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

Should you visit Manchester or Frankfurt?

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

Manchester

Manchester is a diverse, cultural, and vibrant city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Frankfurt

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

Manchester and Frankfurt: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Manchester or Frankfurt?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Manchester than Frankfurt. While Frankfurt is larger than Manchester, Manchester has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Manchester is better known for its music, while Frankfurt is more popular for its historical sights. Manchester is well known for its strong music culture as well as being home to the world-renowned Manchester United Football Club. Also, Manchester is famous for The National Football Museum. Frankfurt is well known for its financial industry, its popularity as a transportation hub, and its active nightlife.

How is Manchester different from Frankfurt?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Frankfurt can be an interesting and educational experience. Many sights are concentrated in the old town center. Highlights include the Historical Museum and St. Nicholas Church. Elsewhere, make sure you check out Maintower, the Städel Museum, and the Museum District.

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

Both Manchester and Frankfurt offer very good 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.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Frankfurt. In addition to a number of international restaurants, the city also has a strong regional cuisine. Some of the most interesting local dishes include Frankfurter Sausage, Rindwurst, Grüne Soße (an herb sauce), and Handkäse mit Musik (marinated sour milk cheese). Also make sure you sample the Apfelwein.

Is Manchester or Frankfurt Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

Frankfurt has plenty to do after the sun goes down. It's a vibrant city with many trendy clubs, cocktail bars, music venues, and more. You can enjoy techno, hip hop, and almost any style of music. There are also festivals, beer halls, and classic pubs.

Is Manchester or Frankfurt Better for Music?

Manchester is an excellent place to visit for its music scene. However, Frankfurt is not a live music destination.

Whether you like big venues or smaller artists, Manchester has diverse options. There's a long running music reputation here. Some of the iconic bands that began here include Oasis and Stone Roses.

Frankfurt is not a live music destination.

Is Manchester or Frankfurt Better for its Old Town?

Frankfurt is very good for its historic old town. However, Manchester does not have a historic old town.

Frankfurt is a good destination for visiting its old town. Many museums and cafes are concentrated in the old town area.

Manchester does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Manchester or Frankfurt?

If you're looking to go shopping, Manchester and Frankfurt 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.

Frankfurt is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. It's a financial capital in Europe, and as such there are plenty of high end shopping opportunities. MyZeil is a major shopping mall in the city and Kleinmarkthalle is a more classic market. Popular shopping neighborhoods and streets include Goethestrasse, Sachsenhausen and Berger Strasse.

Is Manchester or Frankfurt Better for Families?

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

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.

Frankfurt is a very kid-friendly city. In town there's a zoo, a children’s museum, a math and technology museum (EXPERIMINTA), and a number of parks, natural areas, and playgrounds. If you're willing to head out of town then you can visit Taunus Wunderland, which is an amusement park with about 50 rides and attractions.

Is Manchester or Frankfurt Better for Couples?

Manchester is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Manchester makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

Frankfurt is a nice destination for couples. The iconic spot of romance in the city is the Iron Footbridge, which is a traditional spot to attach a "love lock" and take a selfie. The city also offers river cruises, winery tours, and beautiful parks and natural areas.

Is Manchester or Frankfurt Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Frankfurt is very popular with the backpacker crowd. You'll find a number of hostels in town. The city is also a major transportation hub so many backpackers pass through the area at some point on their trip through Germany.

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 Frankfurt Better for Students?

Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt. The city offers prestigious universities and a world class education. The economy offers many internships and job opportunities and you'll find students from around the world studying here. Frankfurt is also well connected to the rest of Europe, so it's easy to explore the region.

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 Frankfurt Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

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

Frankfurt has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. It is a huge transportation hub with a major international airport and a number of international train connections. Locally, the city has a subway, trams, commuter trains and buses.

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

Is Manchester or Frankfurt a more walkable city?

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

Frankfurt is very walkable. It has a compact city center that is generally pedestrian-friendly.

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 Frankfurt Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Frankfurt or Manchester?

How long in Manchester or Frankfurt?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Manchester than Frankfurt. 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 Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt.

One day in Manchester or Frankfurt?

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 nightlife around the diverse city of Frankfurt, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Frankfurt, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Manchester or Frankfurt?

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 nightlife and food around the big city destination of Frankfurt, 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 Frankfurt?

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.

Frankfurt, 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 Frankfurt?

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.

Frankfurt 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 Coach Bus Tours in Germany, and The Best Adventure Tours to Germany.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Manchester or Frankfurt?

Frankfurt has a larger population, and is about 64% larger than the population of Manchester. When comparing the sizes of Manchester and Frankfurt, 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 Frankfurt?

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 Frankfurt in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Manchester and Frankfurt. The summer months attract visitors to Manchester because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Frankfurt this time of year.

In July, Manchester is generally cooler than Frankfurt. Daily temperatures in Manchester average around 16°C (62°F), and Frankfurt fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Frankfurt this time of the year. Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Frankfurt during summer. Manchester gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Frankfurt receives 225 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Manchester usually receives around the same amount of rain as Frankfurt. Manchester gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Manchester or Frankfurt in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Manchester as well as Frankfurt. 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 Frankfurt for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Manchester is around the same temperature as Frankfurt in the autumn. The daily temperature in Manchester averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Frankfurt fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

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

Manchester usually gets more rain in October than Frankfurt. Manchester gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Manchester or Frankfurt in the Winter?

Both Frankfurt and Manchester are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Manchester for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Frankfurt in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Frankfurt can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Manchester. In the winter, Manchester is much warmer than Frankfurt. Typically, the winter temperatures in Manchester in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Frankfurt averages at about 1°C (34°F).

Manchester usually receives more sunshine than Frankfurt during winter. Manchester gets 53 hours of sunny skies, while Frankfurt receives 41 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Manchester usually receives more rain than Frankfurt. Manchester gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Manchester or Frankfurt in the Spring?

Both Frankfurt and Manchester during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Manchester in the spring for the activities around the city. Furthermore, most visitors come to Frankfurt for the activities around the city during these months.

In April, Manchester is generally cooler than Frankfurt. Daily temperatures in Manchester average around 8°C (46°F), and Frankfurt fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Frankfurt. Manchester gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Frankfurt receives 163 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Frankfurt. Manchester gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Frankfurt and Manchester