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

Should you visit Manchester or Basel?

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

Manchester

Manchester is a dynamic, diverse, and cultural city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Basel

Basel is a cultural, museum-filled, and easily accessible city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Manchester and Basel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Manchester or Basel?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Manchester than Basel. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Manchester is very popular for its food, nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Basel attracts visitors for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Manchester is famous for its strong music culture as well as being home to the world-renowned Manchester United Football Club. It is also well known for The National Football Museum. Basel is famous for its many museums and its nice old town.

How is Manchester different from Basel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Basel can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is filled with history. Head to Minster Hill to see the beautiful historic church and Münsterplatz. There are also several unique museums around town including Jean Tinguely Museum, the Paper Mill Museum, the Historical Museum, and the Museum of Art.

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

Manchester is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

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.

Basel is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Food around town can be expensive, but there are some outdoor markets where you can buy fruit and a bratwurst for a reasonable price. The city is known for its breads, soups, and pastries, which are all delicious.

Is Manchester or Basel Better for Nightlife?

Manchester is notable for nightlife and partying. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Basel. The city's nightlife comes alive as the sun sets. There are bars, pubs, and dance clubs that stay active until the early morning hours.

Is Manchester or Basel Better for Music?

Manchester is notable for its live music scene. However, Basel is not a live music destination.

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.

Basel is not a live music destination.

Is Manchester or Basel Better for its Old Town?

Basel is great for its historic old town. However, Manchester does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Basel. The charming old town is fun to explore on foot with its quaint streets and meandering alleys. The beautiful architecture and ornate fountains give the area a unique personality. On the hottest days you may even see locals swimming in some of the fountains.

Manchester does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Manchester or Basel?

If you're looking to go shopping, Manchester and Basel both offer plenty of excellent spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Manchester. 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.

Basel is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The old town is filled with shops that you can wander through as you explore. Popular shopping streets include Freie Strasse and the area around Marktplatz, where you'll find boutique shops and interesting trinkets. You can also head to the city's oldest department store - Manor.

Is Manchester or Basel Better for Families?

You'll find excellent kid-friendly activities in either Manchester or Basel.

Manchester is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

Basel is a very kid-friendly city. The city has an impressive zoo, a really unique toy museum, as well as Aquabasilea with its pools and slides. It's also compact enough that little legs can explore and enjoy everything that it has to offer. If the weather's warm, head for the river to cool off.

Is Manchester or Basel Better for Couples?

Manchester is notable for its romantic activities. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Manchester is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Basel is a good city for couples to visit. Nice restaurants, interesting museums, and several great spas make this a nice place for a romantic trip.

Is Manchester or Basel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Manchester and Basel are nice 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 Basel. There are a few hostels and a really useful City Pass that make this city an option for backpackers and budget travelers. It's also a major transit center so accessibility is convenient. If you're traveling around Europe by train, you'll likely pass through Basel at some point.

Is Manchester or Basel Better for Students?

For students, both Manchester and Basel 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.

Basel is a great city to visit as a student. The University of Basel brings in international students from around the world. The city makes a nice base for exploring Europe, but it's also a bit expensive which can be challenging on a student income.

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

Manchester and Basel both offer excellent public transit to get you around.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Manchester. The city has bus, train, and tram options for travel.

Public transit in Basel can get you to some places easily. Trams and buses make it easy to get around town.

Is Manchester or Basel a more walkable city?

Basel is very popular for its walkability. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

Basel is a very easy city to get around on foot. The old town and most of the major attractions are easily accessible on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Basel or Manchester?

How long in Manchester or Basel?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Manchester than Basel. 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 Basel 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 Basel?

Each neighborhood in Manchester 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.

With museums and nightlife around the vibrant city of Basel, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Basel, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Manchester or Basel?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Manchester. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Basel, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Basel?

Manchester is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the big city destination of Manchester. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Basel, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Basel?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the vibrant big city of Manchester. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Basel 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 2-Week Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Switzerland.

When comparing the travel costs between Manchester and Basel, we can see that Basel is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Manchester or Basel?

Manchester has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Basel. When comparing the sizes of Manchester and Basel, 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 Basel?

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 Basel in the Summer?

Both Basel and Manchester during the summer are popular places to visit. 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 Basel for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Manchester is cooler than Basel. Typically, the summer temperatures in Manchester in July average around 16°C (62°F), and Basel averages at about 21°C (70°F).

In Basel, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Basel. Manchester gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basel receives 241 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets less rain in July than Basel. Manchester gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Basel receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Manchester or Basel in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Manchester and Basel. Many travelers come to Manchester for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, many visitors come to Basel in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Manchester is generally cooler than Basel. Daily temperatures in Manchester average around 11°C (52°F), and Basel fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Basel during autumn. Manchester gets 97 hours of sunny skies, while Basel receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Manchester usually receives more rain than Basel. Manchester gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Basel receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Manchester or Basel in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Manchester as well as Basel. Many visitors come to Manchester in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Basel for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Basel can be very cold during winter. Manchester can get quite cold in the winter. Manchester is a little warmer than Basel in the winter. The daily temperature in Manchester averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Basel fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Manchester often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Basel. Manchester gets 53 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basel receives 55 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets less rain in January than Basel. Manchester gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Basel receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Manchester or Basel in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Manchester is cooler than Basel. Typically, the spring temperatures in Manchester in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Basel averages at about 12°C (53°F).

Manchester usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Basel during spring. Manchester gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Basel receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Manchester usually receives less rain than Basel. Manchester gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Basel receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Basel and Manchester