Which place is cheaper, Heidelberg or Ghent?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Ghent and Heidelberg. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Ghent is a under-rated, youthful, and high energy city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.
Heidelberg is a scenic, character-filled, and historic town. You'll find world class beauty here as well. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.
You'll generally find more things to do in Ghent than Heidelberg. Ghent is bigger than Heidelberg, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Ghent is better known for its museums, nightlife, and shopping, while Heidelberg is more popular for its historical sights and quaint atmosphere. Heidelberg is more touristy than Ghent and is popular for its picturesque beauty, romantic atmosphere, and its classic old town. Ghent is well known for its medieval buildings, large squares, and weekly markets Also, Ghent is famous for The Fortress of Gravensteen.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Heidelberg and Ghent. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Ghent is a great city for its historical sights. However, Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.
Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Ghent. The city has many different sights that are concentrated in a compact area. Make sure you check out the Cathedral of St. Bavo, The Fortress of Gravensteen, and The Belfry. The audio tour at Gravensteen really brings the history to life and makes for an enjoyable activity.
Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.
Foodies will find both Ghent and Heidelberg both to be excellent destinations.
With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Ghent makes for a great culinary experience. The food scene is diverse and international, but there are also many local dishes and flavors that you should try. Pas de Rouge is a local cheese and mastel is a local bread. Ganda ham is also a popular meat that is dried and salted. In additional to traditional restaurants, you'll find almost any international cuisine that you could want.
Heidelberg has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The old town is filled with local restaurants that offer an assortment of traditional dishes. The restaurants offer a mix of outdoor and indoor seating and classic dishes include saumagen, lewwerkneedl, and dampfnudeln.
Ghent is an amazing city to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for nightlife.
Ghent has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. With its young student population, you'll find plenty of lively bars and clubs around town. There are many places where you can party or dance into the early hours of the morning and some of the best places are around Oude Beestenmarkt, De Overpoort, and De Vlasmarkt. There's also the famous Ghent Festival every July.
Heidelberg offers plenty to do in the evening. As a university town, you'll find a very young population and many bars, pubs, and nightclubs where you can hang out.
Heidelberg is a world-class destination for its historic old town. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its old town.
The historic old town of Heidelberg is revered around the world. The charming old town, or Altstadt, is lined with cafes that spill out onto the street and churches with bells that chime hourly. The area is filled with activity and there are many shops, ice cream vendors, and restaurants to choose from.
Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Ghent. The medieval old town follows along the canal and offers great architecture and a unique atmosphere.
Ghent is a great city for its shopping areas. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for shopping.
Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Ghent. The city has the largest pedestrian shopping area in Belgium, making it a great place to explore on foot. The city has several different shopping areas which each have their own style and personality. You'll find everything from major European brands to local boutiques and street markets.
Heidelberg is a great destination for shopping. The pedestrian area is the best place to pass your time shopping. There are name brand stores mixed in with local independent shops which you'll mostly find on the side streets. Popular items to buy include wooden toys, Christmas decorations, and candy.
Both Ghent and Heidelberg are notable family-friendly destinations.
Ghent is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has a fun atmosphere with kid-friendly restaurants and a number of attractions that appeal to all ages. Kids and adults alike will enjoy exploring Gravensteen, which is the "Castle of Counts". You can also take a boat tour, rent bikes, or head to one of the town's playgrounds so the kids can burn off some energy.
Heidelberg is a family-friendly city. With its many ice cream shops, playgrounds, and impressive castle, this city makes a nice stop for families with kids. The restaurants usually have a kid's menu and there are a number of kid-friendly museums and activities.
Ghent and Heidelberg both excellent destinations for a couple.
Ghent is a very popular place to visit for couples. It makes a great weekend getaway with a diverse restaurant scene, nice hotels, and plenty of historic attractions that you can explore.
Heidelberg makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. This beautiful city offers an impressive backdrop for a couple's getaway. The view from the castle looks out beautifully over the city and the old town has many excellent restaurants and activities that are great for couples.
Heidelberg is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.
Backpackers come from all over to visit Heidelberg. Prices are reasonable and there are a handful of hostels around town. As a university town, you can be assured there are plenty of fun activities and cheap places to eat.
