Which place is cheaper, Bologna or Cologne?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Cologne or Bologna? 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.
Cologne is a vibrant, colorful, and fun city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.
Bologna is a beautiful, fun, and historical city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.
Tourists will generally find more to do in Cologne than Bologna. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Cologne is very popular for its museums, christmas markets, and big city activities, while Bologna attracts visitors for its food, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Cologne is more touristy than Bologna and is known for its large and detailed cathedral, its festive Christmas markets, and its location along the Rhine River. It is also well known for The Cologne Cathedral. Bologna is famous for its Terracota buildings, large international student population, and being the birthplace of Bolognaise pasta.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bologna and Cologne. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Cologne is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Bologna is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.
Many visitors head to Cologne specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. At the heart of the city is Cologne Cathedral, which is stunningly intricate and highlights High Gothic architecture. It is one of the largest cathedrals in Europe. Other famous sights around town include Cologne City Hall, the Wallraf-Richartz & Ludwig Museums, and Hohenzollern Bridge.
Bologna is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It has many historical and religious landmarks, active squares, and impressive museums including the Basilica of St. Petronius, St. Stephen Basilica, the Leaning Towers, and the Portico of the Madonna di San Luca.
Bologna is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. Also, Cologne is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.
For foodies, Bologna is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Foodies will appreciate the city's well earned culinary reputation. Some people even consider Bologna to be a food capital in Italy. There are cooking classes and food tours around town, as well as many great restaurants that serve up local dishes. Visitors should try Tagliatelle with Ragu (now famously known around the world as Bolognaise), Tortellini in broth, and Mortadella (salami).
There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Cologne. The food scene consists mostly of brewhouses and pubs, where you'll find local cuisine. There are also a number of international restaurants around town if you want something a little different. In particular, you'll find many Turkish kebab shops near the train station. Local dishes from Cologne include Halve Hahn (an open face sandwich), Hämmche (pork with sauerkraut or potatoes), and Mettbrütche (minced pork bread roll). For a sweet treat, there is no shortage of donut shops with decadently decorated toppings.
Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Cologne and Bologna.
Cologne is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. Head to one of the many beerhalls to check out the local nightlife scene. Make sure you try the local beer, Kölsch. Some of the most popular places for night include Ona Mor, Pepe, and Engel & Weiss.
Many people head to Bologna for the nightlife scene. The young population that is filled with international students means that the city has a fun and active nightlife scene. Some of the city's best neighborhoods for nightlife include Centro Storico, where the tourists hang out, the University District, which is perfect for students in their 20s, and Via dell'Indipendenza, which is popular for an upscale evening out.
Bologna is well known for its historic old town charm. Also, Cologne is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town.
Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Bologna. The old town is filled with Terracota buildings, which give the city its nickname, La Rossa (The Red).
Cologne is a good destination for visiting its old town. The Old Town is large, but its mostly been rebuilt with modern buildings. There are plenty of shopping areas where you can buy name brand clothing or sample sweets.
Shopping is a popular activity in both Bologna and Cologne.
Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Cologne. There is no shortage of clothing shops around Cologne. You'll find all of the major European chains with many souvenir shops mixed in. Schildergasse is a major shopping street in town, but there are also many shopping malls to choose from. For local markets, head to Wilhemplatz.
Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Bologna. The city hosts regular open-air markets where you can pick up local produce or local items. It is among the best shopping destinations in the region. For some of the city's best shopping, head to Piazza Maggiore, Mercato di Mezzo, Mercato delle Erbe, or Via Rizzoli.
Cologne is a world-class destination for its Christmas activities. However, Bologna does not offer Christmas activities.
Cologne is a world class destination during the Christmas season. Cologne is one of the top Christmas destinations in Germany. You'll find many different markets spread around town that offer ice skating, curling, warm drinks, and local dishes. Foodies will appreciate the many samplings of local holiday favorites while shoppers will be able to pick up gifts and Christmas decorations that are locally made.
Bologna does not offer Christmas activities.
Cologne is a world-class destination for its Christmas markets. However, Bologna does not offer Christmas markets.
Many people travel to Cologne specifically for the Christmas markets. Cologne is one of the top Christmas market destinations in Germany. You'll find many different markets spread around town that offer ice skating, curling, warm drinks, and local dishes. Foodies will appreciate the many samplings of local holiday favorites while shoppers will be able to pick up gifts and Christmas decorations that are locally made.
Bologna does not offer Christmas markets.
Cologne is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bologna is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.
Cologne is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. In addition to the stunning cathedral and impressive bridge, this city has many great playgrounds including Rheinpark, right across the river from old town. Kids who like high places will enjoy the view from the top of KölnTriangle. Popular kid-friendly museums in town include Odysseum and the Chocolate Museum. And if you have a day to spare, head to the indoor waterpark at Aqualand.
