A Travel Price Comparison for Germany Hannover vs. Bonn for Families, Attractions, Nightlife, and Old Town

Should you visit Hannover or Bonn?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Hannover and Bonn. 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.

Hannover

Hannover is a diverse, vibrant, and cultural city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Bonn

Bonn is a outdoorsy, lively, and cultural city. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Hannover and Bonn: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hannover or Bonn?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Hannover than Bonn, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Hannover is more popular for its nightlife and big city activities, while Bonn is known for its museums, historical sights, shopping, and quaint atmosphere. Hannover is popular for its many parks and gardens as well as its accessibility to the German train system. It is also home to The Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen. Bonn is popular for its many museums, cultural venues, and university atmosphere, as well as being the birthplace of Beethoven.

How is Hannover different from Bonn?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Bonn is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Hannover is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Bonn. 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.

Hannover offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. You'll see many of the city's sights along the Red Thread Trail in the city center. Make sure you check out the New Town Hall, the Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen, and the Lower Saxony State Museum as well.

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

Both Hannover and Bonn offer good local cuisine and restaurants.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Hannover. You'll find classic tearooms, food halls, fine dining restaurants, and markets. Try all of the classic German sausages or sample international dishes in this dynamic city.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in 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 Hannover or Bonn Better for Nightlife?

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

The nightlife in Hannover has something for everybody. There are many students who keep the nightlife scene active. From beer halls to jazz venues, you'll find a diversity of options around town.

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 Hannover or Bonn Better for its Old Town?

Bonn is a great city for its historic old town. Also, Hannover is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its old town.

There are many historical things to see 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.

Many people head to Hannover to see the old town. Check out the half-timbered buildings, the old churches, and the charming streets around old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Hannover or Bonn?

Bonn is a great city for shopping. Also, Hannover is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping opportunities.

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.

Hannover offers some nice shopping areas. Head to the 14th-century Market Church (Marktkirche) and wander around the nearby streets for some of the city's best shopping. Also make sure you check out the city flea market. In addition to boutiques and independent shops, there are also major department stores and large shopping malls in the area.

Is Hannover or Bonn Better for Families?

Bonn is very popular for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Hannover is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Bonn is very family-friendly. 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.

Hannover is a family-friendly place to visit. Like many German cities, there are a number of activities geared specifically to kids. Check out the Sea Life Center or the Hannover Zoo. If you're willing to get out of town a bit, there's also Serengeti Park Hodenhagen or Rasti-Land theme park, which has rides and games.

Is Hannover or Bonn Better for Couples?

Hannover and Bonn both good destinations for a couple.

Hannover is a nice destination for couples. Romantic settings around town include Herrenhäuser Gärten, Berggarten, and Maschpark.

Bonn makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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 Hannover or Bonn Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Hannover and Bonn are good places to visit.

Plenty of backpackers visit Hannover. Some people use the city to split up longer train trips. There are a couple of hostels in town if you decide to stay a night or two.

Plenty of budget travelers 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 Hannover or Bonn Better for Students?

For students, both Hannover and Bonn are superb places to visit.

Many students visit Hannover. There are a few great universities in town including Leibniz University, which attract international students. There's also a nice nightlife and easy accessibility to the rest of Germany.

Bonn is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. 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.

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

Hannover and Bonn both offer superb public transit to get you around.

Public transit in Hannover is fairly effecient and thorough. The city has 12 city trains and 38 bus lines.

Bonn has some very good public transit options. 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 Hannover or Bonn a more walkable city?

Hannover and Bonn are superb when it comes to walkability.

Hannover is very walkable. There are some nice walkable parts to the city.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Bonn or Hannover?

How long in Hannover or Bonn?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Hannover and Bonn. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Bonn than in Hannover. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Hannover, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bonn.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bonn than Hannover 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 Bonn.

One day in Hannover or Bonn?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Hannover. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

The city of Bonn offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Hannover or Bonn?

Hannover 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.

Bonn is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bonn, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Hannover or Bonn?

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

Bonn is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Hannover or Bonn?

The diverse city of Hannover 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.

Bonn is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Germany, The Best Oktoberfest Tours in Germany, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Germany, and The Best Adventure Tours to Germany.

When comparing the travel costs between Hannover and Bonn, we can see that Hannover 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 Hannover Expensive? and Is Bonn Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Hannover or Bonn?

Hannover has a larger population, and is about 65% larger than the population of Bonn. When comparing the sizes of Hannover 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 Hannover or Bonn?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Hannover or Bonn in the Summer?

Both Bonn and Hannover are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Hannover this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bonn for the family-friendly experiences.

Hannover is around the same temperature as Bonn in the summer. The daily temperature in Hannover averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Bonn fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

Hannover usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bonn during summer. Hannover gets 198 hours of sunny skies, while Bonn receives 191 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Hannover usually receives less rain than Bonn. Hannover gets 62 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Hannover or Bonn in the Autumn?

Both Bonn and Hannover during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Hannover for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Bonn in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Hannover is cooler than Bonn. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hannover in October average around 10°C (51°F), and Bonn averages at about 12°C (53°F).

In the autumn, Hannover often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bonn. Hannover gets 104 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bonn receives 109 hours of full sun.

Hannover usually gets less rain in October than Bonn. Hannover gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hannover or Bonn in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hannover and Bonn. Many visitors come to Hannover in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Bonn for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Bonn can be very cold during winter. Hannover can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Hannover is generally much colder than Bonn. Daily temperatures in Hannover average around 1°C (33°F), and Bonn fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Hannover usually receives less sunshine than Bonn during winter. Hannover gets 42 hours of sunny skies, while Bonn receives 45 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Hannover usually receives around the same amount of rain as Bonn. Hannover gets 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Hannover or Bonn in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Hannover as well as Bonn. Most visitors come to Hannover for the activities around the city during these months.

Hannover is cooler than Bonn in the spring. The daily temperature in Hannover averages around 8°C (47°F) in April, and Bonn fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Hannover often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bonn. Hannover gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bonn receives 145 hours of full sun.

Hannover usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Bonn. Hannover gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bonn and Hannover