Which place is cheaper, Cologne or Malmo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Malmo or Cologne?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Malmo or Cologne, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Malmo or Cologne?
Malmo
Located on the southern tip of Sweden, in the province of Skane, Malmo is Sweden's third largest city. It has a very international population with about a third of the residents being from countries other than Sweden. This diversity is evident within Malmo, which is rich in culture, interesting food, and an array of entertainment options. Historically, Malmo was an industrial city with a ship building company, Kockums being the area's largest employer. Today, however, the city is much more economicaly diverse with many eco friendly neighborhoods and plenty of suburban style housing.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Sweden, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Sweden, The Best Luxury Tours to Germany, and The Best Budget Tours to Germany.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMalmo $81Cologne $172
The average daily cost (per person) in Malmo is $81, 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 Malmo and Cologne in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMalmo $48Cologne $97
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMalmo $96Cologne $194
Compare Hotels in Malmo and Cologne
Looking for a hotel in Malmo 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.
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: Malmo Hotel Prices and Cologne Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Malmo $7.88Cologne $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Malmo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Malmo:
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Malmö Bus Card$18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Malmo
Also for Malmo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Malmö City to Copenhagen hotel/address Private Departure Transfer: $128
- Malmo Airport (MMX) to Malmo City Center - Arrival Private Transfer: $27
- Malmo Airport (MMX) to Malmo City Center - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $55
- Malmo City Center to Malmo Airport (MMX) - Departure Private Transfer: $27
- Malmo Private Transfer from Central Malmo to Malmo Airport: $95
- Malmo Private Transfer from Malmo airport to Central Malmo : $95
- Private Direct Transfer From Malmo to Copenhagen: $121
- Private Transfer from Malmo Airport MMX to Fredericia Port: $96
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cologne
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cologne:
- Transfer from Cologne Airport CGN to Cologne City by Luxury Car: $83
- Superior Private Transfer from Cologne City to Dortmund City: $64
- Cologne hotels to Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) - Departure Private Transfer: $49
- Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Cologne hotels - Round-trip Private Transfer : $98
- Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Bonn hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $109
- Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Bonn hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $55
Is it cheaper to fly into Malmo or Cologne?
Prices for flights to both Cologne and Malmo 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
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Food Meals for one dayMalmo $25Cologne $54
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Malmo
For Malmo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Self-guided Food Tour in Malmö: $59
- Guided Food Tour in Malmö (Private): $120
Typical Food Prices in Cologne
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cologne:
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Dinner$15
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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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Malmo $16Cologne $22
Tours and Activities in Malmo
For Malmo, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Lund's Medieval and Modern History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Self-guided audio tour in Lund: explore the story of the Locus Peccatorum murder: $9.35
- Malmö Ghost Story: A self-guided audio walking tour: $9.35
- Canal Sightseeing Boat Tour of Malmö: $21
- Half Day Walking Tour in Lund City and University: $33
- Malmö Photography Tour: $58
- Malmo Walking Tour, 3 hours (small group): $66
- Joyful Malmo Walking Tour for Couples: $147
- Exploring Malmo Walking Tour: $147
Tours and Activities in Cologne
Here are a few actual costs in Cologne for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 120min - Cologne City Tour: $158
- 3-Hour Cologne Street Art Bike Tour in Small Group with Guide: $44
- 3-Hour Murder Mystery Interactive City Walking Tour in Köln: $75
- 5 Hours Cologne to Aachen Train Tour in Germany: $63
- Aachen Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $231
- Aachen Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
- Aachen Scavenger Hunt and Self Guided Walking Tour on your Phone: $7.63
- Aachen old town tour - GERMAN (public): $13
- Amusing Stories of Cologne Walking Tour: $13
- Awesome Sites of Cologne – Private Family Walking Tour: $395
- Beethoven and Bonn Highlights Tour from Cologne by Car: $840
- Best of Cologne in 1-Day Private Guided Tour with Transport: $438
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMalmo $35Cologne $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 Malmo and Cologne, we can see that Cologne is more expensive. And not only is Malmo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Malmo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Malmo 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 Malmo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Malmo Expensive? and Is Cologne Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Malmo or Cologne?
Cologne has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Malmo. When comparing the sizes of Malmo 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 Malmo or Cologne?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Malmo or Cologne in the Summer?
Both Cologne and Malmo during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Cologne for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Malmo is cooler than Cologne. Typically, the summer temperatures in Malmo in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Cologne averages at about 19°C (66°F).
It's quite sunny in Malmo. In the summer, Malmo often gets more sunshine than Cologne. Malmo gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cologne receives 184 hours of full sun.
Malmo usually gets less rain in July than Cologne. Malmo gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMalmo 17°C (62°F)Cologne 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Malmo or Cologne in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Malmo and Cologne. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Cologne because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Malmo is generally cooler than Cologne. Daily temperatures in Malmo average around 10°C (50°F), and Cologne fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
Malmo usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cologne during autumn. Malmo gets 104 hours of sunny skies, while Cologne receives 104 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Malmo usually receives less rain than Cologne. Malmo gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMalmo 10°C (50°F)Cologne 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Malmo or Cologne in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Malmo as well as Cologne. Also, the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Cologne this time of year.
It's quite cold in Cologne in the winter. The weather in Malmo can be very cold. Malmo is much colder than Cologne in the winter. The daily temperature in Malmo averages around 0°C (32°F) in January, and Cologne fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
In the winter, Malmo often gets less sunshine than Cologne. Malmo gets 36 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cologne receives 43 hours of full sun.
Malmo usually gets less rain in January than Cologne. Malmo gets 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMalmo 0°C (32°F)Cologne 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Malmo or Cologne in the Spring?
Both Cologne and Malmo are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Cologne for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Malmo is much colder than Cologne. Typically, the spring temperatures in Malmo in April average around 5°C (42°F), and Cologne averages at about 10°C (50°F).
Malmo usually receives more sunshine than Cologne during spring. Malmo gets 173 hours of sunny skies, while Cologne receives 152 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Malmo usually receives less rain than Cologne. Malmo gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMalmo 5°C (42°F)Cologne 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Cologne and Malmo
| Malmo | Cologne | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 0°C (32°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | -0°C (32°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 2°C (35°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (42°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 11°C (51°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (62°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (57°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 62 mm (2.5 in) |
| Oct | 10°C (50°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (42°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Dec | 2°C (36°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.