Plenty of budget travelers visit Ghent. The city has a number of hostels to choose from as well as a young vibe with a large student population. Many people overlook Ghent, but it feels more genuine than nearby Bruges, which attracts the larger tourist crowds.
Ghent is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for students.
Ghent is a very popular place to visit for students. The city is very popular with international students so it has a young and energetic vibe with plenty to do throughout the year.
Heidelberg is a good city to visit for students. It is a beautiful student town with a lot of activities for young visitors. This is not the most popular study abroad destination, but it does have a lot to offer for those who visit.
Ghent is an amazing city to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its public transit.
Public transit in Ghent is top-notch. Buses and trams travel to most parts of the city and are convenient and efficient.
Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Heidelberg. There are trams and buses that connect the old town to the train station.
Ghent and Heidelberg both are excellent when exploring on foot.
Ghent is very walkable. The area's with the most tourist attractions are generally walkable.
Heidelberg is a very walkable city. The old town is particularly walkable.
For even more information, also check out Is Ghent Worth Visiting? and Is Heidelberg Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Ghent and Heidelberg. In our opinion, Ghent has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Ghent than Heidelberg. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.
Couples should spend more time in Ghent than Heidelberg. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Ghent that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
With museums and nightlife around the youthful city of Ghent, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Ghent, one day is sufficent for most.
In Heidelberg, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this charming destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.
With nightlife and food around the destination of Ghent, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Heidelberg. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.
Ghent, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
Heidelberg is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the quaint destination of Heidelberg. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.
Ghent is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
You'll find nightlife and food around the scenic destination of Heidelberg. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Germany, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Germany.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Ghent is €118, while the average daily cost in Heidelberg is €142. 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 Ghent and Heidelberg in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Ghent or Heidelberg? 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.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ghent:
Also for Heidelberg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Heidelberg and Ghent 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.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ghent.
For Heidelberg, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Ghent are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Heidelberg.
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Ghent:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Heidelberg:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ghent and Heidelberg, we can see that Heidelberg is more expensive. And not only is Ghent much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ghent would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ghent 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 Heidelberg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Heidelberg than you might in Ghent.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ghent Expensive? and Is Heidelberg Expensive?.
Ghent has a larger population, and is about 61% larger than the population of Heidelberg. When comparing the sizes of Ghent and Heidelberg, 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.
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.
The summer brings many poeple to Ghent as well as Heidelberg. The summer months attract visitors to Ghent because of the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Heidelberg this time of year.
In July, Ghent is generally cooler than Heidelberg. Daily temperatures in Ghent average around 17°C (63°F), and Heidelberg fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Heidelberg. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ghent this time of the year. In the summer, Ghent often gets less sunshine than Heidelberg. Ghent gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 224 hours of full sun.
Ghent usually gets less rain in July than Heidelberg. Ghent gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Heidelberg and Ghent are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Ghent this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Heidelberg for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
Ghent is around the same temperature as Heidelberg in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ghent averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Heidelberg fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
Ghent usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Heidelberg during autumn. Ghent gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 102 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Ghent usually receives more rain than Heidelberg. Ghent gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both Heidelberg and Ghent during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Ghent for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Heidelberg in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.
Heidelberg can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Ghent. In the winter, Ghent is a little warmer than Heidelberg. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ghent in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Heidelberg averages at about 3°C (37°F).
In the winter, Ghent often gets more sunshine than Heidelberg. Ghent gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 38 hours of full sun.
Ghent usually gets more rain in January than Heidelberg. Ghent gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ghent and Heidelberg. Many visitors come to Ghent in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Heidelberg for the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Ghent is generally cooler than Heidelberg. Daily temperatures in Ghent average around 8°C (47°F), and Heidelberg fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
Ghent usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Heidelberg during spring. Ghent gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 155 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Ghent usually receives less rain than Heidelberg. Ghent gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Ghent | Heidelberg | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
Feb | 3°C (38°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
Mar | 6°C (42°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
Apr | 8°C (47°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
May | 12°C (54°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
Aug | 18°C (64°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 75 mm (2.9 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
Dec | 5°C (40°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |