A Travel Price Comparison for Germany Cologne vs. Dusseldorf for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Cologne or Dusseldorf?

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

Should I visit Cologne or Dusseldorf? 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

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.

Dusseldorf

Dusseldorf is a city in western Germany divided by the Rhine River, with its Altstadt (Old Town) on the east bank and modern commercial areas to the west. Dusseldorf is a university town and a center of art and fashion. This old electoral capital is also a city of wide streets lined by elegant shops, with a ring of parks and gardens encircling its vibrant downtown area. As an important cultural center, Dusseldorf has dozens of museums and in excess of 100 art galleries encompassing everything from internationally renowned facilities, such as the impressive Art Collection North Rhine-Westphalia, to the smaller installations found in the city's trendy Konigsallee area. In the Altstadt, St. Lambertus Church and Schlossturm (Castle Tower) both date to the 13th century. Dusseldorf impresses with boundary-pushing architecture, lively nightlife, and an art scene to rival many higher-profile cities. It's a posh and modern city that likes to have a good time with bar-hopping around the Altstadt, the historical quarter along the Rhine. These tourist attractions, along with the city's location on the Rhine and its numerous wide squares and wonderful riverside walkways, make it a particularly pleasant place to spend time.

Which city is cheaper, Dusseldorf or Cologne?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Cologne is €126, while the average daily cost in Dusseldorf is €135. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Cologne and Dusseldorf in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cologne €70
    Dusseldorf €74
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cologne €140
    Dusseldorf €148

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cologne €15
    Dusseldorf €1.30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cologne

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cologne:

  • Arrival Private Transfer Cologne-Bonn Airport CGN to Cologne City - Business Car: $73
  • Arrival Private Transfer Cologne-Bonn Airport to Cologne City by Luxury Van: $87
  • Private Transfer to/from Cologne Airport (CGN): $70
  • Departure Private Transfer Cologne-Bonn Airport CGN to Cologne by Business Car: $73
  • Low Cost Private Transfer From Cologne Bonn Airport to Cologne City - One Way: $69
  • Low Cost Private Transfer From Düsseldorf International Airport to Cologne City - One Way: $201
  • Low Cost Private Transfer From Eindhoven Airport to Cologne City - One Way: $243
  • Low Cost Private Transfer From Frankfurt am Main International Airport to Cologne City - One Way: $540
  • Low Cost Private Transfer From Mönchengladbach Airport to Cologne City - One Way: $192
  • Luxury Car Arrival Transfer: Cologne-Bonn Airport to Cologne City: $98
  • Luxury Car Private Departure Transfer: Cologne city to Cologne-Bonn Airport: $98
  • Luxury Van Private Departure Transfer: Cologne-Bonn Airport: $87

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dusseldorf

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dusseldorf:

  • Arrival Private Transfer Dusseldorf Airport DUS to Dusseldorf City by Minivan: $57
  • Arrival Private Transfer Dusseldorf Airport DUS to Dusseldorf City by Sedan Car: $47
  • Arrival Private Transfer Dusseldorf DUS Airport to Dusseldorf City by Luxury Van: $62
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Dusseldorf Train Station or Port by Business Car: $52
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Dusseldorf DUS Airport to City by Business Car: $52
  • Departure Private Business Transfer Dusseldorf to Train Station or Cruise Port: $52
  • Departure Private Transfer Dusseldorf City to Dusseldorf Airport by Business Car: $52
  • Departure Private Transfer Dusseldorf City to Dusseldorf Airport by Luxury Van: $62
  • Departure Private Transfer Dusseldorf to Dusseldorf Train or Port by Luxury Car: $168
  • Departure Private Transfer Dusseldorf to Dusseldorf Train or Port by Luxury Van: $124
  • Departure Private Transfer from Dusseldorf City to DUS Airport by Minivan: $78
  • Departure Private Transfer from Dusseldorf City to DUS Airport by Sedan Car: $47

Is it cheaper to fly into Cologne or Dusseldorf?

Prices for flights to both Dusseldorf 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 €40
    Dusseldorf €54
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.

  • Traveling Spoon French Quiche Private Online Cooking Class: $27
  • Private Gourmet Cooking Class in the Heart of Cologne: $129
  • Private Market Tour and Gourmet Vegetarian Cooking Class in the Heart of Cologne: $183

Typical Food prices in Dusseldorf

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


  • Salami
    €1.99
  • Nutella
    €1.00
  • Yogurt
    €1.00

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cologne €16
    Dusseldorf €20

Tours and Activities in Cologne

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

  • English guided tour (other languages offered): $6.22
  • 1-hour Rhine River Panorama Cruise: $12
  • Entertaining History Tour: $12
  • Tour in German - West to East from Rudolfplatz: $12
  • Tour of Germany's Oldest Metropolis (in German): $14
  • Historical Crime Tour in German: $14
  • Guided Tour of the Melaten Cemetery: $14
  • Guided Highlights Tour with a Local: $14
  • Melaten Cemetery Tour in German: $14
  • 2000 Years of Sex & Crime City Tour (in German): $14
  • 90-Minute Tour in German from Cathedral to Old Town: $15
  • Cologne Sightseeing round-trip Cruise: $15

Tours and Activities in Dusseldorf

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

  • Düsseldorf: 1-hour Panorama Rhine River Cruise: $12
  • Düsseldorf Sightseeing round-trip Cruise: $15
  • Düsseldorf Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour and Rhine River Sightseeing Cruise: $30
  • Discover Dusseldorf in 60 Minutes with a Local - Walking Tour: $34
  • Dusseldorf’s Art and Culture Tour with a Local Guide: $41
  • Shopping tour- Roermond Outlet: $46
  • Shopping tour - Maasmechelen Village Belgium: $46
  • Best Intro Tour of Dusseldorf with a Local: $61
  • Düsseldorf Segway Tour: Classical City Experience: $86
  • Düsseldorf Segway Tour: Rhine River Experience: $92
  • 2 Hour Segway Tour in Dusseldorf: $92
  • Dusseldorf Private Walking Tour: $185

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cologne €18
    Dusseldorf €19

Typical Alcohol prices in Dusseldorf

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Dusseldorf are as follows:


  • Night Out Drinking
    €25

Sample the Local Flavors in Dusseldorf

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Dusseldorf:

  • Brewery Tour Düsseldorf in English (inc. 4 beer): $30
  • 4-Hour Pub Crawl Tour in Dusseldorf including Drinks: $33

About these numbers

When comparing the travel costs between Cologne and Dusseldorf, we can see that Dusseldorf 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.

Related Articles for Dusseldorf
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Cologne vs. Dusseldorf Travel Comparison

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