Comparison · London vs Manchester · United Kingdom
London vs Manchester
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Ilya Grigorik, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Quick answer
Choose London for Big Ben and Parliament and British Museum; choose Manchester for Football, Industrial heritage, lower day-to-day costs and a short break. Manchester is generally less expensive, and the two are about 262 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 262 km
- Less expensive
- Manchester
- Best time for London
- May–June and September
- Best time for Manchester
- May–September
Side by side
| London | Manchester | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom | United Kingdom |
| Known for | Big Ben and Parliament, British Museum and Royal palaces | Football, Industrial heritage and Music scene |
| Best time to visit | May–June and September | May–September |
| Ideal stay | 5 days | 3 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $260–$420 | $160–$280 |
| Cost level | Very expensive | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | July, 24°C (75°F) | July, 21°C (70°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 9°C (48°F) | January, 7°C (45°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 12 | 13 |
| Day trips in our guide | 8 | 7 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | LHR, LGW, STN, LTN, LCY | MAN, LPL |
Which one is right for you?
Choose London for…
Big Ben and Parliament and British Museum. London spreads across 32 boroughs, but most visitors spend their time in a central band running from Westminster and the West End to the City and the South Bank, linked by the Tube and a riverside walk along the Thames. The great national museums — the…
Choose Manchester for…
Football, Industrial heritage, lower day-to-day costs and a short break. Manchester was the world's first industrial city, and its centre is still built from the cotton warehouses, canals and railway viaducts of that era, now turned into bars, flats and venues. Most sights are free and walkable within the compact centre: the…
Top sights compared
| # | London | Manchester |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | British Museum | Science and Industry Museum |
| 2 | Tower of London | John Rylands Library |
| 3 | Westminster Abbey | Manchester Museum |
| 4 | Houses of Parliament and Big Ben | Manchester Art Gallery |
| 5 | Buckingham Palace and Changing the Guard | The Whitworth |
Food compared
| London | Manchester |
|---|---|
| Full English breakfast | Curry on the Curry Mile |
| Fish and chips | Dim sum in Chinatown |
| Sunday roast | Lancashire hotpot |
| Pie and mash | Eccles cake |
Which is cheaper?
Manchester is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $160–$280 per person there, against $260–$420 in London (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Manchester on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. London and Manchester are about 262 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 5 days in London and 3 in Manchester.
Questions travellers ask
+Is London or Manchester cheaper?
Manchester is usually less expensive: about $160–$280 a day mid-range against $260–$420 (estimates).
+Is London or Manchester better for a first trip?
Pick London for Big Ben and Parliament and British Museum, or Manchester for Football, Industrial heritage, lower day-to-day costs and a short break.
+How far is London from Manchester?
About 262 km in a straight line.