A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cologne vs. Dallas for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Cologne or Dallas?

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

Should I visit Cologne or Dallas? 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

Cologne is a vibrant, colorful, and fun city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Dallas

Dallas is a chic, active, and upscale city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Cologne and Dallas: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cologne or Dallas?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Cologne than Dallas. While Dallas is larger than Cologne, Cologne has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Cologne is more popular for its historical sights, christmas markets, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Dallas is known for its food. Cologne is more touristy than Dallas and is known for its large and detailed cathedral, its festive Christmas markets, and its location along the Rhine River. It is also home to The Cologne Cathedral. Dallas is popular for its Tex Mex cuisine, upscale shopping venues, and cowboy culture.

The Cologne Cathedral

How is Cologne different from Dallas?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Dallas and Cologne. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cologne or Dallas?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Cologne or Dallas.

Cologne offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Many visitors head to Dallas specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Museums range from historical to art and science with some of the favorites being the Dallas Contemporary Museum, the African American Museum, the Dallas Museum of Art, and the Frontiers of Flight Museum. The city is also home to the George W. Bush Presidential Library and the Nasher Sculpture Center. A must-see is the Sixth Floor Museum, which is in historic Dealey Plaza and is where Lee Harvey Oswald fired the shots that killed JFK. Today there's a museum that goes over the events of that day.

Is the Food Better in Cologne or Dallas? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dallas is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Cologne is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Dallas is an experience not to be missed. There's a perfect combination of Texas cuisine and international flavors. You'll find Texas barbecue, Tex Mex, and steakhouses intermixed with Thai, Japanese, and Caribbean cuisine. There's also a great food truck scene and many local eateries.

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.

Is Cologne or Dallas Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Cologne and Dallas.

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 Dallas for the nightlife scene. Head to East Dallas for the most active clubs with large dance floors and great music. The city also has rooftop lounges and plenty of live music as well as comedy clubs.

Is Cologne or Dallas Better for its Old Town?

Cologne is very good for its old town. However, Dallas does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Cologne to see the 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.

Dallas does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Cologne or Dallas?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Dallas 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 Dallas. You'll find a very diverse shopping scene around town, with everything from quirky local vendors to upscale fashion boutiques. There are cowboy outfitters where you can get a feel for the Texas style, but there are also posh shopping centers and local flea markets.

Is Cologne or Dallas Better for Christmas?

Cologne is renowned for its Christmas activities. However, Dallas 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.

Dallas does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Cologne or Dallas Better for Christmas Markets?

Cologne is renowned for its Christmas markets. However, Dallas does not offer Christmas markets.

People travel to Cologne specifically to enjoy its famous 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.

Dallas does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Cologne or Dallas Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Cologne or Dallas.

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.

Dallas is a very family-friendly destination. The city is filled with families, and you'll find many kid-friendly activities around town. For some outdoor time you can visit the Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden or the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. The Dallas Zoo is a favorite for many kids and there are also a number of kid-friendly museums around town such as the Perot Museum of Nature and Science and the Dallas World Aquarium.

Is Cologne or Dallas Better for Couples?

Dallas is well known for couples. Also, Cologne is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Dallas frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Head to the observation deck at Reunion Tower for spectacular views of the night skyline. The city also has many great comedy clubs and performing arts venues as well as fine dining restaurants that make for a great date night.

Cologne is a nice destination for couples. 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.

Is Cologne or Dallas Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cologne is very good for backpackers. However, Dallas is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Dallas is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While there are a couple of hostels around town, this isn't a popular destination for the backpacker crowd.

Is Cologne or Dallas Better for Students?

Cologne is a well-known place for students. However, Dallas is not a good city for its student-friendly activities.

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.

Dallas is a decent spot for students. There are a couple of universities and colleges in the area that keep things interesting for students.

Is Cologne or Dallas Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Cologne is renowned for its public transit. Also, Dallas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Cologne has a great public transit system. 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.

Dallas has some public transit options. While it's still very much a car-centered city, the public transportation system, DART, is one of the fastest growing in the country. It includes both light rail and bus service.

Is Cologne or Dallas a more walkable city?

Cologne is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. However, Dallas is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

Cologne is a very walkable city. If you stick to the Old Town and nearby neighborhoods, you'll be able to explore easily on foot.

Dallas is generally not a very walkable city. The city is not particularly walkable, but there are several more walkable areas such as Ellum and Uptown.

For even more information, also check out Is Cologne Worth Visiting? and Is Dallas Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dallas or Cologne?

How long in Cologne or Dallas?

It's fun to spend time in either Cologne or Dallas. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Dallas due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Cologne, and 2-4 days is enough time in Dallas.

Families should spend more time in Cologne than Dallas. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cologne than Dallas 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 Cologne.

One day in Cologne or Dallas?

Cologne is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Dallas, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Cologne or Dallas?

Cologne is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In Dallas, you'll find food and shopping. 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 Dallas has to offer.

Five days in Cologne or Dallas?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cologne. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Dallas 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.

A week in Cologne or Dallas?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the vibrant big city of Cologne. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dallas. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Dallas. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Cologne or Dallas?

Dallas has a larger population, and is about 26% larger than the population of Cologne. When comparing the sizes of Cologne and Dallas, 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 Dallas?

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 Cologne or Dallas in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cologne and Dallas. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cologne this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Dallas for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Cologne is generally much colder than Dallas. Daily temperatures in Cologne average around 19°C (66°F), and Dallas fluctuates around 88°F (31°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dallas this time of the year. Cologne usually receives less sunshine than Dallas during summer. Cologne gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Dallas receives 337 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Cologne usually receives more rain than Dallas. Cologne gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Cologne or Dallas in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Cologne as well as Dallas. 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 Dallas in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Cologne is much colder than Dallas in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cologne averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Dallas fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dallas. In the autumn, Cologne often gets less sunshine than Dallas. Cologne gets 104 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dallas receives 222 hours of full sun.

Cologne usually gets less rain in October than Dallas. Cologne gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cologne or Dallas in the Winter?

Both Dallas 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 Dallas for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Cologne can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Cologne is much colder than Dallas. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cologne in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Dallas averages at about 46°F (8°C).

Cologne usually receives less sunshine than Dallas during winter. Cologne gets 43 hours of sunny skies, while Dallas receives 183 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Cologne usually receives more rain than Dallas. Cologne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Cologne or Dallas in the Spring?

Both Dallas 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 Dallas because of the activities around the city.

In April, Cologne is generally much colder than Dallas. Daily temperatures in Cologne average around 10°C (50°F), and Dallas fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

In Dallas, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Cologne often gets less sunshine than Dallas. Cologne gets 152 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dallas receives 251 hours of full sun.

Cologne usually gets less rain in April than Dallas. Cologne gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Dallas and Cologne