A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nagano vs. London for Attractions, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Nagano or London?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Nagano and London can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Nagano

Nagano is a traditional, alpine, and scenic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, skiing, and nightlife.

London

London is a global, international, and historic city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the live music, food, and shopping.

Nagano and London: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nagano or London?

Travelers will usually find more to do in London than Nagano, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. London is more popular for its museums, theatre productions, nightlife, music, shopping, christmas markets, and big city activities, while Nagano is known for its skiing, resorts, historical sights, and hiking. London is more touristy than Nagano and is known for its international reputation, its world-renowned theater productions, and its many different markets. It is also home to Big Ben. Nagano is popular for its historic temples, beautiful mountain setting, and being the host of the 1998 Winter Olympic Games.

Big Ben

How is Nagano different from London?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Nagano or London Better for Skiing?

Nagano is a great city for skiing. However, London is not a skiing destination.

Nagano draws a large crowd in the winter for its impressive snow skiing opportunities. The city hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics and many of the skiing events were held at ski resorts in the area. In the Nagano Prefecture you'll find several ski resorts with some of the most popular being the Hakuba ski areas, Shiga Kogen, Nozawa Onsen, and Myoko Kogen.

London is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Nagano or London?

London is terrific for its historical sights. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

The museums and tourist attractions in London are world-renowned. The city has so many iconic sights that we can't list them all, but some of the most famous include the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and the British Museum. You can fill many days exploring the treasures found at each of the venues.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Nagano. The area is filled with history and there are many places to explore. Matsumoto Castle, the Matsumoto City Museum of Art, Zenko-ji Temple, and Togakushi Shrine are just some of the highlights.

Is Nagano or London Better for Theater?

London is terrific for its theatre productions. However, Nagano is not a theatre destination.

Visitors will find world class theater shows, plays, and musicals in London that are not to be missed. The West End theater district is where you'll find the most popular musicals. Famous theaters include Apollo Theatre, Palace Theatre, and Piccadilly Theatre. There are often Wednesday matinees that are a bit cheaper than the evening shows. You may also be able to get discounted last minute tickets if you're visiting during the less touristy times.

Nagano is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Nagano or London? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Nagano and London.

Nagano has a huge number of terrific restaurants. You'll find many of Japan's culinary favorites here like ramen, udon, sushi, and sashimi. There are also regional dishes and some comfort food like Tonkatsu and Oyaki Dumplings.

Dining out in London is an experience not to be missed. Although food here was once the butt of a number of jokes, the restaurant scene has come a long way, and you can find anything and everything around town. Head to Chinatown to try dim sum or hot pot. There are no shortage of Indian restaurants as well. If you want the best food for the lowest prices, your best bet is to get out of the touristy areas and discover where the locals eat. There are also many markets that are perfect for grabbing a unique lunch or snack. Burrough Market has a number of ethnic and seafood vendors as well as fresh produce and snack options.

Is Nagano or London Better for Nightlife?

London is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

London is a must-see party destination. Some of the best neighborhoods for nightlife are Camden, West End, Soho, and Shoreditch. There are many festivals, concerts, and shows worth checking out and the nightlife scene is diverse enough that there really is something for everyone.

Nagano offers plenty to do in the evening. The nightlife scene is varied, from local and intimate venues, to wild and crazy clubs. You'll find all styles and activities such that whatever you're looking for, the city likely won't disappoint.

Is Nagano or London Better for Music?

London is terrific for its live music scene. However, Nagano is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in London. Famous music venues include Dominion Theatre, the Roundhouse, and Dublin Castle.

Nagano is not a live music destination.

Is Nagano or London Better for Resorts?

Nagano is very good for its luxury resorts. However, London is not a resort destination.

Nagano has a few great resort options. You'll find wonderful mountain resorts throughout the entire prefecture.

London is not a resort destination.

Is Nagano or London Better for its Old Town?

Nagano is very good for its historic old town charm. However, London does not have a historic old town.

Nagano has an old town worth visiting. Throughout the prefecture there is a lot of history and charming towns. If you're willing to get out of Nagano City, you can enjoy an area filled with tradition and culture. In particular, Tsumago-juku was the first preserved old town in Japan.

London does not have a historic old town.

Is Nagano or London Better for Hiking?

Nagano is a great city for hiking. However, London is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Nagano for the hiking trails. The surrounding area is filled with stunning scenery, natural beauty, and beautiful hikes. You'll find shrines and temples, historic villages, nice views, and peaceful walks throughout the region. One of the most unique walks is along the highest road in Japan, the Norikura Echo Line. The route is at 8,800 feet and is lined with ten meter high snow walls. It's open from from late April to the end of June every year.

London is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nagano or London?

London is terrific for its shopping opportunities. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, London draws large crowds to its stores. With so much iconic shopping around town, it's hard to decide where to go. Head to Oxford Street, Regent Street, or Piccadilly Circus for a quintessential British shopping experience.

Many visitors go to Nagano to go shopping. There are a number of shopping streets that are fun to explore including the historic street of Naka-mise. This street is lined with tea shops, cafes, traditional stores, and more. While there aren't a huge number of shopping centers around town, Midori Nagano is one of the biggest.

Is Nagano or London Better for Christmas?

London is terrific for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Nagano does not offer Christmas activities.

People travel from all around to experience the Christmas season in London. There's Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, outdoor ice skating, and beautiful Christmas lights throughout the city. You can also listen to Christmas Carols in Trafalgar Square or see a classic Christmas show.

Nagano does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Nagano or London Better for Christmas Markets?

London is terrific for visiting Christmas markets. However, Nagano does not offer Christmas markets.

