A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kiel vs. Bled for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Kiel or Bled?

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

Should I visit Kiel or Bled? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Kiel or Bled?

Kiel

Kiel is a port city on Germany's Baltic Sea coast. Much of the city center it was obliterated during WWII by bombing raids on its U-boat pens. In the old town, the rebuilt, medieval St. Nikolai Church hosts classical concerts and Holstenstrasse and Danische Strasse are streets lined with shops. The city also has several indoor malls linked by pedestrian bridges. Along the Kiel Fjord, the Maritime Museum displays model ships and nautical instruments in a former fish auction hall. Nearby, cruise ships dock at the Ostseekai Terminal in Germania Harbor. This grand harbor in Kiel continues on as it has for centuries and should be the focus of your visit. Huge ferries transport millions of passengers to and from Scandinavia, while summer sees locals strolling the long waterfront promenade.

Bled

Bled is an incredibly scenic place, on the east side of Lake Bled. The lake is a beautiful, rich, emerald green. There's a small island in the middle of the lake where you'll find a nice white chapel. The lake is surrounded by striking green mountains, among which you'll find the Bled Castle overlooking the scene. Bled also offers access to the nearby Triglav National Park, a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and adrenaline junkies. Within the national park you'll find countless waterfalls and the lovely Lake Bohinj. You can find plenty of opportunities for mountain climbing, rafting, and hiking. There's even a cable car if you're looking for an easy way to get some good views of the mountains and landscape.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Ljubljana, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Ljubljana.


Which place is cheaper, Bled or Kiel?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Kiel is €138, while the average daily cost in Bled is €104. 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 Kiel and Bled in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kiel 67
    Bled 56
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kiel 134
    Bled 112
Compare Hotels in Kiel and Bled

Looking for a hotel in Kiel or Bled? 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 Kiel


Hotels in Bled


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: Kiel Hotel Prices and Bled Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kiel 54
    Bled 34

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kiel

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kiel:

  • Private Transfer from Ostseekai Kiel Port to Hamburg Airport: $79
  • Private Transfer from Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg city: $79
  • Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Hamburg: $645
  • Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $235
  • Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg hotels - Arrival Private Transfer : $118
  • Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg Airport (HAM) - Departure Private Transfer: $118

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bled

Also for Bled, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Bohinj to Ljubljana Airport (LJU): $165
  • Private transfer from Tolmin to Ljubljana city: $206

Is it cheaper to fly into Kiel or Bled?

Prices for flights to both Bled and Kiel 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
    Kiel 39
    Bled 28

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bled

For Bled, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Food Tour Bled - Explore Slovenia Through Its Tastes: $130

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kiel 19
    Bled 12

Tours and Activities in Kiel

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

  • Bicycle tour to Friedrichshafen with a visit to the Zeppelin & Dornier Museum: $141
  • Bike Tour of Lubeck with Top Attractions and Private Guide: $244
  • Boat Cruise and a Private Walking Tour of Lubeck's Old Town: $205
  • Christmas Stories of Lubeck – Private Walking Tour: $256
  • City Sightseeing Kiel Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $22
  • Discovering Lubeck – Private Walking Tour for Couples: $202
  • Fascinating Pearls of Lubeck - Guided Walking Tour: $191
  • Kiel - Private Historic Walking Tour: $384
  • Kiel Crime Experience: self-guided crime tour: $42
  • Kiel Private Guided Walking Tour: $281
  • Kiel Self-Guided Audio Tour: Explore this Historic Port: $12
  • Kiel's Historical Port: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12

Typical Entertainment Prices in Bled

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Bled's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Rafting
    93

Tours and Activities in Bled

For Bled, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • From Self-Guided E-Bike Tour to Vintgar Gorge: $42
  • From Self-Guided E-Bike Tour to Vintgar Gorge: $53
  • Motorcycle Tours in Slovenia: $55
  • Bled Slovenia: 3–Hour Rafting Experience: $59
  • Lake Sava River Rafting Experience with Hotel Pickup: $59
  • 3-Hour Family-Friendly Rafting Adventure: $59
  • Lake Bled Stand-Up Paddle Boarding Tour: $63
  • From Ljubljana: Lake Bled and Bled Castle Tour: $65
  • Winter Triglav National Park Adventure - Half day trip from Bled: $71
  • Guided Kayaking Tour in a Transparent Kayak: $74
  • Guided Clear Kayak Tour in Bled: $75
  • Lake Bled Stand-Up Paddle Boarding Lesson and Tour: $75

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kiel 12
    Bled 14

Typical Alcohol Prices in Bled

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Bled are as follows:


  • Bottle of Champagne
    18

Sample the Local Flavors in Bled

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bled:

  • Slovenian wine tasting at Hotel Triglav Bled's wine cellar: $43
  • Wine Tasting Bled: $62
  • 2-Hour Interactive Wine Tasting Experience in Bled: $63
  • Wine Tasting Experience in Bled: $64


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

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


Which is Bigger, Kiel or Bled?

Kiel has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Bled. When comparing the sizes of Kiel and Bled, 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 Kiel or Bled?

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 Kiel or Bled in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Kiel as well as Bled. Many visitors come to Kiel in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Kiel is generally cooler than Bled. Daily temperatures in Kiel average around 16°C (61°F), and Bled fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bled. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kiel this time of the year. In the summer, Kiel often gets less sunshine than Bled. Kiel gets 219 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bled receives 288 hours of full sun.

Kiel usually gets more rain in July than Bled. Kiel gets 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Bled receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Kiel 16°C (61°F) 
    Bled 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Kiel or Bled in the Autumn?

Both Bled and Kiel are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Kiel for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

Kiel is much colder than Bled in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kiel averages around 10°C (50°F) in October, and Bled fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Kiel usually receives less sunshine than Bled during autumn. Kiel gets 102 hours of sunny skies, while Bled receives 167 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Kiel usually receives less rain than Bled. Kiel gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bled receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Kiel 10°C (50°F) 
    Bled 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Kiel or Bled in the Winter?

Both Bled and Kiel during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Kiel because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Kiel can be very cold. In the winter, Kiel is much colder than Bled. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kiel in January average around 0°C (33°F), and Bled averages at about 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Kiel often gets less sunshine than Bled. Kiel gets 39 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bled receives 96 hours of full sun.

Kiel usually gets less rain in January than Bled. Kiel gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Bled receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Kiel 0°C (33°F) 
    Bled 5°C (41°F)

Should I visit Kiel or Bled in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kiel and Bled. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Kiel this time of year.

In April, Kiel is generally much colder than Bled. Daily temperatures in Kiel average around 7°C (44°F), and Bled fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Kiel usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bled during spring. Kiel gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Bled receives 177 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Kiel usually receives less rain than Bled. Kiel gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Bled receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Kiel 7°C (44°F) 
    Bled 13°C (56°F)

Typical Weather for Bled and Kiel

Kiel Bled
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 0°C (33°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 5°C (41°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Feb 1°C (34°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 7°C (44°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Mar 3°C (38°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 9°C (49°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Apr 7°C (44°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 13°C (56°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
May 11°C (53°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 18°C (64°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 22°C (71°F) 102 mm (4 in)
Jul 16°C (61°F) 88 mm (3.4 in) 24°C (75°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Aug 16°C (62°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 24°C (74°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Sep 14°C (56°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 20°C (68°F) 102 mm (4 in)
Oct 10°C (50°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 16°C (60°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Nov 5°C (41°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 10°C (51°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
Dec 2°C (35°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 6°C (44°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)