Which place is cheaper, Cologne or Minsk?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Minsk or Cologne?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Minsk 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: Minsk or Cologne?
Minsk
Minsk is the capital city of Belarus, centrally located. Situated on the Svislac and Niamiha rivers, it is also capital of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and was the capital of the former Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic from 1919-1991. It is a modern city dominated by monumental Stalinist architecture with many of its museums, theaters, and other cultural attractions.
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 Luxury Tours to Germany, and The Best Budget Tours to Germany.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMinsk $64Cologne $172
The average daily cost (per person) in Minsk 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 Minsk and Cologne in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMinsk $32Cologne $97
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMinsk $64Cologne $194
Compare Hotels in Minsk and Cologne
Looking for a hotel in Minsk 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: Cologne Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Minsk $12Cologne $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cologne
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cologne:
- Cologne hotels to Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) - Departure Private Transfer: $49
- Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Bonn hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $55
- Superior Private Transfer from Cologne City to Dortmund City: $64
- Transfer from Cologne Airport CGN to Cologne City by Luxury Car: $83
- Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Cologne hotels - Round-trip Private Transfer : $98
- Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Bonn hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $109
Is it cheaper to fly into Minsk or Cologne?
Prices for flights to both Cologne and Minsk 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 dayMinsk $21Cologne $54
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.Minsk $20Cologne $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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMinsk $14Cologne $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 Minsk and Cologne, we can see that Cologne is more expensive. And not only is Minsk much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Minsk would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Minsk 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 Minsk.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Minsk Expensive? and Is Cologne Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Minsk or Cologne?
Minsk has a larger population, and is about 81% larger than the population of Cologne. When comparing the sizes of Minsk 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 Minsk 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 Minsk or Cologne in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Minsk and Cologne. Also, most visitors come to Cologne for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Minsk is around the same temperature as Cologne. Typically, the summer temperatures in Minsk in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Cologne averages at about 19°C (66°F).
In Minsk, it's very sunny this time of the year. Minsk usually receives more sunshine than Cologne during summer. Minsk gets 258 hours of sunny skies, while Cologne receives 184 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Minsk usually receives more rain than Cologne. Minsk gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMinsk 19°C (66°F)Cologne 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Minsk or Cologne in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Minsk as well as 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, Minsk is generally cooler than Cologne. Daily temperatures in Minsk average around 8°C (47°F), and Cologne fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
In the autumn, Minsk often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Cologne. Minsk gets 99 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cologne receives 104 hours of full sun.
Minsk usually gets less rain in October than Cologne. Minsk gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMinsk 8°C (47°F)Cologne 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Minsk or Cologne in the Winter?
Both Cologne and Minsk are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. 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 Minsk can be very cold. Minsk is much colder than Cologne in the winter. The daily temperature in Minsk averages around -5°C (22°F) in January, and Cologne fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
Minsk usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cologne during winter. Minsk gets 46 hours of sunny skies, while Cologne receives 43 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Minsk usually receives less rain than Cologne. Minsk gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMinsk -5°C (22°F)Cologne 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Minsk or Cologne in the Spring?
Both Cologne and Minsk during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Cologne for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Minsk is cooler than Cologne. Typically, the spring temperatures in Minsk in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Cologne averages at about 10°C (50°F).
In the spring, Minsk often gets more sunshine than Cologne. Minsk gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cologne receives 152 hours of full sun.
Minsk usually gets less rain in April than Cologne. Minsk gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMinsk 8°C (46°F)Cologne 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Cologne and Minsk
| Minsk | Cologne | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -5°C (22°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | -4°C (25°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 0°C (33°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Apr | 8°C (46°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 15°C (58°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (65°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (57°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 62 mm (2.5 in) |
| Oct | 8°C (47°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Nov | 3°C (37°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (28°F) | 53 mm (2.1 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.