Should you visit Dresden or Bonn?
Should I visit Dresden or Bonn? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Dresden
As towering baroque architecture and verdant woodlands surround your vision, this cityscape works almost as a time capsule of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, untouched by the burdens of modernity. With a melange of cultures and histories, Dresden, Germany stands before you. The capital of the eastern German state of Saxony, Dresden is globally known for its celebrated art museums and classic architecture of its reconstructed Old Town. From the baroque church Frauenkirche to the Versailles-inspired Zwinger palace, the aesthetic value of this Germany city is simply immeasurable. Located on the gorgeous Elbe River, Dresden receives about ten million tourists a year, most of them from Germany. Nevertheless, despite the traditional German culture its most historic buildings exude, Dresden is still touched by the present-day generation with its abundance of restaurants, clubs, shops, and theaters. Whether you wish to gaze at the Raphael's "Sistine Madonna" or simply go for a quick shopping run, Dresden obliges its guests most satisfactorily.
Bonn
Bonn was the capital of the Federal Republic of Germany (previously, West Germany) and it has a population of about 315,000 people. It sits on the Rhine River just twenty kilometers away from Cologne. Many people travel to Bonn for conferences and business, but Bonn also has a lot of cultural and historical sights to offer visitors. The city is also famous as the birth place of Ludwig van Beethoven. There's a strong student culture in the city as well, and it actually shares many characteristics with Italian cities because of its many cafes and restaurants which line the streets. Outdoor beer gardens are popular and Bonn is a particular good summer destination when the weather is pleasant and you can enjoy the outdoor setting. The city's location also makes it a great base for day trips to Cologne, Dusseldorf, and the Rhine and Eifel regions.
Which city is cheaper, Bonn or Dresden?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Dresden is €107, while the average daily cost in Bonn is €123. 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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Dresden and Bonn in more detail.
Accommodation
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around €48. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Dresden the cost is €96 on average.
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about €136 in Bonn For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
On average, meal and food prices in Dresden cost around €25 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around €10.
While meal prices in Bonn can vary, the average travelers spends about €39 per day on food. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out, an average meal in Bonn should cost around €16 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Bonn is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
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Food
Meals for one day
Dresden €25
Bonn €39
Local Transportation
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around €8.45 per day to get around in Dresden.
To get around in Bonn, the average visitor spends €18 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dresden
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dresden:
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Private transfer from Dresden to Prague:
$409
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1-way Dresden to Prague - private transfer - Mercedes Benz - up to 8 passengers:
$243
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Private Transfer from Dresden to Prague:
$199
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Private Transfer from Dresden to Prague with 2 Sightseeing stops:
$157
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Private Transfer from Dresden City to Leipzig City:
$156
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Private Transfer from Dresden to Prague, Hotel-to-hotel, English-speaking driver:
$132
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Private transfer: Dresden to Dresden Airport (DRS):
$73
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Private transfer: Dresden Airport (DRS) to Dresden:
$73
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Arrival Private Transfer Dresden Airport DRS to Dresden by Luxury Vehicle:
$52
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Departure Private Transfer Dresden to Dresden Airport DRS by Luxury Vehicle:
$52
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From Hike Through Saxon Switzerland with Transfers:
$34
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Private Airport Transfer: Dresden International Airport (DRS) to Dresden:
$30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bonn
Also for Bonn, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Low Cost Private Transfer From Düsseldorf International Airport to Bonn City - One Way:
$254
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Private Airport Transfer: from Bonn to Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN):
$42
Is it cheaper to fly into Dresden or Bonn?
Prices for flights to both Bonn and Dresden 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.
Entertainment
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around €7.64 per person, per day in Dresden. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
In Bonn, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average €27 per person, per day.
Tours and Activities in Dresden
Here are a few actual costs in Dresden for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Art and Culture Tour in Dresden:
$198
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Best of Bohemian and Saxon Switzerland Day Trip from Dresden - Hiking Tour:
$185
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Best of Bohemian and Saxon Switzerland Day Trip from Dresden- Fantasy Tour:
$185
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Best of Bohemian and Saxon Switzerland Day Trip from Dresden- Winter Tour:
$185
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Big Sightseeing Tour in Dresden:
$23
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Classical Dresden Walking Tour with German-Speaking Guide:
$13
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Discover the old city of Dresden on a private walking tour:
$400
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Dresden Historic Walking Tour & Treasury Visiting:
$440
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Dresden Live-Guided Self-Drive Trabi Safari City XXL Tour 2h15min:
$101
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Dresden New Town Walking Tour:
$440
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Dresden Old Town Walking Tour with a German-Speaking Guide:
$13
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Dresden Private Christmas Market Tour:
$191
Tours and Activities in Bonn
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Bonn.
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Discover Beethoven's birthplace: Bonn Private Walking Tour:
$193
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Bonn Walking Tour (In the footsteps of Ludwig Van Beethoven):
$240
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Dresden may vary from person to person, on average a person spends €13 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Bonn, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is €18.
Sample the Local Flavors in Dresden
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dresden:
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Dresden on Food! Without wine tasting.:
$50
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Dresden on Food! With wine tasting. Small group tour:
$62
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Adventure day boat trip, wine tasting & wine tasting:
$101
When comparing the travel costs between Dresden and Bonn, we can see that Bonn 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.
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