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

Should you visit Melbourne or Manchester?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Melbourne or Manchester? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Melbourne

Melbourne is a progressive, livable, and friendly city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Manchester

Manchester is a diverse, cultural, and vibrant city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Melbourne and Manchester: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Melbourne or Manchester?

Both Manchester and Melbourne have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Melbourne is very popular for its beaches, while Manchester attracts visitors for its music. Melbourne is famous for its art and cultural scene, its sports history, and its friendly and welcoming population. Manchester is famous for its strong music culture as well as being home to the world-renowned Manchester United Football Club.

How is Melbourne different from Manchester?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Manchester and Melbourne. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Melbourne or Manchester?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Melbourne and Manchester.

Melbourne offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Many of the city's sights center around the art and cultural scene. There's the the National Gallery of Victoria and the Performing Arts Centre Melbourne. There's also Federation Square. Sports enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the National Sports Museum and for great views, check out Melbourne Skydeck at Eureka Tower.

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.

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

Both Melbourne and Manchester offer great local cuisine and restaurants.

Melbourne has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There's an eclectic mix of international restaurants that offer everything from Szechuan dishes to Spanish tapas. You'll find bistros and bars that have a fun and relaxed vibe and locals and tourists alike enjoy dining out.

Dining out in Manchester is an experience not to be missed. 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 Melbourne or Manchester Better for Nightlife?

The great nightlife scene is relatively similar in Melbourne and Manchester.

Melbourne has a large number of nightlife venues. There are bars and clubs that have a laid back and relaxed atmosphere as well as more party focused nightclubs that stay open late into the night. Whether you're interested in dancing and listening to live music, or chatting with friends at a local brewery, there really is something for everyone.

Manchester is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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 Melbourne or Manchester Better for Music?

Manchester is a very popular place for its live music scene. However, Melbourne is not a live music destination.

It's worth checking out the music scene in Manchester while you're in town. There's a long running music reputation here. Some of the iconic bands that began here include Oasis and Stone Roses.

Melbourne is not a live music destination.

Is Melbourne or Manchester Better for Beaches?

Melbourne is great for its beaches. However, Manchester is not a beach destination.

Melbourne is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. There are laid back beaches near town that attract locals and tourists alike. You can enjoy coastal trails and great natural beauty. St Kilda Beach and Elwood Beach are among the most popular beaches near the city. Brighton Beach is known for its colorful bathing boxes and Williamstown Beach is very family-friendly.

Manchester is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Melbourne or Manchester?

Shoppers can find a variety of great stores in both Melbourne and Manchester.

Melbourne is well-known for its shopping. The city has tons of retail options that range from trendy fashion boutiques to outdoor markets. There are local venders that highlight the city's art and cultural scene, but there are also suburban malls with all of the major brands.

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.

Is Melbourne or Manchester Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Melbourne or Manchester.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Melbourne is very family-friendly. The city has kids museums like the Museum of Play and Art or the Polly Woodside Tall Ship and Museum. There's also the Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium and the Scienceworks Museums. If you like quirky, check out the ArtVo 3D Immersive Art Gallery. There's also Legoland, which has a lot for younger children.

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.

Is Melbourne or Manchester Better for Couples?

Manchester is a very popular place for its romantic activities. Also, Melbourne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

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.

Melbourne is a good city for couples to visit. It's a very livable city with romantic viewpoints like SkyHigh Mount Dandenong. There are also nice gardens to explore such as the Carlton Gardens and the Rippon Lea House and Gardens. Or you could go for a ride on the Melbourne Star or dine at one of the many great restaurants.

Is Melbourne or Manchester Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Melbourne and Manchester are both nice destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Melbourne. Many backpackers breeze through the city, but there is a great music and art scene as well as a number of good restaurants. You'll also find a couple of good hostels in town.

Manchester is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. You'll find hostels around town and a number of visitors, particularly during the sports season.

Is Melbourne or Manchester Better for Students?

Melbourne 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 Melbourne. Many students think this is among the best student cities in Australia. There's a great creative culture with a good music and art scene. The population is diverse and the restaurants a great.

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

Visitors will find great public transit in both Melbourne and Manchester.

Public transit in Melbourne can get you to some places easily. The public transit system is among the best in Australia. There are public buses, trains, and trams (also called trolleys or streetcars).

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

Is Melbourne or Manchester a more walkable city?

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

Melbourne is very walkable. The city center is very walkable with a compact and grid-like layout.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Manchester or Melbourne?

How long in Melbourne or Manchester?

It's fun to spend time in either Melbourne or Manchester. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Melbourne due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Melbourne, and 2-4 days is enough time in Manchester.

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

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

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

One day in Melbourne or Manchester?

When visiting Melbourne, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find nightlife and live music around the city of Manchester. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Melbourne or Manchester?

When visiting Melbourne, people usually allow for lots of time. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

You'll find live music and food around the dynamic big city of Manchester. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Melbourne or Manchester?

Melbourne, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the dynamic city of Manchester. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Melbourne or Manchester?

Melbourne 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.

Manchester is a popular choice for travelers. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Water Sports Tour Packages in Australia, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia, The Best 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Melbourne and Manchester, we can see that Manchester is more expensive. And not only is Melbourne much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Melbourne is in Pacific and Manchester is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Melbourne would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Melbourne 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 Melbourne.

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

Which is Bigger, Melbourne or Manchester?

Melbourne has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Manchester. When comparing the sizes of Melbourne and Manchester, 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 Melbourne or Manchester?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Melbourne is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Manchester has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Melbourne or Manchester in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Melbourne and Manchester. The beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Melbourne this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Manchester for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In January, Melbourne is generally a little warmer than Manchesterin July. Daily temperatures in Melbourne average around 20°C (68°F), and Manchester fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).

In Melbourne, it's very sunny this time of the year. Melbourne usually receives more sunshine than Manchester during summer. Melbourne gets 271 hours of sunny skies, while Manchester receives 176 hours of full sun in the summer.

In January, Melbourne usually receives less rain than Manchesterin July. Melbourne gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Melbourne or Manchester in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Melbourne as well as Manchester. Many travelers come to Melbourne for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Manchester in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

Melbourne is a little warmer than Manchester in the autumn. The daily temperature in Melbourne averages around 15°C (60°F) in April, and Manchester fluctuates around 11°C (52°F)in October.

In the autumn, Melbourne often gets more sunshine than Manchesterin October. Melbourne gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Manchester receives 97 hours of full sun.

Melbourne usually gets less rain in April than Manchesterin October. Melbourne gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Melbourne or Manchester in the Winter?

Both Manchester and Melbourne are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Melbourne in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Manchester for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Manchester can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Melbourne is much warmer than Manchester. Typically, the winter temperatures in Melbourne in July average around 9°C (49°F), and Manchester averages at about 4°C (39°F)in January.

Melbourne usually receives more sunshine than Manchester during winter. Melbourne gets 139 hours of sunny skies, while Manchester receives 53 hours of full sun in the winter.

In July, Melbourne usually receives less rain than Manchesterin January. Melbourne gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Melbourne or Manchester in the Spring?

Both Manchester and Melbourne during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Melbourne for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Manchester because of the activities around the city.

In October, Melbourne is generally much warmer than Manchesterin April. Daily temperatures in Melbourne average around 14°C (57°F), and Manchester fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

It's quite sunny in Melbourne. In the spring, Melbourne often gets more sunshine than Manchesterin April. Melbourne gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Manchester receives 144 hours of full sun.

Melbourne usually gets more rain in October than Manchesterin April. Melbourne gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Manchester and Melbourne