Which place is cheaper, Plzen or Bonn?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Bonn or Plzen?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Bonn or Plzen? 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.
Where Should I go: Bonn or Plzen?
Bonn
Bonn was the capital of the Federal Republic of Germany (previously, West Germany) and it has a population of about 315,000 people. It sits on the Rhine River just twenty kilometers away from Cologne. Many people travel to Bonn for conferences and business, but Bonn also has a lot of cultural and historical sights to offer visitors. The city is also famous as the birth place of Ludwig van Beethoven. There's a strong student culture in the city as well, and it actually shares many characteristics with Italian cities because of its many cafes and restaurants which line the streets. Outdoor beer gardens are popular and Bonn is a particular good summer destination when the weather is pleasant and you can enjoy the outdoor setting. The city's location also makes it a great base for day trips to Cologne, Dusseldorf, and the Rhine and Eifel regions.
Plzen
Renowned as the home of the pilsner beer, Plzen is a city located in the West Bohemia region of the Czech Republic. Beyond beer, it also features a number of impressive landmarks some of which include St. Bartholomew's Cathedral and the Great Synagogue.
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 Sightseeing Tours in Czech Republic, and The Best Cultural Tours in Czech Republic.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBonn €154Plzen €95
The average daily cost (per person) in Bonn is €154, while the average daily cost in Plzen is €95. 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 Plzen in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBonn €85Plzen €57
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBonn €170Plzen €114
Compare Hotels in Bonn and Plzen
Looking for a hotel in Bonn or Plzen? 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.
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 Plzen Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bonn €23Plzen €7.75
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 Plzen
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Plzen:
- Private Transfer from Pilsen(Plzen) to Prague: $271
- Private Transfer from Pilsen to Prague with 2 hours for sightseeing: $116
- Private Transfer from Pilsen to Prague: $87
Is it cheaper to fly into Bonn or Plzen?
Prices for flights to both Plzen 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
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Food Meals for one dayBonn €49Plzen €29
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bonn €34Plzen €20
Tours and Activities in Bonn
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Bonn.
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Free Walking Tour Bonn - City Center: $3.21
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $4.28
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.41
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.42
- Bonn Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
- Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $8.02
- Bonn Self Guided City Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $11
- Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour: $11
- Bonn Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $11
- Autumn tours with a live guide: $20
- 1.5-Hour River Cruise on the Rhine: $20
Tours and Activities in Plzen
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Plzen are as follows:
- Experience Best Prague Tandem Skydiving : $250
- Pilsen Historic Underground Tour with a Glass of Beer: $8.74
- Pilsen Private Walking Tour: $201
- Pilsen: Historic Underground Tour with a Glass of Beer: $8.56
- Pilsen: Old Town Gastronomy Tour: $32
- Private Tour to Pilsner Urquell from Prague: $272
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBonn €23Plzen €22
Sample the Local Flavors in Plzen
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Plzen:
- Brewery Museum Entrance including a Glass of Beer: $6.55
- Pilsen: Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting: $17
- Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting: $17
- Pilsen Highlights Small-Group Tour and Pilsner Brewery Tour including Lunch and Beer Tasting: $108
- Pilsner brewery tour incl beer tasting & Czech town Pilsen: $140
- Day trip to Pilsner Urquell brewery and Bohemian glassworks: $207
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bonn and Plzen, we can see that Bonn is more expensive. And not only is Plzen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Plzen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Plzen 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 Plzen.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bonn Expensive? and Is Plzen Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bonn or Plzen?
Bonn has a larger population, and is about 91% larger than the population of Plzen. When comparing the sizes of Bonn and Plzen, 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 Plzen?
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 Plzen in the Summer?
Both Plzen and Bonn during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Bonn in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.
Bonn is around the same temperature as Plzen in the summer. The daily temperature in Bonn averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Plzen fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).
In Plzen, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Bonn often gets less sunshine than Plzen. Bonn gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Plzen receives 212 hours of full sun.
Bonn usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Plzen. Bonn gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Plzen receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBonn 19°C (66°F)Plzen 20°C (67°F)
Should I visit Bonn or Plzen in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bonn and Plzen. Most visitors come to Bonn for the shopping scene during these months.
In the autumn, Bonn is around the same temperature as Plzen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bonn in October average around 12°C (53°F), and Plzen averages at about 11°C (51°F).
Bonn usually receives less sunshine than Plzen during autumn. Bonn gets 109 hours of sunny skies, while Plzen receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Bonn usually receives more rain than Plzen. Bonn gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Plzen receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBonn 12°C (53°F)Plzen 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Bonn or Plzen in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Bonn as well as Plzen. The winter months attract visitors to Bonn because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Plzen in the winter. The weather in Bonn can be very cold. In January, Bonn is generally much warmer than Plzen. Daily temperatures in Bonn average around 3°C (37°F), and Plzen fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).
In the winter, Bonn often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Plzen. Bonn gets 45 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Plzen receives 45 hours of full sun.
Bonn usually gets more rain in January than Plzen. Bonn gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Plzen receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBonn 3°C (37°F)Plzen -1°C (31°F)
Should I visit Bonn or Plzen in the Spring?
Both Plzen and Bonn are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
Bonn is around the same temperature as Plzen in the spring. The daily temperature in Bonn averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Plzen fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Bonn usually receives less sunshine than Plzen during spring. Bonn gets 145 hours of sunny skies, while Plzen receives 164 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Bonn usually receives more rain than Plzen. Bonn gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Plzen receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBonn 10°C (50°F)Plzen 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Plzen and Bonn
| Bonn | Plzen | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | -1°C (31°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (39°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Mar | 7°C (44°F) | 47 mm (1.8 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (50°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 14°C (58°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (63°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (66°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (61°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (44°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (39°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.