Which place is cheaper, Bled or Cologne?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cologne or Bled?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Cologne or Bled? 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: Cologne or Bled?
Cologne
Spanning the Rhine River in western Germany, the city of Cologne dates back 2,000 years, once existing as the largest city of the Holy Roman Empire in medieval times. Today, it is the region's cultural hub - a center of museums, galleries, and towering Gothic cathedrals.
Bled
Bled is an incredibly scenic place, on the east side of Lake Bled. The lake is a beautiful, rich, emerald green. There's a small island in the middle of the lake where you'll find a nice white chapel. The lake is surrounded by striking green mountains, among which you'll find the Bled Castle overlooking the scene. Bled also offers access to the nearby Triglav National Park, a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and adrenaline junkies. Within the national park you'll find countless waterfalls and the lovely Lake Bohinj. You can find plenty of opportunities for mountain climbing, rafting, and hiking. There's even a cable car if you're looking for an easy way to get some good views of the mountains and landscape.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Germany, The Best Budget Tours to Germany, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Ljubljana, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Ljubljana.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCologne €161Bled €104
The average daily cost (per person) in Cologne is €161, while the average daily cost in Bled is €104. 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 Cologne and Bled in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCologne €91Bled €56
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCologne €182Bled €112
Compare Hotels in Cologne and Bled
Looking for a hotel in Cologne or Bled? 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: Cologne Hotel Prices and Bled Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cologne €19Bled €34
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cologne
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cologne:
- Transfer from Cologne Airport CGN to Cologne City by Luxury Car: $83
- Superior Private Transfer from Cologne City to Dortmund City: $64
- Cologne hotels to Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) - Departure Private Transfer: $49
- Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Cologne hotels - Round-trip Private Transfer : $98
- Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Bonn hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $109
- Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Bonn hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bled
Also for Bled, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Bohinj to Ljubljana Airport (LJU): $165
- Private transfer from Tolmin to Ljubljana city: $206
Is it cheaper to fly into Cologne or Bled?
Prices for flights to both Bled and Cologne 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 dayCologne €50Bled €28
Typical Food Prices in Cologne
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cologne:
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Dinner€14
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Donner Kebab€4.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cologne
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cologne.
- Hard Rock Café with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $27
- Hard Rock Cafe Cologne With Set Lunch or Dinner: $29
- Köln Südstadt kulinarisch – Die Food Tour: $48
- 3-Hour Südstadt Food Tour: $481
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bled
For Bled, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Food Tour Bled - Explore Slovenia Through Its Tastes: $130
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cologne €20Bled €12
Tours and Activities in Cologne
Here are a few actual costs in Cologne for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 120min - Cologne City Tour: $158
- 3-Hour Cologne Street Art Bike Tour in Small Group with Guide: $44
- 3-Hour Murder Mystery Interactive City Walking Tour in Köln: $75
- 5 Hours Cologne to Aachen Train Tour in Germany: $63
- Aachen Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $231
- Aachen Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
- Aachen Scavenger Hunt and Self Guided Walking Tour on your Phone: $7.63
- Aachen old town tour - GERMAN (public): $13
- Amusing Stories of Cologne Walking Tour: $13
- Awesome Sites of Cologne – Private Family Walking Tour: $395
- Beethoven and Bonn Highlights Tour from Cologne by Car: $840
- Best of Cologne in 1-Day Private Guided Tour with Transport: $438
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bled
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Bled's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Rafting€93
Tours and Activities in Bled
For Bled, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- From Self-Guided E-Bike Tour to Vintgar Gorge: $42
- From Self-Guided E-Bike Tour to Vintgar Gorge: $53
- Motorcycle Tours in Slovenia: $55
- Bled Slovenia: 3–Hour Rafting Experience: $59
- Lake Sava River Rafting Experience with Hotel Pickup: $59
- 3-Hour Family-Friendly Rafting Adventure: $59
- Lake Bled Stand-Up Paddle Boarding Tour: $63
- From Ljubljana: Lake Bled and Bled Castle Tour: $65
- Winter Triglav National Park Adventure - Half day trip from Bled: $71
- Guided Kayaking Tour in a Transparent Kayak: $74
- Guided Clear Kayak Tour in Bled: $75
- Lake Bled Stand-Up Paddle Boarding Lesson and Tour: $75
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCologne €23Bled €14
Sample the Local Flavors in Cologne