Bologna is a family-friendly city. There are kid-friendly museums such as Museo Geologico Cappellini and the interactive history museum of Museo della Storia di Bologna. There's even a museum solely dedicated to gelato - Gelato at Carpigiani Museum. If your kids need a bit of time in nature, check out Dulcamara farm or the Botanic Garden. On the weekend you many be able to catch a show at Margherita's Puppet Theatre.
With fun activities for couples, both Cologne and Bologna make for a nice place to visit.
Cologne is a good city for couples to visit. The city has a number of activities that couples will enjoy such as walks along the river, dining at nice restaurants, and Rhein River cruises. Also make sure you put a lock on the Hohenzollern Bridge to declare your commitment to each other.
Bologna is a nice destination for couples. With beautiful museums, interesting architecture. and lively squares, this is a great city for a couple's holiday. It's filled with romance, but it has less tourist crowds than some of Italy's more popular cities.
Bologna is well known for backpackers. Also, Cologne is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.
Bologna is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. It's not a popular as some of the other cities in Italy and Europe, but it still has a number of hostels and a good backpacker scene.
Cologne is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a few good hostels around town and many free sights that make this a budget-friendly destination for backpackers.
Bologna is an unbeatable place for students. Also, Cologne is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.
Many students frequent Bologna. It's a top study abroad destination in Italy and is home to a few great universities including the well ranked University of Bologna. There are many great activities for students and a variety of fun places to explore.
Cologne is very popular with students. The city is large enough to attract international students for all types of studies. It's also well connected to the German train system so it's easy to get out and explore the area.
Cologne is a world-class destination for its public transit. Also, Bologna is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.
With a huge network, the transit system in Cologne can get you around easily. KVB operates the system that includes trains, trams, and buses. The city is also easily connected to other nearby towns so it makes a great base for exploring the entire area.
Bologna has some public transit options. There is an efficient and reliable bus system.
Cologne and Bologna both are great when exploring on foot.
Cologne is a very walkable destination. If you stick to the Old Town and nearby neighborhoods, you'll be able to explore easily on foot.
Bologna is very walkable. Most sights are always within a 30 minute walk, and the city itself is very walkable.
For even more information, also check out Is Cologne Worth Visiting? and Is Bologna Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Cologne and Bologna. In our opinion, Cologne has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Cologne than Bologna. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.
Families should spend more time in Cologne than Bologna. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Cologne, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Cologne than Bologna. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Cologne that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bologna than Cologne 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 Bologna.
Because Cologne is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. 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.
In Bologna, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the food. 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.
Because Cologne is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Cologne has to offer.
In Bologna, 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. One reason most visitors come is for the food. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bologna has to offer.
Cologne is a great place to explore. 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.
Bologna 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.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cologne. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Cologne. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bologna. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Bologna. One reason most visitors come is for the food. 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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Germany, The Best Budget Tours to Germany, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Cologne is €161, while the average daily cost in Bologna is €159. 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 Bologna in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Cologne or Bologna? 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.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cologne:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bologna:
Prices for flights to both Bologna 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cologne:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cologne.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bologna.
Here are a few actual costs in Cologne for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Bologna are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bologna are as follows:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cologne:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Bologna:
When comparing the travel costs between Cologne and Bologna, we can see that Cologne 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. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cologne Expensive? and Is Bologna Expensive?.
Cologne has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Bologna. When comparing the sizes of Cologne and Bologna, 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 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.
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cologne and Bologna. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cologne this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Bologna for the family-friendly experiences.
Cologne is cooler than Bologna in the summer. The daily temperature in Cologne averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Bologna fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bologna this time of the year. Cologne usually receives less sunshine than Bologna during summer. Cologne gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Cologne usually receives more rain than Bologna. Cologne gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
The autumn brings many poeple to Cologne as well as Bologna. Many travelers come to Cologne for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, many visitors come to Bologna in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Cologne is cooler than Bologna. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cologne in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Bologna averages at about 16°C (61°F).
In the autumn, Cologne often gets less sunshine than Bologna. Cologne gets 104 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 177 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Bologna. Cologne usually gets less rain in October than Bologna. Cologne gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Bologna and Cologne are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Cologne in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Bologna for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Bologna can be very cold during winter. Cologne can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Cologne is generally a little warmer than Bologna. Daily temperatures in Cologne average around 3°C (37°F), and Bologna fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).
Cologne usually receives less sunshine than Bologna during winter. Cologne gets 43 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Cologne usually receives less rain than Bologna. Cologne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Both Bologna and Cologne during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Cologne for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Bologna because of the natural beauty.
Cologne is cooler than Bologna in the spring. The daily temperature in Cologne averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Bologna fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
In the spring, Cologne often gets less sunshine than Bologna. Cologne gets 152 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 192 hours of full sun.
Cologne usually gets less rain in April than Bologna. Cologne gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
Cologne | Bologna | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
Feb | 4°C (39°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
Mar | 7°C (44°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
Apr | 10°C (50°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
May | 14°C (58°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
Jun | 17°C (63°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
Aug | 19°C (66°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
Sep | 16°C (61°F) | 62 mm (2.5 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) |
Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) |
Dec | 4°C (39°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |