Which place is cheaper, Podgorica or Cologne?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cologne or Podgorica?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Cologne or Podgorica? 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 Podgorica?
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.
Podgorica
Podgorica is Montenegro's capital city, and also its largest. Dating back to the Ottoman Empire, World War II destroyed much of this history, but there are a few Turkish remnants worth visiting. Podgorica's central location often makes the city a good starting point for day trips to coastal cities or mountain resorts.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Germany, The Best Budget Tours to Germany, The Best Budget Tours to Montenegro, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Montenegro.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCologne €161Podgorica €105
The average daily cost (per person) in Cologne is €161, while the average daily cost in Podgorica is €105. 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 Podgorica in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCologne €91Podgorica €46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCologne €182Podgorica €92
Compare Hotels in Cologne and Podgorica
Looking for a hotel in Cologne or Podgorica? 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.
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 Podgorica Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cologne €19Podgorica €20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cologne
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cologne:
- Cologne hotels to Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) - Departure Private Transfer: $49
- Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Bonn hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $55
- Superior Private Transfer from Cologne City to Dortmund City: $64
- Transfer from Cologne Airport CGN to Cologne City by Luxury Car: $83
- Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Cologne hotels - Round-trip Private Transfer : $98
- Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Bonn hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $109
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Podgorica
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Podgorica:
- Podgorica Airport (TGD) to Kotor Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $47
- Podgorica Airport (TGD) to Kotor Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $94
- Budva to Podgorica one way transfer: $118
- From One-Way Private Transfer to/from Virpazar: $57
- Podgorica airport: Private Transfer to/from Budva: $75
- Private Transfer to Budva: $39
- Private transfer to Kotor: $53
- Private transfer to Tivat: $53
- Private Airport Transfer from Podgorica airport to Budva: $68
- Private Transfer from Podgorica Airport (TGD) to Lustica: $262
- Private Transfer from Podgorica Airport (TGD) to Petrovac : $58
- Private Transfer from Podgorica Airport (TGD) to Tivat downtown: $117
Is it cheaper to fly into Cologne or Podgorica?
Prices for flights to both Podgorica 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
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Food Meals for one dayCologne €50Podgorica €41
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.
- 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: $481
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cologne €20Podgorica €21
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: $3.20
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Original funky-fun Free Tour of Cologne: $3.21
- Germany eSIM Tourist Roaming Data Plan: $4.28
- Smartphone Scavenger Hunt Sightseeing Tour: $5.88
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.36
- Cologne Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
- Aachen Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
- Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $6.95
- Horrors of World War II Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.48
- Cologne Scavenger Hunt and Self Guided Walking Tour on your Phone: $7.63
- Aachen Scavenger Hunt and Self Guided Walking Tour on your Phone: $7.63
Tours and Activities in Podgorica
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Podgorica are as follows:
- Skip The Line: National Park Skadar Lake - Tickets: $8.17
- Skadar lake - Falcon kayak tour: $13
- Lake Skadar: Guided Sightseeing Boat Tour with Refreshments: $16
- Two Hours Sightseeing Lake Cruise at Montenegro National Park: $16
- Podgorica City Walking Tour: $22
- Lake Skadar: Guided Panoramic Boat Tour to Kom Monastery : $22
- Lake Skadar: Early-morning Birdwatching and Photography Tour: $27
- From Virpazar: Guided Lake Skadar cruise and Crnojevića River: $33
- Book Your Tour Podgorica by walk: $36
- Book Your Donkey Farm Tour: $57
- Book Your Tour Ostrog Monastery: $65
- Cultural Bike Tour of Podgorica;Discovering the Ancient Treasures: $71
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCologne €23Podgorica €20
Sample the Local Flavors in Cologne
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cologne:
- Old Town Walking Tour with Brewery and Kölsch Beer: $18
- Public brewery tour in Cologne in English: $18
- Public brewery tour in German in Cologne: $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: $29
- Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting and Halven Hahn: $31
- The Legendary Kölsch Brewery Tour: $32
- The Legendary Kölsch Brewery Tour: $33
Sample the Local Flavors in Podgorica
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Podgorica:
- Private Wine Tasting Activity at Lipovac Winery: $27
- Book Your Wine Tour: $77
- Podgorica Car Trip - Architecture, History, Wine tasting, Churches, Doclea city: $93
- Podgorica Car Trip, Doclea city, Wine tasting, Niagara falls: $106
- Wine tasting in the family winery, feel the spirit: $120
- Montenegro: Nature, Locals & Wine Tour: $128
- Skadar lake boat ride through "Montenegrin Amazon", wine tasting & Niagara falls: $196
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cologne and Podgorica, we can see that Cologne is more expensive. And not only is Podgorica much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Podgorica would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Podgorica 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 Podgorica.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cologne Expensive? and Is Podgorica Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cologne or Podgorica?
Cologne has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Podgorica. When comparing the sizes of Cologne and Podgorica, 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 Podgorica?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Cologne or Podgorica in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cologne and Podgorica. Many travelers come to Cologne for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Cologne is cooler than Podgorica. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cologne in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Podgorica averages at about 26°C (80°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Podgorica this time of the year. Cologne usually receives less sunshine than Podgorica during summer. Cologne gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Podgorica receives 341 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Cologne usually receives more rain than Podgorica. Cologne gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCologne 19°C (66°F)Podgorica 26°C (80°F)
Should I visit Cologne or Podgorica in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Cologne as well as Podgorica. Many visitors come to Cologne in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Cologne is generally cooler than Podgorica. Daily temperatures in Cologne average around 12°C (54°F), and Podgorica fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Podgorica. In the autumn, Cologne often gets less sunshine than Podgorica. Cologne gets 104 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Podgorica receives 203 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Podgorica. Cologne usually gets less rain in October than Podgorica. Cologne gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 166 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCologne 12°C (54°F)Podgorica 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Cologne or Podgorica in the Winter?
Both Podgorica and Cologne are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Cologne for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Cologne can be very cold during winter. Cologne is much colder than Podgorica in the winter. The daily temperature in Cologne averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Podgorica fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).
Cologne usually receives less sunshine than Podgorica during winter. Cologne gets 43 hours of sunny skies, while Podgorica receives 121 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Podgorica. In January, Cologne usually receives less rain than Podgorica. Cologne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 192 mm (7.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCologne 3°C (37°F)Podgorica 6°C (42°F)
Should I visit Cologne or Podgorica in the Spring?
Both Podgorica and Cologne during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Cologne because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Cologne is cooler than Podgorica. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cologne in April average around 10°C (50°F), and Podgorica averages at about 14°C (58°F).
In the spring, Cologne often gets less sunshine than Podgorica. Cologne gets 152 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Podgorica receives 194 hours of full sun.
Podgorica gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Cologne usually gets less rain in April than Podgorica. Cologne gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCologne 10°C (50°F)Podgorica 14°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Podgorica and Cologne
| Cologne | Podgorica | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (39°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Mar | 7°C (44°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 159 mm (6.3 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (50°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) |
| May | 14°C (58°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (63°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (66°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (61°F) | 62 mm (2.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 239 mm (9.4 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (39°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 217 mm (8.5 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.