A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Loch Lomond National Park vs. Kiel for Families, Couples, Food, and Backpackers

Should you visit Loch Lomond National Park or Kiel?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Loch Lomond National Park and Kiel 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.

Loch Lomond National Park

Loch Lomond National Park is a scenic, serene, and peaceful national park. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the hiking.

Kiel

Kiel is a off-the-beaten-path, waterfront, and maritime city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Loch Lomond National Park and Kiel: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Popular beach
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for students
  • Very walkable
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers


Is there more to do in Loch Lomond National Park or Kiel?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Kiel. Although Loch Lomond National Park and Kiel are both popular with visitors, Kiel has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Kiel is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Loch Lomond National Park is known for its hiking and impressive beauty. Kiel is more touristy than Loch Lomond National Park and is popular for its maritime history and its role as the host of the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival. It is also home to The Kiel Castle. Loch Lomond National Park is popular for becoming the first designated national park in Scotland in 2002.

How is Loch Lomond National Park different from Kiel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Kiel and Loch Lomond National Park. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Loch Lomond National Park or Kiel?

Loch Lomond National Park
Kiel

Kiel is a city with good options for its historical sights. However, Loch Lomond National Park does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Kiel. You'll find museums and landmarks that focus on the city's maritime past. These include Submarine U-995, the Naval Memorial, Schifffahrtsmuseum Kiel, and Leuchtturm Bülk.

Loch Lomond National Park does not have museums and landmarks.


Is the Food Better in Loch Lomond National Park or Kiel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Loch Lomond National Park
Kiel

Kiel is a city with good options for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Loch Lomond National Park is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Kiel is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The local cuisine, Schleswig-Holstein cuisine, is similar to much of Germany in that the dishes are hearty and filling. There are many British and Scandenavian influences. Local dishes that you should try include Kieler Sprotte (herring-like fish), Schnüüsch (veggie stew), and Mehlbüdel (bread dumpling with pork belly)

Loch Lomond National Park offers some easy restaurants to choose from. You'll find some traditional Scottish food to sample but in general for the best food, head to one of the nicer hotels in the area.

Is Loch Lomond National Park or Kiel Better for Nightlife?

Loch Lomond National Park
Kiel

Kiel is a city with good options for its evening party scene. However, Loch Lomond National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Kiel has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene is low key and relaxing. You can sip a cocktail at a trendy bar or enjoy a beer on a floating beach bar.

Loch Lomond National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Loch Lomond National Park or Kiel Better for Beaches?

Loch Lomond National Park
Kiel

Kiel is a city with good options for the beach. However, Loch Lomond National Park is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Kiel. The city has several sandy beaches with coastal dunes and a family-friendly atmosphere.

Loch Lomond National Park is not a beach destination.


Is Loch Lomond National Park or Kiel Better for Hiking?

Loch Lomond National Park
Kiel

Loch Lomond National Park is a popular place for its hiking experiences. However, Kiel is not a hiking destination.

Loch Lomond National Park is a good destination for hiking. You can choose from relaxing walks or more strenuous hikes and options run along the shoreline or into the surrounding hills and forests. Some of the more popular hikes in the area include Ben Lomond, Conic Hill, and Callander Crags.

Kiel is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Loch Lomond National Park or Kiel?

Loch Lomond National Park
Kiel

Kiel is a city with good options for its shopping areas. However, Loch Lomond National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Kiel has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There's a mix of retail shopping centers and pedestrian shopping streets like Holstenstrasse and Dänische Strasse.

Loch Lomond National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Loch Lomond National Park or Kiel Better for Families?

Loch Lomond National Park
Kiel

Loch Lomond National Park is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Loch Lomond National Park is a very kid-friendly national park. You'll find a wide range of diverse activities for kids around the park. They can explore the maze at the Lodge Forest Visitor Center, get up close with animals at Loch Lomond Bird of Prey Centre, Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park, or Loch Lomond Pony Trekking, or have an adventure at Doune Castle. Other highlights for the kids include Wellsfield Farm and the Maid of the Loch Paddle Steamer.

Kiel offers lots of family activities. The U-Boot U 995 is a museum on an actual submarine. Kids will love exploring this unique setting. The Kiel Botanical Gardens is another beautiful and fun place to explore. Also make sure you check out the city's aquarium, the Zoologisches Museum, and Computermuseum der Fachhochschule Kiel.


Is Loch Lomond National Park or Kiel Better for Couples?

Loch Lomond National Park
Kiel

Loch Lomond National Park is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Loch Lomond National Park frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are many waterfront accommodation options that make for a beautiful and peaceful couples retreat. The nature and serenity is perfect for couples who want to get away from it all.

