A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hofn vs. Cologne for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Hofn or Cologne?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Hofn or Cologne, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Hofn or Cologne?

Hofn

Hofn is a very small fishing town on the southeast of Iceland, measuring just over half a mile across. It is best known for being located in the beautiful Vatnajokull Region, where the largest glacier in Europe is located. Hofn, and the surrounding area, is full of breathtaking natural scenery including lagoons, icefalls, and mountains.

Cologne

Spanning the Rhine River in western Germany, the city of Cologne dates back 2,000 years, once existing as the largest city of the Holy Roman Empire in medieval times. Today, it is the region's cultural hub - a center of museums, galleries, and towering Gothic cathedrals.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland, The Best Luxury Tours to Iceland, The Best Luxury Tours to Germany, and The Best Budget Tours to Germany.


Which place is cheaper, Cologne or Hofn?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Hofn is $151, while the average daily cost in Cologne is $172. 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 Hofn and Cologne in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hofn $97
    Cologne $97
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hofn $194
    Cologne $194
Compare Hotels in Hofn and Cologne

Looking for a hotel in Hofn or Cologne? 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.

Hotels in Hofn


Hotels in Cologne


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.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Hofn Hotel Prices and Cologne Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hofn $27
    Cologne $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cologne

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cologne:

  • Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Bonn hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $109
  • Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Cologne hotels - Round-trip Private Transfer : $98
  • Transfer from Cologne Airport CGN to Cologne City by Luxury Car: $83
  • Superior Private Transfer from Cologne City to Dortmund City: $64
  • Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Bonn hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $55
  • Cologne hotels to Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) - Departure Private Transfer: $49

Is it cheaper to fly into Hofn or Cologne?

Prices for flights to both Cologne and Hofn 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.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Hofn $36
    Cologne $54

Typical Food Prices in Cologne

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cologne:


  • Dinner
    $15
  • Donner Kebab
    $4.29

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cologne

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cologne.

  • Hard Rock Café with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $27
  • Hard Rock Cafe Cologne With Set Lunch or Dinner: $29
  • Köln Südstadt kulinarisch – Die Food Tour: $48
  • 3-Hour Südstadt Food Tour: $481

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hofn $18
    Cologne $22

Tours and Activities in Hofn

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Hofn.

  • Ice Exploration Tour from the Glacier Lagoon: $129
  • Ice Cave Tour in the National Park of Vatnajökull: $160
  • Sapphire Ice Cave Tour from Jökulsárlón - Extra Small Group: $170
  • Crystal Ice Cave Adventure : $185
  • Blue Ice Cave Adventure: $284
  • Private Iceland Aurora Hunting and Photography Tour from Hofn: $291

Tours and Activities in Cologne

Here are a few actual costs in Cologne for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 120min - Cologne City Tour: $158
  • 3-Hour Cologne Street Art Bike Tour in Small Group with Guide: $44
  • 3-Hour Murder Mystery Interactive City Walking Tour in Köln: $75
  • 5 Hours Cologne to Aachen Train Tour in Germany: $63
  • Aachen Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $231
  • Aachen Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
  • Aachen Scavenger Hunt and Self Guided Walking Tour on your Phone: $7.63
  • Aachen old town tour - GERMAN (public): $13
  • Amusing Stories of Cologne Walking Tour: $13
  • Awesome Sites of Cologne – Private Family Walking Tour: $395
  • Beethoven and Bonn Highlights Tour from Cologne by Car: $840
  • Best of Cologne in 1-Day Private Guided Tour with Transport: $438

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hofn $12
    Cologne $24

Sample the Local Flavors in Cologne

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cologne:

  • Old Town Walking Tour with Brewery and Kölsch Beer: $18
  • Public brewery tour in Cologne in English: $18
  • Public brewery tour in German in Cologne: $18
  • Guided tour of the old town with a visit to the brewery in Cologne: $19
  • Old Town Walking Tour inkl Brewery Visit: $24
  • Entertaining Brewery Tour: Feel Good Package including local beer: $27
  • South Cologne Walking Tour with brewery visit: $27
  • Pub Crawl Cologne Including Admission Fee for Bars and Shots: $27
  • Brewery Tour with 3 Kölsch Beer Tastings: $29
  • Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting and Halven Hahn: $31
  • The Legendary Kölsch Brewery Tour: $32
  • The Legendary Kölsch Brewery Tour: $33


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


Which is Bigger, Hofn or Cologne?

Cologne has a larger population, and is about 570 times larger than the population of Hofn. When comparing the sizes of Hofn and Cologne, 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 Hofn or Cologne?

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 Hofn or Cologne in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Hofn as well as Cologne. Additionally, most visitors come to Cologne for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Hofn is much colder than Cologne. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hofn in July average around 9°C (48°F), and Cologne averages at about 19°C (66°F).

Hofn usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Cologne. Hofn gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Hofn 9°C (48°F) 
    Cologne 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Hofn or Cologne in the Autumn?

Both Cologne and Hofn are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Cologne because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Hofn can be very cold during autumn. In October, Hofn is generally much colder than Cologne. Daily temperatures in Hofn average around 4°C (40°F), and Cologne fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

It's quite rainy in Hofn. In October, Hofn usually receives more rain than Cologne. Hofn gets 153 mm (6 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Hofn 4°C (40°F) 
    Cologne 12°C (54°F)

Should I visit Hofn or Cologne in the Winter?

Both Cologne and Hofn during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Cologne this time of year.

It's quite cold in Cologne in the winter. The weather in Hofn can be very cold. Hofn is much colder than Cologne in the winter. The daily temperature in Hofn averages around -0°C (31°F) in January, and Cologne fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hofn. Hofn usually gets more rain in January than Cologne. Hofn gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Hofn -0°C (31°F) 
    Cologne 3°C (37°F)

Should I visit Hofn or Cologne in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Hofn and Cologne. Also, many travelers come to Cologne for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

It's quite cold in Hofn in the spring. In the spring, Hofn is much colder than Cologne. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hofn in April average around 2°C (36°F), and Cologne averages at about 10°C (50°F).

In April, Hofn usually receives more rain than Cologne. Hofn gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Hofn 2°C (36°F) 
    Cologne 10°C (50°F)

Typical Weather for Cologne and Hofn

Hofn Cologne
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -0°C (31°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 3°C (37°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Feb 0°C (32°F) 122 mm (4.8 in) 4°C (39°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Mar 0°C (32°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 7°C (44°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Apr 2°C (36°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 10°C (50°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
May 5°C (40°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 14°C (58°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Jun 8°C (46°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 17°C (63°F) 76 mm (3 in)
Jul 9°C (48°F) 77 mm (3 in) 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Aug 9°C (48°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 19°C (66°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Sep 7°C (44°F) 112 mm (4.4 in) 16°C (61°F) 62 mm (2.5 in)
Oct 4°C (40°F) 153 mm (6 in) 12°C (54°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Nov 1°C (34°F) 101 mm (4 in) 7°C (45°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Dec -0°C (32°F) 124 mm (4.9 in) 4°C (39°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)