A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Beijing vs. Frankfurt for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Beijing or Frankfurt?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Beijing and Frankfurt can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Beijing

Beijing is a cultural, fascinating, and historic city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Frankfurt

Frankfurt is a connected, energetic, and dynamic city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Beijing and Frankfurt: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Beijing or Frankfurt?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Beijing than Frankfurt. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Beijing is very popular for its museums, food, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Frankfurt attracts visitors for its historical sights. Beijing is more touristy than Frankfurt and is popular for its rich culture, many historical landmarks, its long running history, and its world class cuisine. It is also well known for The Forbidden City. Frankfurt is famous for its financial industry, its popularity as a transportation hub, and its active nightlife.

How is Beijing different from Frankfurt?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Beijing or Frankfurt?

Beijing is an unbeatable place for its museums and history. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Beijing has many famous sights for visitors. The city is filled with iconic landmarks including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and The Temple of Heaven. It's also essential that you plan a trip outside of town to the world renowned Great Wall of China. The trip takes about an hour and you can organize a tour through almost any hotel or tour company.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Frankfurt can be an interesting and educational experience. Many sights are concentrated in the old town center. Highlights include the Historical Museum and St. Nicholas Church. Elsewhere, make sure you check out Maintower, the Städel Museum, and the Museum District.

Is the Food Better in Beijing or Frankfurt? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Beijing is an unbeatable place for its restaurants. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Beijing has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The city has a number of iconic dishes that have put it on the culinary map. The most notable dish is Peking Duck, which is a delectable crispy roast duck that is usually served with cucumber, scallions, sweet bean sauce and pancakes or other steamed buns. Hot pots are another must-try experience in the city, and, of course, you have to experience the dumplings. A huge part of a visit to Beijing is experiencing its long running culinary history.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Frankfurt makes for a great culinary experience. In addition to a number of international restaurants, the city also has a strong regional cuisine. Some of the most interesting local dishes include Frankfurter Sausage, Rindwurst, Grüne Soße (an herb sauce), and Handkäse mit Musik (marinated sour milk cheese). Also make sure you sample the Apfelwein.

Is Beijing or Frankfurt Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Beijing or Frankfurt has a better nightlife scene.

The people in Beijing know how to have a good time. Live performances are popular in the city, and range from concerts to magic shows and acrobatics. There is also an active bar scene around town. Some of the most popular nightlife areas include Sanlitun and Houhai.

The nightlife in Frankfurt has something for everybody. It's a vibrant city with many trendy clubs, cocktail bars, music venues, and more. You can enjoy techno, hip hop, and almost any style of music. There are also festivals, beer halls, and classic pubs.

Is Beijing or Frankfurt Better for its Old Town?

Frankfurt is a city with good options for its historic old town charm. However, Beijing does not have a historic old town.

Frankfurt offers a nice historic old town area. Many museums and cafes are concentrated in the old town area.

Beijing does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Beijing or Frankfurt?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Frankfurt and Beijing.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Beijing. There are many unique handicrafts that you can purchase around town. Popular souvenirs include silk, pearls, and snuff bottles with pictures inside. The city has many shopping streets as well as markets and shopping malls that are worth visiting.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Frankfurt. It's a financial capital in Europe, and as such there are plenty of high end shopping opportunities. MyZeil is a major shopping mall in the city and Kleinmarkthalle is a more classic market. Popular shopping neighborhoods and streets include Goethestrasse, Sachsenhausen and Berger Strasse.

Is Beijing or Frankfurt Better for Families?

Frankfurt is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Frankfurt is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. In town there's a zoo, a children’s museum, a math and technology museum (EXPERIMINTA), and a number of parks, natural areas, and playgrounds. If you're willing to head out of town then you can visit Taunus Wunderland, which is an amusement park with about 50 rides and attractions.

Beijing offers lots of family activities. The city offers a unique cultural immersion that kids and adults can enjoy. Wander through the Forbidden City or watch your kids be mesmerized by a Chinese acrobatics show. It's also fun to get lost in the Hutongs or test their culinary palates by visiting a snack street.

Is Beijing or Frankfurt Better for Couples?

Both Beijing and Frankfurt are nice destinations for a couple's getaway.

Beijing is a good city for couples to visit. The culture, history, and food all make this a stunning place to visit. While romance doesn't immediately spring to mind when you think of Beijing, there are shows and fine dining restaurants that couples will enjoy. There are also many luxury hotels with spas and other amenities.

Frankfurt is a nice destination for couples. The iconic spot of romance in the city is the Iron Footbridge, which is a traditional spot to attach a "love lock" and take a selfie. The city also offers river cruises, winery tours, and beautiful parks and natural areas.

