A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Manchester vs. London for Attractions, Nightlife, Music, and Families

Should you visit Manchester or London?

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 London 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 shopping, museums, and nightlife.

London

London is a diverse, iconic, and global city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and theater.

Manchester and London: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Manchester or London?

You'll generally find more things to do in London than Manchester. London is bigger than Manchester, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. London is more touristy than Manchester and is known for its international reputation, its world-renowned theater productions, and its many different markets. Also, London is famous for Big Ben. Manchester is well known for its strong music culture as well as being home to the world-renowned Manchester United Football Club.

Big Ben

How is Manchester different from London?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

London 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 London from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. The city has so many iconic sights that we can't list them all, but some of the most famous include the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and the British Museum. You can fill many days exploring the treasures found at each of the venues.

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 London Better for Theater?

London is very popular for theatre. However, Manchester is not a theatre destination.

The theater scene in London is world-class. The West End theater district is where you'll find the most popular musicals. Famous theaters include Apollo Theatre, Palace Theatre, and Piccadilly Theatre. There are often Wednesday matinees that are a bit cheaper than the evening shows. You may also be able to get discounted last minute tickets if you're visiting during the less touristy times.

Manchester is not a theatre destination.

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

Both Manchester and London 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 London. Although food here was once the butt of a number of jokes, the restaurant scene has come a long way, and you can find anything and everything around town. Head to Chinatown to try dim sum or hot pot. There are no shortage of Indian restaurants as well. If you want the best food for the lowest prices, your best bet is to get out of the touristy areas and discover where the locals eat. There are also many markets that are perfect for grabbing a unique lunch or snack. Burrough Market has a number of ethnic and seafood vendors as well as fresh produce and snack options.

Is Manchester or London Better for Nightlife?

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

London is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. Some of the best neighborhoods for nightlife are Camden, West End, Soho, and Shoreditch. There are many festivals, concerts, and shows worth checking out and the nightlife scene is diverse enough that there really is something for everyone.

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 London Better for Music?

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

London is known as a music capital around the world. Famous music venues include Dominion Theatre, the Roundhouse, and Dublin Castle.

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 London?

London is very popular for shopping. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in London. With so much iconic shopping around town, it's hard to decide where to go. Head to Oxford Street, Regent Street, or Piccadilly Circus for a quintessential British shopping experience.

Manchester is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Is Manchester or London Better for Christmas?

London is very popular for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Manchester does not offer Christmas activities.

With so many activities, London is a top place to visit during Christmas. There's Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, outdoor ice skating, and beautiful Christmas lights throughout the city. You can also listen to Christmas Carols in Trafalgar Square or see a classic Christmas show.

Manchester does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Manchester or London Better for Christmas Markets?

London is very popular for visiting Christmas markets. However, Manchester does not offer Christmas markets.

London has some of the best Christmas markets in the world. The city has many Christmas markets. There is Winter Wonderland Christmas market, Southbank Centre Winter Market, and Selfridges Christmas Market, among many others.

Manchester does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Manchester or London Better for Families?

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

London is one of the most popular family destinations. Whether you do a Harry Potter Tour, take a ride on the London Eye, or enjoy afternoon tea, there are plenty of activities for kids around town. The Harry Potter Studio Tour is fun for everyone, but should be booked well in advance as it sells out. Theatre enthusiasts will enjoy catching a musical in West End and sampling dim sum or a hot pot in Chinatown. There are often Wednesday matinee showings that are perfect for kids with early bedtimes.

Manchester is a very kid-friendly city. 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.

Is Manchester or London Better for Couples?

London is very popular for romance. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

For those traveling as a couple, London has plenty to offer. With every type of entertainment that you can imagine, this city is the ultimate couple's getaway. There are world class musicals, evening concerts, and restaurants of every style, cuisine, and budget. It's easy for couples to fill days in this vibrant city.

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.

Is Manchester or London Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

London 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 London. Although the city is very expensive, it has tons of hostels, affordable restaurant options, and great public transit. There's a huge backpacker network here and it's easy to meet other travelers. The nightlife scene is also second to none.

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 London Better for Students?

London 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 London. The city has a number of universities and is a popular study abroad destination. It's also a very diverse city, so international students will feel right at home.

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

London 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.

London has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. From the iconic double decker buses to the Tube, there are plenty of options throughout the city.

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

Is Manchester or London a more walkable city?

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

London is a very easy city to get around on foot. With many walkable areas, it is considered to be one of the world's most walkable major cities.

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 London Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in London or Manchester?

How long in Manchester or London?

Both Manchester and London have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in London than in Manchester. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Manchester, and 3-7 days is enough time in London.

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

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

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

One day in Manchester or London?

Manchester is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

With theater and nightlife around the iconic city of London, 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 London?

Manchester is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

With nightlife and live music around the big city destination of London, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Manchester or London?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Manchester. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

London, 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 London?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the vibrant big city of Manchester. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

London is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this city makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. 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 comparing the travel costs between Manchester and London, we can see that London 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 London Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Manchester or London?

London has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Manchester. When comparing the sizes of Manchester and London, 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 London?

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 London in the Summer?

Both London 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 city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to London this time of year.

In July, Manchester is generally around the same temperature as London. Daily temperatures in Manchester average around 16°C (62°F), and London fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

Manchester usually receives less sunshine than London during summer. Manchester gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while London receives 195 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Manchester usually receives more rain than London. Manchester gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while London receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Manchester or London in the Autumn?

Both London 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. Furthermore, many travelers come to London for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Manchester is around the same temperature as London in the autumn. The daily temperature in Manchester averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and London fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In the autumn, Manchester often gets less sunshine than London. Manchester gets 97 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while London receives 107 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets more rain in October than London. Manchester gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while London receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Manchester or London in the Winter?

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

London can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Manchester. In the winter, Manchester is cooler than London. Typically, the winter temperatures in Manchester in January average around 4°C (39°F), and London averages at about 4°C (40°F).

Manchester usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as London during winter. Manchester gets 53 hours of sunny skies, while London receives 52 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Manchester usually receives more rain than London. Manchester gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while London receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Manchester or London in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Manchester as well as London. Many visitors come to Manchester in the spring for the activities around the city. Additionally, most visitors come to London for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Manchester is generally cooler than London. Daily temperatures in Manchester average around 8°C (46°F), and London fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the spring, Manchester often gets around the same amount of sunshine as London. Manchester gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while London receives 147 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets more rain in April than London. Manchester gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while London receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for London and Manchester