A Travel Price Comparison for Germany Kiel vs. Heidelberg for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Kiel or Heidelberg?

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

Should I visit Kiel or Heidelberg? 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 Heidelberg?

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. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Kiel and Heidelberg in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kiel €54
    Heidelberg €74
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kiel €108
    Heidelberg €148
Compare Hotels in Kiel and Heidelberg

Looking for a hotel in Kiel or Heidelberg? 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 Heidelberg


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 Heidelberg Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kiel €43
    Heidelberg €14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Heidelberg

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

  • Low Cost Private Transfer From Mannheim-City Airport to Heidelberg City - One Way: $155
  • Private Transfer from Heidelberg City to Frankfurt Airport FRA by Minivan: $131
  • Private Transfer from Heidelberg City to Stuttgart Airport STR by Minivan: $207
  • 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.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Kiel €31
    Heidelberg €30

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kiel €15
    Heidelberg €9.18

Tours and Activities in Kiel

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

  • City Sightseeing Kiel Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $25
  • Kiel Guided Walking Tour: $753
  • 24-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Tour: $23
  • 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.

  • BODY WORLDS Museum Entrance Ticket: $19
  • Virtual Tour of Heidelberg: $25
  • Heidelberg old Town Tour.: $25
  • Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and City Walking Tour: $31
  • Sightseeing Bus and Castle Tour: $33
  • Heidelberg Public Walking Tour: $34
  • Alternative Heidelberg Tour.: $36
  • Heidelberg Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $47
  • Food & Fables Tour of Heidelberg: $48
  • Bicycle Tour from Heidelberg to quaint Ladenburg.: $57
  • Kayak-Tour in Heidelberg on river Neckar: $61
  • Beer and Old Town Tour: $81

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kiel €9.66
    Heidelberg €14

About these numbers

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.


When is the best time to visit Kiel or Heidelberg?

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 Heidelberg in the Summer?

Both Heidelberg and Kiel during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Heidelberg because of the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Kiel is cooler than Heidelberg. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kiel in July are around 16°C (61°F), and Heidelberg is about 21°C (69°F).

In Heidelberg, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kiel. In the summer, Kiel often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Heidelberg. Kiel gets 219 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 224 hours of full sun.

Kiel usually gets more rain in July than Heidelberg. Kiel gets 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Kiel 16°C (61°F) 
    Heidelberg 21°C (69°F)

Should I visit Kiel or Heidelberg in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kiel and Heidelberg. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Heidelberg this time of year.

In October, Kiel is generally cooler than Heidelberg. Temperatures in Kiel average around 10°C (50°F), and Heidelberg stays around 12°C (54°F).

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

In October, Kiel usually receives more rain than Heidelberg. Kiel gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Kiel 10°C (50°F) 
    Heidelberg 12°C (54°F)

Should I visit Kiel or Heidelberg in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Kiel as well as Heidelberg. Additionally, many travelers come to Heidelberg for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Heidelberg. It's quite cold in Kiel in the winter. Kiel is much colder than Heidelberg in the winter. The temperature in Kiel is usually 0°C (33°F) in January, and Heidelberg stays around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Kiel often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Heidelberg. Kiel gets 39 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 38 hours of full sun.

Kiel usually gets more rain in January than Heidelberg. Kiel gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Kiel 0°C (33°F) 
    Heidelberg 3°C (37°F)

Should I visit Kiel or Heidelberg in the Spring?

Both Heidelberg and Kiel are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Heidelberg in the spring for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Kiel is much colder than Heidelberg. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kiel in April are around 7°C (44°F), and Heidelberg is about 11°C (52°F).

Kiel usually receives more sunshine than Heidelberg during spring. Kiel gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 155 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Kiel usually receives less rain than Heidelberg. Kiel gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Kiel 7°C (44°F) 
    Heidelberg 11°C (52°F)

Typical Weather for Heidelberg and Kiel

Kiel Heidelberg
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 0°C (33°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 3°C (37°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Feb 1°C (34°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 4°C (39°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Mar 3°C (38°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 7°C (45°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Apr 7°C (44°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 11°C (52°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
May 11°C (53°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 16°C (60°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 19°C (65°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Jul 16°C (61°F) 88 mm (3.4 in) 21°C (69°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Aug 16°C (62°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 20°C (68°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Sep 14°C (56°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 17°C (63°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Oct 10°C (50°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 12°C (54°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Nov 5°C (41°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 7°C (44°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Dec 2°C (35°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 4°C (38°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)


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Kiel vs. Heidelberg Travel Comparison

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