Which place is cheaper, Seattle or Bonn?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Should I visit Bonn or Seattle? 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 is a lively, cultural, and beautiful city. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping. See Bonn travel costs.
Seattle is a cultural, outdoorsy, and laid-back city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Seattle is a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include theater, nightlife, and live music. See Seattle travel costs.
You'll generally find more things to do in Seattle than Bonn. Seattle is bigger than Bonn, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Seattle is better known for its theatre productions, food, nightlife, music, beaches, hiking, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Bonn is more popular for its historical sights, shopping, and quaint atmosphere. Seattle is more touristy than Bonn and is popular for its beautiful waterfront setting, diverse culinary scene, thriving art and cultural venues, and being the home of many international tech companies. Also, Seattle is famous for The Space Needle. Bonn is well known for its many museums, cultural venues, and university atmosphere, as well as being the birthplace of Beethoven.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Seattle and Bonn. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Spend time exploring the very good sights and museums in either Bonn or Seattle.
Bonn offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.
Many visitors head to Seattle specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city's most iconic landmark is the Space Needle. There's also a zoo, aquarium, and a handful of nice museums. Several favorites include the Chihuly Garden and Glass, the Museum of History & Industry, and the Seattle Art Museum.
Seattle is a popular place for theatre. However, Bonn is not a theatre destination.
If you have some extra time in Seattle, take in a show. There are a handful of theaters where you can enjoy traveling Broadway shows or smaller productions.
Bonn is not a theatre destination.
Seattle is a great city 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 Seattle. The city has many diverse dining options that make it a popular foodie destination. The seafood is world-class with many restaurants offering fresh caught salmon and oysters. There are also many great Asian restaurants with Pho, sushi, and dim sum all being popular around town. Seattle is also famous as the birthplace of Starbucks coffee, and both chain and independent coffee shops are common. Finally, make sure you check out the donuts at Pike's Place Market.
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.
Seattle 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 Seattle has something for everybody. The city is known for its breweries and eclectic nightlife scene. There is a thriving theater scene as well as many bars and trendy restaurants. The best neighborhoods for nightlife include Capitol Hill, Belltown, and Downtown.
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.
Seattle is a great city for live music. However, Bonn is not a live music destination.
Seattle has a thriving music scene. The city has developed its own music culture around several genres including alternative rock and grunge.
Bonn is not a live music destination.
Seattle is a popular place for its beaches. However, Bonn is not a beach destination.
Seattle is a good option for a beach vacation. The city is surrounded by water so there are a number of rocky and sandy beaches nearby. Some beaches are more popular with locals while others attract a large amount of tourists. Alki Beach Park, Discovery Park, and Golden Gardens Park are among the best.
Bonn is not a beach destination.
Bonn is notable for its historic old town charm. However, Seattle does not have a historic old town.
Many visitors go to Bonn to see the historical old town. 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.
Seattle does not have a historic old town.
Seattle is a great city for hiking. However, Bonn is not a hiking destination.
Many visitors go to Seattle for the hiking trails. It's famously an outdoorsy city and the hiking will not disappoint. Within a half hour drive of town you'll find beautiful forests and stunning natural beauty. Head into the Cascades, to the coastal rainforests, or around Mount Rainier for all kinds of diverse landscapes. Seattle is well situated for you to experience hiking through the diverse Pacific Northwest landscapes.
Bonn is not a hiking destination.
Bonn is notable for its shopping areas. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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 Seattle. Shopping in town has an eclectic mix of high end brands, local vendors, and vintage shops. There are farmers markets as well as the famous Pike Place Market, but also major malls with all of the standard department stores.
Seattle is a popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Bonn is not a destination known for its beauty.
Seattle is a gorgeous place to visit. Set against the backdrop of Mt. Rainier, the city has both natural and architectural beauty. It's also beautifully situated on the water with lots of parks and vegetation throughout.
Bonn is not a destination known for its beauty.
Bonn is renowned for its family-friendly activities. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.
Bonn is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. 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.
Seattle is a family-friendly city. This is an outdoor city with plenty of places where kids can run around and experience nature. There are several good museums as well as outdoor activities, parks, and a zoo. Make sure you check out the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Volunteer Park, and Artists at Play Playground.
With fun activities for couples, both Bonn and Seattle make for a notable 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.
Seattle makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city has a laid back vibe, a nice downtown area, and plenty of outdoor activities. There are a diversity of restaurants to enjoy and a great nightlife scene that makes for a good couple's getaway.
