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

Should you visit Hamburg or Frankfurt?

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 Frankfurt can help you decide which place is right for you.

Hamburg

Hamburg is a cultural, vibrant, and historic port city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Frankfurt

Frankfurt is a connected, energetic, and dynamic city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Hamburg and Frankfurt: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hamburg or Frankfurt?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Frankfurt than Hamburg. While Hamburg is larger than Frankfurt, Frankfurt has more sights and attractions for tourists. Frankfurt is very popular for its food, historical sights, and big city activities, while Hamburg attracts visitors for its music and impressive beauty. Hamburg is more touristy than Frankfurt and is popular for its music clubs, beautiful architecture, relaxing natural areas, and green space. Frankfurt is famous for its financial industry, its popularity as a transportation hub, and its active nightlife. It is also well known for The Old Town Center.

The Old Town Center

How is Hamburg different from Frankfurt?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt?

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

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 Frankfurt can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

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

Frankfurt is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Hamburg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Frankfurt is an experience not to be missed. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Hamburg. 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).

Is Hamburg or Frankfurt Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Hamburg and Frankfurt.

Hamburg is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

Many people head to Frankfurt for the nightlife scene. 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.

Is Hamburg or Frankfurt Better for Music?

Hamburg is an unbeatable place for its music scene. However, Frankfurt is not a live music destination.

Hamburg has become a mecca for musicians from 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.

Frankfurt is not a live music destination.

Is Hamburg or Frankfurt Better for its Old Town?

Frankfurt is very good for its historic old town charm. However, Hamburg does not have a historic old town.

Frankfurt offers a nice historic old town area. Many museums and cafes are concentrated in the old town area.

Hamburg does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Hamburg or Frankfurt?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Frankfurt 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 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.

Is Hamburg or Frankfurt Better for Families?

You'll find very good kid-friendly activities in either Hamburg or Frankfurt.

Hamburg is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Frankfurt is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

Is Hamburg or Frankfurt Better for Couples?

Both Hamburg and Frankfurt are nice 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.

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 Hamburg or Frankfurt Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Frankfurt is well known for backpackers. Also, Hamburg is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Frankfurt is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Hamburg. Many backpackers overlook the city, but there are a number of good hostels and a relaxing vibe that makes for a nice visit.

Is Hamburg or Frankfurt Better for Students?

Frankfurt is renowned for students. Also, Hamburg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

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.

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

Frankfurt is renowned for its public transit. Also, Hamburg is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Frankfurt has a great 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.

Public transit in Hamburg is fairly effecient and thorough. There are trains and buses that make their way around town.

Is Hamburg or Frankfurt a more walkable city?

Hamburg and Frankfurt both are very good when exploring on foot.

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

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

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

Should I spend more time in Frankfurt or Hamburg?

How long in Hamburg or Frankfurt?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Frankfurt than Hamburg 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 Hamburg or Frankfurt?

You'll find nightlife and live music around the port city of Hamburg. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Hamburg has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Because Frankfurt is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. 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 Frankfurt?

You'll find live music and food around the cultural destination of Hamburg. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this port city has to offer. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Because Frankfurt is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Frankfurt has to offer.

Five days in Hamburg or Frankfurt?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the vibrant port city of Hamburg. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the live music. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Frankfurt is a great place to explore. 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 Frankfurt?

Hamburg 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Frankfurt. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Frankfurt. 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 comparing the travel costs between Hamburg and Frankfurt, we can see that Frankfurt 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 Hamburg Expensive? and Is Frankfurt Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Hamburg or Frankfurt?

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

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 Frankfurt in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Hamburg as well as Frankfurt. The summer months attract visitors to Hamburg because of the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Frankfurt this time of year.

Hamburg is cooler than Frankfurt in the summer. The daily temperature in Hamburg averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Frankfurt fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Frankfurt. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hamburg this time of the year. In the summer, Hamburg often gets less sunshine than Frankfurt. Hamburg gets 207 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Frankfurt receives 225 hours of full sun.

Hamburg usually gets more rain in July than Frankfurt. Hamburg gets 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hamburg or Frankfurt in the Autumn?

Both Frankfurt and Hamburg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Hamburg this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Frankfurt for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Hamburg is around the same temperature as Frankfurt. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hamburg in October average around 10°C (50°F), and Frankfurt averages at about 11°C (51°F).

Hamburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Frankfurt during autumn. Hamburg gets 101 hours of sunny skies, while Frankfurt receives 103 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Hamburg usually receives more rain than Frankfurt. Hamburg gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Hamburg or Frankfurt in the Winter?

Both Frankfurt and Hamburg during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Hamburg for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Frankfurt in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Frankfurt can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Hamburg. In January, Hamburg is generally much colder than Frankfurt. Daily temperatures in Hamburg average around 0°C (33°F), and Frankfurt fluctuates around 1°C (34°F).

In the winter, Hamburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Frankfurt. Hamburg gets 42 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Frankfurt receives 41 hours of full sun.

Hamburg usually gets more rain in January than Frankfurt. Hamburg gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hamburg or Frankfurt in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Hamburg and Frankfurt. Many visitors come to Hamburg in the spring for the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Frankfurt for the activities around the city during these months.

Hamburg is cooler than Frankfurt in the spring. The daily temperature in Hamburg averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Frankfurt fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Hamburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Frankfurt during spring. Hamburg gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Frankfurt receives 163 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Hamburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Frankfurt. Hamburg gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Frankfurt and Hamburg