Which place is cheaper, Cologne or Moscow?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Moscow or Cologne?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Moscow and Cologne. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Moscow or Cologne?
Moscow
Moscow is the capital of Russia and is notable for its important role in history. It's a very sprawling city with many museums and fascinating buildings. Ten percent of Russia's population lives in this capital city and it's a financial and political center for the country. The Moskva River weaves its way through the city and you will find most of the city's sights and attractions on the northern side of the river.
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 dayMoscow $62Cologne $172
The average daily cost (per person) in Moscow is $62, 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 Moscow and Cologne in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMoscow $39Cologne $97
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMoscow $78Cologne $194
Compare Hotels in Moscow and Cologne
Looking for a hotel in Moscow 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.Moscow $6.06Cologne $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Moscow
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Moscow are as follows:
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Two Metro Passes$1.45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Moscow
Also for Moscow, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Batusangkar to Padang Airport (PDG): $134
- Private Transfer from Bukit Baru to Palembang Airport (PLM): $93
- Private Transfer from Harjosari to Pekanbaru Airport (PKU): $43
- Private Transfer from Kampung Bandar to Pekanbaru Airport (PKU): $43
- Private Transfer from Kedungsari to Pekanbaru Airport (PKU): $40
- Private Transfer from Kelurahan Sail to Pekanbaru Airport (PKU): $68
- Private Transfer from Kota Baru to Pekanbaru Airport (PKU): $43
- Private Transfer from Labuh Baru Barat to Pekanbaru Airport (PKU): $43
- Private Transfer from Limbungan Baru to Pekanbaru Airport (PKU): $43
- Private Transfer from Nagari Sikucur to Padang Airport (PDG): $134
- Private Transfer from Palembang Airport (PLM) to 8 ILIR: $93
- Private Transfer from Palembang Airport (PLM) to Duku: $93
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 Moscow or Cologne?
Prices for flights to both Cologne and Moscow 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 dayMoscow $14Cologne $54
Typical Food Prices in Moscow
For Moscow, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch for Two$5.89
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Lunch in the Center Market$3.21
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Breakfast for 2$11
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.Moscow $16Cologne $22
Typical Entertainment Prices in Moscow
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Moscow's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Theater Tickets$12
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Kremlin Entry (2)$11
Tours and Activities in Moscow
For Moscow, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Custom Private Tour in Palembang with English Speaking Driver: $85
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 dayMoscow $7.79Cologne $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 Moscow and Cologne, we can see that Cologne is more expensive. And not only is Moscow much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Moscow would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Moscow 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 Moscow.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Moscow Expensive? and Is Cologne Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Moscow or Cologne?
Moscow has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Cologne. When comparing the sizes of Moscow 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 Moscow 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 Moscow or Cologne in the Summer?
Both Cologne and Moscow during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Cologne for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Moscow is generally around the same temperature as Cologne. Daily temperatures in Moscow average around 19°C (67°F), and Cologne fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
Moscow usually gets more rain in July than Cologne. Moscow gets 92 mm (3.6 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 JulyMoscow 19°C (67°F)Cologne 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Moscow or Cologne in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Moscow and Cologne. Furthermore, many visitors come to Cologne in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Moscow is much colder than Cologne in the autumn. The daily temperature in Moscow averages around 6°C (43°F) in October, and Cologne fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
In October, Moscow usually receives around the same amount of rain as Cologne. Moscow gets 58 mm (2.3 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 OctoberMoscow 6°C (43°F)Cologne 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Moscow or Cologne in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Moscow as well as Cologne. Additionally, most visitors come to Cologne for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Cologne can be very cold during winter. Moscow can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Moscow is much colder than Cologne. Typically, the winter temperatures in Moscow in January average around -8°C (17°F), and Cologne averages at about 3°C (37°F).
Moscow usually gets less rain in January than Cologne. Moscow gets 45 mm (1.8 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 JanuaryMoscow -8°C (17°F)Cologne 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Moscow or Cologne in the Spring?
Both Cologne and Moscow are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Cologne because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In April, Moscow is generally cooler than Cologne. Daily temperatures in Moscow average around 7°C (45°F), and Cologne fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
In April, Moscow usually receives less rain than Cologne. Moscow gets 40 mm (1.6 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 AprilMoscow 7°C (45°F)Cologne 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Cologne and Moscow
| Moscow | Cologne | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -8°C (17°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | -1°C (30°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Apr | 7°C (45°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (67°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (64°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 62 mm (2.5 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (43°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Nov | -0°C (32°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Dec | -5°C (23°F) | 52 mm (2 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.