A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Belfast vs. Bonn for Families, Food, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Belfast or Bonn?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Belfast or Bonn, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Belfast

Belfast is a affordable, under-rated, and authentic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include nightlife and shopping. See Belfast travel costs.

Bonn

Bonn is a lively, cultural, and beautiful city. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping. See Bonn travel costs.

Belfast and Bonn: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Belfast or Bonn?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Bonn. Although Belfast and Bonn are roughly the same size, Bonn has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bonn is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, historical sights, shopping, and quaint atmosphere, while Belfast is known for its big city activities. Belfast is popular for being the birthplace of the Titanic and the location of the era of the "Troubles". Bonn is popular for its many museums, cultural venues, and university atmosphere, as well as being the birthplace of Beethoven. It is also home to The Bonn Minster.

How is Belfast different from Bonn?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Belfast or Bonn?

Bonn is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Belfast does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Bonn can be an interesting and educational experience. Some of the most popular museums include Haus der Geschichte (history), Beethoven's House, and Kunstmuseum Bonn (art). For architecture check out the Old Town Hall and Bonn Minster. Other landmarks include Poppelsdorf Palace and Schloss Drachenburg.

Belfast does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Belfast or Bonn? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bonn is a nice place to visit for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Belfast is not a good city for its restaurants.

Bonn offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. Like much of the food in Germany, you'll find local dishes are hearty and filling. Potatoes and meats are popular ingredients, as are milk, butter, and vegetables. For local flavors try the Rhenish Sauerbraten (veal stew), Reibekuchen (German pancakes), or Christmas Sausages.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Belfast. While many restaurants have moved towards more modern cuisines, there are still places that hold tight to the traditions of the area. Traditional dishes include pasties, full Irish breakfasts, and oysters.

Is Belfast or Bonn Better for Nightlife?

Both Belfast and Bonn are good when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Belfast. The city has a number of bars and clubs with local DJs or musicians.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Bonn. There are bars and nightclubs around town but even more popular are the cultural events that the city hosts. If nightlife is important to you, try to visit during one of the festivals around town.

Is Belfast or Bonn Better for its Old Town?

Bonn is a well-known place for its historic old town. However, Belfast does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Bonn to see the historical old town. The old town is filled with cobblestone streets and charming shops. There are also cafes and restaurants where you can grab a bite to eat.

Belfast does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Belfast or Bonn?

Bonn is a well-known place for shopping. Also, Belfast is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Bonn is an extremely popular place for shoppers. A mix of local shops and major chains make shopping fun and easy. Whether you're interested in souvenir gifts or a new outfit, there are countless stores around town.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Belfast. The main shopping areas in the city are Victoria Square Shopping Centre and CastleCourt.

Is Belfast or Bonn Better for Families?

Bonn is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Belfast is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Bonn is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. Just outside of the town is the Haribo factory outlet store where you can pick up a number of sweet treats and spend some time exploring with the kids. Another favorite activity for the whole family is a trip to nearby Phantasialand. This is one of the best amusement parks in Germany and it has many rides for teens and younger kids alike. In town, you'll find playgrounds and kid-friendly museums. Kids will also love a visit to Schloss Drachenburg Castle.

Belfast is a family-friendly city. The city has several great kid-friendly museums, a zoo, and a few indoor or outdoor activity centers where you can let kids play and explore.

Is Belfast or Bonn Better for Couples?

Bonn is a nice place to visit for romance. However, Belfast is not a good city for its romantic activities.

Bonn is a nice destination for couples. Churches, architecture, and botanical gardens all make this a great couples destination. You can take a cruise down the Rhein or enjoy a meal at one of the best restaurants.

Most people don't think of Belfast as a couple's destination. There are gardens and parks to explore, several nice hotels with spas, and an Observatory on the 23rd floor of the Grand Central Hotel.

Is Belfast or Bonn Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bonn is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Belfast is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Bonn. Many backpackers skip this town, so its a good option for travelers who want to get off the beaten backpacker trail. There are affordable hotels and hostels around town as well as restaurants where you can pick up something cheap to eat.

Belfast is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's a reasonably affordable destination with a few hostels to choose from, but most backpackers don't make their way to this city.

Is Belfast or Bonn Better for Students?

Bonn is a well-known place for students. Also, Belfast is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Bonn is a great city to visit as a student. The city has a very international vibe and you'll likely run into people speaking English around town. Job opportunities in the area are good and there are schools that attract students from around the globe.

Plenty of students visit Belfast. The city's affordability has made it a popular option for international students headed to the area.

Is Belfast or Bonn Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bonn is a well-known place for its public transit. However, Belfast is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Bonn. There is a light rail system that includes 9 lines and 64 stations. There are also buses around town. Bonn is connected to the region by convenient commuter trains so it's possible to visit as a day trip.

Public transit is mostly limited in Belfast. There is a bus service in the city.

Is Belfast or Bonn a more walkable city?

Bonn is a well-known place for its walkability. Also, Belfast is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

Bonn is very walkable. The compact old town is easy to explore on foot.

Belfast is a somewhat walkable place.

For even more information, also check out Is Belfast Worth Visiting? and Is Bonn Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bonn or Belfast?

How long in Belfast or Bonn?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bonn than Belfast 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 Bonn.

One day in Belfast or Bonn?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Belfast. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

In Bonn, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Belfast or Bonn?

Belfast is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

Five days in Belfast or Bonn?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the affordable destination of Belfast. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Bonn is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Belfast or Bonn?

The authentic city of Belfast offers nightlife and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bonn. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Bonn. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Budget Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Tours for Seniors to United Kingdom, The Best Tours Under $1000 in Germany, and The Best Luxury Tours to Germany.

When comparing the travel costs between Belfast and Bonn, we can see that Belfast is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Belfast or Bonn?

Bonn has a larger population, and is about 14% larger than the population of Belfast. When comparing the sizes of Belfast and Bonn, 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 Belfast or Bonn?

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 Belfast or Bonn in the Summer?

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

Belfast is cooler than Bonn in the summer. The daily temperature in Belfast averages around 15°C (59°F) in July, and Bonn fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In the summer, Belfast often gets less sunshine than Bonn. Belfast gets 151 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bonn receives 191 hours of full sun.

Belfast usually gets less rain in July than Bonn. Belfast gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Belfast or Bonn in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Belfast is cooler than Bonn. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Belfast in October average around 9°C (48°F), and Bonn averages at about 12°C (53°F).

Belfast usually receives less sunshine than Bonn during autumn. Belfast gets 92 hours of sunny skies, while Bonn receives 109 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Belfast usually receives more rain than Bonn. Belfast gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Belfast or Bonn in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Bonn in the winter. The weather in Belfast can be very cold. In January, Belfast is generally a little warmer than Bonn. Daily temperatures in Belfast average around 4°C (39°F), and Bonn fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Belfast often gets more sunshine than Bonn. Belfast gets 50 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bonn receives 45 hours of full sun.

Belfast usually gets more rain in January than Bonn. Belfast gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Belfast or Bonn in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Belfast and Bonn. The activities around the city are the main draw to Belfast this time of year.

Belfast is cooler than Bonn in the spring. The daily temperature in Belfast averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Bonn fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Belfast usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bonn during spring. Belfast gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Bonn receives 145 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Belfast usually receives around the same amount of rain as Bonn. Belfast gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bonn and Belfast