A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Manchester vs. Birmingham for Music, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Manchester or Birmingham?

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

Manchester

Manchester is a vibrant, dynamic, and diverse city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Birmingham

Birmingham is a fun-filled, bustling, and historic city. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and theater.

Manchester and Birmingham: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Manchester or Birmingham?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Manchester than Birmingham. While Birmingham is larger than Manchester, Manchester has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Manchester is more popular for its food and big city activities, while Birmingham is known for its theatre productions, music, and quaint atmosphere. 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. Birmingham is popular for its strong musical routes and its very livable atmosphere.

How is Manchester different from Birmingham?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Spend time exploring the very good sights and museums in either Manchester or Birmingham.

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 Birmingham can be an interesting and educational experience. Famous sights include the Museum & Art Gallery, Thinktank, and St. Philip's Cathedral.

Is Manchester or Birmingham Better for Theater?

Birmingham is great for theatre. However, Manchester is not a theatre destination.

Birmingham has a number of performance venues where you can see a variety of shows. The impressive theater scene includes Broadway shows and musicals. Birmingham Hippodrome is a major theater in town.

Manchester is not a theatre destination.

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

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

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in 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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Birmingham. Food reviews are mixed around town. The city has its share of award-winning restaurants, but there are also popular dishes that are more of an acquired taste. Local flavors include pork scratching, Birmingham soup, and brummie bacon cakes.

Is Manchester or Birmingham Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is very good in both Manchester and Birmingham.

Many people head to Manchester for the nightlife scene. 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.

Birmingham has plenty to do after the sun goes down. With tons of students and young people looking to party, there is plenty to do in the evening. You'll find no shortage of pubs, clubs, and music venues around town.

Is Manchester or Birmingham Better for Music?

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

Birmingham is known as a music capital around the world. The city has long been a haven for musical creativity, and its influence over the global music scene is apparent. Popular music venues around town include Ghetto Golf, Digbeth Dining Club, and the Sunflower Lounge.

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 the Shopping Better in Manchester or Birmingham?

If you're looking to go shopping, Manchester and Birmingham both offer plenty of very good 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.

Birmingham is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city offers everything from large department stores to smaller local shops. There are several good shopping streets around town as well as large markets and even a jewelry quarter.

Is Manchester or Birmingham Better for Families?

You'll find very good kid-friendly activities in either Manchester or Birmingham.

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.

Birmingham is a very kid-friendly city. The city has put effort into making sure there are plenty of family-friendly activities around. You can visit a chocolate factory, explore an aquarium, enjoy an animal safari, or explore one of the hands-on museums.

Is Manchester or Birmingham Better for Couples?

Both Manchester and Birmingham are very good 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.

Birmingham is a very popular place to visit for couples. Romantic activities around town include taking a beautiful stroll through town, wandering around a park or garden, or seeing the ballet.

Is Manchester or Birmingham Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Manchester is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Birmingham is not a good destination for backpackers.

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

Birmingham is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not the most popular destination for backpackers, but there's at least one affordable hostel in town.

Is Manchester or Birmingham Better for Students?

Birmingham is very popular for its student-friendly activities. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Birmingham. With world class academic institutions and a very diverse and international population, this is a popular place for international students to study.

Manchester is a great city to visit as a student. 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.

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

Manchester is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Birmingham is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Visitors to Manchester can move around easily with public transportation. The city has bus, train, and tram options for travel.

Birmingham has a few public transit options. There is a reasonably comprehensive bus system.

Is Manchester or Birmingham a more walkable city?

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

Birmingham is very walkable. Many parts of the city are very walkable.

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 Birmingham Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Birmingham or Manchester?

How long in Manchester or Birmingham?

In either Manchester or Birmingham, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Birmingham than Manchester because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Manchester, and 1-5 days is enough time in Birmingham.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Manchester than Birmingham 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 Birmingham?

When visiting Manchester, 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.

With theater and nightlife around the vibrant city of Birmingham, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the live music. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Birmingham, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Manchester or Birmingham?

When visiting Manchester, people usually allow for lots of time. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

With nightlife and live music around the destination of Birmingham, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the live music. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Manchester or Birmingham?

Manchester, 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.

Birmingham, 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.

A week in Manchester or Birmingham?

Manchester 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.

Birmingham is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the live music. 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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in United Kingdom, and The Best Historical Tours in United Kingdom.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Manchester or Birmingham?

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

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 Manchester or Birmingham in the Summer?

Both Birmingham and Manchester are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Manchester because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Birmingham this time of year.

Manchester is around the same temperature as Birmingham in the summer. The daily temperature in Manchester averages around 16°C (62°F) in July, and Birmingham fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Birmingham during summer. Manchester gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Birmingham receives 196 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Manchester usually receives more rain than Birmingham. Manchester gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Manchester or Birmingham in the Autumn?

Both Birmingham and Manchester during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Manchester this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Birmingham for the shopping scene and the music scene.

In the autumn, Manchester is around the same temperature as Birmingham. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Manchester in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Birmingham averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Manchester often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Birmingham. Manchester gets 97 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Birmingham receives 103 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets more rain in October than Birmingham. Manchester gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Manchester or Birmingham in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Manchester and Birmingham. Many travelers come to Manchester for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Birmingham in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Birmingham can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Manchester. In January, Manchester is generally around the same temperature as Birmingham. Daily temperatures in Manchester average around 4°C (39°F), and Birmingham fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Birmingham during winter. Manchester gets 53 hours of sunny skies, while Birmingham receives 58 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Manchester usually receives more rain than Birmingham. Manchester gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Manchester or Birmingham in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Manchester as well as Birmingham. Many visitors come to Manchester in the spring for the activities around the city.

Manchester is around the same temperature as Birmingham in the spring. The daily temperature in Manchester averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Birmingham fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the spring, Manchester often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Birmingham. Manchester gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Birmingham receives 136 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets more rain in April than Birmingham. Manchester gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Birmingham and Manchester