A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Beirut vs. Cologne for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Beirut or Cologne?

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 Beirut and Cologne. 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.

Where Should I go: Beirut or Cologne?

Beirut

Some travelers are seeking the hustle, bustle and posh atmosphere that only comes from a big city. Those travelers should have Beirut, Lebanon at the top of their list. The capital city is jam packed with 2.1 million people that are constantly on the go. As the commercial and financial hub of Lebanon, this city is fast-paced, fashion conscious and always ready for a night on the town.

Cologne

Spanning the Rhine River in western Germany, the city of Cologne dates back 2,000 years, once existing as the largest city of the Holy Roman Empire in medieval times. Today, it is the region's cultural hub - a center of museums, galleries, and towering Gothic cathedrals.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Germany, and The Best Budget Tours to Germany.


Which place is cheaper, Cologne or Beirut?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Beirut is $2.26, while the average daily cost in Cologne is $172. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Beirut and Cologne in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Beirut $1.26
    Cologne $97
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Beirut $2.52
    Cologne $194
Compare Hotels in Beirut and Cologne

Looking for a hotel in Beirut or Cologne? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Beirut


Hotels in Cologne


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Beirut Hotel Prices and Cologne Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Beirut $0.44
    Cologne $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beirut

Also for Beirut, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Airport Arrival Transfer to Your Beirut Hotel: $10
  • BEY Airport to Hotel, Private Arrival Transfer: $10
  • Beirut Airport Transfer in a Limousine: $201
  • Beirut Airport one Way Private Transfer to the hotel: $15
  • Beirut Arrival Airport Transfer: $13
  • Beirut Arrival Airport Transfer Pickup: $9.89
  • Hiking Day Trip to Chouwen Lake with Hotel Transfers: $86
  • Departure Transfer:From Hotel To Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY): $10
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Beirut International Airport to Hotel: $18
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Beirut International Airport: $18
  • Private Transfer from Beirut Hotels to the Beirut Airport: $10
  • Private Transfer from Rafic Hariri (BEY) Airport to Beirut: $46

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cologne

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cologne:

  • Transfer from Cologne Airport CGN to Cologne City by Luxury Car: $83
  • Superior Private Transfer from Cologne City to Dortmund City: $64
  • Cologne hotels to Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) - Departure Private Transfer: $49
  • Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Cologne hotels - Round-trip Private Transfer : $98
  • Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Bonn hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $110
  • Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Bonn hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $55

Is it cheaper to fly into Beirut or Cologne?

Prices for flights to both Cologne and Beirut change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Beirut $0.71
    Cologne $54

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beirut

For Beirut, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Authentic Lebanese Virtual Cooking Class Live from Lebanon: $30
  • Traveling Spoon Lebanese Mezze Private Online Cooking Class : $40
  • Private, Traditional Lebanese Cooking Class with a Contemporary Twist: $72
  • Authentic Lebanese Cooking Lesson and Meal with Tania's Family in Beirut: $100
  • Private Lebanese Cooking Class in Beirut with Amal + Transfers: $142

Typical Food Prices in Cologne

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cologne:


  • Dinner
    $15
  • Donner Kebab
    $4.29

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cologne

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cologne.

  • Hard Rock Café with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $27
  • Hard Rock Cafe Cologne With Set Lunch or Dinner: $29
  • Köln Südstadt kulinarisch – Die Food Tour: $48
  • 3-Hour Südstadt Food Tour: $484

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Beirut $0.26
    Cologne $22

Tours and Activities in Beirut

For Beirut, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Uncover Beirut's Divided Past: In-App Audio Tour: $11
  • Discovering Lebanon: Jeita Grotto, Harissa, and Byblos Tour: $15
  • Small Group Tour to Jeita Grotto, Harisa & Byblos with Hotel pickup: $15
  • City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $25
  • City Sightseeing Beirut Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $25
  • Beirut : Private Custom Walking Tour With A Guide (Private tour): $34
  • Private Tour - Explore Anjar Lebanon: $35
  • Beirut Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $35
  • Beirut Full Day Walking Tour: $41
  • Private Walking Tour With A Guide (Private tour): $48
  • From Jeita, Harissa, and Byblos Tour: $50
  • Full-Day Private Tour to Sidon, Tyre and Maghdouche: $50

Tours and Activities in Cologne

Here are a few actual costs in Cologne for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 120min - Cologne City Tour: $158
  • 3-Hour Cologne Street Art Bike Tour in Small Group with Guide: $44
  • 3-Hour Murder Mystery Interactive City Walking Tour in Köln: $75
  • 5 Hours Cologne to Aachen Train Tour in Germany: $63
  • Aachen City Hall tour (public): $20
  • Aachen Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $231
  • Aachen Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
  • Aachen Scavenger Hunt and Self Guided Walking Tour on your Phone: $7.63
  • Aachen old town tour - GERMAN (public): $13
  • Amusing Stories of Cologne Walking Tour: $13
  • Ancient Echoes: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Roman Cologne: $11
  • Awesome Sites of Cologne – Private Family Walking Tour: $397

