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

Should you visit Seoul 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 Seoul and Manchester can help you decide which place is right for you.

Seoul

Seoul is a cultural, bustling, and modern city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Manchester

Manchester is a dynamic, diverse, and cultural city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Seoul and Manchester: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Seoul or Manchester?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Seoul than Manchester. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Seoul is famous for its shopping malls, colorful street markets, beautiful parks, and vibrant energy. It is also well known for Gyeongbokgung Palace. Manchester is famous for its strong music culture as well as being home to the world-renowned Manchester United Football Club.

How is Seoul different from Manchester?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the very good sights and museums in both Seoul and Manchester.

Many visitors head to Seoul specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The museums and landmarks are diverse, with notable sights including N Seoul Tower, the Bukchon Hanok Traditional Village, and the National Museum of Korea.

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 Seoul or Manchester? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Seoul 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.

Seoul has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. Food is a cultural obsession here, and you'll find everything from world class street food to award winning restaurants. The dishes are so much more diverse than Korean barbecue and kimchi. Many dishes are very spicy, with popular local foods including gamjatang (pork and potato soup) and jeon (savory pancakes).

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 Seoul or Manchester Better for Nightlife?

Both Seoul and Manchester are very good when it comes to partying.

Seoul offers plenty to do in the evening. This is definitely a work hard/play hard city, with locals working long hours during the day and then partying hard late into the night. The nightlife scene is strong both during the week and on weekends. There are bars, clubs, and lounges that are frequented by locals and tourists alike.

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.

Is Seoul or Manchester Better for Music?

Seoul is very popular for live music. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its live music scene.

Seoul is known as a music capital around the world. K-pop has put the city on the map for music, but you'll actually find a wide range of genres here including rock music and electronic dance music.

If you love music, you'll find something to enjoy in Manchester. There's a long running music reputation here. Some of the iconic bands that began here include Oasis and Stone Roses.

Is the Shopping Better in Seoul or Manchester?

Seoul is very popular for shopping. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Seoul. This bustling city offers traditional local items as well as Korean cosmetics and trendy fashion. Although shopping malls are spread throughout the city, some of the most popular shopping areas are found around Myeong-dong and Dongdaemun.

Manchester is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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 Seoul or Manchester Better for Families?

You'll find very good kid-friendly activities in either Seoul or Manchester.

Seoul is a very kid-friendly city. The city has a wide range of kid-friendly activities, ranging from the easy choices like amusement parks and children's museums, to the less obvious like kid-friendly cafes and markets. There are many entertainment options packed into a small space, so kids and adults alike will stay entertained.

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.

Is Seoul or Manchester Better for Couples?

Both Seoul and Manchester are very good destinations to visit as a couple.

Seoul is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples enjoy the beautiful viewpoints, outdoor parks, and diverse restaurants. There are also many beautiful luxury hotels where couples can enjoy a romantic getaway.

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.

Is Seoul or Manchester Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Seoul and Manchester are nice destinations for backpackers.

Seoul is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. The city isn't the most popular among backpackers, but those who visit will enjoy exploring a fascinating culture and delicious cuisine. Because it's a large city, you'll find a diversity of accommodation options including some budget-friendly hostels and hotels.

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 Seoul or Manchester Better for Students?

Seoul and Manchester are both very good destinations for students and younger travelers.

Seoul is very popular with students. Many international students head to Seoul National University, which has an excellent academic reputation. The city is also fun and energetic, so everyone will be entertained.

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

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

Seoul has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. The modern and clean transportation system includes both a subway and buses.

Public transit in Manchester can get you to some places easily. The city has bus, train, and tram options for travel.

Is Seoul or Manchester a more walkable city?

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

Seoul is very walkable. Many neighborhoods are fun to explore on foot but do take note that parts of the city are very hilly and the weather can be bitter cold during the winter months.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Manchester or Seoul?

How long in Seoul or Manchester?

It's fun to spend time in either Seoul or Manchester. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Seoul due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Seoul, and 2-4 days is enough time in Manchester.

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

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

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

One day in Seoul or Manchester?

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

In Manchester, many people enjoy the live music and food that this vibrant big city offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Seoul or Manchester?

When visiting Seoul, people usually allow for lots of time. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Manchester. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Seoul or Manchester?

Seoul, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Manchester is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the big city destination of Manchester. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Seoul or Manchester?

Seoul is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this city makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural big city of Manchester. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to South Korea, The Best Adventure Tours to South Korea, 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 Seoul and Manchester, we can see that Manchester is more expensive. And not only is Seoul much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Seoul is in Asia 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 Seoul would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Seoul 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 Seoul.

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

Which is Bigger, Seoul or Manchester?

Seoul has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Manchester. When comparing the sizes of Seoul 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 Seoul or Manchester?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Seoul or Manchester in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Seoul as well as Manchester. The summer months attract visitors to Seoul because of the city activities, the music scene, and 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 July, Seoul is generally much warmer than Manchester. Daily temperatures in Seoul average around 26°C (78°F), and Manchester fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).

In the summer, Seoul often gets less sunshine than Manchester. Seoul gets 121 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Manchester receives 176 hours of full sun.

Seoul receives a lot of rain in the summer. Seoul usually gets more rain in July than Manchester. Seoul gets 369 mm (14.5 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Seoul or Manchester in the Autumn?

Both Manchester and Seoul are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Seoul this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Manchester for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

Seoul is a little warmer than Manchester in the autumn. The daily temperature in Seoul averages around 15°C (59°F) in October, and Manchester fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Seoul. Seoul usually receives more sunshine than Manchester during autumn. Seoul gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Manchester receives 97 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Seoul usually receives less rain than Manchester. Seoul gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Seoul or Manchester in the Winter?

Both Manchester and Seoul during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Seoul for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, 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 Seoul. In the winter, Seoul is much colder than Manchester. Typically, the winter temperatures in Seoul in January average around -3°C (27°F), and Manchester averages at about 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Seoul often gets more sunshine than Manchester. Seoul gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Manchester receives 53 hours of full sun.

Seoul usually gets less rain in January than Manchester. Seoul gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Seoul or Manchester in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Seoul and Manchester. Many visitors come to Seoul in the spring for the activities around the city. Furthermore, most visitors come to Manchester for the activities around the city during these months.

In April, Seoul is generally much warmer than Manchester. Daily temperatures in Seoul average around 13°C (55°F), and Manchester fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

In Seoul, it's very sunny this time of the year. Seoul usually receives more sunshine than Manchester during spring. Seoul gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Manchester receives 144 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Seoul usually receives more rain than Manchester. Seoul gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Manchester and Seoul