Which place is cheaper, Madrid or Frankfurt?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Frankfurt or Madrid?
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 Madrid can help you decide which place is right for you.
Frankfurt
Frankfurt is a energetic, dynamic, and diverse city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.
Madrid
Madrid is a friendly, authentic, and cultural city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife.
Frankfurt and Madrid: Pros and Cons
Frankfurt
Pros- Popular museums and historical sights
- Active nightlife
- Scenic old town
- Family-friendly
- Good for couples and romance
- Good for backpackers and budget travelers
- Big city activities
Madrid
Pros- Popular museums and historical sights
- Active nightlife
- Good music scene
- Family-friendly
- Good for couples and romance
- Good for backpackers and budget travelers
- Big city activities
Is there more to do in Frankfurt or Madrid?
You'll generally find more things to do in Madrid than Frankfurt. Madrid is bigger than Frankfurt, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Madrid is better known for its food, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Frankfurt is more popular for its museums and historical sights. Madrid is more touristy than Frankfurt and is known for its art and architecture, its tapas and culinary scene, and its lively flamenco dancing. Also, Madrid is famous for The Prado Museum. Frankfurt is well known for its financial industry, its popularity as a transportation hub, and its active nightlife.
How is Frankfurt different from Madrid?
Which is Better for a Holiday?
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Madrid 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 Madrid?
Frankfurt
Madrid
Frankfurt is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Madrid is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.
You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Frankfurt. 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.
Madrid offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are a number of cultural sights in the city including Museo Nacional del Prado, the Royal Palace and Gardens, and Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía.
Is the Food Better in Frankfurt or Madrid? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?
Frankfurt
Madrid
Madrid is an unbeatable place for its restaurants. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.
Madrid has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The city has a mix of flavors that come from all of Spain. There are amazing markets where you can grab a meal or snack. There are also many high quality restaurants around town where you're guaranteed a good meal. Local favorites include roast suckling pig, Spanish omelette, and meat and chickpea stew.
With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Frankfurt makes for a great culinary experience. 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.
Is Frankfurt or Madrid Better for Nightlife?
Frankfurt
Madrid
Both Frankfurt and Madrid 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 Madrid know how to have a good time. Many tourists and international students hang out in the Huertas area, while Malasaña has a bohemian, hipster vibe with small clubs that play indie music. Chueca is a fun area that's known for being gay-friendly with many good bars. Finally, you'll find that the area around Avenida de Brasil is where famous DJs often perform.
Is Frankfurt or Madrid Better for Music?
Frankfurt
Madrid
Madrid is an unbeatable place for its music scene. However, Frankfurt is not a live music destination.
Madrid has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. Rock, jazz, and flamenco are all popular in the city. Some of the most well known music venues include Sala Caracol, Sala Clamores, and Costello Club.
Frankfurt is not a live music destination.
Is Frankfurt or Madrid Better for its Old Town?
Frankfurt
Madrid
Frankfurt is a city with good options for its historic old town. However, Madrid does not have a historic old town.
Frankfurt is a good destination for visiting its old town. Many museums and cafes are concentrated in the old town area.
Madrid does not have a historic old town.
Is the Shopping Better in Frankfurt or Madrid?
Frankfurt
Madrid
Madrid is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.
Many people travel to Madrid specifically to go shopping. Gran Vía is a main thoroughfare in Madrid that is also popular for shopping. Calle Fuencarral is where you'll find the fashion shops and Calle Preciados is a fun pedestrian area to explore.
Frankfurt is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.
Is Frankfurt or Madrid Better for Families?
Frankfurt
Madrid
You'll find superb kid-friendly activities in either Frankfurt or Madrid.
You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Frankfurt. 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.
Madrid is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids love splashing around at Madrid Río, taking a ride on the cable car (Teleférico), and exploring the city's many parks and playgrounds. There's even a maze at Sabatini Gardens. Restaurants around the city are also very kid-friendly.
Is Frankfurt or Madrid Better for Couples?
Frankfurt
Madrid
Madrid is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.
Madrid makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Fun and romantic activities around town include taking a boat ride at Casa de Campo, riding a bike in one of the many parks, and enjoy dinner and show in the evening.
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 Madrid Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?
Frankfurt
Madrid
Frankfurt and Madrid are both superb destinations for backpackers.
Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers 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.
Backpackers come from all over to visit Madrid. The many hostels around town make it easy for backpackers to find affordable accommodation while also meeting other travelers.
Is Frankfurt or Madrid Better for Students?
Frankfurt
Madrid
Both Frankfurt and Madrid are amazing destinations for students.
Students come from all over the world to visit Frankfurt. 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.
Madrid is a great destination for students. With several great universities, this city is popular with international and study abroad students. The city also has a diverse population and an active nightlife that appeals to students.
