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

Should you visit Manchester or Mexico City?

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 Mexico City 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 food, shopping, and museums.

Mexico City

Mexico City is a vibrant, dynamic, and colorful city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Manchester and Mexico City: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Good music scene
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Big city activities
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Scenic old town
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Big city activities


Is there more to do in Manchester or Mexico City?

You'll generally find more things to do in Mexico City than Manchester. Mexico City is bigger than Manchester, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Mexico City is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Manchester is more popular for its music. Manchester is well known for its strong music culture as well as being home to the world-renowned Manchester United Football Club. Mexico City is well known for its vibrant street food scene, colorful markets, and historic architecture. Also, Mexico City is famous for Zócalo.

How is Manchester different from Mexico City?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Manchester
Mexico City

Mexico City 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 Mexico City from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. The city is filled with historic buildings, fascinating museums, and interesting landmarks. At the heart of the city is Zócalo, where the country's constitution was signed. Nearby you'll find the National Palace, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and the Templo Mayor. Other interesting museums in the city include the National Museum of Anthropology, the Palace of Fine Arts, and the National History Museum.

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 the Food Better in Manchester or Mexico City? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Manchester
Mexico City

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

Mexico City has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The city food scene is as diverse as the population itself. There are countless ways to experience the amazing street food, but there are also world class chefs working in award winning restaurants. Make sure you try the chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, and chiles en nogada.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit 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.

Is Manchester or Mexico City Better for Nightlife?

Manchester
Mexico City

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

Mexico City is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. It's a huge city, so of course there's no shortage of diverse nightlife activities. Some of the most popular neighborhoods for nightlife include the downtown, La Condesa, and Colonia Juárez. For upscale clubs head to Polanco and for trendy and eclectic venues check out Roma.

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 Mexico City Better for Music?

Manchester
Mexico City

Manchester is an excellent place to visit for its music scene. However, Mexico City 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.

Mexico City is not a live music destination.


Is Manchester or Mexico City Better for its Old Town?

Manchester
Mexico City

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

Mexico City is a good destination for visiting its old town. Centro Historico spreads out from Zócalo Plaza, and has many buildings that date back as far as the Aztec period. Many tourists gather here to explore the history and wander down the pedestrian-only Calle Madero.

Manchester does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Manchester or Mexico City?

Manchester
Mexico City

Mexico City 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 Mexico City. The city has everything from open-air bazaars (tianguis) to modern shopping malls. There are international brands as well as local art galleries, handicrafts, and retail outlets.

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 Mexico City Better for Families?

Manchester
Mexico City

You'll find great kid-friendly activities in either Manchester or Mexico City.

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.

Mexico City is a very kid-friendly city. It's a huge city, so there are enough diverse activities to keep everyone entertained. There's even a Six Flags. Popular museums for kids include Papalote Museo del Niño and Museo de Geología. There's also the Acuario Inbursa, and make sure you check out a Lucha Libre show.


Is Manchester or Mexico City Better for Couples?

Manchester
Mexico City

Manchester is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Mexico City 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.

Mexico City is a nice destination for couples. The city is filled with parks where you can enjoy a picnic, museums that are fascinating to walk through, and cultural activities that are one-of-a-kind. You can ride on a gondola in Xochimilco or spend the day exploring the amazing food scene.

Is Manchester or Mexico City Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Manchester
Mexico City

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

Mexico City is very popular with the backpacker crowd. It's a big city with a wonderful atmosphere and many hostels. Backpackers who want to experience the culture, food, and personality of Mexico will love a visit here.

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 Mexico City Better for Students?

Manchester
Mexico City

For students, both Manchester and Mexico City are great 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.

Mexico City is a great city to visit as a student. International students love the art, architecture, food, and culture that this colorful city has to offer.


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

Manchester
Mexico City

Manchester and Mexico City both offer great 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 Mexico City can get you to some places easily. The city has a complex and comprehensive public transit system that includes a metro, metrobus, and local buses.

Is Manchester or Mexico City a more walkable city?

