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

Should you visit Bonn or Versailles?

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

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

Versailles

Versailles is a historic, extensive, and beautiful palace. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include museums.

Bonn and Versailles: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bonn or Versailles?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Bonn than Versailles, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Bonn is more popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and quaint atmosphere, while Versailles is known for its museums and impressive beauty. Versailles is more touristy than Bonn and is known for its long running history and its grand architecture. Bonn is popular for its many museums, cultural venues, and university atmosphere, as well as being the birthplace of Beethoven. It is also home to The Bonn Minster.

How is Bonn different from Versailles?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Versailles is very popular for its historical sights. Also, Bonn is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Travelers visit Versailles from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. The palace is filled with history and impressive items relating to the royal family. Within and near the palace you should make sure you see the Gardens of Versailles, Grand Trianon, the Hall of Mirrors, and the Royal Opera of Versailles.

Many visitors head to Bonn specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

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

Bonn is a nice place to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Versailles is not known for its 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Versailles. There are a couple of restaurants and cafes on the grounds.

Is Bonn or Versailles Better for Nightlife?

Bonn is a nice place to visit for nightlife. However, Versailles is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

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.

Versailles is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Bonn or Versailles Better for its Old Town?

Bonn is a great city for its historic old town. However, Versailles 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.

Versailles does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bonn or Versailles?

Bonn is a great city for shopping. However, Versailles is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Versailles is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Bonn or Versailles Better for Families?

Bonn is an amazing city to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, Versailles is not known for its family-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.

Versailles does not offer many kid-friendly activities. While there are those unicorn children who fall in love with the grand setting, for most kids, a visit to Versailles can make for make for a long and draining day.

Is Bonn or Versailles Better for Couples?

Versailles is a great palace for romance. Also, Bonn is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

Versailles is a great palace if you're traveling as a couple. It's opulence, grandeur, and history make this a wonderful place to explore as a couple. There are gardens and other unique settings that make Versailles very romantic.

Bonn makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Is Bonn or Versailles Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bonn is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Versailles is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

It's common for backpackers to 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.

Versailles is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Bonn or Versailles Better for Students?

Bonn is a great city for its student-friendly activities. However, Versailles is not popular with students.

Bonn is a great city to visit as a student. 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.

Versailles is not popular with students.

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

Bonn and Versailles both offer very good public transit to get you around.

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.

The public transit in Versailles can get you around easily. There are SNCF trains that travel from Gare Montparnasse to Versailles Chantiers train station and additional trains that travel between Gare Saint Lazare and Versailles Rive Droite.

Is Bonn or Versailles a more walkable city?

Bonn and Versailles are very good when it comes to walkability.

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

Versailles is a very walkable city. It's approximately a 20 minute walk from the Versailles Chantiers train station to the entrance to the palace. Versailles Rive Droite is slightly closer.

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

Should I spend more time in Versailles or Bonn?

How long in Bonn or Versailles?

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

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

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

With museums and nightlife around the cultural city of Bonn, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bonn, one day is sufficent for most.

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

A weekend in Bonn or Versailles?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Bonn, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Versailles is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the museums. 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 Versailles?

Bonn, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find museums around the beautiful destination of Versailles. This palace offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bonn or Versailles?

Bonn is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The beautiful palace of Versailles offers museums. 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 Sightseeing Tours in France, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bonn and Versailles, we can see that Versailles is more expensive. And not only is Bonn much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Versailles would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Versailles 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 Versailles Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bonn or Versailles?

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

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 Versailles in the Summer?

Both Versailles and Bonn are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Bonn for the family-friendly experiences.

Bonn is around the same temperature as Versailles in the summer. The daily temperature in Bonn averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Versailles fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

It's quite sunny in Versailles. Bonn usually receives less sunshine than Versailles during summer. Bonn gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Versailles receives 239 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bonn usually receives more rain than Versailles. Bonn gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Versailles receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bonn or Versailles in the Autumn?

Both Versailles and Bonn during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Bonn in the autumn for the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Versailles for the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Bonn is cooler than Versailles. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bonn in October average around 12°C (53°F), and Versailles averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Bonn often gets less sunshine than Versailles. Bonn gets 109 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Versailles receives 126 hours of full sun.

Bonn usually gets less rain in October than Versailles. Bonn gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Versailles receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bonn or Versailles in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bonn and Versailles. Most visitors come to Bonn for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Versailles because of the museums and the cuisine.

The weather in Versailles can be very cold. Bonn can be very cold during winter. In January, Bonn is generally much colder than Versailles. Daily temperatures in Bonn average around 3°C (37°F), and Versailles fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

Bonn usually receives less sunshine than Versailles during winter. Bonn gets 45 hours of sunny skies, while Versailles receives 56 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Bonn usually receives less rain than Versailles. Bonn gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Versailles receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bonn or Versailles in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bonn as well as Versailles. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Versailles this time of year.

Bonn is cooler than Versailles in the spring. The daily temperature in Bonn averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Versailles fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the spring, Bonn often gets less sunshine than Versailles. Bonn gets 145 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Versailles receives 173 hours of full sun.

Bonn usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Versailles. Bonn gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Versailles receives 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Versailles and Bonn