A Travel Price Comparison for Germany Lindau vs. Frankfurt for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Old Town

Should you visit Lindau or Frankfurt?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Lindau and Frankfurt can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Lindau

Lindau is a alpine, picturesque, and fun-filled town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food.

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.

Lindau and Frankfurt: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Small town charm
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Public transit not as usable
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good for students
  • Good public transit
  • Big city activities


Is there more to do in Lindau or Frankfurt?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Frankfurt. Although Lindau and Frankfurt are both popular with visitors, Frankfurt has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Frankfurt is more popular for its museums, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Lindau is known for its historical sights, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Lindau is more touristy than Frankfurt and is popular for its lakefront location and quaint old town. 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
The Old Town Center

How is Lindau different from Frankfurt?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Lindau
Frankfurt

Frankfurt is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Lindau is a town with minimal options for its historical sights.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Frankfurt. 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.

While most people don't head to Lindau specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. The town is more about it's beautiful setting than landmarks and museums, but there are some interesting sights including the harbor and lighthouse.


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

Lindau
Frankfurt

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Lindau and Frankfurt.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Lindau. Head to the waterfront for the best seafood restaurants. Many restaurants use seasonal ingredients and serve local fish. The local whitefish is particularly popular. Dishes are influenced by the town's proximity to Switzerland and Austria, so you'll enjoy a hybrid of flavors and recipes.

Frankfurt has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Is Lindau or Frankfurt Better for Nightlife?

Lindau
Frankfurt

Frankfurt is a great destination for nightlife and partying. However, Lindau is a town with minimal options for its evening party scene.

The people in Frankfurt know how to have a good time. 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.

Lindau doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It's not known for its nightlife scene but there are bars where you can enjoy a relaxing night out.

Is Lindau or Frankfurt Better for its Old Town?

Lindau
Frankfurt

Lindau is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town charm. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Lindau. The old town is located on Lindau island in Lake Constance. It has quaint buildings and many waterfront restaurants.

Many visitors go to Frankfurt to see the historical old town. Many museums and cafes are concentrated in the old town area.


Is the Shopping Better in Lindau or Frankfurt?

Lindau
Frankfurt

Frankfurt is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Lindau is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Lindau is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Lindau or Frankfurt Better for Families?

Lindau
Frankfurt

Both Lindau and Frankfurt are superb to visit with kids.

Lindau is a very kid-friendly town. Head to the waterfront where there's a playground, stand up paddleboarding, paddleboats, and more. Kids will also enjoy climbing to the top of the Old Lighthouse or exploring the Museum of Local History.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Frankfurt. 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.

Is Lindau or Frankfurt Better for Couples?

Lindau
Frankfurt

Lindau is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Lindau makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With its charming old town, beautiful waterfront, great seafood restaurants, and nice hotels, couples will really enjoy a few days away at this lakefront town. It's the perfect place to have a romantic weekend.

Frankfurt is a nice destination for couples. 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 Lindau or Frankfurt Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lindau
Frankfurt

Frankfurt is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Lindau is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Lindau. The town has a couple of hostels and affordable hotels that make this waterfront town accessible to backpackers and budget travelers.

Is Lindau or Frankfurt Better for Students?

Lindau
Frankfurt

Frankfurt is terrific for students. However, Lindau is not popular with students.

Frankfurt is a very popular city for students. 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.

Lindau is not popular with students.

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

Lindau
Frankfurt

Frankfurt is terrific for its public transit. However, Lindau is a town with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Frankfurt can take you anywhere. 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 Lindau. It's possible to reach town by bus or train and once you're in town you can walk many places.


Is Lindau or Frankfurt a more walkable city?

Lindau
Frankfurt

Lindau and Frankfurt both are superb when exploring on foot.

Lindau is a very walkable town. The town is very walkable and there are also many walks into the countryside.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Frankfurt or Lindau?

How long in Lindau or Frankfurt?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Lindau and Frankfurt. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Lindau than in Frankfurt. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Lindau, and 1-3 days is enough time in Frankfurt.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Frankfurt than Lindau 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.


  • How many days in Lindau or Frankfurt? Ideal Length of Stay
    Lindau 2-4 
    Frankfurt 1-3

One day in Lindau or Frankfurt?

Even though Lindau is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Frankfurt is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Lindau or Frankfurt?

Lindau is a small town where visitors enjoy the food. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Frankfurt is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.


Five days in Lindau or Frankfurt?

Lindau is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Frankfurt. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Lindau or Frankfurt?

Lindau is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the accessible big city of Frankfurt. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Germany, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Germany, The Best Historical Tours in Germany, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Germany.


