A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Linkoping vs. Cologne for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Linkoping or Cologne?

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

Should I visit Linkoping or Cologne? 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: Linkoping or Cologne?

Linkoping

Linkoping is in the northern portion of the Gotaland region and is the capital of Ostergotland county. The city has all of the amenities of a larger city, but manages to maintain the feel and atmosphere of a quaint small town. This is mainly due to the lack of tall buildings within the city limits. Building height is restricted by the nearby military airfield, so Linkoping has a cosy ambiance that leads you to believe that you're somewhere hidden away. The university that is located here also helps create the feel of a college town. The students are well integrated into city life and help bring energy and entertainment to town, both in the form of cultural events during the day as well and an active night life in the evening.

Cologne

Spanning the Rhine River in western Germany, the city of Cologne dates back 2,000 years, once existing as the largest city of the Holy Roman Empire in medieval times. Today, it is the region's cultural hub - a center of museums, galleries, and towering Gothic cathedrals.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Stockholm, The Best 10-Day Tours from Stockholm, The Best Luxury Tours to Germany, and The Best Budget Tours to Germany.


Which place is cheaper, Cologne or Linkoping?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Linkoping is $109, while the average daily cost in Cologne is $172. 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 Linkoping and Cologne in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Linkoping $54
    Cologne $97
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Linkoping $108
    Cologne $194
Compare Hotels in Linkoping and Cologne

Looking for a hotel in Linkoping or Cologne? 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 Linkoping


Hotels in Cologne


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: Cologne Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Linkoping $18
    Cologne $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cologne

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cologne:

  • Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Bonn hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $55
  • Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Bonn hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $109
  • Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Cologne hotels - Round-trip Private Transfer : $98
  • Cologne hotels to Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) - Departure Private Transfer: $49
  • Superior Private Transfer from Cologne City to Dortmund City: $64
  • Transfer from Cologne Airport CGN to Cologne City by Luxury Car: $83

Is it cheaper to fly into Linkoping or Cologne?

Prices for flights to both Cologne and Linkoping 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
    Linkoping $40
    Cologne $54

Typical Food Prices in Cologne

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cologne:


  • Dinner
    $15
  • Donner Kebab
    $4.29

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cologne

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cologne.

  • Hard Rock Café with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $27
  • Hard Rock Cafe Cologne With Set Lunch or Dinner: $29
  • Köln Südstadt kulinarisch – Die Food Tour: $48
  • 3-Hour Südstadt Food Tour: $481

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Linkoping $24
    Cologne $22

Tours and Activities in Cologne

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

  • Cologne Walking Tour: The essential and unmissable one: $3.20
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • Original funky-fun Free Tour of Cologne: $3.21
  • Germany eSIM Tourist Roaming Data Plan: $4.28
  • Smartphone Scavenger Hunt Sightseeing Tour: $5.88
  • City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.36
  • Cologne Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
  • Aachen Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
  • Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $6.95
  • Horrors of World War II Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.48
  • Cologne Scavenger Hunt and Self Guided Walking Tour on your Phone: $7.63
  • Aachen Scavenger Hunt and Self Guided Walking Tour on your Phone: $7.63

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Linkoping $19
    Cologne $24

Sample the Local Flavors in Cologne

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

  • Old Town Walking Tour with Brewery and Kölsch Beer: $18
  • Public brewery tour in Cologne in English: $18
  • Public brewery tour in German in Cologne: $18
  • Guided tour of the old town with a visit to the brewery in Cologne: $19
  • Old Town Walking Tour inkl Brewery Visit: $24
  • Entertaining Brewery Tour: Feel Good Package including local beer: $27
  • South Cologne Walking Tour with brewery visit: $27
  • Pub Crawl Cologne Including Admission Fee for Bars and Shots: $27
  • Brewery Tour with 3 Kölsch Beer Tastings: $29
  • Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting and Halven Hahn: $31
  • The Legendary Kölsch Brewery Tour: $32
  • The Legendary Kölsch Brewery Tour: $33


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Linkoping and Cologne, we can see that Cologne is more expensive. And not only is Linkoping much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Linkoping would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Linkoping 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 Cologne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cologne than you might in Linkoping.

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


Which is Bigger, Linkoping or Cologne?

Cologne has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Linkoping. When comparing the sizes of Linkoping and Cologne, 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 Linkoping or Cologne?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Linkoping or Cologne in the Summer?

Both Cologne and Linkoping are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cologne this time of year.

In July, Linkoping is generally around the same temperature as Cologne. Daily temperatures in Linkoping average around 17°C (63°F), and Cologne fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Linkoping. Linkoping usually receives more sunshine than Cologne during summer. Linkoping gets 214 hours of sunny skies, while Cologne receives 184 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Linkoping usually receives less rain than Cologne. Linkoping gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Linkoping 17°C (63°F) 
    Cologne 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Linkoping or Cologne in the Autumn?

Both Cologne and Linkoping during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Cologne for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Linkoping is much colder than Cologne in the autumn. The daily temperature in Linkoping averages around 8°C (46°F) in October, and Cologne fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Linkoping often gets less sunshine than Cologne. Linkoping gets 80 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cologne receives 104 hours of full sun.

Linkoping usually gets less rain in October than Cologne. Linkoping gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Linkoping 8°C (46°F) 
    Cologne 12°C (54°F)

Should I visit Linkoping or Cologne in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Linkoping and Cologne. Also, many visitors come to Cologne in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Cologne can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Linkoping. In the winter, Linkoping is much colder than Cologne. Typically, the winter temperatures in Linkoping in January average around -3°C (28°F), and Cologne averages at about 3°C (37°F).

Linkoping usually receives less sunshine than Cologne during winter. Linkoping gets 32 hours of sunny skies, while Cologne receives 43 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Linkoping usually receives less rain than Cologne. Linkoping gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Linkoping -3°C (28°F) 
    Cologne 3°C (37°F)

Should I visit Linkoping or Cologne in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Linkoping as well as Cologne. Also, most visitors come to Cologne for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Linkoping is generally much colder than Cologne. Daily temperatures in Linkoping average around 6°C (42°F), and Cologne fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Linkoping often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Cologne. Linkoping gets 157 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cologne receives 152 hours of full sun.

Linkoping usually gets less rain in April than Cologne. Linkoping gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Linkoping 6°C (42°F) 
    Cologne 10°C (50°F)

Typical Weather for Cologne and Linkoping

Linkoping Cologne
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -3°C (28°F) 35 mm (1.4 in) 3°C (37°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Feb -3°C (27°F) 24 mm (0.9 in) 4°C (39°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Mar 1°C (33°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 7°C (44°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Apr 6°C (42°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 10°C (50°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
May 12°C (53°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 14°C (58°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Jun 16°C (61°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 17°C (63°F) 76 mm (3 in)
Jul 17°C (63°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Aug 17°C (62°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 19°C (66°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 16°C (61°F) 62 mm (2.5 in)
Oct 8°C (46°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 12°C (54°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Nov 3°C (37°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 7°C (45°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Dec -1°C (30°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 4°C (39°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)