A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Newcastle upon Tyne vs. Manchester for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Newcastle upon Tyne or Manchester?

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 Newcastle upon Tyne and Manchester can help you decide which place is right for you.

Newcastle upon Tyne

Newcastle upon Tyne is a high energy, livable, and cultural port city. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Manchester

Manchester is a diverse, cultural, and vibrant city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Newcastle upon Tyne and Manchester: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Newcastle upon Tyne or Manchester?

You'll generally find more things to do in Manchester than Newcastle upon Tyne. Manchester is bigger than Newcastle upon Tyne, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Manchester is better known for its music and big city activities, while Newcastle upon Tyne is more popular for its historical sights. Newcastle upon Tyne is well known for its compact and livable atmosphere as well as its active nightlife scene. Manchester is well 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.

How is Newcastle upon Tyne different from Manchester?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Newcastle upon Tyne or Manchester?

You'll find a number of very good museums and attractions in both Manchester and Newcastle upon Tyne.

Many visitors head to Newcastle upon Tyne specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. There are many historic and cultural sights around town. Some of the most interesting include the Historic Tyne Bridges, the Millennium Bridge, the Castle, Newcastle Cathedral, and the Great North Museum: Hancock.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Manchester can be an interesting and educational experience. 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 Newcastle upon Tyne or Manchester? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Newcastle upon Tyne and Manchester can be difficult as they are each very good in their own way.

Newcastle upon Tyne has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city is known for its food and there are some interesting local flavors that you should try. For something unique, try the singing hinny (sweet bread), pan haggerty (similar to potato gratin), stottie cake (bread) or craster kippers (smoked herring). You'll also find a diversity of cosmopolitan restaurants around town.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Manchester makes for a great culinary experience. 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 Newcastle upon Tyne or Manchester Better for Nightlife?

The very good nightlife scene is relatively similar in Newcastle upon Tyne and Manchester.

Newcastle upon Tyne has a large number of nightlife venues. Because of the large student population, you'll find a very active nightlife scene. There are several party districts in the city that you should check out including Quayside, the Gate, the Diamond Strip, Bigg Market, and Dean Street.

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 Newcastle upon Tyne or Manchester Better for Music?

Manchester is a very popular place for its music scene. However, Newcastle upon Tyne 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.

Newcastle upon Tyne is not a live music destination.

Is Newcastle upon Tyne or Manchester Better for its Old Town?

Newcastle upon Tyne 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 Newcastle upon Tyne. Known as Grainger Town, the city's historic commercial center is famous for its Georgian and Victorian buildings.

Manchester does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Newcastle upon Tyne or Manchester?

Shoppers can find a variety of very good stores in both Newcastle upon Tyne and Manchester.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Newcastle upon Tyne. The city has boutique shops as well as major shopping malls. Some of the best shopping areas include the pedestrian shopping street of Northumberland Street, the historic Grey Street, and Grainger Market.

Manchester is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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 Newcastle upon Tyne or Manchester Better for Families?

Manchester is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Newcastle upon Tyne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Newcastle upon Tyne. Kids will love visiting the Newcastle Castle, but there are also ropes courses and the Victoria Tunnel Tours. Museum lovers will enjoy a visit to Discovery Museum, the Life Science Center, or Beamish, the Living Museum of the North.

Is Newcastle upon Tyne or Manchester Better for Couples?

Manchester is a very popular place for couples. Also, Newcastle upon Tyne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

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.

Newcastle upon Tyne is a nice destination for couples. The city boasts many romantic walks as well as fine dining restaurants and interesting entertainment options. It's not hard to enjoy a fun date night out on the town.

Is Newcastle upon Tyne or Manchester Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Newcastle upon Tyne and Manchester are both notable destinations for backpackers.

Newcastle upon Tyne is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a number of hostels to choose from and plenty of entertainment choices so you shouldn't have much trouble meeting other people.

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

Is Newcastle upon Tyne or Manchester Better for Students?

Both Newcastle upon Tyne and Manchester are very good destinations for students.

Newcastle upon Tyne is very popular with students. The city has a large student population and a lively nightlife scene, so it's a fun place for students to spend a semester or more.

Manchester is a great port 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 Newcastle upon Tyne or Manchester Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find very good public transit in both Newcastle upon Tyne and Manchester.

Newcastle upon Tyne offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are bus, ferry, and light rail services in the city.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Manchester. The city has bus, train, and tram options for travel.

