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

Should you visit Lulea or Cologne?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Lulea and Cologne 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.

Where Should I go: Lulea or Cologne?

Lulea

Lulea is in northern Sweden, in Norrbotten. It's a mid sized city with about 70,000 residents. It also has a technical university, the Lulea University of Technology, which was created in 1971. The city of Lulea is located at the mouth of Lule River on the Gulf of Bothnia. The city's economy is focused on research, education, trade and services. The university's educational programs appeal to new businesses that range from local companies to multinational corporations. There is also a prominant IT sector in the city.

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 Coach Bus Tours in Sweden, The Best Adventure Tours to Sweden, The Best Luxury Tours to Germany, and The Best Budget Tours to Germany.


Which place is cheaper, Cologne or Lulea?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Lulea is $105, 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 Lulea and Cologne in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Lulea $55
    Cologne $97
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Lulea $110
    Cologne $194
Compare Hotels in Lulea and Cologne

Looking for a hotel in Lulea 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 Lulea


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: Lulea Hotel Prices and Cologne Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Lulea $21
    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 Lulea or Cologne?

Prices for flights to both Cologne and Lulea 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
    Lulea $35
    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.
    Lulea $16
    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
    Lulea $18
    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 Lulea and Cologne, we can see that Cologne is more expensive. And not only is Lulea much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lulea would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lulea 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 Lulea.

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


Which is Bigger, Lulea or Cologne?

Cologne has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Lulea. When comparing the sizes of Lulea 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 Lulea 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 Lulea or Cologne in the Summer?

Both Cologne and Lulea are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Cologne in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Lulea is cooler than Cologne in the summer. The daily temperature in Lulea averages around 15°C (60°F) in July, and Cologne fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lulea. Lulea usually receives more sunshine than Cologne during summer. Lulea gets 304 hours of sunny skies, while Cologne receives 184 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Lulea usually receives less rain than Cologne. Lulea gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Lulea 15°C (60°F) 
    Cologne 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Lulea or Cologne in the Autumn?

Both Cologne and Lulea during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Cologne for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Lulea can get quite cold in the autumn. In the autumn, Lulea is much colder than Cologne. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lulea in October average around 2°C (36°F), and Cologne averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Lulea often gets less sunshine than Cologne. Lulea gets 82 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cologne receives 104 hours of full sun.

Lulea usually gets more rain in October than Cologne. Lulea gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Lulea 2°C (36°F) 
    Cologne 12°C (54°F)

Should I visit Lulea or Cologne in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Lulea and Cologne. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Cologne because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Cologne can be very cold. Lulea can be very cold during winter. In January, Lulea is generally much colder than Cologne. Daily temperatures in Lulea average around -12°C (10°F), and Cologne fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Lulea usually receives less sunshine than Cologne during winter. Lulea gets 19 hours of sunny skies, while Cologne receives 43 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Lulea usually receives less rain than Cologne. Lulea gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Lulea -12°C (10°F) 
    Cologne 3°C (37°F)

Should I visit Lulea or Cologne in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Lulea as well as Cologne. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Cologne this time of year.

The weather in Lulea can be very cold. Lulea is much colder than Cologne in the spring. The daily temperature in Lulea averages around -1°C (31°F) in April, and Cologne fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Lulea often gets more sunshine than Cologne. Lulea gets 194 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cologne receives 152 hours of full sun.

Lulea usually gets less rain in April than Cologne. Lulea gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Lulea -1°C (31°F) 
    Cologne 10°C (50°F)

Typical Weather for Cologne and Lulea

Lulea Cologne
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -12°C (10°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 3°C (37°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Feb -12°C (11°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 4°C (39°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Mar -7°C (19°F) 35 mm (1.4 in) 7°C (44°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Apr -1°C (31°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 10°C (50°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
May 6°C (43°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 14°C (58°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Jun 13°C (55°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 17°C (63°F) 76 mm (3 in)
Jul 15°C (60°F) 50 mm (2 in) 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Aug 13°C (56°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 19°C (66°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Sep 8°C (46°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 16°C (61°F) 62 mm (2.5 in)
Oct 2°C (36°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 12°C (54°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Nov -4°C (24°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 7°C (45°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Dec -10°C (15°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 4°C (39°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)