A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Melbourne vs. Bonn for Families, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Melbourne or Bonn?

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

Should I visit Melbourne or Bonn? 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.

Melbourne

Melbourne is a progressive, livable, and friendly city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and museums.

Bonn

Bonn is a cultural, beautiful, and outdoorsy city. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Melbourne and Bonn: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Melbourne or Bonn?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Melbourne than Bonn. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Melbourne is very popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, and big city activities, while Bonn attracts visitors for its historical sights and quaint atmosphere. Melbourne is famous for its art and cultural scene, its sports history, and its friendly and welcoming population. It is also well known for the Royal Botanic Gardens. Bonn is famous for its many museums, cultural venues, and university atmosphere, as well as being the birthplace of Beethoven.

How is Melbourne different from Bonn?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bonn and Melbourne. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Melbourne or Bonn?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Melbourne and Bonn.

Melbourne offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Many of the city's sights center around the art and cultural scene. There's the the National Gallery of Victoria and the Performing Arts Centre Melbourne. There's also Federation Square. Sports enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the National Sports Museum and for great views, check out Melbourne Skydeck at Eureka Tower.

Many visitors head to Bonn specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Some of the most popular museums include Haus der Geschichte (history), Beethoven's House, and Kunstmuseum Bonn (art). For architecture check out the Old Town Hall and Bonn Minster. Other landmarks include Poppelsdorf Palace and Schloss Drachenburg.

Is the Food Better in Melbourne or Bonn? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Melbourne is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Bonn is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Melbourne. There's an eclectic mix of international restaurants that offer everything from Szechuan dishes to Spanish tapas. You'll find bistros and bars that have a fun and relaxed vibe and locals and tourists alike enjoy dining out.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Bonn. Like much of the food in Germany, you'll find local dishes are hearty and filling. Potatoes and meats are popular ingredients, as are milk, butter, and vegetables. For local flavors try the Rhenish Sauerbraten (veal stew), Reibekuchen (German pancakes), or Christmas Sausages.

Is Melbourne or Bonn Better for Nightlife?

Melbourne is a great city for nightlife. Also, Bonn is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Melbourne has something for everybody. There are bars and clubs that have a laid back and relaxed atmosphere as well as more party focused nightclubs that stay open late into the night. Whether you're interested in dancing and listening to live music, or chatting with friends at a local brewery, there really is something for everyone.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Bonn. There are bars and nightclubs around town but even more popular are the cultural events that the city hosts. If nightlife is important to you, try to visit during one of the festivals around town.

Is Melbourne or Bonn Better for Beaches?

Melbourne is a great city for its beaches. However, Bonn is not a beach destination.

Melbourne is considered a top beach destination. There are laid back beaches near town that attract locals and tourists alike. You can enjoy coastal trails and great natural beauty. St Kilda Beach and Elwood Beach are among the most popular beaches near the city. Brighton Beach is known for its colorful bathing boxes and Williamstown Beach is very family-friendly.

Bonn is not a beach destination.

Is Melbourne or Bonn Better for its Old Town?

Bonn is a very popular place for its old town. However, Melbourne does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Bonn. The old town is filled with cobblestone streets and charming shops. There are also cafes and restaurants where you can grab a bite to eat.

Melbourne does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Melbourne or Bonn?

Shoppers can find a variety of high quality stores in both Melbourne and Bonn.

Melbourne is well-known for its shopping. The city has tons of retail options that range from trendy fashion boutiques to outdoor markets. There are local venders that highlight the city's art and cultural scene, but there are also suburban malls with all of the major brands.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Bonn. A mix of local shops and major chains make shopping fun and easy. Whether you're interested in souvenir gifts or a new outfit, there are countless stores around town.

Is Melbourne or Bonn Better for Families?

Bonn is very popular for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Melbourne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Bonn is a very family-friendly destination. Just outside of the town is the Haribo factory outlet store where you can pick up a number of sweet treats and spend some time exploring with the kids. Another favorite activity for the whole family is a trip to nearby Phantasialand. This is one of the best amusement parks in Germany and it has many rides for teens and younger kids alike. In town, you'll find playgrounds and kid-friendly museums. Kids will also love a visit to Schloss Drachenburg Castle.

Melbourne is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has kids museums like the Museum of Play and Art or the Polly Woodside Tall Ship and Museum. There's also the Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium and the Scienceworks Museums. If you like quirky, check out the ArtVo 3D Immersive Art Gallery. There's also Legoland, which has a lot for younger children.

Is Melbourne or Bonn Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Melbourne and Bonn make for a nice place to visit.

Melbourne makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a very livable city with romantic viewpoints like SkyHigh Mount Dandenong. There are also nice gardens to explore such as the Carlton Gardens and the Rippon Lea House and Gardens. Or you could go for a ride on the Melbourne Star or dine at one of the many great restaurants.