Is Frankfurt or Madrid Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?
Frankfurt
Madrid
Visitors will find amazing public transit in both Frankfurt and Madrid.
Visitors in Frankfurt can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. 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.
Madrid has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. The system includes the Madrid Metro, buses, and a light rail system.
Is Frankfurt or Madrid a more walkable city?
Frankfurt
Madrid
Madrid is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.
It's very easy to get around on foot in Madrid. Most tourists stay in the central part of Madrid where it's compact and relatively easy to walk to most tourist sights.
Frankfurt is very walkable. It has a compact city center that is generally pedestrian-friendly.
For even more information, also check out Is Frankfurt Worth Visiting? and Is Madrid Worth Visiting?.
Should I spend more time in Madrid or Frankfurt?
How long in Frankfurt or Madrid?
In either Frankfurt or Madrid, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Madrid than Frankfurt because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Frankfurt, and 2-5 days is enough time in Madrid.
Couples should spend more time in Madrid than Frankfurt. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Madrid that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Madrid than Frankfurt 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 Madrid.
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How many days in Frankfurt or Madrid? Ideal Length of StayFrankfurt 1-3Madrid 2-5
One day in Frankfurt or Madrid?
Frankfurt is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. One day is often enough time to do most activities.
You'll find nightlife and live music around the city of Madrid. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
A weekend in Frankfurt or Madrid?
Frankfurt is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
You'll find live music and food around the authentic big city of Madrid. 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 Madrid?
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Frankfurt. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
You'll find food and shopping around the authentic city of Madrid. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.
A week in Frankfurt or Madrid?
Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the accessible big city of Frankfurt. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.
Madrid 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 Contiki Tours to Spain, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFrankfurt €122Madrid €136
The average daily cost (per person) in Frankfurt is €122, while the average daily cost in Madrid is €136. 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 Frankfurt and Madrid in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFrankfurt €58Madrid €77
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFrankfurt €116Madrid €154
Compare Hotels in Frankfurt and Madrid
Looking for a hotel in Frankfurt or Madrid? 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: Madrid Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Frankfurt €25Madrid €19
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Frankfurt
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Frankfurt:
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Car Rental€50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Frankfurt
Also for Frankfurt, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private transfer from Frankfurt am Main to Prague: $1,059
- Transfer from Frankfurt Airport to Munich: $695
- Transfer from Frankfurt Airport to Baden-Baden: $396
- Frankfurt Highlights Private Car Tour with Airport Transfers: $383
- Private Transfer: Frankfurt to River Cruise Dock Nuremberg Port/Harbor transport: $284
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Frankfurt Airport (FRA)- Kaiserlautern: $267
- Private Transfer Frankfurt Airport to Heidelberg City by Minivan: $157
- Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to Baden-Baden Thermal - Arrival Transfer: $142
- Frankfurt Airport (FRA): Private Transfer to Frankfurt: $140
- BaronFleet Frankfurt- Arrival & Departure Airport Transfers: $132
- Roundtrip Transfer Private Minivan Frankfurt Airport (FRA) - Frankfurt City: $123
- Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to Frankfurt Round-Trip Private Transfer: $109
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Madrid
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Madrid are as follows:
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Taxi Ride€26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Madrid
Also for Madrid, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Vehicle transfer with driver included in Madrid: $142
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Madrid HTL-APT (MAD): $61
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Madrid APT-HTL (MAD): $61
- Transfer to Madrid, travel calmly and comfortably: $144
- Transfer to Barajas Airport from Madrid: $76
- Transfer in private vehicle from Madrid City - Madrid Barajas Airport (MAD): $61
- Transfer in private minivan from Madrid City - Madrid Barajas Airport (MAD): $75
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Madrid Barajas Airport (MAD) - Madrid City: $61
- Transfer from Barajas Airport to Madrid: $95
- Segovia: Full-Day Tour with Transfer to and from Madrid: $449
- Roundtrip Transfer Private Minivan Madrid Airport (MAD) - Madrid City: $149
- Round Trip Transfer from Madrid Airport MAD to Madrid by Sedan: $77
Is it cheaper to fly into Frankfurt or Madrid?