Kiel is a good national park for couples to visit. The old port city sits along Germany’s Baltic Sea and couples can enjoy learning about the city's maritime past and shopping along the shopping streets of Holstenstrasse and Dänische Strasse.

Is Loch Lomond National Park or Kiel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Loch Lomond National Park
Kiel

Loch Lomond National Park is a popular place for backpackers. However, Kiel is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Loch Lomond National Park. There are some camping options available for backpackers and those who want to experience nature in its fullest.

Kiel is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While it's not on the main backpacker circuit, there is a hostel or two in town.

Is Loch Lomond National Park or Kiel Better for Students?

Loch Lomond National Park
Kiel

Kiel is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Loch Lomond National Park is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Kiel. Students can enjoy the city's beaches and lively nightlife scene.

Loch Lomond National Park is not popular with students.


Is Loch Lomond National Park or Kiel Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Loch Lomond National Park
Kiel

Loch Lomond National Park and Kiel both offer decent public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Loch Lomond National Park. You can reach the park by train, but transportation option within the area are generally limited.

Public transit is generally limited in Kiel. There is a bus system around town.

Is Loch Lomond National Park or Kiel a more walkable city?

Loch Lomond National Park
Kiel

Kiel is a city with good options for its ease of walking around. However, Loch Lomond National Park is not a walkable destination.

Kiel is a somewhat walkable city. Some parts of Kiel are more walkable than others.

Loch Lomond National Park is not a walkable destination.

For even more information, also check out Is Loch Lomond National Park Worth Visiting? and Is Kiel Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kiel or Loch Lomond National Park?

How long in Loch Lomond National Park or Kiel?

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

Couples should spend more time in Kiel than Loch Lomond National Park. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Kiel that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kiel than Loch Lomond National Park 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 Kiel.


  • How many days in Loch Lomond National Park or Kiel? Ideal Length of Stay
    Loch Lomond National Park 2-4 
    Kiel 1-3

One day in Loch Lomond National Park or Kiel?

Visitors enjoy the when visiting the destination of Loch Lomond National Park. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the off-the-beaten-path city of Kiel. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.


A weekend in Loch Lomond National Park or Kiel?

Loch Lomond National Park is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Kiel. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Loch Lomond National Park or Kiel?

You'll find around the scenic destination of Loch Lomond National Park. This national park offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Kiel is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. It offers something for everyone.

A week in Loch Lomond National Park or Kiel?

The peaceful national park of Loch Lomond National Park offers . The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

Kiel is a popular choice for travelers. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. Your budget might influence how long you stay.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United Kingdom, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.


Which place is cheaper, Kiel or Loch Lomond National Park?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Loch Lomond National Park is £61, while the average daily cost in Kiel is £118. 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 Loch Lomond National Park and Kiel in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Loch Lomond National Park £31
    Kiel £58
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Loch Lomond National Park £62
    Kiel £116
Compare Hotels in Loch Lomond National Park and Kiel

Looking for a hotel in Loch Lomond National Park or Kiel? 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 Loch Lomond National Park


Hotels in Kiel


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Loch Lomond National Park £20
    Kiel £46

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kiel

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kiel:

  • Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Hamburg: $645
  • Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $235
  • Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg hotels - Arrival Private Transfer : $118
  • Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg Airport (HAM) - Departure Private Transfer: $118
  • Private Transfer from Ostseekai Kiel Port to Hamburg Airport: $79
  • Private Transfer from Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg city: $79

Is it cheaper to fly into Loch Lomond National Park or Kiel?

Prices for flights to both Kiel and Loch Lomond National Park 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
    Loch Lomond National Park £15
    Kiel £33

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Loch Lomond National Park £16
    Kiel £16

Tours and Activities in Kiel

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

  • Bicycle tour to Friedrichshafen with a visit to the Zeppelin & Dornier Museum: $141
  • Bike Tour of Lubeck with Top Attractions and Private Guide: $244
  • Boat Cruise and a Private Walking Tour of Lubeck's Old Town: $205
  • Christmas Stories of Lubeck – Private Walking Tour: $256
  • City Sightseeing Kiel Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $22
  • Discovering Lubeck – Private Walking Tour for Couples: $202
  • Fascinating Pearls of Lubeck - Guided Walking Tour: $191
  • Kiel - Private Historic Walking Tour: $384
  • Kiel Crime Experience: self-guided crime tour: $42
  • Kiel Private Guided Walking Tour: $281
  • Kiel Self-Guided Audio Tour: Explore this Historic Port: $12
  • Kiel's Historical Port: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Loch Lomond National Park £3.93
    Kiel £10


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Loch Lomond National Park and Kiel, we can see that Kiel is more expensive. And not only is Loch Lomond National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Loch Lomond National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Loch Lomond National Park 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 Loch Lomond National Park.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Loch Lomond National Park Expensive? and Is Kiel Expensive?.