A Travel Price Comparison for Germany Heidelberg vs. Frankfurt for Old Town, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Heidelberg or Frankfurt?

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 Heidelberg and Frankfurt. 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.

Heidelberg

Heidelberg is a character-filled, historic, and quaint town. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Frankfurt

Frankfurt is a diverse, accessible, and modern city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Heidelberg and Frankfurt: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Heidelberg or Frankfurt?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Frankfurt than Heidelberg. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Frankfurt is very popular for its museums, shopping, and big city activities, while Heidelberg attracts visitors for its historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Heidelberg is more touristy than Frankfurt and is known for its picturesque beauty, romantic atmosphere, and its classic old town. 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 Heidelberg different from Frankfurt?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Heidelberg or Frankfurt?

Frankfurt 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 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.

Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Heidelberg and Frankfurt can be difficult as they are each high quality in their own way.

Heidelberg has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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.

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 Heidelberg or Frankfurt Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find high quality options in both Heidelberg and Frankfurt.

The nightlife in Heidelberg has something for everybody. As a university town, you'll find a very young population and many bars, pubs, and nightclubs where you can hang out.

Frankfurt offers plenty to do in the evening. 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 Heidelberg or Frankfurt Better for its Old Town?

Heidelberg is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Heidelberg offers plenty to see. 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 go to Frankfurt to see the historical old town. Many museums and cafes are concentrated in the old town area.

Is the Shopping Better in Heidelberg or Frankfurt?

Frankfurt 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 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.

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.

Is Heidelberg or Frankfurt Better for Families?

Frankfurt is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its family-friendly activities.

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.

Heidelberg is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Is Heidelberg or Frankfurt Better for Couples?

Heidelberg is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

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.

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 Heidelberg or Frankfurt Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Heidelberg and Frankfurt are high quality places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers 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.

Backpackers come from all over to 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.

Is Heidelberg or Frankfurt Better for Students?

Frankfurt 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.

Frankfurt is a very popular place to visit for students. 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.

Heidelberg is a good town 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.

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

Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt is top-notch. 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.

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.

Is Heidelberg or Frankfurt a more walkable city?

Heidelberg and Frankfurt are high quality when it comes to walkability.

Heidelberg is a very walkable destination. The old town is particularly walkable.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Frankfurt or Heidelberg?

How long in Heidelberg or Frankfurt?

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

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

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

You'll find food and shopping around the quaint town of Heidelberg. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Heidelberg has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

When visiting Frankfurt, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Frankfurt, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Heidelberg or Frankfurt?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the character-filled destination of Heidelberg. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

When visiting Frankfurt, people usually allow for lots of time. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Heidelberg or Frankfurt?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the scenic town of Heidelberg. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Frankfurt, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Heidelberg or Frankfurt?

Heidelberg is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

Frankfurt is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Germany, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Germany, The Best Music Tours in Germany, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Germany.

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

Which is Bigger, Heidelberg or Frankfurt?

Frankfurt has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Heidelberg. When comparing the sizes of Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg or Frankfurt?

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 Heidelberg or Frankfurt in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Heidelberg and Frankfurt. Many travelers come to Heidelberg for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Frankfurt in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Heidelberg is around the same temperature as Frankfurt in the summer. The daily temperature in Heidelberg averages around 21°C (69°F) in July, and Frankfurt fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Frankfurt this time of the year. In Heidelberg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Heidelberg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Frankfurt during summer. Heidelberg gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Frankfurt receives 225 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Heidelberg usually receives more rain than Frankfurt. Heidelberg gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Heidelberg or Frankfurt in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Heidelberg as well as Frankfurt. Many visitors come to Heidelberg in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, most visitors come to Frankfurt for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Heidelberg is a little warmer than Frankfurt. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Heidelberg in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Frankfurt averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Heidelberg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Frankfurt. Heidelberg gets 102 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Frankfurt receives 103 hours of full sun.

Heidelberg usually gets more rain in October than Frankfurt. Heidelberg gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heidelberg or Frankfurt in the Winter?

Both Frankfurt and Heidelberg are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Heidelberg for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Frankfurt because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Frankfurt can be very cold. Heidelberg can be very cold during winter. In January, Heidelberg is generally much warmer than Frankfurt. Daily temperatures in Heidelberg average around 3°C (37°F), and Frankfurt fluctuates around 1°C (34°F).

Heidelberg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Frankfurt during winter. Heidelberg gets 38 hours of sunny skies, while Frankfurt receives 41 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Heidelberg usually receives more rain than Frankfurt. Heidelberg gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Heidelberg or Frankfurt in the Spring?

Both Frankfurt and Heidelberg during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Heidelberg because of the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Frankfurt this time of year.

Heidelberg is a little warmer than Frankfurt in the spring. The daily temperature in Heidelberg averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Frankfurt fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Heidelberg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Frankfurt. Heidelberg gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Frankfurt receives 163 hours of full sun.

Heidelberg usually gets more rain in April than Frankfurt. Heidelberg gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Frankfurt and Heidelberg