Manchester
Mexico City

Manchester is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Mexico City is lacking in options for its walkability.

Manchester is a somewhat walkable city. Some neighborhoods are more walkable than others.

Mexico City is generally not very walkable. While you can walk within many neighborhoods, such as the historic city center, it's impossible to walk between neighborhoods and in many parts of the city.

For even more information, also check out Is Manchester Worth Visiting? and Is Mexico City Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mexico City or Manchester?

How long in Manchester or Mexico City?

In either Manchester or Mexico City, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Mexico City than Manchester because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Manchester, and 3-5 days is enough time in Mexico City.

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

Couples should spend more time in Manchester than Mexico City. 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 Mexico City 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 Mexico City.


  • How many days in Manchester or Mexico City? Ideal Length of Stay
    Manchester 2-4 
    Mexico City 3-5

One day in Manchester or Mexico City?

Manchester is a vibrant city where you can fill many days. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

With museums and nightlife around the vibrant city of Mexico City, 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 Mexico City?

Manchester is a diverse big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

With nightlife and food around the big city destination of Mexico City, 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 Mexico City?

The vibrant city of Manchester offers museums and nightlife. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Mexico City, 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 Mexico City?

Many people enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting Manchester. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Mexico City 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 2-Week Tours in Mexico, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico.


Which place is cheaper, Mexico City or Manchester?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Manchester is £184, while the average daily cost in Mexico City is £167. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Manchester and Mexico City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Manchester £71
    Mexico City £32
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Manchester £142
    Mexico City £64
Compare Hotels in Manchester and Mexico City

Looking for a hotel in Manchester or Mexico City? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Manchester


Hotels in Mexico City


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Manchester Hotel Prices and Mexico City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Manchester £19
    Mexico City £10
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Manchester

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Manchester are as follows:


  • Rail to Airport
    £11
  • Parking in Manchester
    £3.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manchester

Also for Manchester, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Southampton Airport: BUS Transfer to/from Manchester: $8.16
  • Private Transfer from Worsley to Manchester Airport (MAN): $60
  • Private Transfer from Wigan to Manchester Airport (MAN): $90
  • Private Transfer from Trafford Park to Manchester Airport (MAN): $58
  • Private Transfer from Salford to Manchester Airport (MAN): $58
  • Private Transfer from Salford Quays to Manchester Airport (MAN): $58
  • Private Transfer from Rochdale to Manchester Airport (MAN): $88
  • Private Transfer from Partington to Manchester Airport (MAN): $57
  • Private Transfer from Manchester Hotels to Holyhead Cruise Port: $66
  • Private Transfer from Manchester City to Manchester Airport (MAN): $102
  • Private Transfer from Manchester Airport (MAN) to Wrexham: $234
  • Private Transfer from Manchester Airport (MAN) to Worsley: $61

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Mexico City

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Mexico City:


  • Metro
    £0.94
  • Uber Ride
    £3.29

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mexico City

Also for Mexico City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Mexico City to San Luis Potosi - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $299
  • Mexico City to Guanajuato - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $269
  • Mexico City International Airport to Mexico City - Private Round-trip Transfer: $254
  • Mexico City Private Airport Transfers To or From Hotels: $250
  • Transfer from Mexico City Airport to Puebla: $245
  • Mexico City to Guanajuato - Private transfer, 2 Sightseeing hours, local driver: $237
  • Mexico City Private Transfer to or from Airport: $197
  • Roundtrip Transfer Private Minivan Mexico City Airport (MEX) - Mexico City: $187
  • RoundTrip Transfer Private Minivan Mexico City Airport (MEX) -Tlalnepantla: $167
  • Mexico City to Puebla - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $153
  • One-way transfer + City Tour: $143
  • Mexico City Airport MEX Tecozautla Thermal Round-Trip Transfer: $142

Is it cheaper to fly into Manchester or Mexico City?

