A Travel Price Comparison for Germany Hamburg vs. Bonn for Families, Attractions, Nightlife, and Food

Should you visit Hamburg or Bonn?

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 Hamburg and Bonn can help you decide which place is right for you.

Hamburg

Hamburg is a historic, energetic, and cultural port city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Bonn

Bonn is a beautiful, outdoorsy, and lively city. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Hamburg and Bonn: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hamburg or Bonn?

You'll generally find more things to do in Hamburg than Bonn. Hamburg is bigger than Bonn, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Hamburg is better known for its nightlife, music, and impressive beauty, while Bonn is more popular for its historical sights and quaint atmosphere. Hamburg is more touristy than Bonn and is popular for its music clubs, beautiful architecture, relaxing natural areas, and green space. Also, Hamburg is famous for St. Michael's Church. Bonn is well known for its many museums, cultural venues, and university atmosphere, as well as being the birthplace of Beethoven.

How is Hamburg different from Bonn?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Hamburg or Bonn?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Hamburg or Bonn.

Many visitors head to Hamburg specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city's most famous district is the port area, which has a number of cultural sights and a pedestrian trail. There are also many museums and architectural landmarks around town.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Bonn can be an interesting and educational experience. Some of the most popular museums include Haus der Geschichte (history), Beethoven's House, and Kunstmuseum Bonn (art). For architecture check out the Old Town Hall and Bonn Minster. Other landmarks include Poppelsdorf Palace and Schloss Drachenburg.

Is the Food Better in Hamburg or Bonn? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at notable restaurants in both Hamburg and Bonn.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Hamburg area. The city has a mix of cosmopolitan restaurants and traditional places where you can enjoy a classic German dish like currywurst or labskaus (a type of stew).

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Bonn. Like much of the food in Germany, you'll find local dishes are hearty and filling. Potatoes and meats are popular ingredients, as are milk, butter, and vegetables. For local flavors try the Rhenish Sauerbraten (veal stew), Reibekuchen (German pancakes), or Christmas Sausages.

Is Hamburg or Bonn Better for Nightlife?

Hamburg is a great port city for nightlife. Also, Bonn is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Hamburg has something for everybody. The city is often overlooked, but it's nightlife scene is actually among the best. There are techno concerts, music festivals, and nightclubs that appeal to all personalities.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Bonn. There are bars and nightclubs around town but even more popular are the cultural events that the city hosts. If nightlife is important to you, try to visit during one of the festivals around town.

Is Hamburg or Bonn Better for Music?

Hamburg is very popular for live music. However, Bonn is not a live music destination.

Hamburg is known as a music capital around the world. The city is an influential power in the music scene around Europe. You'll find many clubs concentrated in the St. Pauli district.

Bonn is not a live music destination.

Is Hamburg or Bonn Better for its Old Town?

Bonn is well known for its historic old town charm. However, Hamburg does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Bonn. The old town is filled with cobblestone streets and charming shops. There are also cafes and restaurants where you can grab a bite to eat.

Hamburg does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Hamburg or Bonn?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Bonn and Hamburg.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Hamburg. The diversity of shopping venues includes flea markets and luxury shopping malls. One of the main shopping streets in town is the Mönkebergstrasse.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Bonn. A mix of local shops and major chains make shopping fun and easy. Whether you're interested in souvenir gifts or a new outfit, there are countless stores around town.

Is Hamburg or Bonn Better for Families?

Bonn is renowned for its family-friendly activities. Also, Hamburg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Bonn is one of the most popular family destinations. Just outside of the town is the Haribo factory outlet store where you can pick up a number of sweet treats and spend some time exploring with the kids. Another favorite activity for the whole family is a trip to nearby Phantasialand. This is one of the best amusement parks in Germany and it has many rides for teens and younger kids alike. In town, you'll find playgrounds and kid-friendly museums. Kids will also love a visit to Schloss Drachenburg Castle.

Hamburg is a very family-friendly destination. The city has a surprising number of opportunities to see wildlife nearby including a zoo and a wildlife park just outside of town. The city also has great playgrounds that are fun for kids who need a break from sightseeing.

Is Hamburg or Bonn Better for Couples?