Is Newcastle upon Tyne or Manchester a more walkable city?

Newcastle upon Tyne is very popular for its walkability. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

Newcastle upon Tyne is a very easy port city to get around on foot. The city is one of the most walkable in the UK.

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

For even more information, also check out Is Newcastle upon Tyne Worth Visiting? and Is Manchester Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Manchester or Newcastle upon Tyne?

How long in Newcastle upon Tyne or Manchester?

It's fun to spend time in either Newcastle upon Tyne or Manchester. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Manchester due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Newcastle upon Tyne, and 2-4 days is enough time in Manchester.

Families should spend more time in Manchester than Newcastle upon Tyne. 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 Newcastle upon Tyne. 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 Newcastle upon Tyne 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 Newcastle upon Tyne.

One day in Newcastle upon Tyne or Manchester?

With museums and nightlife around the high energy port city of Newcastle upon Tyne, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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.

Each neighborhood in Manchester has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Newcastle upon Tyne or Manchester?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Newcastle upon Tyne, 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. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this port city.

Many people visit Manchester for a weekend. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. 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.

Five days in Newcastle upon Tyne or Manchester?

Newcastle upon Tyne, a popular port 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.

The big city destination of Manchester offers food and shopping. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Newcastle upon Tyne or Manchester?

Newcastle upon Tyne 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.

Many people enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting Manchester. This city offers something for everyone. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Historical Tours in United Kingdom, 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 Newcastle upon Tyne and Manchester, we can see that Manchester is more expensive. And not only is Newcastle upon Tyne much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Newcastle upon Tyne would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Newcastle upon Tyne 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 Newcastle upon Tyne.

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

Which is Bigger, Newcastle upon Tyne or Manchester?

Manchester has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Newcastle upon Tyne. When comparing the sizes of Newcastle upon Tyne 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 Newcastle upon Tyne or Manchester?

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 Newcastle upon Tyne or Manchester in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Newcastle upon Tyne and Manchester. The summer months attract visitors to Newcastle upon Tyne because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Manchester this time of year.

In the summer, Newcastle upon Tyne is cooler than Manchester. Typically, the summer temperatures in Newcastle upon Tyne in July average around 15°C (59°F), and Manchester averages at about 16°C (62°F).

Newcastle upon Tyne usually receives less sunshine than Manchester during summer. Newcastle upon Tyne gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Manchester receives 176 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Newcastle upon Tyne usually receives more rain than Manchester. Newcastle upon Tyne gets 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Newcastle upon Tyne or Manchester in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Newcastle upon Tyne as well as Manchester. The shopping scene are the main draw to Newcastle upon Tyne this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Manchester for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In October, Newcastle upon Tyne is generally cooler than Manchester. Daily temperatures in Newcastle upon Tyne average around 10°C (49°F), and Manchester fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Newcastle upon Tyne often gets less sunshine than Manchester. Newcastle upon Tyne gets 69 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Manchester receives 97 hours of full sun.

Newcastle upon Tyne receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Newcastle upon Tyne usually gets more rain in October than Manchester. Newcastle upon Tyne gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Newcastle upon Tyne or Manchester in the Winter?

Both Manchester and Newcastle upon Tyne are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Newcastle upon Tyne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Manchester in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Manchester can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Newcastle upon Tyne. Newcastle upon Tyne is cooler than Manchester in the winter. The daily temperature in Newcastle upon Tyne averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Manchester fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Newcastle upon Tyne usually receives less sunshine than Manchester during winter. Newcastle upon Tyne gets 40 hours of sunny skies, while Manchester receives 53 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Newcastle upon Tyne. In January, Newcastle upon Tyne usually receives more rain than Manchester. Newcastle upon Tyne gets 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Newcastle upon Tyne or Manchester in the Spring?

Both Manchester and Newcastle upon Tyne during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Manchester for the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Newcastle upon Tyne is around the same temperature as Manchester. Typically, the spring temperatures in Newcastle upon Tyne in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Manchester averages at about 8°C (46°F).

In the spring, Newcastle upon Tyne often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Manchester. Newcastle upon Tyne gets 134 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Manchester receives 144 hours of full sun.

Newcastle upon Tyne usually gets more rain in April than Manchester. Newcastle upon Tyne gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Manchester and Newcastle upon Tyne