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

Should you visit Cologne or Havana?

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

Should I visit Cologne or Havana? 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 Havana?

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.

Havana

The city of Havana is at the top of most peoples' bucket list - mostly because of the allure of a forbidden land. Before the Communist revolution, Cuba was a popular tourist destination. Since it has reopened in the 1990s, it has drawn tourists from all over the world (except the US).

This capital city is a land trapped in the past. With 50 years of neglect, when you step off the plane, prepare to step back in time. A trip to Havana is meant for those with truly open minds - and when they arrive they'll be swept away.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Germany, and The Best Budget Tours to Germany.


Which place is cheaper, Havana or Cologne?

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 Havana is €61. 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 Havana in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cologne 91
    Havana 38
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cologne 182
    Havana 76
Compare Hotels in Cologne and Havana

Looking for a hotel in Cologne or Havana? 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 Havana


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 19
    Havana 18

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cologne

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cologne:

  • Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Bonn hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $55
  • Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Bonn hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $110
  • Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Cologne hotels - Round-trip Private Transfer : $98
  • Cologne hotels to Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) - Departure Private Transfer: $49
  • Superior Private Transfer from Cologne City to Dortmund City: $64
  • Transfer from Cologne Airport CGN to Cologne City by Luxury Car: $83

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Havana

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Havana:


  • Short Taxi Ride
    0.63

Is it cheaper to fly into Cologne or Havana?

Prices for flights to both Havana 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 50
    Havana 9.53
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 Café with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $27
  • Hard Rock Cafe Cologne With Set Lunch or Dinner: $29
  • Köln Südstadt kulinarisch – Die Food Tour: $48
  • 3-Hour Südstadt Food Tour: $484

Typical Food Prices in Havana

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


  • Pizza
    0.03

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cologne 20
    Havana 10

Tours and Activities in Cologne

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

  • Cologne Walking Tour: The essential and unmissable one: $3.22
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
  • Original funky-fun Free Tour of Cologne: $3.23
  • Germany eSIM Tourist Roaming Data Plan: $4.31
  • Smartphone Scavenger Hunt Sightseeing Tour: $5.92
  • City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.45
  • Aachen Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
  • Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $7.00
  • Horrors of World War II Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.52
  • Aachen Scavenger Hunt and Self Guided Walking Tour on your Phone: $7.63
  • Cologne Self Guided Walking Tour Discovering the Horrors of WWII: $7.63
  • Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $8.07

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cologne 23
    Havana 5.37

Sample the Local Flavors in Cologne

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cologne:

  • Public brewery tour in German in Cologne: $18
  • Old Town Walking Tour with Brewery and Kölsch Beer: $18
  • Guided tour of the old town with a visit to the brewery in Cologne: $19
  • Old Town Walking Tour inkl Brewery Visit: $24
  • Entertaining Brewery Tour: Feel Good Package including local beer: $27
  • South Cologne Walking Tour with brewery visit: $27
  • Pub Crawl Cologne Including Admission Fee for Bars and Shots: $27
  • Brewery Tour with 3 Kölsch Beer Tastings: $30
  • Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting and Halven Hahn: $31
  • The Legendary Kölsch Brewery Tour: $32
  • The Legendary Kölsch Brewery Tour: $33
  • Cologne-Nippes: Gourmet wine tasting with cheese platter: $64

Typical Alcohol Prices in Havana

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Havana:


  • Mojito
    0.14


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

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


Which is Bigger, Cologne or Havana?

Havana has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Cologne. When comparing the sizes of Cologne and Havana, 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 Havana?

Cologne has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Havana experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Cologne or Havana in the Summer?

Both Havana and Cologne are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cologne this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Havana because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Cologne is cooler than Havana in the summer. The daily temperature in Cologne averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Havana fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

In July, Cologne usually receives more rain than Havana. Cologne gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Havana receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Cologne 19°C (66°F) 
    Havana 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Cologne or Havana in the Autumn?

Both Havana and Cologne during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Cologne for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round.

In the autumn, Cologne is much colder than Havana. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cologne in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Havana averages at about 25°C (77°F).

Cologne usually gets less rain in October than Havana. Cologne gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Havana receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Cologne 12°C (54°F) 
    Havana 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Cologne or Havana in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cologne and Havana. Many visitors come to Cologne in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Cologne can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Cologne is generally much colder than Havana. Daily temperatures in Cologne average around 3°C (37°F), and Havana fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

In January, Cologne usually receives more rain than Havana. Cologne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Havana receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Cologne 3°C (37°F) 
    Havana 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Cologne or Havana in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Cologne as well as Havana. Most visitors come to Cologne for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Havana throughout the year.

Cologne is much colder than Havana in the spring. The daily temperature in Cologne averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Havana fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

Cologne usually gets more rain in April than Havana. Cologne gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Havana receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Cologne 10°C (50°F) 
    Havana 24°C (75°F)

Typical Weather for Havana and Cologne

Cologne Havana
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (37°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 21°C (70°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Feb 4°C (39°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 7°C (44°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 23°C (73°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Apr 10°C (50°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 24°C (75°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
May 14°C (58°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 26°C (79°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Jun 17°C (63°F) 76 mm (3 in) 27°C (81°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jul 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Aug 19°C (66°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Sep 16°C (61°F) 62 mm (2.5 in) 26°C (79°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Oct 12°C (54°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 25°C (77°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Nov 7°C (45°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 23°C (73°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Dec 4°C (39°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 22°C (72°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)