A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bonn vs. Arles for Attractions, Old Town, Families, and Food

Should you visit Bonn or Arles?

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

Should I visit Bonn or Arles? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Bonn

Bonn is a beautiful, outdoorsy, and lively city. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Arles

Arles is a quaint, historic, and charming town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Bonn and Arles: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bonn or Arles?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Arles than Bonn. While Bonn is larger than Arles, Arles has more sights and attractions for tourists. Arles is better known for its museums, food, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Bonn is more popular for its shopping and quaint atmosphere. Bonn is well known for its many museums, cultural venues, and university atmosphere, as well as being the birthplace of Beethoven. Arles is well known for its Roman history and its influence over Vincent van Gogh. Also, Arles is famous for L'Amphithéâtre Romain.

How is Bonn different from Arles?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Arles is very popular for its historical sights. Also, Bonn is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Travelers visit Arles from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. It's a small town but it's filled with Roman ruins and remarkable landmarks. Popular sights include L'Amphithéâtre Romain, Les Alyscamps, Cloître Saint-Trophime, and Théâtre Antique.

Many visitors head to Bonn specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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 the Food Better in Bonn or Arles? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Arles is a great town for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Bonn is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Arles. The cuisine is heavily influenced by the region's local agriculture. Popular dishes include agriade (beef stew), tellines soup, and fougasse (a local bread).

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 Bonn or Arles Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find notable options in both Bonn and Arles.

If you're looking for night time activities Bonn has a few options to choose from. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Arles. There are countless bars and pubs where you can enjoy a cold drink and a relaxing night out.

Is Bonn or Arles Better for its Old Town?

Arles is very popular for its historic old town. Also, Bonn is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its old town.

Arles has a world-famous historical area. The large old town is filled with Roman ruins and historic sights. There are narrow streets and many interesting places to explore.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Bonn or Arles?

Bonn is well known for its shopping areas. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Bonn. 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Arles. There are many boutiques that are filled with local art, crafts, and merchandise.

Is Bonn or Arles Better for Families?

Bonn is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. However, Arles is not particularly known for its kid-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.

For families, Arles is not always the best place to visit. Filled with Roman ruins and beautiful art, this is a great town, but can make for a long day for younger kids.

Is Bonn or Arles Better for Couples?

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

Arles is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Couples who enjoy history, roman ruins, and beautiful art will appreciate a weekend getaway to this town.

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 Bonn or Arles Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bonn is very good for backpackers. However, Arles is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Arles is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels and apartments in the area.

Is Bonn or Arles Better for Students?

Bonn is well known for students. However, Arles is not popular with students.

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.

Arles is not popular with students.

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

Bonn is well known for its public transit. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors use the public transit system 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.

While Arles offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are shuttle buses that run between the city center and the train station, which is less than a kilometer out of town.

Is Bonn or Arles a more walkable city?

Bonn and Arles are great when it comes to walkability.

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

Arles is a very walkable city. It's a historic walled city that is very walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Arles or Bonn?

How long in Bonn or Arles?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Bonn or Arles to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Bonn than Arles because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bonn, and 1-2 days is enough time in Arles.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bonn than Arles 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 Bonn or Arles?

In Bonn, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this outdoorsy destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Arles. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Bonn or Arles?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bonn. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Arles is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the museums. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

Five days in Bonn or Arles?

Bonn is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Bonn. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the quaint destination of Arles. This town offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bonn or Arles?

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful destination of Bonn. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

The compact town of Arles offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

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

Which is Bigger, Bonn or Arles?

Bonn has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Arles. When comparing the sizes of Bonn and Arles, 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 Bonn or Arles?

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 Bonn or Arles in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bonn as well as Arles. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bonn this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Arles for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Bonn is generally cooler than Arles. Daily temperatures in Bonn average around 19°C (66°F), and Arles fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Arles. In the summer, Bonn often gets less sunshine than Arles. Bonn gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 354 hours of full sun.

Bonn usually gets more rain in July than Arles. Bonn gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Arles receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bonn or Arles in the Autumn?

Both Arles and Bonn are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Bonn for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Arles in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Bonn is cooler than Arles in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bonn averages around 12°C (53°F) in October, and Arles fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Bonn usually receives less sunshine than Arles during autumn. Bonn gets 109 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 178 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Arles. In October, Bonn usually receives less rain than Arles. Bonn gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Arles receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bonn or Arles in the Winter?

Both Arles and Bonn during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Bonn in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Arles for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Bonn can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Bonn is much colder than Arles. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bonn in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Arles averages at about 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Bonn often gets less sunshine than Arles. Bonn gets 45 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 146 hours of full sun.

Bonn usually gets less rain in January than Arles. Bonn gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Arles receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bonn or Arles in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bonn and Arles. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Arles because of the natural beauty.

In April, Bonn is generally cooler than Arles. Daily temperatures in Bonn average around 10°C (50°F), and Arles fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Arles this time of the year. Bonn usually receives less sunshine than Arles during spring. Bonn gets 145 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 218 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bonn usually receives less rain than Arles. Bonn gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Arles receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Arles and Bonn