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

Should you visit Mamaia or Cologne?

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

Should I visit Mamaia 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: Mamaia or Cologne?

Mamaia

The most popular beach resort in Romania, Mamaia sits on an 8-kilometer wisp of land between Lake Siutghiol and the Black Sea. With plenty of hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, and an aqua park, the resort area is a party-goer's destination with endless opportunities for fun in the sun and nighttime merriment.

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 Tours for Seniors to Romania, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bucharest, The Best Luxury Tours to Germany, and The Best Budget Tours to Germany.


Which place is cheaper, Cologne or Mamaia?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Mamaia is $64, 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 Mamaia and Cologne in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mamaia $25
    Cologne $97
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mamaia $50
    Cologne $194
Compare Hotels in Mamaia and Cologne

Looking for a hotel in Mamaia 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 Mamaia


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.
    Mamaia $27
    Cologne $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mamaia

Also for Mamaia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Cernavoda to Bucharest - Private Guided Transfer - Car and Driver: $218
  • Constanta to Bucharest Otopeni airport - private transfers: $251
  • Mihail Kogalniceanu Constanta to Bucharest Driver - Private Guided Transfer : $272
  • Private Transfer from Constanta to Bucarest (OTP) Airport: $174

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 Mamaia or Cologne?

Prices for flights to both Cologne and Mamaia 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
    Mamaia $22
    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.
    Mamaia $13
    Cologne $22

Tours and Activities in Mamaia

For Mamaia, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Self-Guided Labyrinth in the Rocks Tour near Silistra: $21
  • Day Tour: Visit Histria Winery and Ancient Citadel: $86
  • One Day Tour to Constanta (The Ancient City of Tomis): $175

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mamaia $12
    Cologne $24

Sample the Local Flavors in Mamaia

Also in Mamaia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Unveilling the Essence: Gabai Winery's Captivating Wine Tours: $44

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 Mamaia and Cologne, we can see that Cologne is more expensive. And not only is Mamaia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mamaia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mamaia 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 Mamaia.

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



When is the best time to visit Mamaia 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 Mamaia or Cologne in the Summer?

Both Cologne and Mamaia during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cologne this time of year.

In the summer, Mamaia is a little warmer than Cologne. Typically, the summer temperatures in Mamaia in July average around 22°C (72°F), and Cologne averages at about 19°C (66°F).

It's quite sunny in Mamaia. In the summer, Mamaia often gets more sunshine than Cologne. Mamaia gets 320 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cologne receives 184 hours of full sun.

Mamaia usually gets less rain in July than Cologne. Mamaia gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Mamaia 22°C (72°F) 
    Cologne 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Mamaia or Cologne in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Mamaia and Cologne. Furthermore, many travelers come to Cologne for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Mamaia is generally a little warmer than Cologne. Daily temperatures in Mamaia average around 14°C (56°F), and Cologne fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Mamaia usually receives more sunshine than Cologne during autumn. Mamaia gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Cologne receives 104 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Mamaia usually receives less rain than Cologne. Mamaia gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Mamaia 14°C (56°F) 
    Cologne 12°C (54°F)

Should I visit Mamaia or Cologne in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Mamaia as well as Cologne. Additionally, 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 Mamaia. Mamaia is much colder than Cologne in the winter. The daily temperature in Mamaia averages around 1°C (33°F) in January, and Cologne fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Mamaia often gets more sunshine than Cologne. Mamaia gets 83 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cologne receives 43 hours of full sun.

Mamaia usually gets less rain in January than Cologne. Mamaia gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Mamaia 1°C (33°F) 
    Cologne 3°C (37°F)

Should I visit Mamaia or Cologne in the Spring?

Both Cologne and Mamaia are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Cologne for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Mamaia is around the same temperature as Cologne. Typically, the spring temperatures in Mamaia in April average around 10°C (51°F), and Cologne averages at about 10°C (50°F).

Mamaia usually receives more sunshine than Cologne during spring. Mamaia gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Cologne receives 152 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Mamaia usually receives less rain than Cologne. Mamaia gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Mamaia 10°C (51°F) 
    Cologne 10°C (50°F)

Typical Weather for Cologne and Mamaia

Mamaia Cologne
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 1°C (33°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 3°C (37°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Feb 2°C (36°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 4°C (39°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Mar 5°C (41°F) 26 mm (1 in) 7°C (44°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Apr 10°C (51°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 10°C (50°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
May 16°C (60°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 14°C (58°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Jun 20°C (68°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 17°C (63°F) 76 mm (3 in)
Jul 22°C (72°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Aug 22°C (72°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 19°C (66°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Sep 19°C (65°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 16°C (61°F) 62 mm (2.5 in)
Oct 14°C (56°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 12°C (54°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Nov 8°C (47°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 7°C (45°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Dec 4°C (38°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 4°C (39°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)