Which city is cheaper, Heidelberg or Cologne?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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.
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, 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.
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.
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.
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Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cologne:
Also for Heidelberg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cologne:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cologne.
Here are a few actual costs in Cologne for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Heidelberg.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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) |
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