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

Should you visit London or Heidelberg?

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

London

London is a international, historic, and diverse city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the theater, nightlife, and live music.

Heidelberg

Heidelberg is a quaint, energetic, and lively town. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

London and Heidelberg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in London or Heidelberg?

Tourists will generally find more to do in London than Heidelberg. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. London is very popular for its museums, theatre productions, nightlife, music, shopping, christmas markets, and big city activities, while Heidelberg attracts visitors for its historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. London is more touristy than Heidelberg and is known for its international reputation, its world-renowned theater productions, and its many different markets. It is also well known for Big Ben. Heidelberg is famous for its picturesque beauty, romantic atmosphere, and its classic old town.

Big Ben

How is London different from Heidelberg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

London is an amazing city to visit for its historical sights. However, Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, London has many famous sights for visitors. 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.

Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

Is London or Heidelberg Better for Theater?

London is an amazing city to visit for its shows and theatre. However, Heidelberg 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.

Heidelberg is not a theatre destination.

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

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

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, Heidelberg makes for a great culinary experience. The old town is filled with local restaurants that offer an assortment of traditional dishes. The restaurants offer a mix of outdoor and indoor seating and classic dishes include saumagen, lewwerkneedl, and dampfnudeln.

Is London or Heidelberg Better for Nightlife?

London is an amazing city to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for nightlife.

London has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

Heidelberg offers plenty to do in the evening. As a university town, you'll find a very young population and many bars, pubs, and nightclubs where you can hang out.

Is London or Heidelberg Better for Music?

London is an amazing city to visit for its music scene. However, Heidelberg is not a live music destination.

London has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. Famous music venues include Dominion Theatre, the Roundhouse, and Dublin Castle.

Heidelberg is not a live music destination.

Is London or Heidelberg Better for its Old Town?

Heidelberg is terrific for its historic old town charm. However, London does not have a historic old town.

Heidelberg has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The charming old town, or Altstadt, is lined with cafes that spill out onto the street and churches with bells that chime hourly. The area is filled with activity and there are many shops, ice cream vendors, and restaurants to choose from.

London does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in London or Heidelberg?

London is an amazing city to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for shopping.

Many people travel to London specifically to go shopping. 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.

Heidelberg is a great destination for shopping. The pedestrian area is the best place to pass your time shopping. There are name brand stores mixed in with local independent shops which you'll mostly find on the side streets. Popular items to buy include wooden toys, Christmas decorations, and candy.

Is London or Heidelberg Better for Christmas?

London is an amazing city to visit for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Heidelberg does not offer Christmas activities.

People travel from all around to experience the Christmas season in London. 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.

Heidelberg does not offer Christmas activities.

Is London or Heidelberg Better for Christmas Markets?

London is an amazing city to visit for visiting Christmas markets. However, Heidelberg does not offer Christmas markets.

The holiday season is a very popular time to visit London because of the beautiful 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.

Heidelberg does not offer Christmas markets.

Is London or Heidelberg Better for Families?

London is an amazing city to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its family-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.

Heidelberg is a family-friendly place to visit. With its many ice cream shops, playgrounds, and impressive castle, this city makes a nice stop for families with kids. The restaurants usually have a kid's menu and there are a number of kid-friendly museums and activities.

Is London or Heidelberg Better for Couples?

London is an amazing city to visit for couples. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for romance.

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.

Heidelberg is a very popular place to visit for couples. This beautiful city offers an impressive backdrop for a couple's getaway. The view from the castle looks out beautifully over the city and the old town has many excellent restaurants and activities that are great for couples.

Is London or Heidelberg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

London is an amazing city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit London, as it is a very popular city for 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.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Heidelberg. Prices are reasonable and there are a handful of hostels around town. As a university town, you can be assured there are plenty of fun activities and cheap places to eat.

Is London or Heidelberg Better for Students?

London is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for students.

London is a very popular place to visit 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.

Heidelberg is a good city to visit for students. It is a beautiful student town with a lot of activities for young visitors. This is not the most popular study abroad destination, but it does have a lot to offer for those who visit.

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

London is an amazing city to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its public transit.

Public transit in London is top-notch. From the iconic double decker buses to the Tube, there are plenty of options throughout the city.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Heidelberg. There are trams and buses that connect the old town to the train station.

Is London or Heidelberg a more walkable city?

London is an amazing city to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its walkability.

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

Heidelberg is very walkable. The old town is particularly walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Heidelberg or London?

How long in London or Heidelberg?

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

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

When visiting London, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the quaint destination of Heidelberg. 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 Heidelberg?

When visiting London, people usually allow for lots of time. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg?

London, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

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

London is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this city makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the historic destination of Heidelberg. This town 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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in Germany, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Germany.

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

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

Which is Bigger, London or Heidelberg?

London has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Heidelberg. When comparing the sizes of London and Heidelberg, 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 Heidelberg?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit London or Heidelberg in the Summer?

Both Heidelberg and London are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. 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 Heidelberg for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

London is cooler than Heidelberg in the summer. The daily temperature in London averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Heidelberg fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

It's quite sunny in Heidelberg. London usually receives less sunshine than Heidelberg during summer. London gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 224 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, London usually receives less rain than Heidelberg. London gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit London or Heidelberg in the Autumn?

Both Heidelberg and London during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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 Heidelberg because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, London is around the same temperature as Heidelberg. Typically, the autumn temperatures in London in October average around 12°C (53°F), and Heidelberg averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, London often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Heidelberg. London gets 107 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 102 hours of full sun.

London usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Heidelberg. London gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit London or Heidelberg in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both London and Heidelberg. 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 shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Heidelberg this time of year.

It's quite cold in Heidelberg in the winter. The weather in London can be very cold. In January, London is generally much warmer than Heidelberg. Daily temperatures in London average around 4°C (40°F), and Heidelberg fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

London usually receives more sunshine than Heidelberg during winter. London gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 38 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, London usually receives around the same amount of rain as Heidelberg. London gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit London or Heidelberg in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to London as well as Heidelberg. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to London this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Heidelberg for the natural beauty.

London is cooler than Heidelberg in the spring. The daily temperature in London averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Heidelberg fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the spring, London often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Heidelberg. London gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 155 hours of full sun.

London usually gets less rain in April than Heidelberg. London gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Heidelberg and London