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

Should you visit London or Seattle?

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

London

London is a iconic, global, and international 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. Other popular activities here include food, shopping, and museums.

Seattle

Seattle is a outdoorsy, laid-back, and bustling city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the theater, nightlife, and live music.

London and Seattle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in London or Seattle?

Tourists will generally find more to do in London than Seattle. 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, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Seattle attracts visitors for its beaches and hiking. London is more touristy than Seattle and is popular for its international reputation, its world-renowned theater productions, and its many different markets. It is also well known for Big Ben. Seattle is famous for its beautiful waterfront setting, diverse culinary scene, thriving art and cultural venues, and being the home of many international tech companies.

Big Ben

How is London different from Seattle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put London on the map. 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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Seattle. The city's most iconic landmark is the Space Needle. There's also a zoo, aquarium, and a handful of nice museums. Several favorites include the Chihuly Garden and Glass, the Museum of History & Industry, and the Seattle Art Museum.

Is London or Seattle Better for Theater?

London is renowned for its shows and theatre. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for theatre.

Famous for its theaters and plays, you'll find world-renowned shows in London. 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.

You'll find a nice selection of shows in Seattle. There are a handful of theaters where you can enjoy traveling Broadway shows or smaller productions.

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

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

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, Seattle makes for a great culinary experience. The city has many diverse dining options that make it a popular foodie destination. The seafood is world-class with many restaurants offering fresh caught salmon and oysters. There are also many great Asian restaurants with Pho, sushi, and dim sum all being popular around town. Seattle is also famous as the birthplace of Starbucks coffee, and both chain and independent coffee shops are common. Finally, make sure you check out the donuts at Pike's Place Market.

Is London or Seattle Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

Seattle has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city is known for its breweries and eclectic nightlife scene. There is a thriving theater scene as well as many bars and trendy restaurants. The best neighborhoods for nightlife include Capitol Hill, Belltown, and Downtown.

Is London or Seattle Better for Music?

London is renowned for its music scene. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for live music.

In London you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. Famous music venues include Dominion Theatre, the Roundhouse, and Dublin Castle.

Whether you like big venues or smaller artists, Seattle has diverse options. The city has developed its own music culture around several genres including alternative rock and grunge.

Is London or Seattle Better for Beaches?

Seattle is very good for the beach. However, London is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Seattle to enjoy the beach. The city is surrounded by water so there are a number of rocky and sandy beaches nearby. Some beaches are more popular with locals while others attract a large amount of tourists. Alki Beach Park, Discovery Park, and Golden Gardens Park are among the best.

London is not a beach destination.

Is London or Seattle Better for Hiking?

Seattle is a great city for hiking. However, London is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Seattle for the hiking trails. It's famously an outdoorsy city and the hiking will not disappoint. Within a half hour drive of town you'll find beautiful forests and stunning natural beauty. Head into the Cascades, to the coastal rainforests, or around Mount Rainier for all kinds of diverse landscapes. Seattle is well situated for you to experience hiking through the diverse Pacific Northwest landscapes.

London is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in London or Seattle?

London is renowned for its shopping areas. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for shopping.

London is a world class destination for shoppers. 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Seattle. Shopping in town has an eclectic mix of high end brands, local vendors, and vintage shops. There are farmers markets as well as the famous Pike Place Market, but also major malls with all of the standard department stores.

Is London or Seattle Better for Christmas?

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

Seattle does not offer Christmas activities.

Is London or Seattle Better for Christmas Markets?

London is renowned for its Christmas markets. However, Seattle 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.

Seattle does not offer Christmas markets.

Is London or Seattle Better for Families?

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

London is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. 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.

Seattle is a family-friendly city. This is an outdoor city with plenty of places where kids can run around and experience nature. There are several good museums as well as outdoor activities, parks, and a zoo. Make sure you check out the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Volunteer Park, and Artists at Play Playground.

Is London or Seattle Better for Couples?

London is renowned for couples. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

London has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Seattle is a nice destination for couples. The city has a laid back vibe, a nice downtown area, and plenty of outdoor activities. There are a diversity of restaurants to enjoy and a great nightlife scene that makes for a good couple's getaway.

Is London or Seattle Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

London is renowned for backpackers. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

London is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Seattle is a good city to visit for backpackers. Although it's not the most popular city for backpackers in America, the city's chill vibe, fun breweries, and lively setting make it a great spot for young backpackers.

Is London or Seattle Better for Students?

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

London is a great destination 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.

Students come from all over to stay in Seattle. It is a major IT center with a large university, so international students will have plenty of opportunities here. It's also a vibrant city with many outdoor recreational opportunities and a fun nightlife scene.

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

London is renowned for its public transit. Also, Seattle 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.

Seattle has some public transit options. There is a light rail system, a monorail, a street car, and buses.

Is London or Seattle a more walkable city?

London is renowned for its ease of walking around. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its 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.

Seattle is very walkable. Many neighborhoods are very walkable, particularly in the downtown and major tourist areas.

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

Should I spend more time in Seattle or London?

How long in London or Seattle?

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

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

Because London is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Many travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the big city destination of Seattle. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in London or Seattle?

Because London is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Seattle 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 Seattle?

London is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that London has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Seattle. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Seattle?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in London. Because London is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Travelers enjoy the museums and theater when visiting the cultural big city of Seattle. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage.

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

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

Which is Bigger, London or Seattle?

London has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Seattle. When comparing the sizes of London and Seattle, 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 Seattle?

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 Seattle in the Summer?

Both Seattle and London during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to London this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Seattle for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

London is around the same temperature as Seattle in the summer. The daily temperature in London averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Seattle fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

In Seattle, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, London often gets less sunshine than Seattle. London gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 313 hours of full sun.

London usually gets more rain in July than Seattle. London gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit London or Seattle in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both London and Seattle. Many travelers come to London for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Seattle in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

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

London usually receives less sunshine than Seattle during autumn. London gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 143 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, London usually receives less rain than Seattle. London gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit London or Seattle in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to London as well as Seattle. Many visitors come to London in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Seattle for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.

London can get quite cold in the winter. In January, London is generally cooler than Seattle. Daily temperatures in London average around 4°C (40°F), and Seattle fluctuates around 42°F (5°C).

In the winter, London often gets less sunshine than Seattle. London gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 67 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Seattle. London usually gets less rain in January than Seattle. London gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 5.4 inches (136 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit London or Seattle in the Spring?

Both Seattle and London are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to London for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Seattle because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

London is cooler than Seattle in the spring. The daily temperature in London averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Seattle fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

It's quite sunny in Seattle. London usually receives less sunshine than Seattle during spring. London gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, London usually receives less rain than Seattle. London gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Seattle and London