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

Should you visit Cologne or Poznan?

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

Should I visit Cologne or Poznan? 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 Poznan?

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.

Poznan

Poznan is a city on the Warta River in western Poland. It's known for universities as well as its old town, with Renaissance-style buildings in Old Market Square. Poznan Town Hall houses the Historical Museum of Poznan, with exhibits on the city. The town hall's clock features mechanical goats that butt heads at noon. The Gothic and baroque Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral is built on an island named Ostrow Tumski. The city's Old Town district is buzzing at any time of the day, and positively jumping by night, full of people heading to its many restaurants, pubs, and clubs. The combination of international business travelers attending its numerous trade fairs and the city's huge student population has created a distinctive vibe quite independent of tourism. Poznan is the capital of the Wielkopolska region of Poland, and has always played an important role in Poland's history and today remains one of the oldest, yet most vibrant and beautiful Polish cities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Germany, The Best Budget Tours to Germany, The Best Historical Tours in Poland, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Poland.


Which place is cheaper, Poznan 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 Poznan is €33. 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 Poznan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cologne 91
    Poznan 16
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cologne 182
    Poznan 32
Compare Hotels in Cologne and Poznan

Looking for a hotel in Cologne or Poznan? 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 Poznan


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 Poznan Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cologne 19
    Poznan 3.99

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cologne

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cologne:

  • Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Bonn hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $109
  • Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Cologne hotels - Round-trip Private Transfer : $98
  • Transfer from Cologne Airport CGN to Cologne City by Luxury Car: $83
  • Superior Private Transfer from Cologne City to Dortmund City: $64
  • Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Bonn hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $55
  • Cologne hotels to Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) - Departure Private Transfer: $49

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Poznan

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

  • Poznan Private Transfer from Poznan Airport to City centre: $39
  • Poznan Private Transfer from Poznan city centre to Poznan Airport: $39
  • Poznan airport - Poznan City Private transfer: $58
  • Private Airport Transfer to/from the City: $57
  • Private Airport Transfer Poznan E-Class or Similar: $65
  • Private Airport Transfer Poznań MINIVAN Vito or Similar: $109
  • Private Transfer from Poznan city to Wroclaw (WRO) Airport: $239
  • Private Transfer from Poznan to Termy Maltanskie: $69

Is it cheaper to fly into Cologne or Poznan?

Prices for flights to both Poznan 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
    Poznan 9.89
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: $481

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Poznan

For Poznan, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Taste of Poland - dinner in Polish Home + tasting vodka: $55
  • Poznan Private Traditional Polish Food Tour: $179
  • Private Traditional Polish Food Tour: $179

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cologne 20
    Poznan 4.48

Tours and Activities in Cologne

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

  • 120min - Cologne City Tour: $158
  • 3-Hour Cologne Street Art Bike Tour in Small Group with Guide: $44
  • 3-Hour Murder Mystery Interactive City Walking Tour in Köln: $75
  • 5 Hours Cologne to Aachen Train Tour in Germany: $63
  • Aachen Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $231
  • Aachen Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
  • Aachen Scavenger Hunt and Self Guided Walking Tour on your Phone: $7.63
  • Aachen old town tour - GERMAN (public): $13
  • Amusing Stories of Cologne Walking Tour: $13
  • Awesome Sites of Cologne – Private Family Walking Tour: $395
  • Beethoven and Bonn Highlights Tour from Cologne by Car: $840
  • Best of Cologne in 1-Day Private Guided Tour with Transport: $438

Tours and Activities in Poznan

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

  • Poznań: The Birthplace of Poland Self-Guided Audio Tour: $4.99
  • The Birthplace of Poland: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Poznań: $5.00
  • Poznan's Cultural Struggles: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • Old Town Guided Walking Tour: $17
  • Old Town Poznan Walking Tour: $17
  • 2 Hour Private Roots of Poznan Tour: $36
  • Poznań Experience 2-Hours Guided Walking Tour: $41
  • The Best of Poznan 4 Hour Guided Private Walking Tour: $46
  • Poznań: Highlights Tour with a local guide: $59
  • Poznań Half-day Tour: $79
  • Romantic tour in Poznan: $80
  • Captivating Corners of Poznan - Walking Tour: $80

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cologne 23
    Poznan 2.99

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 Poznan

Also in Poznan, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Poznan Pub Crawl : $22
  • Poznan Pub Crawl: $25
  • City and Brewery Private Walking Tour with Beer: $157


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

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


Which is Bigger, Cologne or Poznan?

Cologne has a larger population, and is about 69% larger than the population of Poznan. When comparing the sizes of Cologne and Poznan, 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 Poznan?

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 Poznan in the Summer?

Both Poznan and Cologne during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Cologne for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Cologne is generally around the same temperature as Poznan. Daily temperatures in Cologne average around 19°C (66°F), and Poznan fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

In Poznan, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Cologne often gets less sunshine than Poznan. Cologne gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Poznan receives 216 hours of full sun.

Cologne usually gets more rain in July than Poznan. Cologne gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Poznan receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Cologne 19°C (66°F) 
    Poznan 19°C (65°F)

Should I visit Cologne or Poznan in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cologne and Poznan. The autumn months attract visitors to Cologne because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Cologne is a little warmer than Poznan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cologne averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Poznan fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

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

In October, Cologne usually receives more rain than Poznan. Cologne gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Poznan receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Cologne 12°C (54°F) 
    Poznan 10°C (50°F)

Should I visit Cologne or Poznan in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Cologne as well as Poznan. The museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Cologne this time of year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Poznan. It's quite cold in Cologne in the winter. In the winter, Cologne is much warmer than Poznan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cologne in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Poznan averages at about -2°C (29°F).

In the winter, Cologne often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Poznan. Cologne gets 43 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Poznan receives 40 hours of full sun.

Cologne usually gets more rain in January than Poznan. Cologne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Poznan receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Cologne 3°C (37°F) 
    Poznan -2°C (29°F)

Should I visit Cologne or Poznan in the Spring?

Both Poznan and Cologne are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Cologne for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Cologne is generally a little warmer than Poznan. Daily temperatures in Cologne average around 10°C (50°F), and Poznan fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

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

In April, Cologne usually receives more rain than Poznan. Cologne gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Poznan receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Cologne 10°C (50°F) 
    Poznan 9°C (47°F)

Typical Weather for Poznan and Cologne

Cologne Poznan
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (37°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) -2°C (29°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Feb 4°C (39°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) -0°C (32°F) 24 mm (0.9 in)
Mar 7°C (44°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 4°C (38°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)
Apr 10°C (50°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 9°C (47°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
May 14°C (58°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 14°C (57°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Jun 17°C (63°F) 76 mm (3 in) 17°C (63°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Jul 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 19°C (65°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Aug 19°C (66°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 18°C (65°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Sep 16°C (61°F) 62 mm (2.5 in) 14°C (58°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Oct 12°C (54°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 10°C (50°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Nov 7°C (45°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 4°C (40°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Dec 4°C (39°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 0°C (33°F) 37 mm (1.5 in)