A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Birmingham vs. Bonn for Families, Attractions, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Birmingham or Bonn?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Birmingham and Bonn can help you decide which place is right for you.

Birmingham

Birmingham is a fun-filled, bustling, and historic city. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and theater.

Bonn

Bonn is a outdoorsy, lively, and cultural city. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Birmingham and Bonn: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Numerous theater shows
  • Active nightlife
  • Good music scene
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Scenic old town
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers


Is there more to do in Birmingham or Bonn?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Birmingham than Bonn, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Birmingham is more popular for its theatre productions, nightlife, and music, while Bonn is known for its historical sights. Birmingham is popular for its strong musical routes and its very livable atmosphere. It is also home to Victoria Square. Bonn is popular for its many museums, cultural venues, and university atmosphere, as well as being the birthplace of Beethoven.

How is Birmingham different from Bonn?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Birmingham
Bonn

Spend time exploring the great sights and museums in either Birmingham or Bonn.

Many visitors head to Birmingham specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Famous sights include the Museum & Art Gallery, Thinktank, and St. Philip's Cathedral.

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.


Is Birmingham or Bonn Better for Theater?

Birmingham
Bonn

Birmingham is a great city for theatre. However, Bonn is not a theatre destination.

While in town, many visitors enjoy seeing a show in Birmingham. The impressive theater scene includes Broadway shows and musicals. Birmingham Hippodrome is a major theater in town.

Bonn is not a theatre destination.

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

Birmingham
Bonn

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Birmingham and Bonn can be difficult as they are each good in their own way.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Birmingham. Food reviews are mixed around town. The city has its share of award-winning restaurants, but there are also popular dishes that are more of an acquired taste. Local flavors include pork scratching, Birmingham soup, and brummie bacon cakes.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Bonn. 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.

Is Birmingham or Bonn Better for Nightlife?

Birmingham
Bonn

Birmingham is a great city for nightlife. Also, Bonn is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Birmingham has something for everybody. With tons of students and young people looking to party, there is plenty to do in the evening. You'll find no shortage of pubs, clubs, and music venues around town.

There's a variety of activities in the evening 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 Birmingham or Bonn Better for Music?

Birmingham
Bonn

Birmingham is very popular for live music. However, Bonn is not a live music destination.

Birmingham is known as a music capital around the world. The city has long been a haven for musical creativity, and its influence over the global music scene is apparent. Popular music venues around town include Ghetto Golf, Digbeth Dining Club, and the Sunflower Lounge.

Bonn is not a live music destination.

Is Birmingham or Bonn Better for its Old Town?

Birmingham
Bonn

Bonn is great for its historic old town. However, Birmingham does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Bonn. 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.

Birmingham does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Birmingham or Bonn?

Birmingham
Bonn

If you're looking to go shopping, Birmingham and Bonn both offer plenty of great spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Birmingham. The city offers everything from large department stores to smaller local shops. There are several good shopping streets around town as well as large markets and even a jewelry quarter.

Bonn is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.


Is Birmingham or Bonn Better for Families?

Birmingham
Bonn

Bonn is an amazing city to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Birmingham is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Bonn is one of the most popular family destinations. 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.

Birmingham is a very kid-friendly city. The city has put effort into making sure there are plenty of family-friendly activities around. You can visit a chocolate factory, explore an aquarium, enjoy an animal safari, or explore one of the hands-on museums.

Is Birmingham or Bonn Better for Couples?

Birmingham
Bonn

Birmingham is a great city for romance. Also, Bonn is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

Birmingham is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Romantic activities around town include taking a beautiful stroll through town, wandering around a park or garden, or seeing the ballet.

Bonn makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Is Birmingham or Bonn Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Birmingham
Bonn

Bonn is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Birmingham is not a good destination for backpackers.

Bonn is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Birmingham is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not the most popular destination for backpackers, but there's at least one affordable hostel in town.


Is Birmingham or Bonn Better for Students?