Bonn is a good city for couples to visit. Churches, architecture, and botanical gardens all make this a great couples destination. You can take a cruise down the Rhein or enjoy a meal at one of the best restaurants.

Is Melbourne or Bonn Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Melbourne and Bonn are both nice destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Melbourne. Many backpackers breeze through the city, but there is a great music and art scene as well as a number of good restaurants. You'll also find a couple of good hostels in town.

Bonn is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Many backpackers skip this town, so its a good option for travelers who want to get off the beaten backpacker trail. There are affordable hotels and hostels around town as well as restaurants where you can pick up something cheap to eat.

Is Melbourne or Bonn Better for Students?

Melbourne is very popular for its student-friendly activities. Also, Bonn is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Many students frequent Melbourne. Many students think this is among the best student cities in Australia. There's a great creative culture with a good music and art scene. The population is diverse and the restaurants a great.

Bonn is very popular with students. The city has a very international vibe and you'll likely run into people speaking English around town. Job opportunities in the area are good and there are schools that attract students from around the globe.

Is Melbourne or Bonn Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find high quality public transit in both Melbourne and Bonn.

Public transit in Melbourne can get you to some places easily. The public transit system is among the best in Australia. There are public buses, trains, and trams (also called trolleys or streetcars).

Many visitors use the public transit system in Bonn. There is a light rail system that includes 9 lines and 64 stations. There are also buses around town. Bonn is connected to the region by convenient commuter trains so it's possible to visit as a day trip.

Is Melbourne or Bonn a more walkable city?

Melbourne and Bonn are high quality when it comes to walkability.

Melbourne is a very walkable city. The city center is very walkable with a compact and grid-like layout.

Bonn is a very walkable destination. The compact old town is easy to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Melbourne Worth Visiting? and Is Bonn Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bonn or Melbourne?

How long in Melbourne or Bonn?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Melbourne and Bonn. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Melbourne than in Bonn. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Melbourne, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bonn.

Families should spend more time in Bonn than Melbourne. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Bonn, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Melbourne than Bonn. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Melbourne that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Melbourne than Bonn 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 Melbourne.

One day in Melbourne or Bonn?

Melbourne is a big city destination where you can fill many days. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Bonn. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bonn has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Melbourne or Bonn?

Melbourne is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Bonn. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Melbourne or Bonn?

Melbourne is a livable big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the lively city of Bonn. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Melbourne or Bonn?

The progressive city of Melbourne offers nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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.

Bonn is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Water Sports Tour Packages in Australia, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.

When comparing the travel costs between Melbourne and Bonn, we can see that Melbourne is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Melbourne is in Pacific and Bonn is in Europe, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Melbourne or Bonn?

Melbourne has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Bonn. When comparing the sizes of Melbourne and Bonn, 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 Melbourne or Bonn?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Melbourne is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Bonn has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Melbourne or Bonn in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Melbourne and Bonn. The summer months attract visitors to Melbourne because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bonn this time of year.

In January, Melbourne is generally around the same temperature as Bonnin July. Daily temperatures in Melbourne average around 20°C (68°F), and Bonn fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In Melbourne, it's very sunny this time of the year. Melbourne usually receives more sunshine than Bonn during summer. Melbourne gets 271 hours of sunny skies, while Bonn receives 191 hours of full sun in the summer.

In January, Melbourne usually receives less rain than Bonnin July. Melbourne gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Melbourne or Bonn in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Melbourne as well as Bonn. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Melbourne this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Bonn for the shopping scene.

Melbourne is a little warmer than Bonn in the autumn. The daily temperature in Melbourne averages around 15°C (60°F) in April, and Bonn fluctuates around 12°C (53°F)in October.

In the autumn, Melbourne often gets more sunshine than Bonnin October. Melbourne gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bonn receives 109 hours of full sun.

Melbourne usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Bonnin October. Melbourne gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Melbourne or Bonn in the Winter?

Both Bonn and Melbourne are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Melbourne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Bonn in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Bonn can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Melbourne is much warmer than Bonn. Typically, the winter temperatures in Melbourne in July average around 9°C (49°F), and Bonn averages at about 3°C (37°F)in January.

Melbourne usually receives more sunshine than Bonn during winter. Melbourne gets 139 hours of sunny skies, while Bonn receives 45 hours of full sun in the winter.

In July, Melbourne usually receives less rain than Bonnin January. Melbourne gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Melbourne or Bonn in the Spring?

Both Bonn and Melbourne during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Melbourne in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In October, Melbourne is generally a little warmer than Bonnin April. Daily temperatures in Melbourne average around 14°C (57°F), and Bonn fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

It's quite sunny in Melbourne. In the spring, Melbourne often gets more sunshine than Bonnin April. Melbourne gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bonn receives 145 hours of full sun.

Melbourne usually gets more rain in October than Bonnin April. Melbourne gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bonn and Melbourne