Is Beijing or Frankfurt Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Beijing and Frankfurt are superb places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Beijing is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. The city has many hostels and budget-friendly options. There isn't the backpacker community vibe that you may get in other Asian cities, but if you organize an excursion through your hostel, you're sure to make a few friends along the way.

Frankfurt is very popular with the backpacker crowd. You'll find a number of hostels in town. The city is also a major transportation hub so many backpackers pass through the area at some point on their trip through Germany.

Is Beijing or Frankfurt Better for Students?

Frankfurt is an unbeatable place for students. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Frankfurt is a very popular city for students. The city offers prestigious universities and a world class education. The economy offers many internships and job opportunities and you'll find students from around the world studying here. Frankfurt is also well connected to the rest of Europe, so it's easy to explore the region.

Many students visit Beijing. Students will enjoy the culture, food, and academic opportunities that the universities offer. There is also a decent nightlife scene and affordable places where students can live.

Is Beijing or Frankfurt Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Frankfurt is an unbeatable place for its public transit. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors in Frankfurt can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. It is a huge transportation hub with a major international airport and a number of international train connections. Locally, the city has a subway, trams, commuter trains and buses.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Beijing. The system can be crowded and confusing at first, but it's one of the most convenient and affordable ways to get around town. There's a subway system as well as buses, trolleybuses, and suburban rail.

Is Beijing or Frankfurt a more walkable city?

Frankfurt is a great destination for its ease of walking around. However, Beijing is a city with minimal options for its walkability.

Frankfurt is a very walkable destination. It has a compact city center that is generally pedestrian-friendly.

Beijing is generally not a very walkable city. While parts of the city are fun to explore on foot, the city itself is very large with long blocks that aren't pedestrian-friendly.

For even more information, also check out Is Beijing Worth Visiting? and Is Frankfurt Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Frankfurt or Beijing?

How long in Beijing or Frankfurt?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Beijing and Frankfurt. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Beijing than in Frankfurt. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Beijing, and 1-3 days is enough time in Frankfurt.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Frankfurt than Beijing 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 Frankfurt.

One day in Beijing or Frankfurt?

People visit Beijing because there is so much to do. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Frankfurt, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Beijing or Frankfurt?

People visit Beijing because there is so much to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

In Frankfurt, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Frankfurt has to offer.

Five days in Beijing or Frankfurt?

People visit Beijing because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

Frankfurt is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Beijing or Frankfurt?

Beijing is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Beijing, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Frankfurt. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Frankfurt. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Germany, and The Best Adventure Tours to Germany.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Beijing or Frankfurt?

Beijing has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Frankfurt. When comparing the sizes of Beijing and Frankfurt, 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 Beijing or Frankfurt?

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 Beijing or Frankfurt in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Beijing as well as Frankfurt. Many visitors come to Beijing in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Frankfurt for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Beijing is a little warmer than Frankfurt in the summer. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Frankfurt fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Frankfurt. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beijing this time of the year. In the summer, Beijing often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Frankfurt. Beijing gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Frankfurt receives 225 hours of full sun.

Beijing receives a lot of rain in the summer. Beijing usually gets more rain in July than Frankfurt. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beijing or Frankfurt in the Autumn?

Both Frankfurt and Beijing are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Beijing for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Frankfurt because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Beijing is a little warmer than Frankfurt. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Beijing in October average around 14°C (56°F), and Frankfurt averages at about 11°C (51°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Frankfurt during autumn. Beijing gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Frankfurt receives 103 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Beijing usually receives less rain than Frankfurt. Beijing gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Beijing or Frankfurt in the Winter?

Both Frankfurt and Beijing during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Beijing because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Frankfurt this time of year.

It's quite cold in Frankfurt in the winter. The weather in Beijing can be very cold. In January, Beijing is generally much colder than Frankfurt. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around -4°C (26°F), and Frankfurt fluctuates around 1°C (34°F).

It's quite sunny in Beijing. In the winter, Beijing often gets more sunshine than Frankfurt. Beijing gets 201 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Frankfurt receives 41 hours of full sun.

Beijing usually gets less rain in January than Frankfurt. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beijing or Frankfurt in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Beijing and Frankfurt. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Beijing this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Frankfurt for the activities around the city.

Beijing is a little warmer than Frankfurt in the spring. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 14°C (57°F) in April, and Frankfurt fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Frankfurt during spring. Beijing gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Frankfurt receives 163 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Beijing usually receives less rain than Frankfurt. Beijing gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Frankfurt and Beijing