A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cologne vs. Buenos Aires, Argentina for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Cologne or Buenos Aires, Argentina?

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

Should I visit Cologne or Buenos Aires, Argentina? 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina?

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.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Buenos Aires, federal capital of Argentina, also known as "The City of Tango", is best known for its energetic and unpredictable character. Like a restless child, Buenos Aires is a dynamic and modern city full of surprises. While its French-style palaces, rooftop restaurants, wide avenues and green plazas resemble European-style architecture, Buenos Aires preserves its musical, literary and culinary traditions. You can't miss dining in front of a Tango show, walking around the colourful streets of La Boca and visiting the renowned Recoleta Cemetery, designed by Argentina's most important architects and home to hundreds of illustrious corpses.

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 Buenos Aires, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Buenos Aires.


Which place is cheaper, Buenos Aires, Argentina or Cologne?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Cologne Prices
    Germany Prices
    Buenos Aires, Argentina Prices
    Argentina Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Cologne 191
    Buenos Aires, Argentina 49

The average daily cost (per person) in Cologne is €191, while the average daily cost in Buenos Aires, Argentina is €49. 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cologne 91
    Buenos Aires, Argentina 35
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cologne 182
    Buenos Aires, Argentina 70
Compare Hotels in Cologne and Buenos Aires, Argentina

Looking for a hotel in Cologne or Buenos Aires, Argentina? 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.

Hotels in Cologne


Hotels in Buenos Aires, Argentina


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cologne 18
    Buenos Aires, Argentina 1.84

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cologne

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cologne:

  • Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Bonn hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $152
  • Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Cologne hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $82
  • Cologne hotels to Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) - Departure Private Transfer: $82
  • Cologne Bonn CGN Airport to Hotels Private Transfer: $37
  • Private Limousine Transfer from Cologne Airport to Cologne City: $105

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina:

  • 8hr Buenos Aires City Tour and Airport Transfer Combo: $293
  • Airport Transfer: Airport EZE to Buenos Aires by Business Car: $123
  • Airport Transfer: Airport EZE to Buenos Aires by Luxury Van: $151
  • Airport Transfer: Buenos Aires to Airport EZE by Business Car: $116
  • Airport Transfer: Buenos Aires to Airport EZE by Luxury Van: $151
  • Arrival Private Transfers from Airport AEP to Buenos Aires in Luxury Car: $133
  • Arrival Private Transfers from Airport AEP to Buenos Aires in Luxury Van: $151
  • Arrival Private Transfers from Ezeiza Airport EZE to Buenos Aires: $151
  • Arrival Transfer: Airport AEP to Buenos Aires by Business Car: $123
  • Arrival Transfer: Ezeiza Airport EZE to Buenos Aires by Sedan: $123
  • Best Tango Show with Private Transfer: $111
  • Buenos Aires : Aljibe, Tango and folklore show with Transfers.: $72

Is it cheaper to fly into Cologne or Buenos Aires, Argentina?

Prices for flights to both Buenos Aires, Argentina 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Cologne 81
    Buenos Aires, Argentina 6.67
Typical Food Prices in Cologne

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cologne:


  • Dinner
    14
  • 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 Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $33
  • Hard Rock Cafe Cologne With Set Lunch or Dinner: $35
  • Private Farmers Market Tour and Home Cooking Class in Cologne: $129

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

  • Esquina Homero Manzi Tango Show with Optional Transfer and Dinner: $27
  • Tango Porteño Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $38
  • Esquina Homero Manzi Tango Show Ticket Including Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $39
  • BA: Premium Empanadas Cooking Class in Palermo: $39
  • Madero Tango Dance Show with Dinner on Demand: $42
  • BA: Premium Empanadas & Alfajores Cooking Experience in Palermo: $43
  • Señor Tango Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $45
  • BA: Small-Group Empanadas Cooking Class in Palermo: $46
  • Early Tango Dinner Show with Optional Traditional Bus Transfer: $46
  • El Aljibe Tango Show in Buenos Aires with Optional Dinner: $47
  • El Viejo Almacen Tango Show with Optional Dinner: $47
  • Tango Dinner-Show at El Aljibe with Optional Classic Bus Transfer: $48

