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

Should you visit Bonn or Calgary?

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

Should I visit Bonn or Calgary? 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. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Bonn travel costs.

Calgary

Calgary is a western, local, and authentic city. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, shopping, and museums. See Calgary travel costs.

Bonn and Calgary: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bonn or Calgary?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Bonn than Calgary. While Calgary is larger than Bonn, Bonn has more sights and attractions for tourists. Calgary is more touristy than Bonn and is popular for its farming and oil industries as well as the Calgary Stampede. Bonn is famous for its many museums, cultural venues, and university atmosphere, as well as being the birthplace of Beethoven. It is also well known for The Bonn Minster.

How is Bonn different from Calgary?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Calgary 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 Calgary?

Bonn is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Calgary is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Bonn. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Calgary. It's worth visiting the Calgary Zoo, Fort Calgary, the Hangar Flight Museum, and Heritage Park, among others.

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

Bonn is a city with good options for its restaurant scene. However, Calgary is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

Calgary may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The food scene is constantly evolving and you'll find plenty of casual restaurants. The city is known for its beef, so you should definitely sample a local steak.

Is Bonn or Calgary Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Calgary. Visitors often head to Stephen Avenue Walk for its bars and pubs. There's also a decent theater scene around town.

Is Bonn or Calgary Better for its Old Town?

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

Bonn is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. 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.

Calgary does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bonn or Calgary?

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

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.

Calgary has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are plenty of independent shops around town as well as some great shopping neighborhoods. Make sure you check out Fourth Street and 17th Avenue. There are also large shopping malls.

Is Bonn or Calgary Better for Families?

Bonn is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Calgary is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Bonn is an extremely popular city to visit for families. 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.

Calgary offers lots of family activities. There are a surprising number of things around town to do with kids such as petting zoos, museums, and even amusement parks. The Calgary Zoo is worth a visit, but also make sure you check out Calaway Park Amusement Park and the Telus Spark science center.

Is Bonn or Calgary Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Bonn and Calgary make for a nice place to visit.

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.

Calgary makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. You'll find outdoor sports, boat tours, and plenty of great restaurants around town. If you're looking for a low key destination with a great vibe, then this is a great city for a weekend trip.

Is Bonn or Calgary Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Bonn and Calgary are nice places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers 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.

Calgary is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. A surprising number of backpackers end up passing through town, so you'll find a handful of hostels to choose from.

Is Bonn or Calgary Better for Students?

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

Students come from all over to stay in Bonn. 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.

Calgary is not popular with students.

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

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

Public transit in Bonn can get you to some places easily. 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 Calgary offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The public transportation system is relatively efficient with both light rail and buses.

Is Bonn or Calgary a more walkable city?

Bonn is well known for its high level of walkability. However, Calgary is not particularly known for its ease of walking around.

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

Calgary is generally not a very walkable city. While there are a couple of walkable neighborhood's around town, it's definitely not the most walkable city.

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

Should I spend more time in Calgary or Bonn?

How long in Bonn or Calgary?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Bonn or Calgary to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Bonn than Calgary 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 Calgary.

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

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

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.

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

A weekend in Bonn or Calgary?

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.

Calgary 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.

Five days in Bonn or Calgary?

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.

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

A week in Bonn or Calgary?

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.

The local city of Calgary offers museums and nightlife. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Canada, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Canada.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Bonn or Calgary?

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