A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Manchester vs. Anchorage for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Manchester or Anchorage?

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 Manchester and Anchorage can help you decide which place is right for you.

Manchester

Manchester is a dynamic, diverse, and cultural city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.

Anchorage

Anchorage is a outdoorsy, scenic, and breathtaking city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include museums, food, and hiking.

Manchester and Anchorage: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Manchester or Anchorage?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Manchester than Anchorage, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Manchester is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Anchorage is known for its hiking and impressive beauty. Anchorage is more touristy than Manchester and is popular for its breathtaking natural beauty, impressive wildlife, stunning hiking trails, and unique local culture. Manchester is popular for its strong music culture as well as being home to the world-renowned Manchester United Football Club. It is also home to The National Football Museum.

How is Manchester different from Anchorage?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Anchorage and Manchester. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Manchester or Anchorage?

Manchester is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Anchorage is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Manchester. Head to the Science and Industry Museum, the Imperial War Museum North, Manchester Cathedral, or John Rylands Library & Manchester Central Library to see some of the cities most interesting sights.

Anchorage offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. While most people visit for the outdoor experiences, there are a few museums where you can learn about the local culture and wildlife. Popular museums include the the Alaska Native Heritage Center, the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center, the Alaska Aviation Museum, and the Alaska Museum of Science and Nature.

Is the Food Better in Manchester or Anchorage? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Manchester is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Anchorage is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Manchester makes for a great culinary experience. You'll find a great food scene with diverse restaurant options that include international flavors, vegetarian options, and more. There are also many great places to try craft beer.

Anchorage has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Food is expensive in town, but there are some unique local specialties that you must try. Many restaurants offer fresh seafood and local meats. Favorites include yak meat, king crab, and fresh oysters.

Is Manchester or Anchorage Better for Nightlife?

Manchester is a well-known place for nightlife. However, Anchorage is not a good city for nightlife and partying.

Manchester offers plenty to do in the evening. The nightlife scene is diverse and high energy. Head to Deansgate or the Northern Quarter for some of the best nightlife venues. You'll also find a huge rave scene in town.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Anchorage. The town's nightlife mostly consists of local bars where you can hang out. Check out Koot's, which is a longstanding favorite.

Is Manchester or Anchorage Better for Music?

Manchester is a well-known place for live music. However, Anchorage is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Manchester is very popular with diverse venues. There's a long running music reputation here. Some of the iconic bands that began here include Oasis and Stone Roses.

Anchorage is not a live music destination.

Is Manchester or Anchorage Better for Hiking?

Anchorage is very popular for hiking. However, Manchester is not a hiking destination.

Many people visit Anchorage specifically for its hiking. The town is surrounded by wilderness and it's not hard to escape into nature. You can choose between short walks, long day trips, and multi-day treks, with everything in between available as well. There are more than 300 miles of hiking trails near town and several favorites include Byron Glacier Trail, Thunderbird Falls Trail, and Flattop Mountain.

Manchester is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Manchester or Anchorage?

Manchester is a well-known place for shopping. Also, Anchorage is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Manchester is an extremely popular place for shoppers. From jewelry to boutique clothing outlets, there are many places to shop around town. Head to Manchester Arndale, Trafford Centre, or Market Street for some of the best shopping.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Anchorage. There are plenty of local gift shops and boutiques where you can pick up local Alaskan crafts and products. There's no sales tax, but prices can still be a bit steep. But if you're looking for something uniquely local to remember your trip, you don't have to look hard.

Is Manchester or Anchorage Better for Families?

Manchester is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Anchorage is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Manchester is a very family-friendly place to visit. You'll find a number of kid-friendly activities around town including the popular Legoland Discovery Center. Another fun activity is taking a behind the scenes CBBC interactive tour at MediaCityUK. Animal lovers will enjoy visiting the SeaLife Aquarium or the Chester Zoo and sports enthusiasts will not want to miss a visit to the National Football Museum or doing a tour of Old Trafford where you can also visit the Manchester United Museum.

Anchorage is a family-friendly city. Kids who appreciate nature will appreciate this unique setting. Everyone will enjoy a glacier cruise, but you can hang out with the locals in Westchester Lagoon, see the animals at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, and learn about the area at the Anchorage Museum.

Is Manchester or Anchorage Better for Couples?

Both Manchester and Anchorage are superb destinations to visit as a couple.

Manchester is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Couples can enjoy a visit to a spa, a nice meal out, or simply wandering down the canal. For a unique experience, you can hit to slopes at Chill Factore.

Anchorage is a very popular place to visit for couples. The city makes a good base for couples who want to explore the surrounding beauty. The landscapes make a beautiful backdrop for a romantic trip, and the adventure activities will make for an unforgettable experience. There are plenty of outdoor activities and adventure sports that couples can enjoy together and the beauty of the region is breathtaking.