Prices for flights to both Mexico City and Manchester change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Manchester £55
    Mexico City £21

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Manchester

For Manchester, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $30
  • Pistachio LOVERS Italian Dinner Experience: $44
  • Manchester Food Tour with a Local Guide: $94
  • Half-Day Manchester Food Tour with Lunch: $95
  • 3-Hour Guided Manchester Food Tour with Lunch : $95
  • Private Food Tour with Local Guide: $199

Typical Food Prices in Mexico City

For Mexico City, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Lunch for Two
    £10
  • Coffee and Snacks
    £3.66
  • Dinner for 2
    £21

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mexico City

For Mexico City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Traveling Spoon Mexican Tacos and Tortillas Private Online Cooking Class: $40
  • Virtual Mexican Cooking Class (private and personalized): $50
  • Veracruz and Boca del Rio Food Tour with Mangroves Boat Trip: $50
  • Local Markets & Food Tour in Mexico City: $50
  • Tortilla Crawl: Food Tour in Mexico City: $55
  • Uruapan Food Tour: $60
  • 3 Hours Food Tour Best Vegan Tacos in Mexico City: $67
  • Muchos moles: Multi-variety mole cooking class and feast: $71
  • Mexico City Vegan & Veggie Market Explorer plus Cooking Lesson: $73
  • Street Food Tour with Friends: $75
  • La Roma Authentic Downtown Food Tour: Tacos and Local Flavors: $78
  • Food Tour with Ride an Electric Bike in Mexico: $80

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Manchester £30
    Mexico City £12

Tours and Activities in Manchester

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Manchester.

  • SEA LIFE Manchester Admission Ticket: $22
  • 3-Hour Manchester Shopping Tour with a Stylist: $118
  • 3-day Yorkshire Dales and Peak District Tour from Manchester: $524
  • A Silent Disco Adventure in Manchester: $22
  • Alcotraz Prison Cocktail Experience in Manchester: $51
  • Breathtaking Manchester – Walking Tour for Couples: $235
  • Breathtaking Manchester – Walking Tour for Couples: $466
  • Chatsworth and Peak District Small-Group Tour from Manchester: $74
  • Christmas Charms of Manchester – Private Walking Tour: $569
  • City River Tour: $15
  • Craft Beer Tour around Manchester: $51
  • Craft Brews of Manchester – A Private Beer Tour: $671

Tours and Activities in Mexico City

For Mexico City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • City Tour/español-ingles: $68
  • Frida Kahlo Tour with Admission Tickets: $76
  • Monarch Butterfly Tour from Mexico City: $220
  • Private Tour Teotihuacan Essentials: $129
  • Private Walking Tour Historic Center of Mexico City: $129
  • Romantic Walking tour in Mexico City: $150
  • Romantic tour in San Andrés Mixquic: $150
  • Teotihuacan Half-Day Tour with Tequila tasting: $37
  • The best of Mixquic walking tour: $150
  • VIP - FULL DAY - Mexico City Private Tour : $209
  • 1 Day Hot Air Balloon Tour to the Pyramids in Teotihuacan: $295
  • 2 Hours Private Tour with Electric Scooter in Mexico City: $79

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Manchester £9.90
    Mexico City £16

Sample the Local Flavors in Manchester

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Manchester:

  • Bar Maid-led Pub Crawl for Special Events: $48
  • Four hour walking wine tasting tour of Manchester's best bars: $102

Sample the Local Flavors in Mexico City

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Mexico City:

  • Mexico City Pub Crawl: $24
  • CDMX Pub Crawl: Mexico City Bar Crawl: $25
  • Nightly Historic Center From Above© Rooftop Bar Crawl +Taco Snack: $129
  • 2 Hours Private Mexican Wine Tasting in Polanco: $155
  • Third Largest Monolith in the World:Bernal with wine tasting: $235
  • Cavas Freixenet Wine Tour from Mexico City: $255


When comparing the travel costs between Manchester and Mexico City, we can see that Manchester 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. Even though Manchester is in Europe and Mexico City is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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


Which is Bigger, Manchester or Mexico City?

Mexico City has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Manchester. When comparing the sizes of Manchester and Mexico City, 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.