Should you visit Kiel or Dresden?
Should I visit Kiel or Dresden? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
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.
Dresden
As towering baroque architecture and verdant woodlands surround your vision, this cityscape works almost as a time capsule of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, untouched by the burdens of modernity. With a melange of cultures and histories, Dresden, Germany stands before you. The capital of the eastern German state of Saxony, Dresden is globally known for its celebrated art museums and classic architecture of its reconstructed Old Town. From the baroque church Frauenkirche to the Versailles-inspired Zwinger palace, the aesthetic value of this Germany city is simply immeasurable. Located on the gorgeous Elbe River, Dresden receives about ten million tourists a year, most of them from Germany. Nevertheless, despite the traditional German culture its most historic buildings exude, Dresden is still touched by the present-day generation with its abundance of restaurants, clubs, shops, and theaters. Whether you wish to gaze at the Raphael's "Sistine Madonna" or simply go for a quick shopping run, Dresden obliges its guests most satisfactorily.
Which city is cheaper, Dresden or Kiel?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Kiel is €110, while the average daily cost in Dresden is €107. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Kiel and Dresden in more detail.
Accommodation
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around €54. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Kiel the cost is €108 on average.
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around €48. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Dresden the cost is €96 on average.
Food
Kiel food costs typically run travelers around €31 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
On average, meal and food prices in Dresden cost around €25 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around €10.
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Food
Meals for one day
Kiel €31
Dresden €25
Local Transportation
The average price of local transportation around Kiel is €43 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around €8.45 per day to get around in Dresden.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dresden
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dresden:
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1-way Dresden to Prague - private transfer - Mercedes Benz - up to 8 passengers:
$243
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Arrival Private Transfer Dresden Airport DRS to Dresden by Luxury Vehicle:
$52
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Departure Private Transfer Dresden to Dresden Airport DRS by Luxury Vehicle:
$52
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From Hike Through Saxon Switzerland with Transfers:
$34
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Private Airport Transfer: Dresden International Airport (DRS) to Dresden:
$30
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Private Airport Transfer: from Dresden to Dresden International Airport (DRS):
$30
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Private Transfer from Dresden City to Leipzig City:
$156
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Private Transfer from Dresden to Prague:
$199
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Private Transfer from Dresden to Prague with 2 Sightseeing stops:
$157
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Private Transfer from Dresden to Prague, Hotel-to-hotel, English-speaking driver:
$132
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Private transfer from Dresden to Prague:
$409
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Private transfer: Dresden Airport (DRS) to Dresden:
$73
Is it cheaper to fly into Kiel or Dresden?
Prices for flights to both Dresden 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.
Entertainment
Kiel's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around €15 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around €7.64 per person, per day in Dresden. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Tours and Activities in Kiel
Here are a few actual costs in Kiel for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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City Sightseeing Kiel Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour:
$25
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Kiel Guided Walking Tour:
$753
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Private Driving Tour of Hamburg, Lüneburg or Lübeck. choose two destinations:
$858
Tours and Activities in Dresden
Here are a few actual costs in Dresden for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Dresden's 'Balcony of Europe': An audio tour along the River Elbe:
$5.00
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Historical Walking Tour in German With Prosecco:
$12
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Dresden Old Town Walking Tour with a German-Speaking Guide:
$13
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Classical Dresden Walking Tour with German-Speaking Guide:
$13
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Tickets Dresden Transport Museum:
$14
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Panometer Dresden Entrance Ticket:
$15
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Dresden Walking Tour of the Historic Old Town with English Speaking Guide:
$15
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Walking tour with the night watchman:
$19
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Street Art Tour Dresden Neustadt:
$21
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Big Sightseeing Tour in Dresden:
$23
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From Paddle Steamer Cruise to Königstein Fortress:
$26
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Segway Classic Tour in German (3 hours):
$80
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Kiel may vary from person to person, on average a person spends €9.66 per day on alcoholic beverages.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Dresden may vary from person to person, on average a person spends €13 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Sample the Local Flavors in Dresden
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dresden:
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Dresden on Food! Without wine tasting.:
$50
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Dresden on Food! With wine tasting. Small group tour:
$62
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Adventure day boat trip, wine tasting & wine tasting:
$101
When comparing the travel costs between Kiel and Dresden, we can see that Kiel 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.
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