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

Should you visit Bonn or Galway?

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

Should I visit Bonn or Galway? 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 lively, cultural, and beautiful city. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Galway

Galway is a vibrant, lively, and friendly city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Bonn and Galway: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bonn or Galway?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Galway than Bonn. While Bonn is larger than Galway, Galway has more sights and attractions for tourists. Galway is more popular for its nightlife and big city activities, while Bonn is known for its museums, historical sights, shopping, and quaint atmosphere. Bonn is more touristy than Galway and is popular for its many museums, cultural venues, and university atmosphere, as well as being the birthplace of Beethoven. Galway is popular for its many festivals, its traditional pubs, and its live Irish folk music. It is also home to The Galway Market.

How is Bonn different from Galway?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Bonn is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

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.

Galway offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Popular landmarks and sights in town include Eyre Square, St. Nicholas' Church, the Galway Cathedral, and the Galway City Museum.

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

Both Bonn and Galway offer good local cuisine and restaurants.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around 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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Galway. There are local pubs and traditional restaurants offering authentic Irish dishes. Popular options include Irish Stew, Cockles and Mussels, and Galway Oysters.

Is Bonn or Galway Better for Nightlife?

Galway 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 Galway has something for everybody. The nightlife scene is among the best in Ireland. The city embraces the friendly Irish hospitality and there are laid back pubs and bars around town as well as a few trendy nightclubs.

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 Bonn or Galway Better for its Old Town?

Bonn is notable for its historic old town. However, Galway 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.

Galway does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bonn or Galway?

Bonn is notable for shopping. Also, Galway 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 Galway. You'll find shopping both in the city center as well as at suburban shopping malls. For some of the best shopping head to The Latin Quarter, The Westend or the outdoor market which is found in Church lane by St Nicholas' Church.

Is Bonn or Galway Better for Families?

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

Galway is a family-friendly city. Kids will enjoy the National Aquarium Galway or simply wandering around the Latin Quarter. About 15 minutes outside of the city is the Wildlands Adventure Park which has ziplines, ropes courses, and other adrenaline filled activities. Brigit's Garden is another fun place to let kids stretch their legs.

Is Bonn or Galway Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Bonn and Galway make for a good 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.

Galway makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are nice restaurants, beautiful walks, and a few parks to explore. There are also several romantic places just outside of town that make for a great day trip.

Is Bonn or Galway Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Galway is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Bonn is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Galway is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are plenty of hostels in the area and it's easy to meet other 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.

Is Bonn or Galway Better for Students?

Bonn is notable for students. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

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.

Plenty of students visit Galway. The city has a solid student population with a number of activities and entertainment options.

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

Bonn is notable for its public transit. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Galway has some public transit options. There are two bus companies in Galway, Bus Eireann and City Direct.

Is Bonn or Galway a more walkable city?

Bonn and Galway are excellent when it comes to walkability.

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

Galway is a very walkable city. If you stay in central Galway, the area is generally compact and walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Galway or Bonn?

How long in Bonn or Galway?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bonn and Galway. In our opinion, Bonn has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Bonn than Galway. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bonn, and 2-3 days is enough time in Galway.

Families should spend more time in Bonn than Galway. 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 Galway. 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.

One day in Bonn or Galway?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Bonn. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Galway. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Bonn or Galway?

Bonn is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Galway 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 Galway?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bonn. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the vibrant destination of Galway. 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 Galway?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the lively destination of Bonn. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

The historical city of Galway offers nightlife and food. 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 Budget Tours to Ireland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Ireland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bonn and Galway, we can see that Bonn is more expensive. And not only is Galway much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Galway would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Galway 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 Galway.

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

Which is Bigger, Bonn or Galway?

Bonn has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Galway. When comparing the sizes of Bonn and Galway, 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 Galway?

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 Galway in the Summer?

Both Galway and Bonn during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Bonn in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Galway for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Bonn is a little warmer than Galway in the summer. The daily temperature in Bonn averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Galway fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In the summer, Bonn often gets more sunshine than Galway. Bonn gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Galway receives 142 hours of full sun.

Bonn usually gets more rain in July than Galway. Bonn gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Galway receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bonn or Galway in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bonn and Galway. Most visitors come to Bonn for the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Galway because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

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

Bonn usually receives more sunshine than Galway during autumn. Bonn gets 109 hours of sunny skies, while Galway receives 96 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Galway receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Bonn usually receives less rain than Galway. Bonn gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Galway receives 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bonn or Galway in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Bonn as well as Galway. The winter months attract visitors to Bonn because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Galway this time of year.

The weather in Bonn can be very cold. In January, Bonn is generally much colder than Galway. Daily temperatures in Bonn average around 3°C (37°F), and Galway fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In the winter, Bonn often gets less sunshine than Galway. Bonn gets 45 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Galway receives 59 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Galway. Bonn usually gets less rain in January than Galway. Bonn gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Galway receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bonn or Galway in the Spring?

Both Galway and Bonn are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Galway for the activities around the city.

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

Bonn usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Galway during spring. Bonn gets 145 hours of sunny skies, while Galway receives 153 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bonn usually receives less rain than Galway. Bonn gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Galway receives 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Galway and Bonn