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cologne 20
    Buenos Aires, Argentina 27

Tours and Activities in Cologne

Here are a few actual costs in Cologne for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Original funky fun tour of Cologne: $3.49
  • Cologne Highlights, Stories, and Local Atmosphere Tour: $3.50
  • Cologne Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $5.82
  • Aachen Self Guided Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $5.83
  • Köln Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.83
  • Cologne Self Guided Audio Experience: $6.00
  • Cologne Haunted Quest: The Witch Self-Guided Tour: $6.29
  • Aachen Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $6.94
  • Cologne Walking Tour from Roman Era to World War 2 with an App: $6.99
  • Cologne Cathedral tour audio guide with mobile phone: $6.99
  • Aachen Walking Tour: Self-Guided City Game: $8.91
  • Aachen Exploration Game and City Tour on your Phone: $9.32

Tours and Activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Here are a few actual costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Heart of Colonial Buenos Aires Walking Audio Tour: $5.34
  • Buenos Aires Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00
  • Literature Self-Guided Audio Tour in Buenos Aires: $6.72
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour Evita Peron: Don't cry for me Argentina: $6.72
  • Buenos Aires Audio Guided Walking Tour 2h30 and 18 reviews: $6.92
  • Discover Buenos Aires: A Self-Guided Tour: $8.16
  • The Women Behind Puerto Madero’s Streets: A Self Guided Tour: $9.99
  • Small Group Buenos Aires Walking Tour: $10
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour - Discover Caminito and Tango: $11
  • Private Tour of San Telmo, Old Town: $12
  • Guided tour of the Mate Museum: $13
  • La Boca Walking Tour: $13

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cologne 23
    Buenos Aires, Argentina 8.13

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 1 Brewery Visit & 1 Beer: $21
  • Informative and fun brewery tour in German, public: $23
  • Public brewery tour in German in Cologne: $23
  • Pub Crawl Cologne Including Admission Fee for Bars and Shots: $23
  • Cologne-Kölsch Live: Brewery Tour with a Brewmaster - Kölsch, Culture & Insights: $29
  • Brewery Tour with 3 Kölsch Beer Tastings: $32
  • Entertaining Brewery Tour: Feel Good Package including local beer: $32
  • Black wine tasting with secret station – Haus der Manufakturen: $33
  • Kölsch Brewery Tour with 3 Beers Included: $33
  • The Legendary Kölsch Brewery Tour: $33
  • Brewery Tour with Kölsch and Halven Hahn: $34
  • Veloloco Rickshaw Tour Cologne Sightseeing Wedding Brewery Birthdays: $47

Sample the Local Flavors in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Also in Buenos Aires, Argentina, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Buenos Aires Full City Tour with Wine Tasting and Stops: $35
  • Exclusive Malbec Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires: $42
  • Wine Tasting and Local Specialties in Buenos Aires: $46
  • BA: Small Group Wine Tasting and Blending in Palermo: $54
  • Malbec Wine Tasting at Boutique Hotel in Palermo: $59
  • Wine Tasting in Palermo, City of Buenos Aires.: $65
  • Tango Lesson and Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires, Argentina: $65
  • Wine Tasting at Encuentro Nativo a Historic Tenement in Caminito: $69
  • BA: Wine tour with 5 tasting stops in the heart of Palermo: $78
  • Premium Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires: $85
  • Malbec Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires Private Experience: $92
  • Wine Tasting Boutique in Buenos Aires: $94


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cologne and Buenos Aires, Argentina, we can see that Cologne is more expensive. And not only is Buenos Aires, Argentina much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cologne is in Europe and Buenos Aires, Argentina is in South 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Buenos Aires, Argentina 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cologne Expensive? and Is Buenos Aires, Argentina Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Cologne or Buenos Aires, Argentina?