Birmingham
Bonn

Birmingham is very popular for its student-friendly activities. Also, Bonn is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Many students frequent Birmingham. With world class academic institutions and a very diverse and international population, this is a popular place for international students to study.

Bonn is very popular with students. 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.

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

Birmingham
Bonn

Bonn is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Birmingham is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Visitors to Bonn can move around easily with public transportation. 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.

Birmingham has a few public transit options. There is a reasonably comprehensive bus system.

Is Birmingham or Bonn a more walkable city?

Birmingham
Bonn

Birmingham and Bonn are great when it comes to walkability.

Birmingham is very walkable. Many parts of the city are very walkable.

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


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

Should I spend more time in Bonn or Birmingham?

How long in Birmingham or Bonn?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Birmingham and Bonn. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Birmingham than in Bonn. Usually, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Birmingham, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bonn.

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

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


  • How many days in Birmingham or Bonn? Ideal Length of Stay
    Birmingham 1-5 
    Bonn 1-3

One day in Birmingham or Bonn?

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

With museums and nightlife around the cultural city of Bonn, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bonn, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Birmingham or Bonn?

Birmingham is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the live music. 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.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Bonn, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Birmingham or Bonn?

Visitors enjoy the live music and food when visiting the vibrant destination of Birmingham. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Bonn, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.


A week in Birmingham or Bonn?

The historic city of Birmingham offers food 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.

Bonn is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in United Kingdom, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United Kingdom, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.


Which place is cheaper, Bonn or Birmingham?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Birmingham is £133, while the average daily cost in Bonn is £132. 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 Birmingham and Bonn in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Birmingham £66
    Bonn £73
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Birmingham £132
    Bonn £146
Compare Hotels in Birmingham and Bonn

Looking for a hotel in Birmingham or Bonn? 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 Birmingham


Hotels in Bonn


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: Birmingham Hotel Prices and Bonn Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Birmingham £25
    Bonn £19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Birmingham

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

  • Birmingham to Heathrow Airport private taxi transfers: $280
  • Private Transfer from Birmingham to Manchester Airport (MAN): $199
  • Birmingham Private Transfer from Birmingham Airport to City centre: $114
  • Birmingham Private Transfer from Birmingham city centre to Birmingham Airport: $114
  • Birmingham Airport (BHX): Private Transfer to Birmingham: $111
  • Birmingham Airport Transfers: Airport BHX to Birmingham City in Luxury Car: $101
  • Arrival Private Transfers from Airport BHX to Birmingham in Luxury Van: $76
  • Birmingham Airport Transfers: Birmingham City to Airport BHX in Business Car: $64
  • Private Birmingham Arrival Transfer - Airport to Hotel / Accommodation: $57
  • Private Transfer from Birmingham Airport to Birmingham City: $36
  • Manchester Airport: BUS Transfer to/from Birmingham: $8.12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bonn

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

  • Bonn hotels Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) - Departure Private Transfer: $55

Is it cheaper to fly into Birmingham or Bonn?

Prices for flights to both Bonn and Birmingham 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
    Birmingham £38
    Bonn £42
Typical Food Prices in Birmingham

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Birmingham:


  • Two Subs at Birmingham Bus Station
    £5.58

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Birmingham

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

  • Birmingham Slogging Gangs Walking and Food Tour: $70

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Birmingham £48
    Bonn £29

Tours and Activities in Birmingham

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Birmingham.

  • 2.5-Hours Walking Tour of Birmingham into Black Heritage Madiba: $18
  • Best of Birmingham 12km Running Tour: $76
  • Birmingham : Must-see Attractions Private Walking Tour: $75
  • Birmingham : Private Custom Walking Tour With a Local Guide: $86
  • Birmingham Beer Bike - Private 1h tour with unlimited drinks: $625
  • Birmingham City Centre Daily Walking Tour (10:30am & 5pm): $15
  • Birmingham Gangs Nighttime Historical Walking Tour with Pub Stops: $32
  • Birmingham Private Ghosts and Gallows Tour: $144
  • Birmingham Private Guided Walking Tour: $267
  • Birmingham Private Self-Guided Walking Tour: $11
  • Birmingham Private Walking Tour with a Professional Guide: $235
  • Birmingham Slogging Gangs Walking Tour with Edward Shelby: $25

Tours and Activities in Bonn

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Bonn.

