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

Should you visit Manchester or Seattle?

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

Manchester

Manchester is a dynamic, diverse, and cultural city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and live music.

Seattle

Seattle is a outdoorsy, laid-back, and bustling city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Manchester and Seattle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Manchester or Seattle?

You'll generally find more things to do in Seattle than Manchester. Seattle is bigger than Manchester, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Seattle is better known for its theatre productions, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Manchester is more popular for its shopping. Seattle is more touristy than Manchester and is popular for its beautiful waterfront setting, diverse culinary scene, thriving art and cultural venues, and being the home of many international tech companies. Also, Seattle is famous for The Space Needle. Manchester is well known for its strong music culture as well as being home to the world-renowned Manchester United Football Club.

How is Manchester different from Seattle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Seattle can be an interesting and educational experience. The city's most iconic landmark is the Space Needle. There's also a zoo, aquarium, and a handful of nice museums. Several favorites include the Chihuly Garden and Glass, the Museum of History & Industry, and the Seattle Art Museum.

Is Manchester or Seattle Better for Theater?

Seattle is very good for theatre. However, Manchester is not a theatre destination.

If you have some extra time in Seattle, take in a show. There are a handful of theaters where you can enjoy traveling Broadway shows or smaller productions.

Manchester is not a theatre destination.

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

Both Manchester and Seattle offer excellent 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 Seattle. The city has many diverse dining options that make it a popular foodie destination. The seafood is world-class with many restaurants offering fresh caught salmon and oysters. There are also many great Asian restaurants with Pho, sushi, and dim sum all being popular around town. Seattle is also famous as the birthplace of Starbucks coffee, and both chain and independent coffee shops are common. Finally, make sure you check out the donuts at Pike's Place Market.

Is Manchester or Seattle Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is excellent in both Manchester and Seattle.

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.

Seattle has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The city is known for its breweries and eclectic nightlife scene. There is a thriving theater scene as well as many bars and trendy restaurants. The best neighborhoods for nightlife include Capitol Hill, Belltown, and Downtown.

Is Manchester or Seattle Better for Music?

Manchester and Seattle are both destinations where visitors can find excellent live music.

The music scene in Manchester draws a good crowd. There's a long running music reputation here. Some of the iconic bands that began here include Oasis and Stone Roses.

If you love music, you'll find something to enjoy in Seattle. The city has developed its own music culture around several genres including alternative rock and grunge.

Is Manchester or Seattle Better for Beaches?

Seattle is very good for its beaches. However, Manchester is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Seattle to enjoy the beach. The city is surrounded by water so there are a number of rocky and sandy beaches nearby. Some beaches are more popular with locals while others attract a large amount of tourists. Alki Beach Park, Discovery Park, and Golden Gardens Park are among the best.

Manchester is not a beach destination.

Is Manchester or Seattle Better for Hiking?

Seattle is great for hiking. However, Manchester is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Seattle for the hiking trails. It's famously an outdoorsy city and the hiking will not disappoint. Within a half hour drive of town you'll find beautiful forests and stunning natural beauty. Head into the Cascades, to the coastal rainforests, or around Mount Rainier for all kinds of diverse landscapes. Seattle is well situated for you to experience hiking through the diverse Pacific Northwest landscapes.

Manchester is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Manchester or Seattle?

Manchester is notable for its shopping areas. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Seattle. Shopping in town has an eclectic mix of high end brands, local vendors, and vintage shops. There are farmers markets as well as the famous Pike Place Market, but also major malls with all of the standard department stores.

Is Manchester or Seattle Better for Families?

Manchester is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Manchester is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Seattle is a family-friendly city. This is an outdoor city with plenty of places where kids can run around and experience nature. There are several good museums as well as outdoor activities, parks, and a zoo. Make sure you check out the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Volunteer Park, and Artists at Play Playground.

Is Manchester or Seattle Better for Couples?

Manchester is notable for couples. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

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.

Seattle is a nice destination for couples. The city has a laid back vibe, a nice downtown area, and plenty of outdoor activities. There are a diversity of restaurants to enjoy and a great nightlife scene that makes for a good couple's getaway.

Is Manchester or Seattle Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Manchester and Seattle 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 Seattle. Although it's not the most popular city for backpackers in America, the city's chill vibe, fun breweries, and lively setting make it a great spot for young backpackers.

Is Manchester or Seattle Better for Students?

For students, both Manchester and Seattle 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.

Seattle is a great city to visit as a student. It is a major IT center with a large university, so international students will have plenty of opportunities here. It's also a vibrant city with many outdoor recreational opportunities and a fun nightlife scene.

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

Manchester is notable for its public transit. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Manchester offers a very effecient public transportation network. The city has bus, train, and tram options for travel.

Seattle has some public transit options. There is a light rail system, a monorail, a street car, and buses.

Is Manchester or Seattle a more walkable city?

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

Seattle is very walkable. Many neighborhoods are very walkable, particularly in the downtown and major tourist areas.

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 Seattle Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Seattle or Manchester?

How long in Manchester or Seattle?

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

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

One day in Manchester or Seattle?

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 theater and nightlife around the cultural city of Seattle, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Manchester or Seattle?

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 live music around the big city destination of Seattle, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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 Seattle?

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.

Seattle, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Seattle?

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.

Seattle 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage.

When comparing the travel costs between Manchester and Seattle, 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 Seattle 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 Seattle Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Manchester or Seattle?

Seattle has a larger population, and is about 44% larger than the population of Manchester. When comparing the sizes of Manchester and Seattle, 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 Seattle?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Manchester or Seattle in the Summer?

Both Seattle and Manchester during the summer are popular places to visit. 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 Seattle for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

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

In Seattle, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Seattle. Manchester gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 313 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets more rain in July than Seattle. Manchester gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Manchester or Seattle in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Manchester and Seattle. Many travelers come to Manchester for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, many visitors come to Seattle in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Manchester is cooler than Seattle in the autumn. The daily temperature in Manchester averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Seattle fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Seattle during autumn. Manchester gets 97 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 143 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Manchester usually receives around the same amount of rain as Seattle. Manchester gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Manchester or Seattle in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Manchester as well as Seattle. Many visitors come to Manchester in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Seattle for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.

Manchester can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Manchester is cooler than Seattle. Typically, the winter temperatures in Manchester in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Seattle averages at about 42°F (5°C).

In the winter, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Seattle. Manchester gets 53 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 67 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Seattle. Manchester usually gets less rain in January than Seattle. Manchester gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 5.4 inches (136 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Manchester or Seattle in the Spring?

Both Seattle and Manchester are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Manchester for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Seattle because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In April, Manchester is generally cooler than Seattle. Daily temperatures in Manchester average around 8°C (46°F), and Seattle fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

It's quite sunny in Seattle. Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Seattle during spring. Manchester gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Manchester usually receives less rain than Seattle. Manchester gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Seattle and Manchester