A Travel Price Comparison for Germany Kiel vs. Frankfurt for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Kiel or Frankfurt?

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

Should I visit Kiel or Frankfurt? 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.

Kiel

Kiel is a maritime, authentic, and off-the-beaten-path city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Frankfurt

Frankfurt is a dynamic, diverse, and accessible city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Kiel and Frankfurt: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kiel or Frankfurt?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Frankfurt than Kiel, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Frankfurt is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Kiel is known for its beaches. Kiel is popular for its maritime history and its role as the host of the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival. Frankfurt is popular for its financial industry, its popularity as a transportation hub, and its active nightlife. It is also home to The Old Town Center.

The Old Town Center

How is Kiel different from Frankfurt?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Frankfurt is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Frankfurt offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Kiel. You'll find museums and landmarks that focus on the city's maritime past. These include Submarine U-995, the Naval Memorial, Schifffahrtsmuseum Kiel, and Leuchtturm Bülk.

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

Frankfurt is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Frankfurt. 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.

Kiel is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The local cuisine, Schleswig-Holstein cuisine, is similar to much of Germany in that the dishes are hearty and filling. There are many British and Scandenavian influences. Local dishes that you should try include Kieler Sprotte (herring-like fish), Schnüüsch (veggie stew), and Mehlbüdel (bread dumpling with pork belly)

Is Kiel or Frankfurt Better for Nightlife?

Frankfurt is well known for nightlife and partying. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Frankfurt is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Kiel has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene is low key and relaxing. You can sip a cocktail at a trendy bar or enjoy a beer on a floating beach bar.

Is Kiel or Frankfurt Better for Beaches?

Kiel is very good for the beach. However, Frankfurt is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Kiel to enjoy the beach. The city has several sandy beaches with coastal dunes and a family-friendly atmosphere.

Frankfurt is not a beach destination.

Is Kiel or Frankfurt Better for its Old Town?

Frankfurt is a popular place for its old town. However, Kiel does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Frankfurt to see the old town. Many museums and cafes are concentrated in the old town area.

Kiel does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Kiel or Frankfurt?

Frankfurt is well known for its shopping opportunities. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Frankfurt is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Kiel has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There's a mix of retail shopping centers and pedestrian shopping streets like Holstenstrasse and Dänische Strasse.

Is Kiel or Frankfurt Better for Families?

Frankfurt is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Frankfurt is a very kid-friendly city. 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.

Kiel offers lots of family activities. The U-Boot U 995 is a museum on an actual submarine. Kids will love exploring this unique setting. The Kiel Botanical Gardens is another beautiful and fun place to explore. Also make sure you check out the city's aquarium, the Zoologisches Museum, and Computermuseum der Fachhochschule Kiel.

Is Kiel or Frankfurt Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Kiel and Frankfurt make for a good place to visit.

Kiel makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The old port city sits along Germany’s Baltic Sea and couples can enjoy learning about the city's maritime past and shopping along the shopping streets of Holstenstrasse and Dänische Strasse.

Frankfurt is a good city for couples to visit. 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 Kiel or Frankfurt Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Frankfurt is well known for backpackers. However, Kiel is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Frankfurt is a great city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Kiel is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While it's not on the main backpacker circuit, there is a hostel or two in town.

Is Kiel or Frankfurt Better for Students?

Frankfurt is a must-visit destination for students. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Many students frequent Frankfurt. 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.

It's common for students to visit Kiel. Students can enjoy the city's beaches and lively nightlife scene.

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

Frankfurt is a must-visit destination for its public transit. However, Kiel is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

Frankfurt has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. 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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Kiel. There is a bus system around town.

Is Kiel or Frankfurt a more walkable city?

Frankfurt is well known for its high level of walkability. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

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

Kiel is a somewhat walkable city. Some parts of Kiel are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Frankfurt or Kiel?

How long in Kiel or Frankfurt?

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

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

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

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Kiel. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Kiel has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Frankfurt is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Kiel or Frankfurt?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the off-the-beaten-path destination of Kiel. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Frankfurt 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.

Five days in Kiel or Frankfurt?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the maritime city of Kiel. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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

A week in Kiel or Frankfurt?

Kiel is a popular choice for travelers. 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.

The modern city of Frankfurt 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.

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 2-Week Tours from Berlin, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Germany.

When comparing the travel costs between Kiel and Frankfurt, 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.

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

Which is Bigger, Kiel or Frankfurt?

Frankfurt has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Kiel. When comparing the sizes of Kiel 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 Kiel or Frankfurt?

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 Frankfurt in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Kiel as well as Frankfurt. The beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kiel this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Frankfurt for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Kiel is cooler than Frankfurt. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kiel in July average around 16°C (61°F), and Frankfurt averages at about 19°C (67°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Frankfurt. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kiel this time of the year. In the summer, Kiel often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Frankfurt. Kiel gets 219 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Frankfurt receives 225 hours of full sun.

Kiel usually gets more rain in July than Frankfurt. Kiel gets 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kiel or Frankfurt in the Autumn?

Both Frankfurt and Kiel are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Kiel for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Frankfurt in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Kiel is generally around the same temperature as Frankfurt. Daily temperatures in Kiel average around 10°C (50°F), and Frankfurt fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Kiel usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Frankfurt during autumn. Kiel gets 102 hours of sunny skies, while Frankfurt receives 103 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Kiel usually receives more rain than Frankfurt. Kiel gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kiel or Frankfurt in the Winter?

Both Frankfurt and Kiel during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Kiel in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Frankfurt for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Frankfurt can be very cold during winter. Kiel can get quite cold in the winter. Kiel is much colder than Frankfurt in the winter. The daily temperature in Kiel averages around 0°C (33°F) in January, and Frankfurt fluctuates around 1°C (34°F).

In the winter, Kiel often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Frankfurt. Kiel gets 39 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Frankfurt receives 41 hours of full sun.

Kiel usually gets more rain in January than Frankfurt. Kiel gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kiel or Frankfurt in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kiel and Frankfurt. Most visitors come to Kiel for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Frankfurt because of the activities around the city.

In the spring, Kiel is cooler than Frankfurt. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kiel in April average around 7°C (44°F), and Frankfurt averages at about 10°C (50°F).

Kiel usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Frankfurt during spring. Kiel gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Frankfurt receives 163 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Kiel usually receives around the same amount of rain as Frankfurt. Kiel gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Frankfurt and Kiel