A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Outer Hebrides vs. Manchester for Food, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Outer Hebrides or Manchester?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Outer Hebrides and Manchester. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Outer Hebrides

Outer Hebrides is a stunning, spectacular, and natural archipelago. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, beaches, and hiking.

Manchester

Manchester is a diverse, cultural, and vibrant city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Other reasons to visit include live music, food, and shopping.

Outer Hebrides and Manchester: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Outer Hebrides or Manchester?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Manchester. Although Outer Hebrides and Manchester are both popular with visitors, Manchester has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Manchester is more popular for its museums, nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Outer Hebrides is known for its beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Manchester is more touristy than Outer Hebrides and is known for its strong music culture as well as being home to the world-renowned Manchester United Football Club. It is also home to The National Football Museum. Outer Hebrides is popular for its scenic beauty, fresh seafood, and distilleries.

How is Outer Hebrides different from Manchester?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Outer Hebrides or Manchester?

Manchester is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Outer Hebrides does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Manchester. 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.

Outer Hebrides does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Outer Hebrides and Manchester can be an enjoyable experience.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Outer Hebrides. You'll find plenty of seafood, smokehouses, distilleries and crofting produce in the area. Most islands have independent restaurants as well as pubs and other local eateries to choose from.

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 Outer Hebrides or Manchester Better for Nightlife?

Manchester is a very popular place for nightlife. However, Outer Hebrides is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Manchester has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Outer Hebrides is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Outer Hebrides or Manchester Better for Music?

Manchester is a very popular place for live music. However, Outer Hebrides 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.

Outer Hebrides is not a live music destination.

Is Outer Hebrides or Manchester Better for Beaches?

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

Outer Hebrides is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. From white sand beaches to hidden coves, you'll enjoy a completely serene beach experience on these islands. You can get lost in the nature and soak up the surprisingly blue waters at any of the remote beaches. Favorite beaches in the area include Vatersay Bay, Coilleag a’Phrionnsa, West Coast Beach, and Crabhadail.

Manchester is not a beach destination.

Is Outer Hebrides or Manchester Better for Hiking?

Outer Hebrides is very popular for hiking. However, Manchester is not a hiking destination.

Many people visit Outer Hebrides specifically for its hiking. The islands offer some of the area's best hiking. You'll pass by stunning beaches, see unique wildlife, and enjoy a remote and tranquil setting. Follow the Hebridean Way, which covers the full length of the archipelago. It spans 156 miles and goes through 10 islands with 2 ferry trips.

Manchester is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Outer Hebrides or Manchester?

Manchester is a very popular place for shopping. However, Outer Hebrides is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Outer Hebrides is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Outer Hebrides or Manchester Better for Families?

Manchester is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Outer Hebrides is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Outer Hebrides. The beautiful outdoor setting is great for kids and adults alike. There are beaches to explore as well as kid-friendly museums. You can also try your hand at digging for cockles or head out on the water to watch for dolphins.

Is Outer Hebrides or Manchester Better for Couples?

Outer Hebrides and Manchester both high quality destinations for a couple.

Outer Hebrides makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Go island hopping and discover the countless beautiful beaches. You can take a boat trip or simply soak up the peaceful coastal setting.

Couples visit Manchester frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Is Outer Hebrides or Manchester Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Outer Hebrides and Manchester are both good destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Outer Hebrides. You'll need to take either a plane of ferry to reach the islands but once you're there you can camp and hike and soak up the tranquil setting.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Manchester. You'll find hostels around town and a number of visitors, particularly during the sports season.

Is Outer Hebrides or Manchester Better for Students?

Manchester is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Outer Hebrides is not popular with students.

Many students visit 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.

Outer Hebrides is not popular with students.

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

Manchester is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Outer Hebrides is lacking in good options for its public transit.

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

Public transit is generally limited in Outer Hebrides. There are buses that run doing the day between Monday and Saturday. In Stornoway you may be able to find some evening buses as well.

Is Outer Hebrides or Manchester a more walkable city?

Manchester is a good destination for its walkability. However, Outer Hebrides is not a walkable destination.

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

Outer Hebrides is not a walkable destination.

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

Should I spend more time in Manchester or Outer Hebrides?

How long in Outer Hebrides or Manchester?

It's fun to spend time in either Outer Hebrides or Manchester. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Outer Hebrides due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 4-10 days is a good amount of time for Outer Hebrides, and 2-4 days is enough time in Manchester.

Families should spend more time in Manchester than Outer Hebrides. 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 Outer Hebrides. 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 Manchester than Outer Hebrides 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 Outer Hebrides or Manchester?

With food around the stunning archipelago of Outer Hebrides, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. 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.

Because Manchester is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Outer Hebrides or Manchester?

With food around the destination of Outer Hebrides, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Manchester is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Outer Hebrides or Manchester?

Outer Hebrides, a popular archipelago, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this archipelago. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Manchester. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Outer Hebrides or Manchester?

Outer Hebrides is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this archipelago makes for a great vacation. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this archipelago has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the city of Manchester. Your budget might influence how long you stay. 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 Sightseeing Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United Kingdom, The Best Luxury Tours to United Kingdom, and The Best Budget Tours to United Kingdom.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Outer Hebrides 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 Outer Hebrides or Manchester in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Outer Hebrides and Manchester. Many travelers come to Outer Hebrides for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Manchester in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Outer Hebrides is cooler than Manchester in the summer. The daily temperature in Outer Hebrides averages around 13°C (55°F) in July, and Manchester fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).

Outer Hebrides usually receives less sunshine than Manchester during summer. Outer Hebrides gets 117 hours of sunny skies, while Manchester receives 176 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Outer Hebrides usually receives more rain than Manchester. Outer Hebrides gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Outer Hebrides or Manchester in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Outer Hebrides as well as Manchester. Many visitors come to Outer Hebrides in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Manchester for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.

In the autumn, Outer Hebrides is cooler than Manchester. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Outer Hebrides in October average around 9°C (49°F), and Manchester averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Outer Hebrides often gets less sunshine than Manchester. Outer Hebrides gets 83 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Manchester receives 97 hours of full sun.

Outer Hebrides receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Outer Hebrides usually gets more rain in October than Manchester. Outer Hebrides gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Outer Hebrides or Manchester in the Winter?

Both Manchester and Outer Hebrides are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Outer Hebrides for the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Manchester because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Manchester can be very cold. Outer Hebrides can be very cold during winter. In January, Outer Hebrides is generally a little warmer than Manchester. Daily temperatures in Outer Hebrides average around 4°C (40°F), and Manchester fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Outer Hebrides usually receives less sunshine than Manchester during winter. Outer Hebrides gets 33 hours of sunny skies, while Manchester receives 53 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Outer Hebrides. In January, Outer Hebrides usually receives more rain than Manchester. Outer Hebrides gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Outer Hebrides or Manchester in the Spring?

Both Manchester and Outer Hebrides during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Outer Hebrides because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, the activities around the city are the main draw to Manchester this time of year.

Outer Hebrides is cooler than Manchester in the spring. The daily temperature in Outer Hebrides averages around 7°C (44°F) in April, and Manchester fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

In the spring, Outer Hebrides often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Manchester. Outer Hebrides gets 149 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Manchester receives 144 hours of full sun.

Outer Hebrides usually gets more rain in April than Manchester. Outer Hebrides gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Manchester and Outer Hebrides