Which place is cheaper, Cologne or Ephesus?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ephesus or Cologne?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ephesus or Cologne, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Ephesus or Cologne?
Ephesus
The ancient city of Ephesus was famed for the Temple of Artemis (completed around 550 BC). It is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The temple was destroyed in 401 AD and rebuilt by Emperor Constantine I along with new public baths. The town was again partially destroyed by an earthquake in 614 AD. The city's importance as a commercial center declined as the harbor was slowly silted up by the Cayster River (Kucuk Menderes).
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Turkey, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Turkey, The Best Luxury Tours to Germany, and The Best Budget Tours to Germany.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayEphesus $143Cologne $172
The average daily cost (per person) in Ephesus is $143, while the average daily cost in Cologne is $172. 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 Ephesus and Cologne in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEphesus $70Cologne $97
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEphesus $140Cologne $194
Compare Hotels in Ephesus and Cologne
Looking for a hotel in Ephesus or Cologne? 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: Ephesus Hotel Prices and Cologne Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ephesus $51Cologne $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ephesus
Also for Ephesus, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Akbuk Hotels to Izmir Airport ADB Transfers: $164
- Didim (Altinkum) Hotels to Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers: $115
- Ephesus Private Guided Tour with Lunch and Transfers: $80
- From-to Izmir AirPort to-from Kusadası Private Airport Transfer: $75
- Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB) Transfer to OR from Kusadasi: $100
- Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport - Kusadasi Centrum (All hotels, home...) transfers: $65
- Kusadasi Boat Trip With Lunch And Hotel Transfer: $40
- Kusadasi Buggy Car Safari With Free Hotel Transfer Service: $40
- Kusadasi Half Day Quad Safari Experience With Free Hotel Transfer: $50
- Kusadasi Hotels to Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers: $169
- Kusadasi Hotels to Izmir Airport ADB Transfers: $93
- Kusadasi International Golf Hotels to Izmir Airport ADB Transfers: $93
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Ephesus or Cologne?
Prices for flights to both Cologne and Ephesus 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 dayEphesus $33Cologne $54
Typical Food Prices in Ephesus
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ephesus:
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Sandwiches$0.15
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Dessert$0.17
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Lunch at Beach (for 2)$0.59
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Snacks$0.25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ephesus
For Ephesus, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking Class in Kusadasi Ephesus: $110
- Ephesus Tour with Cooking Class in the Village: $149
- Taste of Traditional Turkish Cuisine | Small Group Kusadasi Food Tour: $211
- Cooking Class in Ephesus Selcuk Town: $228
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$15
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Donner Kebab$4.29
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.Ephesus $59Cologne $22
Tours and Activities in Ephesus
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ephesus.
- For Cruisers: Skip-the-line Private Free Ephesus Tour : $0.05
- Self-guided Virtual Tour of The Highlights: $6.53
- Entry Free: Drive by Ephesus and Ancient Wonder Tour: $12
- Self-guided Virtual Tour of the ancient pearl of the Mediterranean: $17
- Kusadasi Traditional Turkish Bath Hamam Experience : $17
- SKIP THE LINE :Best Seller Ephesus Private Tour For Cruiser Guest: $19
- Private & Mini Group Classical Ephesus Tour For Cruisers: $19
- Skip the Line - Best of Ephesus: $19
- Time Travel in Affordable and Spectacular Experience: $20
- Best of Ephesus Guided Tour For Cruise Guest : $20
- Kusadasi Scuba Diving Tour By Local Experts: $20
- Kusadasi Quad Safari Adventure: $20
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayEphesus $15Cologne $24
Typical Alcohol Prices in Ephesus
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Ephesus from other travelers:
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Beer$0.12
Sample the Local Flavors in Ephesus
Also in Ephesus, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Skip-the-line Ephesus & Wine Tasting Tour From Kusadasi Port: $53
- Ephesus port tours and Wine Tasting Tours : $70
- Ephesus&Sirince Village with Wine Tasting Shore Ex: $100
- Ephesus and Sirince with Wine tasting Private Half Day Shore Excursion: $100
- Ancient Ephesus tour with Wine Tasting in the village and visit to Mother's Mary House: $130
- Private Ephesus Tour with Wine Tasting: $134
- Virgin Mary Bread and Wine Tour included Lunch: $300
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 Ephesus and Cologne, we can see that Cologne is more expensive. And not only is Ephesus much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ephesus would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ephesus 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 Ephesus.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ephesus Expensive? and Is Cologne Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ephesus or Cologne?
Cologne has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Ephesus. When comparing the sizes of Ephesus and Cologne, 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 Ephesus or Cologne?
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 Ephesus or Cologne in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Ephesus as well as Cologne. Also, most visitors come to Cologne for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Ephesus is a little warmer than Cologne. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ephesus in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Cologne averages at about 19°C (66°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ephesus this time of the year. In the summer, Ephesus often gets more sunshine than Cologne. Ephesus gets 378 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cologne receives 184 hours of full sun.
Ephesus usually gets less rain in July than Cologne. Ephesus gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyEphesus 27°C (81°F)Cologne 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Ephesus or Cologne in the Autumn?
Both Cologne and Ephesus are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, 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.
In October, Ephesus is generally much warmer than Cologne. Daily temperatures in Ephesus average around 19°C (66°F), and Cologne fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ephesus. Ephesus usually receives more sunshine than Cologne during autumn. Ephesus gets 232 hours of sunny skies, while Cologne receives 104 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Ephesus usually receives less rain than Cologne. Ephesus gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberEphesus 19°C (66°F)Cologne 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Ephesus or Cologne in the Winter?
Both Cologne and Ephesus during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Cologne this time of year.
It's quite cold in Cologne in the winter. Ephesus is much warmer than Cologne in the winter. The daily temperature in Ephesus averages around 10°C (50°F) in January, and Cologne fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
In the winter, Ephesus often gets more sunshine than Cologne. Ephesus gets 131 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cologne receives 43 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Ephesus. Ephesus usually gets more rain in January than Cologne. Ephesus gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryEphesus 10°C (50°F)Cologne 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Ephesus or Cologne in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ephesus and Cologne. Furthermore, many travelers come to Cologne for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Ephesus is much warmer than Cologne. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ephesus in April average around 15°C (59°F), and Cologne averages at about 10°C (50°F).
In Ephesus, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ephesus usually receives more sunshine than Cologne during spring. Ephesus gets 231 hours of sunny skies, while Cologne receives 152 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Ephesus usually receives less rain than Cologne. Ephesus gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilEphesus 15°C (59°F)Cologne 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Cologne and Ephesus
| Ephesus | Cologne | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (50°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 10°C (50°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (53°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 19°C (67°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 62 mm (2.5 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (58°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (53°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 71 mm (2.8 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.