A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Southampton vs. Basel for Attractions, Families, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Southampton or Basel?

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

Should I visit Southampton or Basel? 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.

Southampton

Southampton is a waterfront, dynamic, and up-and-coming port city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Basel

Basel is a vibrant, historic, and cultural city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Southampton and Basel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Southampton or Basel?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Basel than Southampton. While Southampton is larger than Basel, Basel has more sights and attractions for tourists. Basel is more touristy than Southampton and is popular for its many museums and its nice old town. Also, Basel is famous for The Kunstmuseum Basel. Southampton is well known for its popularity as a cruise ship port as well as its focus watersports.

How is Southampton different from Basel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Southampton or Basel?

Basel is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Southampton is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its sights and museums.

Basel offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is filled with history. Head to Minster Hill to see the beautiful historic church and Münsterplatz. There are also several unique museums around town including Jean Tinguely Museum, the Paper Mill Museum, the Historical Museum, and the Museum of Art.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Southampton. Museums are a favorite activity in town. There are a surprising number of options including SeaCity Museum, the Tudor House and Garden, and Southampton City Art Gallery.

Is the Food Better in Southampton or Basel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Southampton and Basel can be difficult as they are each notable in their own way.

Southampton has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. While most people used to pass through Southampton on their way somewhere else, the city now offers a dynamic food scene with local restaurants mixed with international options and even fine dining.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Basel area. Food around town can be expensive, but there are some outdoor markets where you can buy fruit and a bratwurst for a reasonable price. The city is known for its breads, soups, and pastries, which are all delicious.

Is Southampton or Basel Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find notable options in both Southampton and Basel.

If you're looking for night time activities Southampton has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene is filled with restaurants, pubs, and bars as well as a few nightclubs mixed in.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Basel. The city's nightlife comes alive as the sun sets. There are bars, pubs, and dance clubs that stay active until the early morning hours.

Is Southampton or Basel Better for its Old Town?

Basel is a great city for its old town. However, Southampton does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Basel. The charming old town is fun to explore on foot with its quaint streets and meandering alleys. The beautiful architecture and ornate fountains give the area a unique personality. On the hottest days you may even see locals swimming in some of the fountains.

Southampton does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Southampton or Basel?

Basel is a great city for its shopping opportunities. Also, Southampton is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its shopping areas.

Basel is well-known for its shopping. The old town is filled with shops that you can wander through as you explore. Popular shopping streets include Freie Strasse and the area around Marktplatz, where you'll find boutique shops and interesting trinkets. You can also head to the city's oldest department store - Manor.

Many visitors go to Southampton to go shopping. The city has two indoor shopping centers, as well as a range of markets and several independent vendors.

Is Southampton or Basel Better for Families?

Basel is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Southampton is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Basel is very family-friendly. The city has an impressive zoo, a really unique toy museum, as well as Aquabasilea with its pools and slides. It's also compact enough that little legs can explore and enjoy everything that it has to offer. If the weather's warm, head for the river to cool off.

Southampton is a family-friendly place to visit. This cruise port city offers a handful of fascinating activities for kids including learning about the Mayflower and the Titanic. There are also many parks and gardens as well as the Mayflower Theater, which regularly has kid-family productions.

Is Southampton or Basel Better for Couples?

Southampton is notable for its romantic activities. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Southampton is a very popular place to visit for couples. Museums, parks, gardens, and chartered boats all offer a romantic experience for couples visiting the area.

Basel is a good port city for couples to visit. Nice restaurants, interesting museums, and several great spas make this a nice place for a romantic trip.

Is Southampton or Basel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Basel is a popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Southampton is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Basel. There are a few hostels and a really useful City Pass that make this city an option for backpackers and budget travelers. It's also a major transit center so accessibility is convenient. If you're traveling around Europe by train, you'll likely pass through Basel at some point.

Southampton is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Southampton or Basel Better for Students?

Basel is a great city for its student-friendly activities. However, Southampton is not popular with students.

Basel is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The University of Basel brings in international students from around the world. The city makes a nice base for exploring Europe, but it's also a bit expensive which can be challenging on a student income.

Southampton is not popular with students.

Is Southampton or Basel Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Basel is a great city for times when you don't have a car. However, Southampton is not known for its public transit.

The public transit in Basel can get you around easily. Trams and buses make it easy to get around town.

Public transit is generally limited in Southampton. There are buses around town that make some areas accessible even without a car.

Is Southampton or Basel a more walkable city?

Basel is an amazing city to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Southampton is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its ease of walking around.

Basel is a very easy city to get around on foot. The old town and most of the major attractions are easily accessible on foot.

Southampton is a somewhat walkable port city. It's possible to walk in parts of Southampton but in general it's easier to take a taxi.

For even more information, also check out Is Southampton Worth Visiting? and Is Basel Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Basel or Southampton?

How long in Southampton or Basel?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Southampton and Basel. In our opinion, Basel has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Basel than Southampton. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Basel than Southampton 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 Basel.

One day in Southampton or Basel?

In Southampton, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this up-and-coming destination offers. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the museum-filled city of Basel. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Southampton or Basel?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Southampton. 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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the museum-filled destination of Basel. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Southampton or Basel?

Southampton is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Southampton. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

The historic city of Basel offers shopping and museums. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Southampton or Basel?

You'll find food and shopping around the up-and-coming destination of Southampton. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Basel. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 10-Day Tours from London, The Best 2-Week Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Switzerland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Southampton or Basel?

Southampton has a larger population, and is about 50% larger than the population of Basel. When comparing the sizes of Southampton and Basel, 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 Southampton or Basel?

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 Southampton or Basel in the Summer?

Both Basel and Southampton during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Southampton for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Basel in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Southampton is cooler than Basel in the summer. The daily temperature in Southampton averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Basel fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

In Basel, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Southampton often gets less sunshine than Basel. Southampton gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basel receives 241 hours of full sun.

Southampton usually gets less rain in July than Basel. Southampton gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Basel receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Southampton or Basel in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Southampton and Basel. Many visitors come to Southampton in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Basel for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Southampton is cooler than Basel. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Southampton in October average around 12°C (53°F), and Basel averages at about 13°C (56°F).

Southampton usually receives less sunshine than Basel during autumn. Southampton gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Basel receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Southampton usually receives less rain than Basel. Southampton gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Basel receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Southampton or Basel in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Southampton as well as Basel. Most visitors come to Southampton for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Basel because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Basel can be very cold. Southampton can be very cold during winter. In January, Southampton is generally a little warmer than Basel. Daily temperatures in Southampton average around 4°C (40°F), and Basel fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Southampton often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Basel. Southampton gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basel receives 55 hours of full sun.

Southampton usually gets less rain in January than Basel. Southampton gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Basel receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Southampton or Basel in the Spring?

Both Basel and Southampton are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Southampton because of the natural beauty. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Basel this time of year.

Southampton is cooler than Basel in the spring. The daily temperature in Southampton averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Basel fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Southampton usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Basel during spring. Southampton gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Basel receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Southampton usually receives less rain than Basel. Southampton gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Basel receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Basel and Southampton