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

Should you visit Lulea 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 Lulea 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.

Where Should I go: Lulea or Kiel?

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.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in Sweden, The Best Adventure Tours to Sweden, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lulea and Kiel, we can see that Kiel 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 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 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 Kiel Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Lulea or Kiel?

Kiel has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Lulea. When comparing the sizes of Lulea and Kiel, 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 Kiel?

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 Kiel in the Summer?

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

In July, Lulea is generally around the same temperature as Kiel. Daily temperatures in Lulea average around 15°C (60°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

It's quite sunny in Kiel. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lulea. Lulea usually receives more sunshine than Kiel during summer. Lulea gets 304 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 219 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Lulea usually receives less rain than Kiel. Lulea gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Lulea or Kiel in the Autumn?

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

Lulea can get quite cold in the autumn. Lulea is much colder than Kiel in the autumn. The daily temperature in Lulea averages around 2°C (36°F) in October, and Kiel fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the autumn, Lulea often gets less sunshine than Kiel. Lulea gets 82 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 102 hours of full sun.

Lulea usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Kiel. Lulea gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lulea or Kiel in the Winter?

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

The weather in Kiel can be very cold. Lulea can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Lulea is much colder than Kiel. Typically, the winter temperatures in Lulea in January average around -12°C (10°F), and Kiel averages at about 0°C (33°F).

Lulea usually receives less sunshine than Kiel during winter. Lulea gets 19 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 39 hours of full sun in the winter.

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

Should I visit Lulea or Kiel in the Spring?

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

The weather in Lulea can be very cold. In April, Lulea is generally much colder than Kiel. Daily temperatures in Lulea average around -1°C (31°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the spring, Lulea often gets more sunshine than Kiel. Lulea gets 194 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 171 hours of full sun.

Lulea usually gets less rain in April than Kiel. Lulea gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Kiel and Lulea