popular options include Irish Stew, Cockles and Mussels, and Galway Oysters.

Is London or Galway Better for Nightlife?

London is an unbeatable place for nightlife. Also, Galway 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.

Galway has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The nightlife scene is among the best in Ireland. The city embraces the friendly Irish hospitality and there are laid back pubs and bars around town as well as a few trendy nightclubs.

Is London or Galway Better for Music?

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

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

Galway is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in London or Galway?

London is an unbeatable place for shopping. Also, Galway 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 Galway. You'll find shopping both in the city center as well as at suburban shopping malls. For some of the best shopping head to The Latin Quarter, The Westend or the outdoor market which is found in Church lane by St Nicholas' Church.

Is London or Galway Better for Christmas?

London is an unbeatable place for its Christmas activities. However, Galway 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.

Galway does not offer Christmas activities.

Is London or Galway Better for Christmas Markets?

London is an unbeatable place for its Christmas markets. However, Galway 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.

Galway does not offer Christmas markets.

Is London or Galway Better for Families?

London is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Galway 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.

Galway is a family-friendly city. Kids will enjoy the National Aquarium Galway or simply wandering around the Latin Quarter. About 15 minutes outside of the city is the Wildlands Adventure Park which has ziplines, ropes courses, and other adrenaline filled activities. Brigit's Garden is another fun place to let kids stretch their legs.

Is London or Galway Better for Couples?

London is an unbeatable place for romance. Also, Galway 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.

Galway makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are nice restaurants, beautiful walks, and a few parks to explore. There are also several romantic places just outside of town that make for a great day trip.

Is London or Galway Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

London is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Galway 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.

Many backpackers visit Galway. There are plenty of hostels in the area and it's easy to meet other travelers.

Is London or Galway Better for Students?

London is an unbeatable place for students. Also, Galway 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.

Plenty of students visit Galway. The city has a solid student population with a number of activities and entertainment options.

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

London is an unbeatable place for its public transit. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Galway has some public transit options. There are two bus companies in Galway, Bus Eireann and City Direct.

Is London or Galway a more walkable city?

London is an unbeatable place for its walkability. Also, Galway 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.

Galway is a very walkable city. If you stay in central Galway, the area is generally compact and walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Galway or London?

How long in London or Galway?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both London and Galway. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in London than in Galway. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for London, and 2-3 days is enough time in Galway.

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

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 Galway. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in London or Galway?

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.

Galway 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 Galway?

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 Galway. 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 Galway?

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 cultural destination of Galway. 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 Budget Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Tours for Seniors to United Kingdom, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ireland, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Ireland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, London or Galway?

London has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Galway. When comparing the sizes of London and Galway, 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 Galway?

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 Galway in the Summer?

Both Galway 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 Galway in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

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

In the summer, London often gets more sunshine than Galway. London gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Galway receives 142 hours of full sun.

London usually gets less rain in July than Galway. London gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Galway receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit London or Galway in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both London and Galway. 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 Galway for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

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

London usually receives more sunshine than Galway during autumn. London gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Galway receives 96 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Galway receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, London usually receives less rain than Galway. London gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Galway receives 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit London or Galway in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to London as well as Galway. 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 Galway because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

London can be very cold during winter. London is cooler than Galway in the winter. The daily temperature in London averages around 4°C (40°F) in January, and Galway fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In the winter, London often gets less sunshine than Galway. London gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Galway receives 59 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Galway. London usually gets less rain in January than Galway. London gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Galway receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit London or Galway in the Spring?

Both Galway 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 Galway this time of year.

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

London usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Galway during spring. London gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Galway receives 153 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, London usually receives less rain than Galway. London gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Galway receives 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Galway and London