The Christmas markets in London are not to be missed. The city has many Christmas markets. There is Winter Wonderland Christmas market, Southbank Centre Winter Market, and Selfridges Christmas Market, among many others.

Nagano does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Nagano or London Better for Families?

London is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

London is an extremely popular city to visit for families. Whether you do a Harry Potter Tour, take a ride on the London Eye, or enjoy afternoon tea, there are plenty of activities for kids around town. The Harry Potter Studio Tour is fun for everyone, but should be booked well in advance as it sells out. Theatre enthusiasts will enjoy catching a musical in West End and sampling dim sum or a hot pot in Chinatown. There are often Wednesday matinee showings that are perfect for kids with early bedtimes.

Nagano is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Chibikko Ninja Village is a great place for kids with climbing walls, indoor playgrounds, and more. There are also a number of sports facilities around town, and you can keep the sport theme going with a visit to the Nagano Olympic Museum. Animal lovers will enjoy a visit to the Nagano Chausuyama Zoo and for little kids, the Nagano City Joyama Zoo is nice.

Is Nagano or London Better for Couples?

London is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for couples.

London is a great city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. With every type of entertainment that you can imagine, this city is the ultimate couple's getaway. There are world class musicals, evening concerts, and restaurants of every style, cuisine, and budget. It's easy for couples to fill days in this vibrant city.

Nagano is a good city for couples to visit. The city has a lot of history and beauty, making it a romantic destination for couples. There are also outdoor activities as well as a number of sports that you can enjoy.

Is Nagano or London Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

London is terrific for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, London is extremely popular for backpackers. Although the city is very expensive, it has tons of hostels, affordable restaurant options, and great public transit. There's a huge backpacker network here and it's easy to meet other travelers. The nightlife scene is also second to none.

Plenty of backpackers visit Nagano. There are several good hostels in the area, as well as some great activities for young travelers, backpackers, and sports enthusiasts.

Is Nagano or London Better for Students?

London is terrific for its student-friendly activities. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

London is a very popular city for students. The city has a number of universities and is a popular study abroad destination. It's also a very diverse city, so international students will feel right at home.

Nagano is a good city to visit for students. It's relative affordability combined with its close proximity to Tokyo and laid back populations make this a nice place to study.

Is Nagano or London Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

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

The thorough and effecient public transit system of London can take you anywhere. From the iconic double decker buses to the Tube, there are plenty of options throughout the city.

Nagano has a few public transit options. The main station in town is Nagano Station. There's a bus and train system through the area, including buses that run to Zenkoji Temple. There's also a bus that goes to the Togakushi area and takes about an hour. However, renting a car will give you more freedom and efficiency. .

Is Nagano or London a more walkable city?

London is terrific for its high level of walkability. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

London is a very easy city to get around on foot. With many walkable areas, it is considered to be one of the world's most walkable major cities.

Nagano is a somewhat walkable city. Parts of the city are walkable and there are hiking trails around the Togakushi area, where you'll find many shrines and other attractions.

For even more information, also check out Is Nagano Worth Visiting? and Is London Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in London or Nagano?

How long in Nagano or London?

Both Nagano and London have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in London than in Nagano. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Nagano, and 3-7 days is enough time in London.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in London than Nagano 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 London.

One day in Nagano or London?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Nagano. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

London is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Nagano or London?

Nagano is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

London is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Nagano or London?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nagano. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in London. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Nagano or London?

Travelers enjoy the skiing and nightlife when visiting the traditional destination of Nagano. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

London is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan, The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Kingdom, and The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nagano and London, we can see that London is more expensive. And not only is Nagano much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nagano is in Asia and London 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 Nagano would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nagano 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 London would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in London than you might in Nagano.

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

Which is Bigger, Nagano or London?

London has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Nagano. When comparing the sizes of Nagano and London, 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 Nagano or London?

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 Nagano or London in the Summer?

Both London and Nagano are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Nagano in the summer for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to London for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Nagano is a little warmer than London. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nagano in July average around 25°C (77°F), and London averages at about 18°C (64°F).

Nagano usually receives less sunshine than London during summer. Nagano gets 136 hours of sunny skies, while London receives 195 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Nagano. In July, Nagano usually receives more rain than London. Nagano gets 222 mm (8.8 in) of rain, while London receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nagano or London in the Autumn?

Both London and Nagano during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Nagano for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to London because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Nagano is generally a little warmer than London. Daily temperatures in Nagano average around 16°C (60°F), and London fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In the autumn, Nagano often gets more sunshine than London. Nagano gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while London receives 107 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nagano. Nagano usually gets more rain in October than London. Nagano gets 227 mm (9 in) of rain, while London receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nagano or London in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Nagano and London. The winter months attract visitors to Nagano because of the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to London this time of year.

It's quite cold in London in the winter. The weather in Nagano can be very cold. Nagano is much colder than London in the winter. The daily temperature in Nagano averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and London fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

In Nagano, it's very sunny this time of the year. Nagano usually receives more sunshine than London during winter. Nagano gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while London receives 52 hours of full sun in the winter.

Nagano gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Nagano usually receives more rain than London. Nagano gets 446 mm (17.5 in) of rain, while London receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nagano or London in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Nagano as well as London. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Nagano this time of year. Also, many travelers come to London for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Nagano is a little warmer than London. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nagano in April average around 11°C (52°F), and London averages at about 9°C (48°F).

In the spring, Nagano often gets more sunshine than London. Nagano gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while London receives 147 hours of full sun.

Nagano usually gets more rain in April than London. Nagano gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while London receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for London and Nagano