A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Manchester vs. Edinburgh for Attractions, Music, Backpackers, and Food

Should you visit Manchester or Edinburgh?

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

Manchester

Manchester is a diverse, cultural, and vibrant city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the nightlife, live music, and food.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a vibrant, gothic, and ancient city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. Other reasons to visit include museums, theater, and nightlife.

Manchester and Edinburgh: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Manchester or Edinburgh?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Edinburgh. Although Manchester and Edinburgh are about the same size, Edinburgh has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Edinburgh is very popular for its museums, theatre productions, music, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Manchester attracts visitors for its food and big city activities. Edinburgh is more touristy than Manchester and is known for its medieval Old Town, the Royal Mile, and its influence on the Harry Potter series. It is also well known for The Edinburgh Castle. Manchester is famous for its strong music culture as well as being home to the world-renowned Manchester United Football Club.

How is Manchester different from Edinburgh?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Edinburgh is very popular for its historical sights. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Travelers visit Edinburgh from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. The most famous sights include the Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and the National Museum of Scotland. There are also kid-friendly museums like Camera Obscura.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Manchester can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

Is Manchester or Edinburgh Better for Theater?

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

Edinburgh has a number of performance venues where you can see a variety of shows. It's fun to see a live performance or attend one of the festivals in town.

Manchester is not a theatre destination.

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

Manchester is a very popular place for its restaurants. However, Edinburgh is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Manchester has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

Edinburgh may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The city has some unique but famous dishes to try including haggis and black pudding. For slightly less intimidating options, check out the cullen skink, porridge, or smoked salmon. There are many fish and chips shops to choose from as well as a diversity of ethnic restaurants including Indian, Thai, and Ethiopian.

Is Manchester or Edinburgh Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is superb in both Manchester and Edinburgh.

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.

Edinburgh has plenty to do after the sun goes down. With so many students, the nightlife stays very active. There are a wide range of bars and clubs to choose from as well as some of the country's oldest pubs. Tourists tend to frequent the Old Town area, but you'll find more locals if you head to the student and university areas.

Is Manchester or Edinburgh Better for Music?

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

Edinburgh is known as a music capital around the world. In addition to a wide range of live music venues, there are also a number of music festivals held in town.

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 Edinburgh Better for its Old Town?

Edinburgh is very popular for its historic old town. However, Manchester does not have a historic old town.

Edinburgh has a world-famous historical area. The city's Old Town attracts international visitors who come to see the Edinburgh Castle, the quaint streets, and the many shops and cafes. The Royal Mile is a popular area with pubs and souvenir shops. It connects the castle to the Scottish Parliament.

Manchester does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Manchester or Edinburgh?

If you're looking to go shopping, Manchester and Edinburgh both offer plenty of superb 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.

Edinburgh is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Head to Princes Street in the New Town to visit department stores and other name brand shops. Nearby George Street has more boutique style shops and less crowds. In the Old Town, Victoria Street is filled with Harry Potter shops and tourist stores where you can pick up a kilt or Edinburgh sweatshirt.

Is Manchester or Edinburgh Better for Families?

You'll find superb kid-friendly activities in either Manchester or Edinburgh.

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.

Edinburgh is a very kid-friendly city. Kids will enjoy wandering down Victoria Street and popping in the Harry Potter shops. There are also a number of fascinating Harry Potter tours that take you through notable landmarks where J.K. Rowling was inspired to write these popular stories. You'll even visit Tom Riddle's gravesite. Other highlights that families will enjoy include Edinburgh Castle and the Edinburgh Dungeon, which is best for older kids or kids that enjoy a good scare. Younger kids will enjoy a trip the illusions museum, Camera Obscura, which also offers one of the best views of the city.

Is Manchester or Edinburgh Better for Couples?

Both Manchester and Edinburgh 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.

Edinburgh is a very popular place to visit for couples. With its castle and the Royal Mile, there are many romantic places to explore as a couple. There are also good restaurants and some nice hotels. Whether you're interested in history, food, or fun, this city makes for a great couples trip.

Is Manchester or Edinburgh Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Many backpackers frequent Edinburgh. The city has some good hostels and an active nightlife, so it's not hard to find other travelers to hang out with. It's a well visited city with many areas that attracted younger travelers or students.

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 Edinburgh Better for Students?

For students, both Manchester and Edinburgh are superb 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.

Edinburgh is a great city to visit as a student. This multicultural city is popular with international students because of its excellent research and academic centers as well as its unique history.

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

Manchester is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Edinburgh is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Public transit in Manchester can get you to some places easily. The city has bus, train, and tram options for travel.

You'll find some public transit in Edinburgh, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Buses are the best way to get into town from the outer edges if you don't have a car.

Is Manchester or Edinburgh a more walkable city?

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

Edinburgh is a very easy city to get around on foot. The Old Town in particular is fun to walk around

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 Edinburgh Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Edinburgh or Manchester?

How long in Manchester or Edinburgh?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh.

One day in Manchester or Edinburgh?

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 live music and shopping around the ancient city of Edinburgh, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Manchester or Edinburgh?

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 shopping and museums around the destination of Edinburgh, 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 Edinburgh?

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.

Edinburgh, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Edinburgh?

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.

Edinburgh 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 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 Edinburgh, we can see that Manchester is more expensive. And not only is Edinburgh much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Edinburgh would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh.

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

Which is Bigger, Manchester or Edinburgh?

Edinburgh has a larger population, and is about 10% larger than the population of Manchester. When comparing the sizes of Manchester and Edinburgh, 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 Edinburgh?

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 Edinburgh in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Manchester and Edinburgh. Many travelers come to Manchester for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Edinburgh in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Manchester is a little warmer than Edinburgh. Typically, the summer temperatures in Manchester in July average around 16°C (62°F), and Edinburgh averages at about 14°C (58°F).

Manchester usually receives more sunshine than Edinburgh during summer. Manchester gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Edinburgh receives 163 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Manchester usually receives more rain than Edinburgh. Manchester gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Manchester or Edinburgh in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Manchester as well as Edinburgh. Many visitors come to Manchester in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Additionally, most visitors come to Edinburgh for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Manchester is generally a little warmer than Edinburgh. Daily temperatures in Manchester average around 11°C (52°F), and Edinburgh fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

In the autumn, Manchester often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Edinburgh. Manchester gets 97 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Edinburgh receives 90 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets more rain in October than Edinburgh. Manchester gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Manchester or Edinburgh in the Winter?

Both Edinburgh and Manchester are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Manchester for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Edinburgh because of the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

The weather in Edinburgh can be very cold. Manchester can be very cold during winter. Manchester is a little warmer than Edinburgh in the winter. The daily temperature in Manchester averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Edinburgh fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Manchester usually receives more sunshine than Edinburgh during winter. Manchester gets 53 hours of sunny skies, while Edinburgh receives 48 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Manchester usually receives more rain than Edinburgh. Manchester gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Manchester or Edinburgh in the Spring?

Both Edinburgh and Manchester during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Manchester because of the activities around the city. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Edinburgh this time of year.

In the spring, Manchester is a little warmer than Edinburgh. Typically, the spring temperatures in Manchester in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Edinburgh averages at about 7°C (45°F).

In the spring, Manchester often gets more sunshine than Edinburgh. Manchester gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Edinburgh receives 132 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets more rain in April than Edinburgh. Manchester gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Edinburgh and Manchester