Both Hamburg and Bonn are notable destinations to visit as a couple.

Hamburg is a good port city for couples to visit. Romantic activities in town include taking a boat ride or harbor cruise or grabbing a cocktail at one of the city's many bars.

Bonn is a nice destination for couples. Churches, architecture, and botanical gardens all make this a great couples destination. You can take a cruise down the Rhein or enjoy a meal at one of the best restaurants.

Is Hamburg or Bonn Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hamburg and Bonn are notable places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Hamburg is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Many backpackers overlook the city, but there are a number of good hostels and a relaxing vibe that makes for a nice visit.

It's common for backpackers to visit Bonn. Many backpackers skip this town, so its a good option for travelers who want to get off the beaten backpacker trail. There are affordable hotels and hostels around town as well as restaurants where you can pick up something cheap to eat.

Is Hamburg or Bonn Better for Students?

Bonn is well known for students. Also, Hamburg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Bonn is very popular with students. The city has a very international vibe and you'll likely run into people speaking English around town. Job opportunities in the area are good and there are schools that attract students from around the globe.

It's common for students to visit Hamburg. The city has a few great universities and a number of opportunities for international students.

Is Hamburg or Bonn Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Hamburg and Bonn.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Hamburg. There are trains and buses that make their way around town.

Public transit in Bonn is fairly effecient and thorough. There is a light rail system that includes 9 lines and 64 stations. There are also buses around town. Bonn is connected to the region by convenient commuter trains so it's possible to visit as a day trip.

Is Hamburg or Bonn a more walkable city?

Hamburg and Bonn both are great when exploring on foot.

Hamburg is a very walkable destination. Most tourist areas can easily be explored on foot.

Bonn is very walkable. The compact old town is easy to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Hamburg Worth Visiting? and Is Bonn Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bonn or Hamburg?

How long in Hamburg or Bonn?

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

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

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

One day in Hamburg or Bonn?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Hamburg. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

In Bonn, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Hamburg or Bonn?

Hamburg is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the live music. 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.

In Bonn, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bonn has to offer.

Five days in Hamburg or Bonn?

You'll find food and shopping around the cultural destination of Hamburg. This port city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Bonn is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Hamburg or Bonn?

The energetic port city of Hamburg offers shopping and museums. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bonn. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Bonn. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin, The Best 2-Week Tours from Berlin, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Germany, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Germany.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Hamburg or Bonn?

Hamburg has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Bonn. When comparing the sizes of Hamburg and Bonn, 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 Hamburg or Bonn?

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 Hamburg or Bonn in the Summer?

Both Bonn and Hamburg during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Hamburg for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Bonn because of the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Hamburg is cooler than Bonn. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hamburg in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Bonn averages at about 19°C (66°F).

It's quite sunny in Hamburg. In the summer, Hamburg often gets more sunshine than Bonn. Hamburg gets 207 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bonn receives 191 hours of full sun.

Hamburg usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Bonn. Hamburg gets 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hamburg or Bonn in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hamburg and Bonn. The autumn months attract visitors to Hamburg because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the shopping scene are the main draw to Bonn this time of year.

In October, Hamburg is generally cooler than Bonn. Daily temperatures in Hamburg average around 10°C (50°F), and Bonn fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Hamburg usually receives less sunshine than Bonn during autumn. Hamburg gets 101 hours of sunny skies, while Bonn receives 109 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Hamburg usually receives more rain than Bonn. Hamburg gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Hamburg or Bonn in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Hamburg as well as Bonn. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Hamburg this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Bonn for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Bonn. It's quite cold in Hamburg in the winter. Hamburg is much colder than Bonn in the winter. The daily temperature in Hamburg averages around 0°C (33°F) in January, and Bonn fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Hamburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bonn. Hamburg gets 42 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bonn receives 45 hours of full sun.

Hamburg usually gets more rain in January than Bonn. Hamburg gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hamburg or Bonn in the Spring?

Both Bonn and Hamburg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Hamburg for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Hamburg is cooler than Bonn. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hamburg in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Bonn averages at about 10°C (50°F).

Hamburg usually receives more sunshine than Bonn during spring. Hamburg gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Bonn receives 145 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Hamburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Bonn. Hamburg gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bonn and Hamburg