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

Should you visit Bonn or Nashville?

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

Should I visit Bonn or Nashville? 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 cultural, beautiful, and outdoorsy city. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Nashville

Nashville is a eclectic, southern, and country music lovers city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and live music.

Bonn and Nashville: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Scenic old town
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good for students
  • Good public transit
  • Very walkable
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Good music scene
  • Nice resorts
  • Popular at Christmas
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for shopping
  • Less family-friendly
  • Less popular for students
  • Public transit not as usable
  • Less walkable


Is there more to do in Bonn or Nashville?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Nashville than Bonn, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Nashville is more popular for its nightlife, music, resorts, and big city activities, while Bonn is known for its museums, historical sights, shopping, and quaint atmosphere. Bonn is popular for its many museums, cultural venues, and university atmosphere, as well as being the birthplace of Beethoven. Nashville is popular for its influence in country music and its many live music venues. It is also home to The Grand Ole Opry.

How is Bonn different from Nashville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Bonn
Nashville

Bonn is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Nashville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

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.

Nashville offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. It is famous as the home of the Grand Ole Opry. It's also where you'll find the Country Music Hall of Fame and the unique Johnny Cash Museum.


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

Bonn
Nashville

Both Bonn and Nashville 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 Nashville. The city is known for some southern favorites including southern barbecue, mac and cheese, and biscuits and gravy.

Is Bonn or Nashville Better for Nightlife?

Bonn
Nashville

Nashville 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 Nashville has something for everybody. The city is popular for it's music scene, particularly the country music scene. You can take in one of the free Honky Tonks or head to a rooftop bar. It's also a popular destination for bachelor and bachelorette parties.

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 Nashville Better for Music?

Bonn
Nashville

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

Nashville is known as a music capital around the world. The city is famous for country music, blues, and rock and roll. Popular venues include The Basement, The 5 Spot, and The Cannery Complex.

Bonn is not a live music destination.


Is Bonn or Nashville Better for Resorts?

Bonn
Nashville

Nashville is a popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Bonn is not a resort destination.

Nashville has a handful of resorts to choose from. There are a couple of famous resorts in the area including the Gaylord Opryland Resort, the Hermitage Hotel, and the Omni Nashville Hotel.

Bonn is not a resort destination.

Is Bonn or Nashville Better for its Old Town?

Bonn
Nashville

Bonn is a very popular place for its historic old town. However, Nashville 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.

Nashville does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bonn or Nashville?

Bonn
Nashville

Bonn is a very popular place for shopping. However, Nashville is lacking in good options for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

If you're looking to go shopping, Nashville has some nice offerings. The town has a number of boutique shops as well as major department stores. You'll find all of the major American chains around town.


Is Bonn or Nashville Better for Christmas?

Bonn
Nashville

Nashville is a popular place for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Bonn does not offer Christmas activities.

Plenty of visitors enjoy Christmas activities while in Nashville. Several different venues decorate beautifully for the Christmas season including the Gaylord Opryland.

Bonn does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Bonn or Nashville Better for Families?

Bonn
Nashville

Bonn is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Nashville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Nashville. The city has a handful of kid-friendly activities like a science center and kid-friendly music venues.

Is Bonn or Nashville Better for Couples?

Bonn
Nashville

With fun activities for couples, both Bonn and Nashville 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.

Nashville makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. For music lovers, this is the ultimate couple's destination. There are also a number of romantic activities around town including horse drawn carriage rides through the downtown. To enjoy the beautiful weather, head to Centennial Park or take a hike in Forest Hills.


Is Bonn or Nashville Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bonn
Nashville

For backpackers, both Bonn and Nashville are good 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.

Nashville is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are one or two hostels around town and there's a great live music scene that attracts a young crowd.

Is Bonn or Nashville Better for Students?

Bonn
Nashville

Bonn is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Nashville is lacking in good options for 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.

Nashville is a decent spot for students. Several universities bring in international students, but the city is smaller and it isn't the most popular student destination in America.

