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

Should you visit Manchester or Toulouse?

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 Toulouse 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.

Toulouse

Toulouse is a relaxed, dynamic, and historic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Manchester and Toulouse: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Manchester or Toulouse?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Manchester than Toulouse, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Manchester is better known for its music and big city activities, while Toulouse is more popular for its food, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Manchester is more touristy than Toulouse 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. Toulouse is well known for its impressive old town, many museums, and delicious local cuisine.

How is Manchester different from Toulouse?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Spend time exploring the superb sights and museums in either Manchester or Toulouse.

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 Toulouse can be an interesting and educational experience. There is a long running history with countless landmarks and museums. Highlights include Basilique Saint-Sernin, Place du Capitole, Muséum de Toulouse, and Fondation Bemberg.

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

Toulouse 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.

Toulouse has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. There are many unique regional recipes that make use of poultry, cold meats, and foie gras. Toulouse sausage, cassoulet, Poulet à la Toulousaine, and Foie gras d’oie are all popular local dishes.

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 Toulouse Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is superb in both Manchester and Toulouse.

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.

Toulouse has plenty to do after the sun goes down. You'll find a large number of students in town so the nightlife scene is active and fun. For the most lively atmosphere head to Carmes, Saint-Cyprien, or Place Saint-Pierre.

Is Manchester or Toulouse Better for Music?

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

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.

Toulouse is not a live music destination.

Is Manchester or Toulouse Better for its Old Town?

Toulouse is great for its historic old town. However, Manchester does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Toulouse. The old town is filled with terra-cota buildings and pedestrian walkways. The area flows out around the Capitole and is crossed by the Garonne.

Manchester does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Manchester or Toulouse?

If you're looking to go shopping, Manchester and Toulouse both offer plenty of superb spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Toulouse is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. There are many great shopping districts around town including Place du Capitole, The Saint Georges district, and Rue Alsace Lorraine.

Is Manchester or Toulouse Better for Families?

You'll find superb kid-friendly activities in either Manchester or Toulouse.

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.

Toulouse is a very kid-friendly city. The city's known for its space industry so the La Cite de l’Espace (Space Museum) is a favorite attraction for kids and adults alike. You can also visit Aeroscopia, the airplane museum. La Halle de la machine is a truly unique and impressive playground. The city also has many other museums and outdoor spaces to explore.

Is Manchester or Toulouse Better for Couples?

Both Manchester and Toulouse are superb destinations to visit as a couple.

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.

Toulouse is a very popular place to visit for couples. There are many beautiful parks, gardens, and walking paths. Make sure you take a stroll along the Canal du Midi and visit Jardin Japonais Pierre Baudis. This is also a great city for visiting a spa.

Is Manchester or Toulouse Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Toulouse is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a major stop off for many backpackers in Europe so you won't find as many hostels as you do in other cities.

Is Manchester or Toulouse Better for Students?

Manchester is great for its student-friendly activities. Also, Toulouse is not as popular, but is still a nice city for 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.

Toulouse is a good city to visit for students. You'll find a diverse student population with many international students.

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

Manchester is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Toulouse is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

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

Toulouse has a few public transit options. There are a large number of bus routes that travel both locally and regionally.

Is Manchester or Toulouse a more walkable city?

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

Toulouse is very walkable. Within the city center it is very walkable and easy to explore 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 Toulouse Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Toulouse or Manchester?

How long in Manchester or Toulouse?

It's fun to spend time in either Manchester or Toulouse. In our opinion, Manchester has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Manchester than Toulouse. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Manchester than Toulouse 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 Toulouse?

Manchester is a big city with plenty to do. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

With museums and nightlife around the historic city of Toulouse, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Manchester or Toulouse?

Manchester is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Manchester, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Toulouse, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the food. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Manchester or Toulouse?

Manchester is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Toulouse, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Toulouse?

Manchester is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Toulouse is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the food. 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 Historical Tours in France, and The Best 10-Day Tours in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Manchester and Toulouse, we can see that Manchester is more expensive. And not only is Toulouse much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Toulouse would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Toulouse 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 Toulouse.

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

Which is Bigger, Manchester or Toulouse?

Toulouse has a larger population, and is about 9% larger than the population of Manchester. When comparing the sizes of Manchester and Toulouse, 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 Toulouse?

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 Toulouse in the Summer?

Both Toulouse 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 Toulouse in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Manchester is generally cooler than Toulouse. Daily temperatures in Manchester average around 16°C (62°F), and Toulouse fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

It's quite sunny in Toulouse. Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Toulouse during summer. Manchester gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Toulouse receives 275 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Manchester usually receives more rain than Toulouse. Manchester gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Toulouse receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Manchester or Toulouse in the Autumn?

Both Toulouse 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. Also, most visitors come to Toulouse for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Manchester is cooler than Toulouse in the autumn. The daily temperature in Manchester averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Toulouse fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Toulouse. Manchester gets 97 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toulouse receives 161 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets more rain in October than Toulouse. Manchester gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Toulouse receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Manchester or Toulouse in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Manchester and Toulouse. Most visitors come to Manchester for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Toulouse 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 Toulouse. Typically, the winter temperatures in Manchester in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Toulouse averages at about 6°C (44°F).

Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Toulouse during winter. Manchester gets 53 hours of sunny skies, while Toulouse receives 88 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Manchester usually receives more rain than Toulouse. Manchester gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Toulouse receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Manchester or Toulouse in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Manchester as well as Toulouse. The spring months attract visitors to Manchester because of the activities around the city. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Toulouse this time of year.

In April, Manchester is generally much colder than Toulouse. Daily temperatures in Manchester average around 8°C (46°F), and Toulouse fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Toulouse. Manchester gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toulouse receives 178 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets less rain in April than Toulouse. Manchester gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Toulouse receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Toulouse and Manchester