A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Frankfurt vs. Cork for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Frankfurt or Cork?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Frankfurt and Cork can help you decide which place is right for you.

Frankfurt

Frankfurt is a accessible, modern, and connected city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Cork

Cork is a energetic, cultural, and seaside city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Frankfurt and Cork: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Frankfurt or Cork?

You'll generally find more things to do in Frankfurt than Cork. Frankfurt is bigger than Cork, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Frankfurt is well known for its financial industry, its popularity as a transportation hub, and its active nightlife. Also, Frankfurt is famous for The Old Town Center. Cork is well known for its friendly personality, its thriving art scene and its local craft beer.

The Old Town Center

How is Frankfurt different from Cork?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Cork and Frankfurt. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Frankfurt or Cork?

You'll find a number of superb museums and attractions in both Cork and Frankfurt.

Many visitors head to Frankfurt specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Many sights are concentrated in the old town center. Highlights include the Historical Museum and St. Nicholas Church. Elsewhere, make sure you check out Maintower, the Städel Museum, and the Museum District.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Cork can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is filled with historic sights and landmarks. Most notable is the Blarney Castle and Blarney Stone, but also make sure you check out St. Fin Barre's Cathedral, the Cork Public Museum, Cork City Gaol Heritage Centre, and St. Anne's Church.

Is the Food Better in Frankfurt or Cork? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Frankfurt and Cork can be an enjoyable experience.

Frankfurt has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. In addition to a number of international restaurants, the city also has a strong regional cuisine. Some of the most interesting local dishes include Frankfurter Sausage, Rindwurst, Grüne Soße (an herb sauce), and Handkäse mit Musik (marinated sour milk cheese). Also make sure you sample the Apfelwein.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Cork makes for a great culinary experience. You'll find charming seaside cafes and award winning restaurants. Also make sure you check out the English Market, which is among the best in Ireland.

Is Frankfurt or Cork Better for Nightlife?

Both Frankfurt and Cork have superb vibes after the sun sets.

Frankfurt has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. It's a vibrant city with many trendy clubs, cocktail bars, music venues, and more. You can enjoy techno, hip hop, and almost any style of music. There are also festivals, beer halls, and classic pubs.

The people in Cork know how to have a good time. It's a university city, so you'll find plenty of students, bars, clubs, and cheap beer. Many pubs also have live music with everything from rock to Irish folk music.

Is Frankfurt or Cork Better for its Old Town?

Frankfurt is a city with good options for its historic old town. However, Cork does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Frankfurt to see the historical old town. Many museums and cafes are concentrated in the old town area.

Cork does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Frankfurt or Cork?

Shoppers can find a variety of superb stores in both Frankfurt and Cork.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Frankfurt. It's a financial capital in Europe, and as such there are plenty of high end shopping opportunities. MyZeil is a major shopping mall in the city and Kleinmarkthalle is a more classic market. Popular shopping neighborhoods and streets include Goethestrasse, Sachsenhausen and Berger Strasse.

Cork is an extremely popular place for shoppers. It offers a mix of high street shops and boutique vendors. Head to St. Patrick’s Street for some of the city's best shopping. Also check out Opera Lane and Oliver Plunkett Street.

Is Frankfurt or Cork Better for Families?

Frankfurt is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Cork is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Frankfurt is a very family-friendly place to visit. In town there's a zoo, a children’s museum, a math and technology museum (EXPERIMINTA), and a number of parks, natural areas, and playgrounds. If you're willing to head out of town then you can visit Taunus Wunderland, which is an amusement park with about 50 rides and attractions.

Cork is a family-friendly city. For a bit of outside time, head to Fota Wildlife Park, Regional Park Ballincollig, or Inchydoney Beach. Kids will also enjoy exploring Cork City Gaol which is a heritage museum, or the Toy Soldier Factory. And of course, there's the Blarney Castle and the Blarney Stone.

Is Frankfurt or Cork Better for Couples?

Cork is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Cork makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Visiting Blarney Castle is a highlight, but you can also wander along the river or do the Ballycotton Cliff Walk. There are also several gardens to explore or small theaters where you can see a play.

Frankfurt is a nice destination for couples. The iconic spot of romance in the city is the Iron Footbridge, which is a traditional spot to attach a "love lock" and take a selfie. The city also offers river cruises, winery tours, and beautiful parks and natural areas.