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

Bonn
Nashville

Bonn is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Nashville is lacking in good options 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.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Nashville. Public transportation is very limited and you really need a car to explore the city in depth.


Is Bonn or Nashville a more walkable city?

Bonn
Nashville

Bonn is a very popular place for its walkability. However, Nashville is lacking in good options for its high level of walkability.

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

Nashville is not a walkable city. There aren't many parts of the city that are pedestrian-friendly.

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

Should I spend more time in Nashville or Bonn?

How long in Bonn or Nashville?

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

Families should spend more time in Bonn than Nashville. 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 Nashville. 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 Nashville 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 Bonn or Nashville? Ideal Length of Stay
    Bonn 1-3 
    Nashville 2-3

One day in Bonn or Nashville?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Bonn. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bonn has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Visitors enjoy the live music and food when visiting the destination of Nashville. 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 Nashville?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the beautiful destination of Bonn. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Nashville 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.


Five days in Bonn or Nashville?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural city of Bonn. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the country music lovers destination of Nashville. 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 Nashville?

Bonn is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 will give you the chance to have new experiences.

The country music lovers city of Nashville offers nightlife and live music. 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 Cultural Tours in United States of America, and The Best Photography Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Nashville or Bonn?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Bonn is $165, while the average daily cost in Nashville is $172. 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 Bonn and Nashville in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bonn $91
    Nashville $99
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bonn $182
    Nashville $198
Compare Hotels in Bonn and Nashville

Looking for a hotel in Bonn or Nashville? 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 Bonn


Hotels in Nashville


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: Bonn Hotel Prices and Nashville Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bonn $24
    Nashville $21

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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nashville

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

  • Private transfer to Nashville Airport and Hotel: $128
  • Airport to Hotel Private Transfer: $125
  • Nashville Airport: One-Way Private Transfer to Nashville: $111
  • Nashville accomodation to Nashville Airport (BNA) - Departure Private Transfer: $66

Is it cheaper to fly into Bonn or Nashville?

Prices for flights to both Nashville and Bonn 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
    Bonn $52
    Nashville $41

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nashville

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

  • Nashville Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $70
  • Neighborhood Food Tour on E-bikes: $79
  • The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Show - Franklin, TN: $94
  • The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Nashville, TN: $94
  • Nashville Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $99
  • General Jackson Showboat Lunch or Dinner Cruise in Nashville: $113
  • General Jackson Showboat Dinner Cruise: $138

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bonn $37
    Nashville $27

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 ): $121
  • Bonn : Private Walking Tour With A Guide ( Private Tour ): $52
  • 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: $223
  • Bonn Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.58
  • Bonn Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $11
  • Bonn Self Guided City Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $7.31
  • Bonn Walking Tour (In the footsteps of Ludwig Van Beethoven): $323
  • Bonn and Bad Godesberg hop-on hop-off tour in a double-decker bus: $22
  • 1.5-Hour River Cruise on the Rhine: $20

Tours and Activities in Nashville

For Nashville, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Franklin Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour with Live Narration: $39
  • Nashville Ghosts: Hauntings of Music City Tour By Junket: $30
  • 1 Hour Nashville Insider Photoshoot Tour in the Gulch: $79
  • 2 Hour Narrated Sightseeing Tractor Tour of Nashville: $59
  • 2-Hour Guided E-Bicycle Sightseeing Tour of Nashville: $117
  • 90-Minute Monster Truck Joyride City Tour of Nashville: $53
  • Adventureworks Ziplines at Nashville West: $61
  • Amazing Nashville Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $44
  • Beer, Bourbon & BBQ: Nashville Adventure: $189
  • Best of Nashville City Sightseeing Tour on Double Decker Bus: $40
  • Big E’s Bronco Tours - Nashville Music History and Cultural Tour: $45
  • Civil Rights Tour Of Nashville: $156

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bonn $24
    Nashville $15

Sample the Local Flavors in Nashville

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Nashville:

