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

Should you visit Manchester or Austin?

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

Manchester

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

Austin

Austin is a entrepreneurial, eccentric, and unconventional city. It's also a big city with many activities. This is beautiful destination to visit. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Manchester and Austin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Manchester or Austin?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Manchester than Austin. While Austin is larger than Manchester, Manchester has more sights and attractions for tourists. Manchester is more popular for its shopping and big city activities, while Austin is known for its food, nightlife, music, hiking, and impressive beauty. 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. Austin is popular for its live music scene, excellent Texas barbecue, authentic Mexican food, and vibrant student population.

How is Manchester different from Austin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Spend time exploring the excellent sights and museums in either Manchester or Austin.

Many visitors head to Manchester specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Austin can be an interesting and educational experience. Austin has a number of great museums and sights including the Blanton Museum of Art, the Mexic-Arte Museum, and the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. There's also a huge supply of local art galleries. Perhaps the most notable landmark in town is the beautiful Texas Capital Building

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

Austin is very popular for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Austin has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. It is credited with being the original food truck city and you'll find many diverse food truck options around town. There is also amazing Mexican food, world renowned Texas barbecue, and many modern restaurants that reflect the city's culinary influence.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Manchester. 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.

Is Manchester or Austin Better for Nightlife?

Austin is very popular for nightlife. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

Austin is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. It's nightlife is centered around its thriving live music scene. Head for Sixth Street for some of the most popular bars and clubs. There are also many music festivals and outdoor concerts, particularly during the summer months. Popular bars and clubs around town include the White Horse, the Rose Room, and Antone's Nightclub.

Manchester has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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.

Is Manchester or Austin Better for Music?

Austin is very popular for live music. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its live music scene.

Austin is known as a music capital around the world. Music is what gives this city its character. There are many live music venues, concerts, and music festivals to experience. Austin has influenced many music genres such as rock, blues, jazz, hip hop, punk, and country.

If you love music, you'll find something to enjoy in Manchester. There's a long running music reputation here. Some of the iconic bands that began here include Oasis and Stone Roses.

Is Manchester or Austin Better for Hiking?

Austin is adequate for hiking. However, Manchester is not a hiking destination.

Austin has hiking trails if you want to get outside. Head just outside of town to explore a few great hiking spots right near town.

Manchester is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Manchester or Austin?

Manchester is a great destination for shopping. Also, Austin is still popular, but not quite as popular 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 Austin. There are a number of local boutiques around town where you can enjoy shopping.

Is Manchester or Austin Better for Families?

Manchester is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Austin is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Austin offers lots of family activities. The city is a popular destination for young travelers, but there are also some family-friendly activities like Barton Springs, Zilker Park, and several natural swimming holes. There's a number of nice parks around town that are great for kids of all ages.

Is Manchester or Austin Better for Couples?

Manchester is a great destination for romance. Also, Austin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Manchester frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Austin makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Young couples will enjoy the city for its lively nightlife, fun music scene, and youthful vibe. There are also many outdoor areas where you can hike or explore. The restaurant scene is among the best as well.

Is Manchester or Austin Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Austin is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Austin is very popular with the backpacker crowd. Although the city is relatively small, it does see a disproportionate number of backpackers. There are a couple of hostels in town as well.

It's common for backpackers to visit Manchester. You'll find hostels around town and a number of visitors, particularly during the sports season.

Is Manchester or Austin Better for Students?

For students, both Manchester and Austin are excellent places to visit.

Manchester is very popular with students. 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.

Austin is a great city to visit as a student. The city has a huge university, the University of Texas at Austin, and it is a young city with tons for international students. There is a great nightlife scene and plenty for students to see and do.

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

Manchester is a great destination for its public transit. However, Austin is a city with minimal options 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 mostly limited in Austin. There are city buses and a very limited lightrail system, but you really need a car to explore the city.

Is Manchester or Austin a more walkable city?

Manchester is a nice place to visit for its walkability. However, Austin is a city with minimal options for its high level of walkability.

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

Austin is generally not a very walkable city. The city, like most southern cities, isn't very walkable and it's important to have a car to get around. There are some downtown areas that are pedestrian-friendly.

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

Should I spend more time in Austin or Manchester?

How long in Manchester or Austin?

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

Families should spend more time in Manchester than Austin. 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 Austin. 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 Austin than Manchester 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 Austin.

One day in Manchester or Austin?

Manchester 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.

With live music and food around the entrepreneurial city of Austin, there's plenty to do. 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.

A weekend in Manchester or Austin?

Manchester 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.

With food and shopping around the destination of Austin, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Manchester or Austin?

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

Austin, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. 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 Austin?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the diverse big city of Manchester. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Austin is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. 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 Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Manchester or Austin?

Austin has a larger population, and is about 72% larger than the population of Manchester. When comparing the sizes of Manchester and Austin, 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 Austin?

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 Austin in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Manchester as well as Austin. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Manchester this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Austin for the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Manchester is much colder than Austin in the summer. The daily temperature in Manchester averages around 16°C (62°F) in July, and Austin fluctuates around 87°F (30°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Austin. In the summer, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Austin. Manchester gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Austin receives 318 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets more rain in July than Austin. Manchester gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Austin receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Manchester or Austin in the Autumn?

Both Austin and Manchester are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Manchester for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, many visitors come to Austin 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, Manchester is much colder than Austin. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Manchester in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Austin averages at about 73°F (23°C).

It's quite sunny in Austin. Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Austin during autumn. Manchester gets 97 hours of sunny skies, while Austin receives 214 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Manchester usually receives around the same amount of rain as Austin. Manchester gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Austin receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Manchester or Austin in the Winter?

Both Austin and Manchester during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Manchester in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Austin for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Manchester can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Manchester is generally much colder than Austin. Daily temperatures in Manchester average around 4°C (39°F), and Austin fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

In the winter, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Austin. Manchester gets 53 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Austin receives 163 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets more rain in January than Austin. Manchester gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Austin receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Manchester or Austin in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Manchester and Austin. Most visitors come to Manchester for the activities around the city during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Austin because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Manchester is much colder than Austin in the spring. The daily temperature in Manchester averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Austin fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Austin this time of the year. Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Austin during spring. Manchester gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Austin receives 209 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Manchester usually receives less rain than Austin. Manchester gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Austin receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Austin and Manchester