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

Europe / Comparisons /
Jump to  down-arrow

Should you visit Cologne or Heidelberg?

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

Should I visit Cologne or Heidelberg? 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 Heidelberg?

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.

Heidelberg

Heidelberg, in the state of Baden-Wurttemberg, is a top travel destination in Germany. It's picturesquely situated in the Neckar River Valley and is a wonderful place to spend a few days. The city has a population of over 148,000 and it's home to Germany's oldest university, the Ruprecht-Karls-Universitat, which has a student population of approximately 28,000.

Which city is cheaper, Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg is €113. 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 Heidelberg in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cologne €70
    Heidelberg €74
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cologne €140
    Heidelberg €148
Compare Hotels in Cologne and Heidelberg

Looking for a hotel in Cologne or Heidelberg? 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 Heidelberg


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 and Heidelberg Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cologne €15
    Heidelberg €14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cologne

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cologne:

  • Private transfer from Baden Baden to Köln or the opposite way: $964
  • Private transfer: Cologne to Cologne Airport (CGN): $622
  • Low Cost Private Transfer From Frankfurt am Main International Airport to Cologne City - One Way: $540
  • Private Cologne-Bonn Airport CGN Arrival Transfer to Koblenz City: $323
  • Low Cost Private Transfer From Eindhoven Airport to Cologne City - One Way: $243
  • Low Cost Private Transfer From Düsseldorf International Airport to Cologne City - One Way: $201
  • Low Cost Private Transfer From Mönchengladbach Airport to Cologne City - One Way: $192
  • Superior Private Transfer from Cologne City to Dortmund City: $107
  • Luxury Car Private Departure Transfer: Cologne city to Cologne-Bonn Airport: $98
  • Luxury Car Arrival Transfer: Cologne-Bonn Airport to Cologne City: $98
  • Arrival Private Transfer Cologne-Bonn Airport to Cologne City by Luxury Van: $87
  • Luxury Van Private Departure Transfer: Cologne-Bonn Airport: $87

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Heidelberg

Also for Heidelberg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Low Cost Private Transfer From Mannheim-City Airport to Heidelberg City - One Way: $155
  • Private Transfer from Heidelberg City to Frankfurt Airport FRA by Minivan: $131
  • Private Transfer from Heidelberg City to Stuttgart Airport STR by Minivan: $207
  • Private Transfer from Hotel in Heidelberg City to Frankfurt Airport: $362

Is it cheaper to fly into Cologne or Heidelberg?

Prices for flights to both Heidelberg 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
    Heidelberg €30
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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cologne €16
    Heidelberg €9.18

Tours and Activities in Cologne

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

  • 1 hour limousine sightseeing ride in Cologne: $368
  • Bonn City Private Tour (Day trip from Cologne): $866
  • Cologne All-inclusive Evening Cruise: $87
  • Cologne Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour and Rhine River Sightseeing Cruise: $30
  • Cologne Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $38
  • Cologne Old Town: Historical Tour in German: $15
  • Cologne Sightseeing round-trip Cruise: $15
  • Cologne Walking tour of Old Town: $200
  • Cologne Walking tour with a visit to world famous Cathedral: $322
  • Cologne and Dresden: 5-Day Independent Coach Tour from Cologne: $614
  • 1-hour Rhine River Panorama Cruise: $12
  • 2000 Years of Sex & Crime City Tour (in German): $14

Tours and Activities in Heidelberg

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Heidelberg.

  • BODY WORLDS Museum Entrance Ticket: $19
  • Virtual Tour of Heidelberg: $25
  • Heidelberg old Town Tour.: $25
  • Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and City Walking Tour: $31
  • Sightseeing Bus and Castle Tour: $33
  • Heidelberg Public Walking Tour: $34
  • Alternative Heidelberg Tour.: $36
  • Heidelberg Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $47
  • Food & Fables Tour of Heidelberg: $48
  • Bicycle Tour from Heidelberg to quaint Ladenburg.: $57
  • Kayak-Tour in Heidelberg on river Neckar: $61
  • Beer and Old Town Tour: $81

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cologne €18
    Heidelberg €14

About these numbers

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


When is the best time to visit Cologne or Heidelberg?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Cologne or Heidelberg in the Summer?