Which place is cheaper, Frankfurt or Lindau?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Lindau is €163, while the average daily cost in Frankfurt is €122. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Lindau and Frankfurt in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Lindau 91
    Frankfurt 58
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Lindau 182
    Frankfurt 116
Compare Hotels in Lindau and Frankfurt

Looking for a hotel in Lindau or Frankfurt? 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 Lindau


Hotels in Frankfurt


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: Lindau Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Lindau 40
    Frankfurt 25

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Frankfurt

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Frankfurt:


  • Car Rental
    50

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Frankfurt

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

  • Arrival Transfer: Frankfurt Airport FRA to Frankfurt in Car: $70
  • BaronFleet Frankfurt- Arrival & Departure Airport Transfers: $132
  • Departure Private Transfer: Frankfurt to Frankfurt Airport FRA by Luxury Vehicle: $64
  • Departure Private Transfer: Frankfurt to Frankfurt Airport FRA by business car: $54
  • Departure Transfer: Frankfurt to Frankfurt Airport FRA by Van: $77
  • Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to Baden-Baden Thermal - Arrival Transfer: $144
  • Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to Frankfurt Arrival Private Transfer: $55
  • Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to Frankfurt Round-Trip Private Transfer: $110
  • Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to Wiesbaden Thermal - Arrival Transfer: $28
  • Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to Wiesbaden Thermal Round-Trip Transfer: $55
  • Frankfurt Airport (FRA): Private Transfer to Frankfurt: $142
  • Frankfurt Airport to Frankfurt city Private Transfer : $109

Is it cheaper to fly into Lindau or Frankfurt?

Prices for flights to both Frankfurt and Lindau 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
    Lindau 45
    Frankfurt 41

Typical Food Prices in Frankfurt

For Frankfurt, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Soda
    2.00
  • Bagel Sandwich and Latte
    7.00
  • Ham & Cheese Sandwich and Coffee
    6.00
  • Sandwich and Cola
    7.00

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Frankfurt

For Frankfurt, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Eltz Castle Small-Group Tour from Frankfurt with Dinner: $285
  • Heidelberg and Rhine Valley Day Trip With Wine Tasting and Dinner from Frankfurt: $285

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Lindau 27
    Frankfurt 36

Tours and Activities in Lindau

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

  • Lindau - Town Highlights Walking Tour: $326
  • Lindau Private Christmas Market Tour: $271
  • Lindau Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $11
  • Murder Crime Game Self-Guided Interactive Tour: $75
  • Private Guided Walking Tour: $210

Tours and Activities in Frankfurt

For Frankfurt, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Selfguided Audiotour "Frankfurt Old Town": $3.25
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.26
  • Germany eSIM Tourist Roaming Data Plan: $4.34
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $4.89
  • Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & City Tour: $7.06
  • Struwwelpeter Museum Entry Ticket w/Audio Guide: $7.60
  • The Tales of Frankfurt's New Old Town: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
  • A Self-Guided Audio Tour by Smartphone: $7.99
  • Old Town Smartphone Audio Tour: $7.99
  • Historisches Museum Entry Ticket: $8.69
  • Frankfurt Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
  • Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $9.50

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Lindau 25
    Frankfurt 30

Sample the Local Flavors in Lindau

Also in Lindau, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Lake Constance wine tour > day tour > wine tasting at 3 winemakers: $197

Typical Alcohol Prices in Frankfurt

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Frankfurt:


  • Becks Beer
    2.00

Sample the Local Flavors in Frankfurt

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Frankfurt:

  • Night Pub Crawl through Alt-Sachsenhausen: $22
  • Weekend Night Pub Crawl through Alt-Sachsenhausen: $35
  • Romantic Road Day Ticket from Frankfurt/Main to Rothenburg incl. Wine tasting: $148
  • Frankfurt Wine Tasting Tour with a Wine Expert: $256
  • Full Day Private Rhine Valley Wine Tour Experience from Frankfurt: $283
  • Frankfurt Wine Tasting Tour with a Wine Expert: $289
  • from Frankfurt - romantic Black Forest & brewery, private tour: $295
  • Guided Walk Tour With Apple Wine Tasting: $339
  • Bachelor(ette) Party with Pub Crawl: $407
  • Private Premium Pub Crawl Tour: $521
  • Private Rhine Valley tour with river cruise & wine tasting: $759


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lindau and Frankfurt, we can see that Lindau 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 Lindau would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lindau than you might in Frankfurt.

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


Which is Bigger, Lindau or Frankfurt?

Frankfurt has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Lindau. When comparing the sizes of Lindau 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.