Is Manchester or Anchorage Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Manchester and Anchorage are good places to visit.

Manchester is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. You'll find hostels around town and a number of visitors, particularly during the sports season.

It's common for backpackers to visit Anchorage. There are a few good budget places to stay, and backpackers will also have plenty of outdoor wilderness to explore near town. It's important to remember that Alaska is known for its challenging wilderness so, unless you're experienced, you should take a guide.

Is Manchester or Anchorage Better for Students?

Manchester is a well-known place for students. However, Anchorage is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Manchester. There's a large number of students as well as a great music scene and tons of festivals that make this a great city to do your studies.

Anchorage is not popular with students.

Is Manchester or Anchorage Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Manchester is a well-known place for its public transit. However, Anchorage is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Manchester is fairly effecient and thorough. The city has bus, train, and tram options for travel.

Public transit is quite limited in Anchorage. There is the People Mover bus system that transports riders around town, but to truly experience the region, you must have a car.

Is Manchester or Anchorage a more walkable city?

Manchester is a city with good options for its walkability. However, Anchorage is not a good city for its high level of walkability.

Manchester is somewhat walkable. Some neighborhoods are more walkable than others.

Anchorage is generally not a very walkable city. The downtown area is compact so you can wander to the nearby shops and restaurants on foot, but most people visit with the goal of exploring outside of town. For that you need a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Manchester Worth Visiting? and Is Anchorage Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Anchorage or Manchester?

How long in Manchester or Anchorage?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Manchester and Anchorage. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Manchester than in Anchorage. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Manchester, and 1-3 days is enough time in Anchorage.

Families should spend more time in Manchester than Anchorage. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Manchester, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Manchester than Anchorage. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Manchester that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Manchester than Anchorage 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 Manchester.

One day in Manchester or Anchorage?

People visit Manchester because there is so much to do. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

With museums and food around the scenic city of Anchorage, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Anchorage, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Manchester or Anchorage?

People visit Manchester because there is so much to do. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

With food and shopping around the destination of Anchorage, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Manchester or Anchorage?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the diverse city of Manchester. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Anchorage, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Manchester or Anchorage?

Manchester is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Anchorage is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Manchester and Anchorage, we can see that Manchester is more expensive. And not only is Anchorage much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Manchester is in Europe and Anchorage 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 Anchorage would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Anchorage 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 Manchester would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Manchester than you might in Anchorage.

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

Which is Bigger, Manchester or Anchorage?

Manchester has a larger population, and is about 52% larger than the population of Anchorage. When comparing the sizes of Manchester and Anchorage, 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 Manchester or Anchorage?

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 Manchester or Anchorage in the Summer?

Both Anchorage and Manchester during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Manchester for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Anchorage in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Manchester is around the same temperature as Anchorage in the summer. The daily temperature in Manchester averages around 16°C (62°F) in July, and Anchorage fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

In Anchorage, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Anchorage. Manchester gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Anchorage receives 240 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets more rain in July than Anchorage. Manchester gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Anchorage receives 1.7 inches (44 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Manchester or Anchorage in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Manchester and Anchorage. Many visitors come to Manchester in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Anchorage for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Anchorage can be very cold during autumn. In the autumn, Manchester is much warmer than Anchorage. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Manchester in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Anchorage averages at about 35°F (2°C).

Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Anchorage during autumn. Manchester gets 97 hours of sunny skies, while Anchorage receives 118 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Manchester usually receives more rain than Anchorage. Manchester gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Anchorage receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Manchester or Anchorage in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Manchester as well as Anchorage. Most visitors come to Manchester for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Anchorage because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Anchorage can be very cold. Manchester can be very cold during winter. In January, Manchester is generally much warmer than Anchorage. Daily temperatures in Manchester average around 4°C (39°F), and Anchorage fluctuates around 15°F (-9°C).

In the winter, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Anchorage. Manchester gets 53 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Anchorage receives 80 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets more rain in January than Anchorage. Manchester gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Anchorage receives 0.7 inches (19 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Manchester or Anchorage in the Spring?

Both Anchorage and Manchester are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Manchester because of the activities around the city. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Anchorage this time of year.

It's quite cold in Anchorage in the spring. Manchester is much warmer than Anchorage in the spring. The daily temperature in Manchester averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Anchorage fluctuates around 36°F (2°C).

It's quite sunny in Anchorage. Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Anchorage during spring. Manchester gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Anchorage receives 233 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Manchester usually receives more rain than Anchorage. Manchester gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Anchorage receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Anchorage and Manchester