Should you visit Kiel or Heidelberg?
Should I visit Kiel or Heidelberg? 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.
Heidelberg
Heidelberg, in the state of Baden-Wurttemberg, is a top travel destination in Germany. It's picturesquely situated in the Neckar River Valley and is a wonderful place to spend a few days. The city has a population of over 148,000 and it's home to Germany's oldest university, the Ruprecht-Karls-Universitat, which has a student population of approximately 28,000.
Which city is cheaper, Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg is €113. 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 Heidelberg 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.
For a normal double-occupancy room in Heidelberg, €148 is the average cost for a hotel room. Also in Heidelberg, the typical price for a place to stay for one person is €74, such as in a hostel.
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 Heidelberg cost around €30 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 €12.
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Food
Meals for one day
Kiel €31
Heidelberg €30
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.
Heidelberg'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 €14 per person, per day on transportation in Heidelberg.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Heidelberg
Also for Heidelberg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Low Cost Private Transfer From Mannheim-City Airport to Heidelberg City - One Way:
$155
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Private Transfer from Heidelberg City to Frankfurt Airport FRA by Minivan:
$131
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Private Transfer from Heidelberg City to Stuttgart Airport STR by Minivan:
$207
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Private Transfer from Hotel in Heidelberg City to Frankfurt Airport:
$362
Is it cheaper to fly into Kiel or Heidelberg?
Prices for flights to both Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around €9.18 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 Heidelberg
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Heidelberg.
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Virtual Tour of Heidelberg:
$25
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Heidelberg old Town Tour.:
$25
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Heidelberg Public Walking Tour:
$34
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Alternative Heidelberg Tour.:
$36
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Heidelberg Like a Local: Customized Private Tour:
$47
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Food & Fables Tour of Heidelberg:
$48
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Bicycle Tour from Heidelberg to quaint Ladenburg.:
$57
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Kayak-Tour in Heidelberg on river Neckar:
$61
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Beer and Old Town Tour:
$81
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E.Bike Tours around Heidelberg:
$86
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Heidelberg Tour with winetasting.:
$98
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Mannheim Castle Tour:
$98
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.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Heidelberg, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is €14.
When comparing the travel costs between Kiel and Heidelberg, we can see that Heidelberg 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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