  • Autumn tours with a live guide: $20
  • Bonn : Private Walking Tour With A Guide ( Private Tour ): $120
  • Bonn : Private Walking Tour With A Guide ( Private Tour ): $51
  • Bonn Crime-Experience: self-guided crime tour: $42
  • Bonn Musikerviertel Crime Experience: self-guided crime tour: $42
  • Bonn Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $222
  • Bonn Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
  • Bonn Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $11
  • Bonn Self Guided City Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $11
  • Bonn Walking Tour (In the footsteps of Ludwig Van Beethoven): $321
  • Bonn and Bad Godesberg hop-on hop-off tour in a double-decker bus: $22
  • 1.5-Hour River Cruise on the Rhine: $20

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Birmingham £11
    Bonn £20

Sample the Local Flavors in Birmingham

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Birmingham:

  • Birmingham Bar Maid-led Pub Crawl for Special Events: $47


When comparing the travel costs between Birmingham and Bonn, we can see that Birmingham 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 Birmingham Expensive? and Is Bonn Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Birmingham or Bonn?

Birmingham has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Bonn. When comparing the sizes of Birmingham 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 Birmingham or Bonn?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Birmingham or Bonn in the Summer?

Both Bonn and Birmingham are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Birmingham for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Bonn because of the family-friendly experiences.

Birmingham is around the same temperature as Bonn in the summer. The daily temperature in Birmingham averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Bonn fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

Birmingham usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bonn during summer. Birmingham gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Bonn receives 191 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Birmingham usually receives less rain than Bonn. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Birmingham 17°C (63°F) 
    Bonn 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Birmingham or Bonn in the Autumn?

Both Bonn and Birmingham during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Birmingham because of the shopping scene and the music scene. Furthermore, the shopping scene are the main draw to Bonn this time of year.

In the autumn, Birmingham is around the same temperature as Bonn. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Birmingham in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Bonn averages at about 12°C (53°F).

In the autumn, Birmingham often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bonn. Birmingham gets 103 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bonn receives 109 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets more rain in October than Bonn. Birmingham gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Birmingham 11°C (52°F) 
    Bonn 12°C (53°F)

Should I visit Birmingham or Bonn in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Birmingham and Bonn. The museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Birmingham this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Bonn for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Bonn. It's quite cold in Birmingham in the winter. In January, Birmingham is generally a little warmer than Bonn. Daily temperatures in Birmingham average around 3°C (38°F), and Bonn fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Birmingham usually receives more sunshine than Bonn during winter. Birmingham gets 58 hours of sunny skies, while Bonn receives 45 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Birmingham usually receives more rain than Bonn. Birmingham gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Birmingham 3°C (38°F) 
    Bonn 3°C (37°F)

Should I visit Birmingham or Bonn in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Birmingham as well as Bonn.

Birmingham is cooler than Bonn in the spring. The daily temperature in Birmingham averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Bonn fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Birmingham often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bonn. Birmingham gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bonn receives 145 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Bonn. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Birmingham 9°C (48°F) 
    Bonn 10°C (50°F)

Typical Weather for Bonn and Birmingham

Birmingham Bonn
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (38°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 3°C (37°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Feb 4°C (40°F) 51 mm (2 in) 4°C (39°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
Mar 6°C (42°F) 51 mm (2 in) 7°C (44°F) 47 mm (1.8 in)
Apr 9°C (48°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 10°C (50°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
May 12°C (53°F) 52 mm (2.1 in) 14°C (58°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 17°C (63°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Jul 17°C (63°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 19°C (66°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Aug 17°C (62°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 19°C (66°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Sep 14°C (58°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 16°C (61°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Oct 11°C (52°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 12°C (53°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Nov 7°C (45°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 7°C (44°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Dec 5°C (40°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 4°C (39°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)