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

Should you visit Cologne or Wroclaw?

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

Should I visit Cologne or Wroclaw? 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 Wroclaw?

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.

Wroclaw

Wroclaw still remains mostly undiscovered to travelers. It's the largest city and capital of Lower Silesian Voivodeship. It is also a historical capital of Silesia with a very rich history. The city's population is around 630,000 and there are over a million people in the metropolitan area. It's the fourth largest city in Poland and has an economy that is centered around manufacturing, banking, industry, tourism, and cultural events. The area has some unique architecture, beautiful rivers, and a vibrant cultural scene. The city has witnessed much turmoil, particularly during World War II and the years following. Today it has been beautifully restored and should be considered a highlight of a trip to Poland. Now is the time to visit, because as Poland gains ground within Europe, prices are sure to rise and the crowds will discover this city.

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


Which place is cheaper, Wroclaw 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 Wroclaw is €31. 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 Wroclaw in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cologne 91
    Wroclaw 15
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cologne 182
    Wroclaw 30
Compare Hotels in Cologne and Wroclaw

Looking for a hotel in Cologne or Wroclaw? 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 Wroclaw


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 Wroclaw Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cologne 19
    Wroclaw 5.47

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 Wroclaw

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Wroclaw:

  • Archery Tag with Hotel Transfers: $58
  • Private Transfer Arrival or Departure: Wroclaw - Brzeg: $109
  • Private Transfer Arrival or Departure: Wroclaw - Karpacz: $174
  • Private Transfer Arrival or Departure: Wroclaw - Katowice: $294
  • Private Transfer Arrival or Departure: Wroclaw - Lodz: $283
  • Private Transfer Arrival or Departure: Wroclaw - Opole: $153
  • Private Transfer Arrival or Departure: Wroclaw - Polanica Zdroj: $174
  • Private Transfer Arrival or Departure: Wroclaw - Poznan: $262
  • Private Transfer Arrival or Departure: Wroclaw - Swidnica: $109
  • Private Transfer Arrival or Departure: Wroclaw - Szklarska Poreba: $174
  • Private Transfer from Swidnica city to Wroclaw (WRO) Airport: $101
  • Private Transfer from Wroclav (WRO) Airport to Bielany Wroclawskie city: $32

Is it cheaper to fly into Cologne or Wroclaw?

Prices for flights to both Wroclaw 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
    Wroclaw 10
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

Typical Food Prices in Wroclaw

Some typical examples of dining costs in Wroclaw are as follows:


  • Coffee & Sandwich
    2.79

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Wroclaw

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Wroclaw.

  • Private Traditional Polish Food Tour: $179

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cologne 20
    Wroclaw 5.32

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 Wroclaw

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Wroclaw are as follows:

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & City Tour: $6.95
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.95
  • Wrocław: Old Town Guided Walking Tour: $11
  • Legends of Old Town 1 Hour Walking Tour in Wroclaw: $11
  • Old Town Sunset Cruise: $15
  • Old Town Night Cruise with Ilumination: $15
  • Old Town boat cruise: $15
  • Old Town Wrocław Walking Tour: $16
  • Wrocław: Old Town and Ostrów Tumski Walking Tour (English): $17
  • III Reich and WW2 in Wroclaw. Monday-Friday regular tour: $27
  • Wroclaw, 2-Hour Group Tour by Electric Car: $27

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cologne 23
    Wroclaw 5.56

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

Typical Alcohol Prices in Wroclaw

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Wroclaw:


  • A Couple Beers
    3.02

Sample the Local Flavors in Wroclaw

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Wroclaw:

  • Wroclaw Pub Crawl : $22
  • Wroclaw Pub Crawl with Free Drinks: $22


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

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


Which is Bigger, Cologne or Wroclaw?

Cologne has a larger population, and is about 52% larger than the population of Wroclaw. When comparing the sizes of Cologne and Wroclaw, 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 Wroclaw?

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 Wroclaw in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cologne and Wroclaw. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cologne this time of year.

Cologne is around the same temperature as Wroclaw in the summer. The daily temperature in Cologne averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Wroclaw fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wroclaw this time of the year. Cologne usually receives less sunshine than Wroclaw during summer. Cologne gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Wroclaw receives 205 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Cologne usually receives around the same amount of rain as Wroclaw. Cologne gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Wroclaw receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.


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

Should I visit Cologne or Wroclaw in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Cologne as well as Wroclaw. Many travelers come to Cologne for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Cologne is a little warmer than Wroclaw. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cologne in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Wroclaw averages at about 10°C (50°F).

In the autumn, Cologne often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Wroclaw. Cologne gets 104 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wroclaw receives 108 hours of full sun.

Cologne usually gets more rain in October than Wroclaw. Cologne gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Wroclaw receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


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

Should I visit Cologne or Wroclaw in the Winter?

Both Wroclaw and Cologne are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Cologne in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Wroclaw can be very cold during winter. Cologne can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Cologne is generally much warmer than Wroclaw. Daily temperatures in Cologne average around 3°C (37°F), and Wroclaw fluctuates around -1°C (30°F).

Cologne usually receives less sunshine than Wroclaw during winter. Cologne gets 43 hours of sunny skies, while Wroclaw receives 49 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Cologne usually receives more rain than Wroclaw. Cologne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Wroclaw receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Cologne 3°C (37°F) 
    Wroclaw -1°C (30°F)

Should I visit Cologne or Wroclaw in the Spring?

Both Wroclaw and Cologne during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Cologne for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

Cologne is a little warmer than Wroclaw in the spring. The daily temperature in Cologne averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Wroclaw fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the spring, Cologne often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Wroclaw. Cologne gets 152 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wroclaw receives 142 hours of full sun.

Cologne usually gets more rain in April than Wroclaw. Cologne gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Wroclaw receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Cologne 10°C (50°F) 
    Wroclaw 9°C (48°F)

Typical Weather for Wroclaw and Cologne

Cologne Wroclaw
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (37°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) -1°C (30°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Feb 4°C (39°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 0°C (33°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Mar 7°C (44°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 4°C (40°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)
Apr 10°C (50°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 9°C (48°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
May 14°C (58°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 14°C (57°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Jun 17°C (63°F) 76 mm (3 in) 17°C (63°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Jul 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 19°C (65°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Aug 19°C (66°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 18°C (65°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Sep 16°C (61°F) 62 mm (2.5 in) 15°C (59°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Oct 12°C (54°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 10°C (50°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Nov 7°C (45°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 5°C (41°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Dec 4°C (39°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 1°C (33°F) 37 mm (1.5 in)