Buenos Aires, Argentina has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Cologne. When comparing the sizes of Cologne and Buenos Aires, Argentina, 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Buenos Aires, Argentina is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Cologne has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Cologne or Buenos Aires, Argentina in the Summer?

Both Buenos Aires, Argentina and Cologne are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Cologne in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Cologne is generally cooler than Buenos Aires, Argentinain January. Daily temperatures in Cologne average around 19°C (66°F), and Buenos Aires, Argentina fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

It's quite sunny in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Cologne usually receives less sunshine than Buenos Aires, Argentina during summer. Cologne gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Buenos Aires, Argentina receives 279 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In July, Cologne usually receives less rain than Buenos Aires, Argentinain January. Cologne gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Buenos Aires, Argentina receives 118 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Cologne 19°C (66°F) 
    Buenos Aires, Argentina 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Cologne or Buenos Aires, Argentina in the Autumn?

Both Buenos Aires, Argentina and Cologne during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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.

Cologne is much colder than Buenos Aires, Argentina in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cologne averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Buenos Aires, Argentina fluctuates around 18°C (65°F)in April.

In Buenos Aires, Argentina, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Cologne often gets less sunshine than Buenos Aires, Argentinain April. Cologne gets 104 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Buenos Aires, Argentina receives 220 hours of full sun.

Buenos Aires, Argentina gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Cologne usually gets less rain in October than Buenos Aires, Argentinain April. Cologne gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Buenos Aires, Argentina receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Cologne 12°C (54°F) 
    Buenos Aires, Argentina 18°C (65°F)

Should I visit Cologne or Buenos Aires, Argentina in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cologne and Buenos Aires, Argentina. 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. In the winter, Cologne is much colder than Buenos Aires, Argentina. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cologne in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Buenos Aires, Argentina averages at about 12°C (53°F)in July.

Cologne usually receives less sunshine than Buenos Aires, Argentina during winter. Cologne gets 43 hours of sunny skies, while Buenos Aires, Argentina receives 143 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Cologne usually receives less rain than Buenos Aires, Argentinain July. Cologne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Buenos Aires, Argentina receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Cologne 3°C (37°F) 
    Buenos Aires, Argentina 12°C (53°F)

Should I visit Cologne or Buenos Aires, Argentina in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Cologne as well as Buenos Aires, Argentina. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Cologne this time of year.

In April, Cologne is generally much colder than Buenos Aires, Argentinain October. Daily temperatures in Cologne average around 10°C (50°F), and Buenos Aires, Argentina fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In the spring, Cologne often gets less sunshine than Buenos Aires, Argentinain October. Cologne gets 152 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Buenos Aires, Argentina receives 227 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Cologne usually gets less rain in April than Buenos Aires, Argentinain October. Cologne gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Buenos Aires, Argentina receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Cologne 10°C (50°F) 
    Buenos Aires, Argentina 18°C (64°F)

Typical Weather for Buenos Aires, Argentina and Cologne

Cologne Buenos Aires, Argentina
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (37°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 118 mm (4.6 in)
Feb 4°C (39°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 24°C (75°F) 117 mm (4.6 in)
Mar 7°C (44°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 22°C (71°F) 142 mm (5.6 in)
Apr 10°C (50°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 18°C (65°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
May 14°C (58°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 15°C (59°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jun 17°C (63°F) 76 mm (3 in) 12°C (53°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Jul 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 12°C (53°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Aug 19°C (66°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 13°C (55°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Sep 16°C (61°F) 62 mm (2.5 in) 15°C (59°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Oct 12°C (54°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 18°C (64°F) 125 mm (4.9 in)
Nov 7°C (45°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 21°C (69°F) 117 mm (4.6 in)
Dec 4°C (39°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 23°C (74°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)