Prices for flights to both Madrid and Frankfurt 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 dayFrankfurt €41Madrid €34
Typical Food Prices in Frankfurt
For Frankfurt, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Soda€2.00
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Bagel Sandwich and Latte€7.00
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Ham & Cheese Sandwich and Coffee€6.00
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Sandwich and Cola€7.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Frankfurt
For Frankfurt, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- FOOD TOUR WITH 3-4 LOCAL INSIDER FOODSPOTS: $80
- Eltz Castle Small-Group Tour from Frankfurt with Dinner: $281
Typical Food Prices in Madrid
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Madrid:
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Coffee€2.00
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Ice Cream€3.00
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Kebabs (for 2)€16
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Croissant€1.50
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Lunch at Airport (for 2)€16
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Madrid
For Madrid, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Tipsy Tapas Food Tour with Drinks and Food: $27
- Drunken Tapas Food Tour with Dinner in Madrid: $33
- Tapas Dinner Party Food Tour with Guide: $33
- Tapas Crawl Food Tour with 6 Tapas and 4 Drinks: $35
- Madrid Tipsy Tapas Guided Food Tour with Dinner: $42
- Madrid Tipsy Tapas Tour with Dinner and Drinks: $43
- Madrid Tapas Dinner Party with Guide: $43
- Paella and Sangria Workshop with Dinner and Drinks: $47
- Skip the Line: Flamenco Show with Dinner and Workshop in Madrid Ticket: $49
- San Miguel Market and Street Food Tour: $52
- Traditional Paella & Sangría Workshop & Spanish Dinner in Madrid: $53
- The Authentic Morning Madrid's Food Tour: $59
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Frankfurt €36Madrid €34
Tours and Activities in Frankfurt
For Frankfurt, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2-Hour Best of Frankfurt Walking Tour (English): $26
- Atta Dripstone Cave and Braunfels Castle Tour from Frankfurt: $271
- Bike Tour of Frankfurt Top Attractions & Nature with a Guide : $207
- Bike tour city tour by bike to Skyline, Goethe, and apple wine: $53
- Brandenburg Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $11
- Breathtaking Pearls of Frankfurt - Walking Tour: $242
- Cologne & Limburg Full-Day Tour: $283
- Culinary Frankfurt Walking Tour: $609
- Exciting private city tour of Frankfurt for your group: $164
- Explore Bird & Marine Wildlife private Boat Tour in English: $108
- Franfurt Horror Tour: Terror of the White Spider: $20
- Frankfurt - Old Town Historic Walking Tour: $374
Tours and Activities in Madrid
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Madrid.
- Private Combo Tour Prado Museum and Reina Sofia: $222
- Toledo with Cathedral from Madrid Full Day Tour: $134
- Ávila & Segovia Day Tour from Madrid: $97
- "Prado Museum" Tour A Treasure of World Art: $65
- 1 Hour Private Tuk tuk Tour in Madrid: $98
- 1 hour tour in Madrid in Tuk Tuk through the best of the city: $136
- 1-Hour Madrid Segway Tour: $32
- 1-Hour Private Flamenco Class in Madrid Experience: $45
- 2 Hour Madrid Walking Tour : $4.36
- 2 Hours Private Tuk tuk Tour in Madrid: $164
- 2.5-Hour Evening Tapas Tour through Madrid: $37
- 3 Hours Private Madrid City Tour Guide: $53
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFrankfurt €30Madrid €20
Typical Alcohol Prices in Frankfurt
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Frankfurt:
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Becks Beer€2.00
Sample the Local Flavors in Frankfurt
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Frankfurt:
- Night Pub Crawl through Alt-Sachsenhausen: $21
- Enjoy the night with our Pub Tours: $32
- Weekend Night Pub Crawl through Alt-Sachsenhausen: $34
- Full Day Private Rhine Valley Wine Tour Experience from Frankfurt: $279
- Frankfurt Wine Tasting Tour with a Wine Expert: $280
- Frankfurt Wine Tasting Tour with a Wine Expert: $286
- Guided Walk Tour With Apple Wine Tasting: $334
- Bachelor(ette) Party with Pub Crawl: $401
- Private Premium Pub Crawl Tour: $513
- Private Rhine Valley tour with river cruise & wine tasting: $748
Typical Alcohol Prices in Madrid
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Madrid are as follows:
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Beer€5.00
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Drinks and Tapas (for 2)€13
Sample the Local Flavors in Madrid
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Madrid:
- Pub Crawl with Tapas and VIP Club Entry: $9.62
- Madrid Pub Crawl with VIP Club Entrance: $11
- Visit to the Winery with Wine Tasting and Appetizers in Navarra: $12
- Pub crawl & Party Tour Madrid: $14
- Pub Crawl Madrid Running since 2005 Bar Exploration: $16
- Guided Pub Crawl Madrid Experience and Club Entry: $16
- Pub Crawl Madrid-The Original since 2005-Shots-Fun-Clubs-Dance: $16
- Pub Crawl Madrid: $19
- Wine Tasting near Plaza Mayor: $22
- Wine Tasting Experience with 4 Spanish Wines: $26
- Wine Tour with tasting in the Natural Park of La Mata: $38
- Wine Tasting Experience: $49
When comparing the travel costs between Frankfurt and Madrid, we can see that Madrid 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.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Frankfurt Expensive? and Is Madrid Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Frankfurt or Madrid?
Madrid has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Frankfurt. When comparing the sizes of Frankfurt and Madrid, 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.
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.