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

Should you visit London or Ghent?

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

London

London is a international, historic, and diverse 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.

Ghent

Ghent is a high energy, cultural, and historic city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

London and Ghent: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in London or Ghent?

You'll generally find more things to do in London than Ghent. London is bigger than Ghent, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. London is better known for its museums, theatre productions, music, shopping, christmas markets, and big city activities, while Ghent is more popular for its historical sights and impressive beauty. London is more touristy than Ghent and is popular for its international reputation, its world-renowned theater productions, and its many different markets. Also, London is famous for Big Ben. Ghent is well known for its medieval buildings, large squares, and weekly markets

Big Ben

How is London different from Ghent?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

London is a world-class destination for its sights and museums. Also, Ghent 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.

Ghent offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city has many different sights that are concentrated in a compact area. Make sure you check out the Cathedral of St. Bavo, The Fortress of Gravensteen, and The Belfry. The audio tour at Gravensteen really brings the history to life and makes for an enjoyable activity.

Is London or Ghent Better for Theater?

London is a world-class destination for theatre. However, Ghent is not a theatre destination.

London is considered to be a world-class theater destination. 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.

Ghent is not a theatre destination.

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

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

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, Ghent makes for a great culinary experience. The food scene is diverse and international, but there are also many local dishes and flavors that you should try. Pas de Rouge is a local cheese and mastel is a local bread. Ganda ham is also a popular meat that is dried and salted. In additional to traditional restaurants, you'll find almost any international cuisine that you could want.

Is London or Ghent Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find first-rate options in both London and Ghent.

London is a must-see 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.

Ghent is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. With its young student population, you'll find plenty of lively bars and clubs around town. There are many places where you can party or dance into the early hours of the morning and some of the best places are around Oude Beestenmarkt, De Overpoort, and De Vlasmarkt. There's also the famous Ghent Festival every July.

Is London or Ghent Better for Music?

London is a world-class destination for live music. However, Ghent is not a live music destination.

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

Ghent is not a live music destination.

Is London or Ghent Better for its Old Town?

Ghent is a great city for its historic old town charm. However, London does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Ghent. The medieval old town follows along the canal and offers great architecture and a unique atmosphere.

London does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in London or Ghent?

London is a world-class destination for shopping. Also, Ghent 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.

Ghent is well-known for its shopping. The city has the largest pedestrian shopping area in Belgium, making it a great place to explore on foot. The city has several different shopping areas which each have their own style and personality. You'll find everything from major European brands to local boutiques and street markets.

Is London or Ghent Better for Christmas?

London is a world-class destination for its Christmas activities. However, Ghent 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.

Ghent does not offer Christmas activities.

Is London or Ghent Better for Christmas Markets?

London is a world-class destination for its Christmas markets. However, Ghent 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.

Ghent does not offer Christmas markets.

Is London or Ghent Better for Families?

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

With a huge array of activities for kids, London is very family-friendly. 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.

Ghent is a family-friendly city. The city has a fun atmosphere with kid-friendly restaurants and a number of attractions that appeal to all ages. Kids and adults alike will enjoy exploring Gravensteen, which is the "Castle of Counts". You can also take a boat tour, rent bikes, or head to one of the town's playgrounds so the kids can burn off some energy.

Is London or Ghent Better for Couples?

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

London is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

Ghent makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It makes a great weekend getaway with a diverse restaurant scene, nice hotels, and plenty of historic attractions that you can explore.

Is London or Ghent Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

London is a world-class destination for backpackers. Also, Ghent 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 budget travelers visit Ghent. The city has a number of hostels to choose from as well as a young vibe with a large student population. Many people overlook Ghent, but it feels more genuine than nearby Bruges, which attracts the larger tourist crowds.

Is London or Ghent Better for Students?

For students, both London and Ghent are first-rate 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.

Ghent is a great destination for students. The city is very popular with international students so it has a young and energetic vibe with plenty to do throughout the year.

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

London and Ghent both offer first-rate public transit to get you around.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of London can take you anywhere. From the iconic double decker buses to the Tube, there are plenty of options throughout the city.

Ghent has a great public transit system. Buses and trams travel to most parts of the city and are convenient and efficient.

Is London or Ghent a more walkable city?

London is a world-class destination for its walkability. Also, Ghent 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.

Ghent is a very walkable city. The area's with the most tourist attractions are generally walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Ghent or London?

How long in London or Ghent?

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

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

Each neighborhood in London has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Ghent. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in London or Ghent?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in London. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

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

London is a fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in London has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ghent. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Ghent?

Each neighborhood in London has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the under-rated destination of Ghent. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Cultural Tours in Belgium, and The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium.

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

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

Which is Bigger, London or Ghent?

London has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Ghent. When comparing the sizes of London and Ghent, 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 Ghent?

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 Ghent in the Summer?

Both Ghent and London during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to London in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Ghent for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, London is around the same temperature as Ghent. Typically, the summer temperatures in London in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Ghent averages at about 17°C (63°F).

In Ghent, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, London often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ghent. London gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ghent receives 202 hours of full sun.

London usually gets less rain in July than Ghent. London gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit London or Ghent in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both London and Ghent. Most visitors come to London for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Ghent because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, London is generally around the same temperature as Ghent. Daily temperatures in London average around 12°C (53°F), and Ghent fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

London usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ghent during autumn. London gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Ghent receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, London usually receives less rain than Ghent. London gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit London or Ghent in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to London as well as Ghent. The winter months attract visitors to London because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Ghent this time of year.

It's quite cold in Ghent in the winter. The weather in London can be very cold. London is a little warmer than Ghent in the winter. The daily temperature in London averages around 4°C (40°F) in January, and Ghent fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, London often gets more sunshine than Ghent. London gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ghent receives 47 hours of full sun.

London usually gets less rain in January than Ghent. London gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit London or Ghent in the Spring?

Both Ghent and London are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to London this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Ghent for the natural beauty.

In the spring, London is around the same temperature as Ghent. Typically, the spring temperatures in London in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Ghent averages at about 8°C (47°F).

London usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ghent during spring. London gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Ghent receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, London usually receives around the same amount of rain as Ghent. London gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ghent and London