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

Should you visit Manchester or Phoenix?

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 Phoenix 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 nightlife, live music, and food.

Phoenix

Phoenix is a sprawling, desert, and laid back city. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Manchester and Phoenix: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Manchester or Phoenix?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Manchester than Phoenix. While Phoenix is larger than Manchester, Manchester has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Manchester is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Phoenix is more popular for its hiking. Manchester is more touristy than Phoenix and is 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. Phoenix is well known for its desert landscapes, high number of golf courses, and year round warm weather.

How is Manchester different from Phoenix?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Manchester. 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.

Phoenix is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. You'll find art, science, and cultural museums around town. Favorites include the Heard Museum, the Phoenix Art Museum, S'edav Va'aki Museum, and the Arizona Science Museum.

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

Manchester is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Phoenix 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.

Phoenix offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are many mom-and-pop shops around town that serve everything from casual meals to quality steaks. There's also a huge selection of Mexican restaurants, as well as other international options such as sushi, dim sum, and Italian.

Is Manchester or Phoenix Better for Nightlife?

Manchester is a great city for its evening party scene. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

The nightlife in Manchester has something for everybody. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Phoenix. The best nightlife scene is found in downtown and central Phoenix. There are bars, restaurants, and venues where you can catch a show. North Phoenix also has grown into a popular evening spot with cocktail bars and pubs.

Is Manchester or Phoenix Better for Music?

Manchester is a great city for its music scene. However, Phoenix is not a live music destination.

Manchester has a thriving music scene. There's a long running music reputation here. Some of the iconic bands that began here include Oasis and Stone Roses.

Phoenix is not a live music destination.

Is Manchester or Phoenix Better for Hiking?

Phoenix is very good for hiking. However, Manchester is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Phoenix. You don't have to head far out of town for impressive hiking opportunities. You'll find trails that range from easy to challenging, and many pass through other-worldly landscapes. You'll find popular trails in Usery Mountain Regional Park, Papago Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park, South Mountain Park and many others.

Manchester is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Manchester or Phoenix?

Manchester is a great city for its shopping areas. Also, Phoenix 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.

Phoenix is a great destination for shopping. There are plenty of shopping centers, outlets, and malls where you'll find the standard chain stores. You'll also find farmer's markets around town.

Is Manchester or Phoenix Better for Families?

Manchester is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Phoenix 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.

Phoenix is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the Phoenix Zoo, the Arizona Science Center, the SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium, and the Bearizona Wildlife Park. There's also a number of parks and gardens as well as a children's museum and several other interactive museums for kids.

Is Manchester or Phoenix Better for Couples?

Manchester is a great city for couples. Also, Phoenix 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.

Phoenix is a nice destination for couples. There are many parks and gardens in town as well as beautiful hikes and outdoor activities that couples will enjoy. In the evening, there's theater, shows, and many romantic restaurants.

Is Manchester or Phoenix Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Manchester is a city with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Phoenix is not known for backpackers.

Manchester is a good city to visit for backpackers. You'll find hostels around town and a number of visitors, particularly during the sports season.

Phoenix is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is a hostel or two around town for budget travelers.

Is Manchester or Phoenix Better for Students?

Manchester is a great city for its student-friendly activities. However, Phoenix is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Manchester. 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.

Phoenix is not popular with students.

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

Manchester is a great city for times when you don't have a car. However, Phoenix is not known for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Manchester. The city has bus, train, and tram options for travel.

Public transit is generally limited in Phoenix. There's a bus and light rail system, but you really need your own vehicle to get around.

Is Manchester or Phoenix a more walkable city?

Manchester is a city with good options for its ease of walking around. However, Phoenix is not known for its walkability.

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

Phoenix is generally not very walkable. It's a sprawling city and the only real area that's walkable is the downtown.

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

Should I spend more time in Phoenix or Manchester?

How long in Manchester or Phoenix?

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

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

One day in Manchester or Phoenix?

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

A weekend in Manchester or Phoenix?

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 nightlife and food around the destination of Phoenix, 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 Phoenix?

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.

Phoenix, 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 Phoenix?

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.

Phoenix 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 from Anchorage, and The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco.

When comparing the travel costs between Manchester and Phoenix, we can see that Phoenix 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 Phoenix 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 Phoenix Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Manchester or Phoenix?

Phoenix has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Manchester. When comparing the sizes of Manchester and Phoenix, 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 Phoenix?

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 Phoenix in the Summer?

Both Phoenix and Manchester are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Manchester for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Phoenix in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

It's very hot in Phoenix this time of the year. In July, Manchester is generally much colder than Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Manchester average around 16°C (62°F), and Phoenix fluctuates around 98°F (36°C).

It's quite sunny in Phoenix. Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during summer. Manchester gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 380 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Manchester usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Manchester gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Manchester or Phoenix in the Autumn?

Both Phoenix and Manchester during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Manchester in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Phoenix for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

Manchester is much colder than Phoenix in the autumn. The daily temperature in Manchester averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Phoenix fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

In Phoenix, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Manchester gets 97 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 305 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets more rain in October than Phoenix. Manchester gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Manchester or Phoenix in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Manchester and Phoenix. Most visitors come to Manchester for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Phoenix because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Manchester can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Manchester is much colder than Phoenix. Typically, the winter temperatures in Manchester in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Phoenix averages at about 58°F (14°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phoenix this time of the year. Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during winter. Manchester gets 53 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 254 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Manchester usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Manchester gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Manchester or Phoenix in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Manchester as well as Phoenix. The spring months attract visitors to Manchester because of the activities around the city.

In April, Manchester is generally much colder than Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Manchester average around 8°C (46°F), and Phoenix fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phoenix. In the spring, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Manchester gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 355 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets more rain in April than Phoenix. Manchester gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Phoenix and Manchester