For backpackers, both Bonn and Seattle are notable 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.
Seattle is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Although it's not the most popular city for backpackers in America, the city's chill vibe, fun breweries, and lively setting make it a great spot for young backpackers.
For students, both Bonn and Seattle are very good places to visit.
Bonn is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. 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.
Seattle is very popular with students. It is a major IT center with a large university, so international students will have plenty of opportunities here. It's also a vibrant city with many outdoor recreational opportunities and a fun nightlife scene.
Bonn is notable for its public transit. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.
Bonn offers a very effecient public transportation network. 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.
Seattle has some public transit options. There is a light rail system, a monorail, a street car, and buses.
Bonn and Seattle are very good when it comes to walkability.
Bonn is very walkable. The compact old town is easy to explore on foot.
Seattle is a very walkable city. Many neighborhoods are very walkable, particularly in the downtown and major tourist areas.
For even more information, also check out Is Bonn Worth Visiting? and Is Seattle Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bonn and Seattle. In our opinion, Seattle has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Seattle than Bonn. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bonn, and 2-3 days is enough time in Seattle.
Families should spend more time in Bonn than Seattle. 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 Seattle than Bonn. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Seattle that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Seattle than Bonn 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 Seattle.
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.
Seattle is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.
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.
Seattle is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.
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 live music and food around the progressive big city of Seattle. This city offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
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 cultural city of Seattle offers food and shopping. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Cultural Tours in Germany, The Best Music Tours in Germany, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
The average daily cost (per person) in Bonn is $199, while the average daily cost in Seattle is $242. 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 Seattle in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Bonn or Seattle? 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.
Also for Bonn, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Seattle:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Seattle:
Prices for flights to both Seattle 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.
Some typical examples of dining costs in Seattle are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Seattle.
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Bonn.
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Seattle are as follows:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Seattle:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bonn and Seattle, we can see that Seattle is more expensive. And not only is Bonn much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bonn is in Europe and Seattle 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 Bonn would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bonn 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 Seattle would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Seattle than you might in Bonn.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bonn Expensive? and Is Seattle Expensive?.
Seattle has a larger population, and is about 82% larger than the population of Bonn. When comparing the sizes of Bonn and Seattle, 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.
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.
Both Seattle and Bonn during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Bonn for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Seattle in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Bonn is generally around the same temperature as Seattle. Daily temperatures in Bonn average around 19°C (66°F), and Seattle fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).
In Seattle, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Bonn often gets less sunshine than Seattle. Bonn gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 313 hours of full sun.
Bonn usually gets more rain in July than Seattle. Bonn gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bonn and Seattle. Many visitors come to Bonn in the autumn for the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Seattle for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Bonn is around the same temperature as Seattle in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bonn averages around 12°C (53°F) in October, and Seattle fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).
Bonn usually receives less sunshine than Seattle during autumn. Bonn gets 109 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 143 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Bonn usually receives less rain than Seattle. Bonn gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
The winter brings many poeple to Bonn as well as Seattle. Most visitors come to Bonn for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Seattle because of the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
Bonn can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Bonn is much colder than Seattle. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bonn in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Seattle averages at about 42°F (5°C).
In the winter, Bonn often gets less sunshine than Seattle. Bonn gets 45 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 67 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Seattle. Bonn usually gets less rain in January than Seattle. Bonn gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 5.4 inches (136 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both Seattle and Bonn are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Seattle this time of year.
In April, Bonn is generally around the same temperature as Seattle. Daily temperatures in Bonn average around 10°C (50°F), and Seattle fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).
It's quite sunny in Seattle. Bonn usually receives less sunshine than Seattle during spring. Bonn gets 145 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Bonn usually receives less rain than Seattle. Bonn gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
Bonn | Seattle | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 42°F (5°C) | 5.4 inches (136 mm) |
Feb | 4°C (39°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 45°F (7°C) | 4 inches (102 mm) |
Mar | 7°C (44°F) | 47 mm (1.8 in) | 47°F (9°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
Apr | 10°C (50°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) |
May | 14°C (58°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.9 inches (47 mm) |
Jun | 17°C (63°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) |
Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) |
Aug | 19°C (66°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 1.2 inches (31 mm) |
Sep | 16°C (61°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) |
Oct | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
Nov | 7°C (44°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 47°F (8°C) | 5.7 inches (144 mm) |
Dec | 4°C (39°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 42°F (6°C) | 6 inches (152 mm) |