Should you visit Kiel or Frankfurt?
Should I visit Kiel or Frankfurt? 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.
Frankfurt
Frankfurt is the financial and business hub of Germany. It houses the European Central Bank and the German Stock Exchange, and often plays host to trade shows and business fairs. It has the country's most modern skyline and the largest airport. It is also a transportation hub for Germany with many important train lines passing through. The city itself is situated on the River Main. Some of the most important sights are along the river near Romer Square and include museums and monuments. This area pulls in millions of tourists every year. Although many sights are clustered in this area, it's important to head into more off the beaten path areas that can be enjoyable to explore. These areas offer glimpses into daily life in Frankfurt.
Which city is cheaper, Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt is €87. 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 Frankfurt 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.
Double occupancy rooms typically run around €72 in Frankfurt For nicer amenities and a premiere location, you can expect to pay a bit more.
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.
In Frankfurt travelers spend around €32 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
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Food
Meals for one day
Kiel €31
Frankfurt €32
Typical Food prices in Frankfurt
For Frankfurt, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Frankfurt
For Frankfurt, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Private Cooking Class in Eschborn, Frankfurt with a Local Christina:
$62
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Vietnamese Cooking Lesson with a Private Chef at Your Home in Frankfurt:
$88
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.
Frankfurt's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend €20 per person, per day on transportation in Frankfurt.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Frankfurt
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Frankfurt:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Frankfurt
Also for Frankfurt, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Airport transfer first-class from Frankfurt to Heidelberg and its greater area:
$361
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Arrival Private Transfer from Frankfurt Airport FRA to Frankfurt by Luxury Car:
$73
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Arrival Private Transfer in Business Car from Frankfurt International Airport:
$46
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Arrival Private Transfer in Business Car from Frankfurt International Airport:
$49
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Departure Private Transfer from Frankfurt to Frankfurt Airport FRA by Luxury Car:
$73
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Departure Private Transfer to Frankfurt International Airport by Business Car:
$49
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Departure Private Transfer: Frankfurt to Frankfurt Airport FRA by Luxury Van:
$57
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Departure Private Transfers from Frankfurt City to Frankfurt Airport FRA:
$86
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Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to Frankfurt - Arrival Private Car Transfer:
$45
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Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to Frankfurt - Arrival Private Van Transfer:
$29
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Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to Frankfurt - Round-Trip Private Car Transfer:
$90
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Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to Frankfurt - Round-Trip Private Van Transfer:
$82
Is it cheaper to fly into Kiel or Frankfurt?
Prices for flights to both Frankfurt 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.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Frankfurt can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around €29 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
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 Frankfurt
For Frankfurt, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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Frankfurt Private Tour: Old Town Wonders Exploration Game:
$5.59
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1 Day Frankfurt Card Group Ticket 2020/2021:
$29
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2 Day Frankfurt Card Group Ticket 2020/2021:
$41
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Frankfurt Sightseeing Tour "Frankfurt's Highlights":
$45
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3-Hour Bike Tour in Frankfurt:
$165
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Frankfurt Private Walking Tour:
$185
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Frankfurt walking tour with a Professional Guide:
$245
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Private tour of the best of Frankfurt - Sightseeing, Food & Culture with a local:
$249
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Layover in Frankfurt a Private Tour with a local: Best Highlights of Frankfurt:
$249
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Costume tour at the Goethe House:
$310
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Rüdesheim and Monestry Eberbach Tour:
$319
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Frankfurt Private Shopping tour:
$336
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.
Typically, people visiting Frankfurt spend on average €24 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Typical Alcohol prices in Frankfurt
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Frankfurt:
Sample the Local Flavors in Frankfurt
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Frankfurt:
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8-Day Bavarian Beer Culture and Brewery Tour in Franconia from Frankfurt:
$2,359
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kiel and Frankfurt, we can see that Kiel is more expensive. And not only is Frankfurt much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Frankfurt would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt.
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