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Beirut $0.23
    Cologne $24

Sample the Local Flavors in Beirut

Also in Beirut, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Full-Day Private Wine Tasting Tour at Chateau Musar and Ixsir : $50
  • Full-Day Private Wine Tasting Tour: $56
  • Uncorking Splendor: A Journey Through Private Wine Tasting Tours: $60
  • Budget Wine Tasting Tour at the Bekaa Valley Wineries: $60
  • Full-Day Private Wine Tour in Bekaa Valley with Tasting : $60
  • Wine Tasting and Culture : $69
  • Wine Tasting and Hiking in the Cedars forest : $69
  • From Full Day Wine Tasting in the Bekaa Valley Tour: $90
  • Lebanon Wine Tasting Tour From Beirut: $91
  • Full-Day Private Wine Tasting Tour to Chateau Musar and Ixsir Winery: $100
  • Full-Day Private Bekaa Valley Wine Tour from Beirut: $103
  • Private tour to Jeita Grotto with Wine Tasting in Faqra Ruins: $110

Sample the Local Flavors in Cologne

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cologne:

  • Public brewery tour in German in Cologne: $18
  • Old Town Walking Tour with Brewery and Kölsch Beer: $18
  • Guided tour of the old town with a visit to the brewery in Cologne: $19
  • Old Town Walking Tour inkl Brewery Visit: $24
  • Entertaining Brewery Tour: Feel Good Package including local beer: $27
  • South Cologne Walking Tour with brewery visit: $27
  • Pub Crawl Cologne Including Admission Fee for Bars and Shots: $27
  • Brewery Tour with 3 Kölsch Beer Tastings: $30
  • Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting and Halven Hahn: $31
  • The Legendary Kölsch Brewery Tour: $32
  • The Legendary Kölsch Brewery Tour: $33
  • Cologne-Nippes: Gourmet wine tasting with cheese platter: $64


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

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


Which is Bigger, Beirut or Cologne?

Beirut has a larger population, and is about 99% larger than the population of Cologne. When comparing the sizes of Beirut and Cologne, 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 Beirut or Cologne?

Cologne has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Beirut experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Beirut or Cologne in the Summer?

Both Cologne and Beirut during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Beirut because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Cologne for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Beirut is a little warmer than Cologne. Typically, the summer temperatures in Beirut in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Cologne averages at about 19°C (66°F).

It's quite sunny in Beirut. In the summer, Beirut often gets more sunshine than Cologne. Beirut gets 369 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cologne receives 184 hours of full sun.

Beirut usually gets less rain in July than Cologne. Beirut gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Beirut 27°C (81°F) 
    Cologne 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Beirut or Cologne in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Beirut and Cologne. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Beirut year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Cologne in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Beirut is generally much warmer than Cologne. Daily temperatures in Beirut average around 25°C (77°F), and Cologne fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In Beirut, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beirut usually receives more sunshine than Cologne during autumn. Beirut gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Cologne receives 104 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Beirut usually receives more rain than Cologne. Beirut gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Beirut 25°C (77°F) 
    Cologne 12°C (54°F)

Should I visit Beirut or Cologne in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Beirut as well as Cologne. Beirut attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Cologne for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Cologne can be very cold during winter. Beirut is much warmer than Cologne in the winter. The daily temperature in Beirut averages around 13°C (55°F) in January, and Cologne fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Beirut often gets more sunshine than Cologne. Beirut gets 149 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cologne receives 43 hours of full sun.

Beirut receives a lot of rain in the winter. Beirut usually gets more rain in January than Cologne. Beirut gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Beirut 13°C (55°F) 
    Cologne 3°C (37°F)

Should I visit Beirut or Cologne in the Spring?

Both Cologne and Beirut are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Beirut throughout the year. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Cologne because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Beirut is much warmer than Cologne. Typically, the spring temperatures in Beirut in April average around 17°C (63°F), and Cologne averages at about 10°C (50°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beirut. Beirut usually receives more sunshine than Cologne during spring. Beirut gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Cologne receives 152 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Beirut usually receives less rain than Cologne. Beirut gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Beirut 17°C (63°F) 
    Cologne 10°C (50°F)

Typical Weather for Cologne and Beirut

Beirut Cologne
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 13°C (55°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 3°C (37°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 4°C (39°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Mar 15°C (59°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 7°C (44°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Apr 17°C (63°F) 50 mm (2 in) 10°C (50°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
May 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 14°C (58°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Jun 25°C (77°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 17°C (63°F) 76 mm (3 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 19°C (66°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 16°C (61°F) 62 mm (2.5 in)
Oct 25°C (77°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 12°C (54°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Nov 19°C (66°F) 50 mm (2 in) 7°C (45°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Dec 15°C (59°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 4°C (39°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)