Is Frankfurt or Cork Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Frankfurt is notable for backpackers. Also, Cork is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Frankfurt. You'll find a number of hostels in town. The city is also a major transportation hub so many backpackers pass through the area at some point on their trip through Germany.

Plenty of backpackers visit Cork. There are plenty of hostels as well as a large student population and an active nightlife.

Is Frankfurt or Cork Better for Students?

Frankfurt is a must-visit destination for students. Also, Cork is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Frankfurt is a very popular city for students. The city offers prestigious universities and a world class education. The economy offers many internships and job opportunities and you'll find students from around the world studying here. Frankfurt is also well connected to the rest of Europe, so it's easy to explore the region.

Many students visit Cork. It's a university town with many students and plenty to do. The city plays host to many international students.

Is Frankfurt or Cork Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Frankfurt is a must-visit destination for its public transit. However, Cork is a mediocre city for times when you don't have a car.

Frankfurt has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. It is a huge transportation hub with a major international airport and a number of international train connections. Locally, the city has a subway, trams, commuter trains and buses.

Public transit is mostly limited in Cork. In town you'll find bus service but if you want to explore anywhere else in the county you really need your own vehicle.

Is Frankfurt or Cork a more walkable city?

Frankfurt is notable for its walkability. Also, Cork is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

Frankfurt is very walkable. It has a compact city center that is generally pedestrian-friendly.

Cork is a somewhat walkable place. The city center is compact and easy enough to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Frankfurt Worth Visiting? and Is Cork Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cork or Frankfurt?

How long in Frankfurt or Cork?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Frankfurt and Cork. In our opinion, Frankfurt has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Frankfurt than Cork. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Frankfurt than Cork. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Frankfurt, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Cork than Frankfurt. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Cork that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Frankfurt than Cork if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Frankfurt.

One day in Frankfurt or Cork?

Frankfurt is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Cork. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Cork has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Frankfurt or Cork?

Frankfurt is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the youthful destination of Cork. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Frankfurt or Cork?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the accessible big city of Frankfurt. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the seaside city of Cork. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Frankfurt or Cork?

The dynamic city of Frankfurt offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Cork is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in Germany, The Best Adventure Tours to Germany, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ireland, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ireland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Frankfurt and Cork, we can see that Frankfurt is more expensive. And not only is Cork much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cork would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cork 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 Frankfurt would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Frankfurt than you might in Cork.

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

Which is Bigger, Frankfurt or Cork?

Frankfurt has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Cork. When comparing the sizes of Frankfurt and Cork, 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 Frankfurt or Cork?

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 Frankfurt or Cork in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Frankfurt as well as Cork. Many travelers come to Frankfurt for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Cork in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Frankfurt is a little warmer than Cork. Typically, the summer temperatures in Frankfurt in July average around 19°C (67°F), and Cork averages at about 16°C (60°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Frankfurt this time of the year. In the summer, Frankfurt often gets more sunshine than Cork. Frankfurt gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cork receives 178 hours of full sun.

Frankfurt usually gets more rain in July than Cork. Frankfurt gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Cork receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Frankfurt or Cork in the Autumn?

Both Cork and Frankfurt are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Frankfurt in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Cork for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Frankfurt is generally around the same temperature as Cork. Daily temperatures in Frankfurt average around 11°C (51°F), and Cork fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Frankfurt usually receives more sunshine than Cork during autumn. Frankfurt gets 103 hours of sunny skies, while Cork receives 90 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Frankfurt usually receives less rain than Cork. Frankfurt gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Cork receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Frankfurt or Cork in the Winter?

Both Cork and Frankfurt during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Frankfurt for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Cork because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Frankfurt can be very cold during winter. Frankfurt is much colder than Cork in the winter. The daily temperature in Frankfurt averages around 1°C (34°F) in January, and Cork fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

In the winter, Frankfurt often gets less sunshine than Cork. Frankfurt gets 41 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cork receives 60 hours of full sun.

Cork gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Frankfurt usually gets less rain in January than Cork. Frankfurt gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Cork receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Frankfurt or Cork in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Frankfurt and Cork. The spring months attract visitors to Frankfurt because of the activities around the city. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Cork this time of year.

In the spring, Frankfurt is a little warmer than Cork. Typically, the spring temperatures in Frankfurt in April average around 10°C (50°F), and Cork averages at about 9°C (48°F).

Frankfurt usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cork during spring. Frankfurt gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Cork receives 157 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Frankfurt usually receives around the same amount of rain as Cork. Frankfurt gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Cork receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Cork and Frankfurt