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

Should you visit Manchester or Glasgow?

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

Manchester

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

Glasgow

Glasgow is a high energy, friendly, and cultural city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Manchester and Glasgow: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Manchester or Glasgow?

Both Glasgow and Manchester have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Manchester is better known for its food, shopping, and big city activities, while Glasgow is more popular for its nightlife, music, and historical sights. Manchester is well known for its strong music culture as well as being home to the world-renowned Manchester United Football Club. Glasgow is well known for its rich culture, its beautiful Victorian and art nouveau architecture, and its large student population.

How is Manchester different from Glasgow?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Glasgow can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is rich in culture and offers many fascinating sights including the Glasgow Cathedral, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, and the Necropolis.

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

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

Manchester has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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.

Glasgow offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The city's food scene continues to grow and innovate. You'll find plenty of seafood options as well as international cuisine and everything from fine dining to local cafes.

Is Manchester or Glasgow Better for Nightlife?

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

Glasgow is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. The city has some of the best nightlife in the entire country. There are clubs, bars, techno warehouses and more. Some of the best clubs include Sub Club, The Berkeley Suite, and The Garage.

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 Glasgow Better for Music?

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

Glasgow is known as a music capital around the world. Known to some as "the city of music", you'll find a wide range of music venues, live shows, festivals, and even a great underground music scene.

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 Glasgow Better for its Old Town?

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

Glasgow is a good destination for visiting its old town. High Street is one of the oldest and most well known streets in the city.

Manchester does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Manchester or Glasgow?

Manchester is great for its shopping areas. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in 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.

Glasgow is a great destination for shopping. The city has independent boutique shops as well as major brands. Head to the "Style Mile" for some of the best shopping. It's a district that offers pedestrian-friendly shopping and includes high end boutiques and independent markets. Also check out The Barras Market, Buchanan Street, and High Street.

Is Manchester or Glasgow Better for Families?

Manchester is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Manchester. 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.

Glasgow is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has some family-friendly museums including the hands on The Burrell Collection, the Glasgow Science Center, and The Riverside Museum. If you have older kids who enjoy the water, there are some water activities in town. Check out Pinkston Watersports, Glasgow Wake Park or Outdoor Pursuits. There are also climbing gyms and skate parks.

Is Manchester or Glasgow Better for Couples?

Manchester is great for couples. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

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.

Glasgow is a nice destination for couples. Couples can enjoy a museum or one of the parks around town. There are also river cruises and spas. For a more locally specific activity, check out the Bothwell Castle.

Is Manchester or Glasgow Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Manchester and Glasgow are notable 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 Glasgow. There are a good number of hostels around town as well as a good social scene, making this a decent option for backpackers.

Is Manchester or Glasgow Better for Students?

For students, both Manchester and Glasgow 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.

Glasgow is a great city to visit as a student. The city has the second largest student population in the UK, so you'll find plenty of students to hang out with.

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

Manchester and Glasgow 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 Glasgow can get you to some places easily. The subway is convenient in the city center, west end, and southside. There are also buses throughout the city.

Is Manchester or Glasgow a more walkable city?

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

Glasgow is very walkable. The city center is generally walkable and can be explored 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 Glasgow Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Glasgow or Manchester?

How long in Manchester or Glasgow?

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

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

One day in Manchester or Glasgow?

Because Manchester is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

With live music and food around the high energy city of Glasgow, 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 Glasgow?

Because Manchester is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Manchester has to offer.

With food and shopping around the destination of Glasgow, 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 Glasgow?

Manchester is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Glasgow, 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 Glasgow?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Manchester. Many people enjoy the live music and food when visiting Manchester. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Manchester or Glasgow?

Glasgow has a larger population, and is about 54% larger than the population of Manchester. When comparing the sizes of Manchester and Glasgow, 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 Glasgow?

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 Glasgow in the Summer?

Both Glasgow and Manchester are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. 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 Glasgow for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Manchester is generally a little warmer than Glasgow. Daily temperatures in Manchester average around 16°C (62°F), and Glasgow fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

Manchester usually receives more sunshine than Glasgow during summer. Manchester gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Glasgow receives 159 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Manchester usually receives less rain than Glasgow. Manchester gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Glasgow receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Manchester or Glasgow in the Autumn?

Both Glasgow and Manchester during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Manchester for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, many visitors come to Glasgow in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

Manchester is a little warmer than Glasgow in the autumn. The daily temperature in Manchester averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Glasgow fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

In the autumn, Manchester often gets more sunshine than Glasgow. Manchester gets 97 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Glasgow receives 69 hours of full sun.

Glasgow gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Manchester usually gets less rain in October than Glasgow. Manchester gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Glasgow receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Manchester or Glasgow in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Manchester and Glasgow. Many visitors come to Manchester in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Glasgow for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Glasgow can be very cold during winter. Manchester can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Manchester is a little warmer than Glasgow. Typically, the winter temperatures in Manchester in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Glasgow averages at about 3°C (38°F).

Manchester usually receives more sunshine than Glasgow during winter. Manchester gets 53 hours of sunny skies, while Glasgow receives 40 hours of full sun in the winter.

Glasgow receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Manchester usually receives less rain than Glasgow. Manchester gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Glasgow receives 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Manchester or Glasgow in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Manchester as well as Glasgow. Most visitors come to Manchester for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Glasgow because of the activities around the city.

In April, Manchester is generally around the same temperature as Glasgow. Daily temperatures in Manchester average around 8°C (46°F), and Glasgow fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In the spring, Manchester often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Glasgow. Manchester gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Glasgow receives 134 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets less rain in April than Glasgow. Manchester gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Glasgow receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Glasgow and Manchester