Both Heidelberg and Cologne during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Heidelberg because of the family-friendly experiences.

Cologne is around the same temperature as Heidelberg in the summer. The temperature in Cologne is usually 19°C (66°F) in July, and Heidelberg stays around 21°C (69°F).

In Heidelberg, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Cologne often gets less sunshine than Heidelberg. Cologne gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 224 hours of full sun.

Cologne usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Heidelberg. Cologne gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Cologne 19°C (66°F) 
    Heidelberg 21°C (69°F)

Should I visit Cologne or Heidelberg in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cologne and Heidelberg. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Heidelberg this time of year.

In the autumn, Cologne is around the same temperature as Heidelberg. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cologne in October are around 12°C (54°F), and Heidelberg is about 12°C (54°F).

Cologne usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Heidelberg during autumn. Cologne gets 104 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 102 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Cologne usually receives around the same amount of rain as Heidelberg. Cologne gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Cologne 12°C (54°F) 
    Heidelberg 12°C (54°F)

Should I visit Cologne or Heidelberg in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Cologne as well as Heidelberg. Additionally, many travelers come to Heidelberg for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Heidelberg. It's quite cold in Cologne in the winter. In January, Cologne is generally a little warmer than Heidelberg. Temperatures in Cologne average around 3°C (37°F), and Heidelberg stays around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Cologne often gets more sunshine than Heidelberg. Cologne gets 43 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 38 hours of full sun.

Cologne usually gets more rain in January than Heidelberg. Cologne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Cologne 3°C (37°F) 
    Heidelberg 3°C (37°F)

Should I visit Cologne or Heidelberg in the Spring?

Both Heidelberg and Cologne are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Heidelberg in the spring for the natural beauty.

Cologne is cooler than Heidelberg in the spring. The temperature in Cologne is usually 10°C (50°F) in April, and Heidelberg stays around 11°C (52°F).

Cologne usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Heidelberg during spring. Cologne gets 152 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 155 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Cologne usually receives around the same amount of rain as Heidelberg. Cologne gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Cologne 10°C (50°F) 
    Heidelberg 11°C (52°F)

Typical Weather for Heidelberg and Cologne

Cologne Heidelberg
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (37°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 3°C (37°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Feb 4°C (39°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 4°C (39°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Mar 7°C (44°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 7°C (45°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Apr 10°C (50°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 11°C (52°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
May 14°C (58°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 16°C (60°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Jun 17°C (63°F) 76 mm (3 in) 19°C (65°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Jul 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 21°C (69°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Aug 19°C (66°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 20°C (68°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Sep 16°C (61°F) 62 mm (2.5 in) 17°C (63°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Oct 12°C (54°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 12°C (54°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Nov 7°C (45°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 7°C (44°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Dec 4°C (39°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 4°C (38°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)


Budget Your Trip

Budget Your Trip has average travel costs for thousands of cities around the world, all provided by other travelers. You can also register to organize your spending by category and location with graphs, maps, charts, and tables.
Sign Up

More City Comparisons
Wurzburg vs. Cologne
Wurzburg vs. Heidelberg
Wernigerode vs. Cologne
Wernigerode vs. Heidelberg
Stuttgart vs. Cologne
Stuttgart vs. Heidelberg
Potsdam vs. Cologne
Potsdam vs. Heidelberg
Nuremberg vs. Cologne
Nuremberg vs. Heidelberg
Munich vs. Cologne
Munich vs. Heidelberg
Mainz vs. Cologne
Mainz vs. Heidelberg
Lindau vs. Cologne
Lindau vs. Heidelberg
Leipzig vs. Cologne
Leipzig vs. Heidelberg
Cologne vs. Koblenz
Cologne vs. Kiel
Cologne vs. Hannover
Cologne vs. Hamburg
Cologne vs. Fussen
Cologne vs. Frankfurt
Cologne vs. Dusseldorf
Cologne vs. Dresden
Cologne vs. Bremen
Cologne vs. Bonn
Share This Page
Pin This Page
Cologne vs. Heidelberg Travel Comparison

Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.