  • Nashville's Annual New Year's Eve Pub Crawl: $25
  • Nashville's Annual Crawl-O-Ween Pub Crawl: $25
  • Nashville's Annual Saint Patrick's Day Pub Crawl: $25
  • Music City Pub Crawl: $25
  • Belle Meade Guided Mansion Tour with Complimentary Wine Tasting: $29
  • Seeking Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
  • Nashville Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
  • Nashville's Honky-Tonk Walking Sightseeing Pub Crawl: $31
  • Drinkers & Thinkers Pub Crawl: $33
  • Nashville's Lost Spirits: Murder and True Crime Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
  • Nashville Lost Spirits: Murder True Crime Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
  • Nashville Drinkers & Thinkers Pub Crawl: $35


When comparing the travel costs between Bonn and Nashville, we can see that Nashville 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. Even though Bonn is in Europe and Nashville is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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


Which is Bigger, Bonn or Nashville?

Nashville has a larger population, and is about 70% larger than the population of Bonn. When comparing the sizes of Bonn and Nashville, 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 Nashville?

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 Bonn or Nashville in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bonn and Nashville. Many visitors come to Bonn in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Nashville for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Bonn is cooler than Nashville in the summer. The daily temperature in Bonn averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Nashville fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nashville this time of the year. Bonn usually receives less sunshine than Nashville during summer. Bonn gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Nashville receives 276 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bonn usually receives less rain than Nashville. Bonn gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Nashville receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Bonn 19°C (66°F) 
    Nashville 81°F (27°C)

Should I visit Bonn or Nashville in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Bonn as well as Nashville. Most visitors come to Bonn for the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Nashville because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In the autumn, Bonn is cooler than Nashville. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bonn in October average around 12°C (53°F), and Nashville averages at about 62°F (17°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nashville. In the autumn, Bonn often gets less sunshine than Nashville. Bonn gets 109 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nashville receives 212 hours of full sun.

Bonn usually gets less rain in October than Nashville. Bonn gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Nashville receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Bonn 12°C (53°F) 
    Nashville 62°F (17°C)

Should I visit Bonn or Nashville in the Winter?

Both Nashville and Bonn are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Bonn because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Nashville this time of year.

It's quite cold in Nashville in the winter. The weather in Bonn can be very cold. In January, Bonn is generally cooler than Nashville. Daily temperatures in Bonn average around 3°C (37°F), and Nashville fluctuates around 38°F (4°C).

Bonn usually receives less sunshine than Nashville during winter. Bonn gets 45 hours of sunny skies, while Nashville receives 134 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Bonn usually receives less rain than Nashville. Bonn gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Nashville receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Bonn 3°C (37°F) 
    Nashville 38°F (4°C)

Should I visit Bonn or Nashville in the Spring?

Both Nashville and Bonn during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Nashville for the activities around the city.

Bonn is much colder than Nashville in the spring. The daily temperature in Bonn averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Nashville fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).

In Nashville, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Bonn often gets less sunshine than Nashville. Bonn gets 145 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nashville receives 234 hours of full sun.

Nashville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Bonn usually gets less rain in April than Nashville. Bonn gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Nashville receives 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Bonn 10°C (50°F) 
    Nashville 62°F (16°C)

Typical Weather for Nashville and Bonn

Bonn Nashville
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (37°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 38°F (4°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)
Feb 4°C (39°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 42°F (6°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm)
Mar 7°C (44°F) 47 mm (1.8 in) 52°F (11°C) 4.8 inches (123 mm)
Apr 10°C (50°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 62°F (16°C) 4.3 inches (110 mm)
May 14°C (58°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 70°F (21°C) 4.8 inches (123 mm)
Jun 17°C (63°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 78°F (25°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)
Jul 19°C (66°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 81°F (27°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Aug 19°C (66°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 80°F (27°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Sep 16°C (61°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 74°F (23°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)
Oct 12°C (53°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 62°F (17°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm)
Nov 7°C (44°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 52°F (11°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm)
Dec 4°C (39°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 43°F (6°C) 4.6 inches (117 mm)