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cologne:
- Old Town Walking Tour with Brewery and Kölsch Beer: $18
- Public brewery tour in Cologne in English: $18
- Public brewery tour in German in Cologne: $18
- Guided tour of the old town with a visit to the brewery in Cologne: $19
- Old Town Walking Tour inkl Brewery Visit: $24
- Entertaining Brewery Tour: Feel Good Package including local beer: $27
- South Cologne Walking Tour with brewery visit: $27
- Pub Crawl Cologne Including Admission Fee for Bars and Shots: $27
- Brewery Tour with 3 Kölsch Beer Tastings: $29
- Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting and Halven Hahn: $31
- The Legendary Kölsch Brewery Tour: $32
- The Legendary Kölsch Brewery Tour: $33
Typical Alcohol Prices in Bled
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Bled are as follows:
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Bottle of Champagne€18
Sample the Local Flavors in Bled
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bled:
- Slovenian wine tasting at Hotel Triglav Bled's wine cellar: $43
- Wine Tasting Bled: $62
- 2-Hour Interactive Wine Tasting Experience in Bled: $63
- Wine Tasting Experience in Bled: $64
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cologne and Bled, we can see that Cologne is more expensive. And not only is Bled much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bled would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bled 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 Cologne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cologne than you might in Bled.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cologne Expensive? and Is Bled Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cologne or Bled?
Cologne has a larger population, and is about 190 times larger than the population of Bled. When comparing the sizes of Cologne and Bled, 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 Cologne or Bled?
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 Cologne or Bled in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Cologne as well as Bled. Many visitors come to Cologne in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Cologne is cooler than Bled. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cologne in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Bled averages at about 24°C (75°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bled. In the summer, Cologne often gets less sunshine than Bled. Cologne gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bled receives 288 hours of full sun.
Cologne usually gets more rain in July than Bled. Cologne gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bled receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCologne 19°C (66°F)Bled 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Cologne or Bled in the Autumn?
Both Bled and Cologne are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Cologne for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Cologne is generally cooler than Bled. Daily temperatures in Cologne average around 12°C (54°F), and Bled fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
Cologne usually receives less sunshine than Bled during autumn. Cologne gets 104 hours of sunny skies, while Bled receives 167 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Cologne usually receives less rain than Bled. Cologne gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Bled receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCologne 12°C (54°F)Bled 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Cologne or Bled in the Winter?
Both Bled and Cologne during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Cologne because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Cologne can be very cold. Cologne is much colder than Bled in the winter. The daily temperature in Cologne averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Bled fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).
In the winter, Cologne often gets less sunshine than Bled. Cologne gets 43 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bled receives 96 hours of full sun.
Cologne usually gets less rain in January than Bled. Cologne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Bled receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCologne 3°C (37°F)Bled 5°C (41°F)
Should I visit Cologne or Bled in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cologne and Bled. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Cologne this time of year.
In the spring, Cologne is cooler than Bled. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cologne in April average around 10°C (50°F), and Bled averages at about 13°C (56°F).
Cologne usually receives less sunshine than Bled during spring. Cologne gets 152 hours of sunny skies, while Bled receives 177 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Cologne usually receives less rain than Bled. Cologne gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Bled receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCologne 10°C (50°F)Bled 13°C (56°F)
Typical Weather for Bled and Cologne
| Cologne | Bled | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (39°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Mar | 7°C (44°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (50°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| May | 14°C (58°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (63°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (66°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (61°F) | 62 mm (2.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (39°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 92 mm (3.6 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.