Should you visit Cologne or Dusseldorf?
Should I visit Cologne or Dusseldorf? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into 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 €139. 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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Cologne and Dusseldorf in more detail.
Accommodation
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around €70. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Cologne the cost is €140 on average.
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about €148 for a double occupancy room in Dusseldorf.
Food
In Cologne travelers spend around €40 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
While meal prices in Dusseldorf can vary, the average travelers spends about €54 per day on food. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out, an average meal in Dusseldorf should cost around €22 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Dusseldorf is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
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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:
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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.
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Traveling Spoon French Quiche Private Online Cooking Class:
$27
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Private Gourmet Cooking Class in the Heart of Cologne:
$129
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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:
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Salami
€1.99
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Nutella
€1.00
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Yogurt
€1.00
Local Transportation
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around €15 per day to get around in Cologne.
The cost of a taxi ride in Dusseldorf is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent €1.30 per person, per day, on local transportation in Dusseldorf.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cologne
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cologne:
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Arrival Private Transfer Cologne-Bonn Airport CGN to Cologne City - Business Car:
$73
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Arrival Private Transfer Cologne-Bonn Airport to Cologne City by Luxury Van:
$87
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Private Transfer to/from Cologne Airport (CGN):
$70
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Departure Private Transfer Cologne-Bonn Airport CGN to Cologne by Business Car:
$73
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Low Cost Private Transfer From Cologne Bonn Airport to Cologne City - One Way:
$69
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Low Cost Private Transfer From Düsseldorf International Airport to Cologne City - One Way:
$201
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Low Cost Private Transfer From Eindhoven Airport to Cologne City - One Way:
$243
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Low Cost Private Transfer From Frankfurt am Main International Airport to Cologne City - One Way:
$540
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Low Cost Private Transfer From Mönchengladbach Airport to Cologne City - One Way:
$192
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Luxury Car Arrival Transfer: Cologne-Bonn Airport to Cologne City:
$98
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Luxury Car Private Departure Transfer: Cologne city to Cologne-Bonn Airport:
$98
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Luxury Van Private Departure Transfer: Cologne-Bonn Airport:
$87
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dusseldorf
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dusseldorf:
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Arrival Private Transfer Dusseldorf Airport DUS to Dusseldorf City by Minivan:
$57
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Arrival Private Transfer Dusseldorf Airport DUS to Dusseldorf City by Sedan Car:
$47
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Arrival Private Transfer Dusseldorf DUS Airport to Dusseldorf City by Luxury Van:
$62
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Arrival Private Transfer from Dusseldorf Train Station or Port by Business Car:
$52
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Arrival Private Transfer: Dusseldorf DUS Airport to City by Business Car:
$52
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Departure Private Business Transfer Dusseldorf to Train Station or Cruise Port:
$52
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Departure Private Transfer Dusseldorf City to Dusseldorf Airport by Business Car:
$52
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Departure Private Transfer Dusseldorf City to Dusseldorf Airport by Luxury Van:
$62
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Departure Private Transfer Dusseldorf to Dusseldorf Train or Port by Luxury Car:
$168
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Departure Private Transfer Dusseldorf to Dusseldorf Train or Port by Luxury Van:
$124
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Departure Private Transfer from Dusseldorf City to DUS Airport by Minivan:
$78
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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.
Entertainment
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around €16 per person, per day in Cologne. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Entertainment and activities in Dusseldorf typically cost an average of €20 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Tours and Activities in Cologne
Here are a few actual costs in Cologne for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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English guided tour (other languages offered):
$6.22
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1-hour Rhine River Panorama Cruise:
$12
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Entertaining History Tour:
$12
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Tour in German - West to East from Rudolfplatz:
$12
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Tour of Germany's Oldest Metropolis (in German):
$14
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Historical Crime Tour in German:
$14
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Guided Tour of the Melaten Cemetery:
$14
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Guided Highlights Tour with a Local:
$14
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Melaten Cemetery Tour in German:
$14
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2000 Years of Sex & Crime City Tour (in German):
$14
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90-Minute Tour in German from Cathedral to Old Town:
$15
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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:
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Düsseldorf: 1-hour Panorama Rhine River Cruise:
$12
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Düsseldorf Sightseeing round-trip Cruise:
$15
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Düsseldorf Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour and Rhine River Sightseeing Cruise:
$30
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Discover Dusseldorf in 60 Minutes with a Local - Walking Tour:
$34
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Dusseldorf’s Art and Culture Tour with a Local Guide:
$41
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Shopping tour- Roermond Outlet:
$46
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Shopping tour - Maasmechelen Village Belgium:
$46
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Best Intro Tour of Dusseldorf with a Local:
$61
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Düsseldorf Segway Tour: Classical City Experience:
$86
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Düsseldorf Segway Tour: Rhine River Experience:
$92
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2 Hour Segway Tour in Dusseldorf:
$92
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Dusseldorf Private Walking Tour:
$185
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Cologne may vary from person to person, on average a person spends €18 per day on alcoholic beverages.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Dusseldorf may vary from person to person, on average a person spends €19 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Typical Alcohol prices in Dusseldorf
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Dusseldorf are as follows:
Sample the Local Flavors in Dusseldorf
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Dusseldorf:
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Brewery Tour Düsseldorf in English (inc. 4 beer):
$30
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4-Hour Pub Crawl Tour in Dusseldorf including Drinks:
$33
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.
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