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

Should you visit Cologne or Sopron?

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

Should I visit Cologne or Sopron? 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 Sopron?

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.

Sopron

Sopron is a city in northwestern Hungary, located right on the Austrian border at the foot of the Alps near Lake Neusiedl.

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


Which place is cheaper, Sopron 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 Sopron 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 Sopron in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cologne 91
    Sopron 27
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cologne 182
    Sopron 54
Compare Hotels in Cologne and Sopron

Looking for a hotel in Cologne or Sopron? 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 Sopron


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 Sopron Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cologne 19
    Sopron 20

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: $109
  • 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

Is it cheaper to fly into Cologne or Sopron?

Prices for flights to both Sopron 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
    Sopron 22
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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cologne 20
    Sopron 5.17

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 Sopron

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

  • Romantic tour in Sopron for couples: $98
  • The best of Sopron walking tour: $163
  • Romantic tour in Sopron for couples: $191
  • City Highlights Walking Tour: $191
  • Special Magical Christmas tour around Sopron: $218

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cologne 23
    Sopron 5.29

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


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

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


Which is Bigger, Cologne or Sopron?

Cologne has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Sopron. When comparing the sizes of Cologne and Sopron, 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 Sopron?

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 Sopron in the Summer?

Both Sopron and Cologne are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Cologne in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Cologne is generally cooler than Sopron. Daily temperatures in Cologne average around 19°C (66°F), and Sopron fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

It's quite sunny in Sopron. Cologne usually receives less sunshine than Sopron during summer. Cologne gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Sopron receives 255 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Cologne usually receives more rain than Sopron. Cologne gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Sopron receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Cologne 19°C (66°F) 
    Sopron 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Cologne or Sopron in the Autumn?

Both Sopron and Cologne during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Cologne for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Cologne is around the same temperature as Sopron in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cologne averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Sopron fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Cologne often gets less sunshine than Sopron. Cologne gets 104 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sopron receives 140 hours of full sun.

Cologne usually gets more rain in October than Sopron. Cologne gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Sopron receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


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

Should I visit Cologne or Sopron in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cologne and Sopron. The winter months attract visitors to Cologne because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Sopron in the winter. The weather in Cologne can be very cold. In the winter, Cologne is a little warmer than Sopron. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cologne in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Sopron averages at about 2°C (36°F).

Cologne usually receives less sunshine than Sopron during winter. Cologne gets 43 hours of sunny skies, while Sopron receives 65 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Cologne usually receives more rain than Sopron. Cologne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Sopron receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Cologne 3°C (37°F) 
    Sopron 2°C (36°F)

Should I visit Cologne or Sopron in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Cologne as well as Sopron. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Cologne this time of year.

In April, Cologne is generally cooler than Sopron. Daily temperatures in Cologne average around 10°C (50°F), and Sopron fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sopron. In the spring, Cologne often gets less sunshine than Sopron. Cologne gets 152 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sopron receives 202 hours of full sun.

Cologne usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Sopron. Cologne gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Sopron receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Cologne 10°C (50°F) 
    Sopron 13°C (55°F)

Typical Weather for Sopron and Cologne

Cologne Sopron
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (37°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 2°C (36°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Feb 4°C (39°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 4°C (38°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Mar 7°C (44°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 8°C (46°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Apr 10°C (50°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 13°C (55°F) 51 mm (2 in)
May 14°C (58°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 17°C (63°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 17°C (63°F) 76 mm (3 in) 20°C (69°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Jul 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 23°C (73°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Aug 19°C (66°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 22°C (72°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Sep 16°C (61°F) 62 mm (2.5 in) 18°C (64°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Oct 12°C (54°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 12°C (54°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Nov 7°C (45°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 7°C (45°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Dec 4°C (39°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 3°C (37°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)