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

Should you visit Nagano or Bonn?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Nagano and Bonn can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Nagano

Nagano is a traditional, alpine, and scenic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Bonn

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

Nagano and Bonn: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nagano or Bonn?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Nagano. Although Nagano and Bonn are about the same size, Nagano has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Nagano is very popular for its skiing, food, nightlife, resorts, hiking, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Bonn attracts visitors for its historical sights, shopping, and quaint atmosphere. Nagano is more touristy than Bonn and is known for its historic temples, beautiful mountain setting, and being the host of the 1998 Winter Olympic Games. It is also well known for Zenko-ji Temple. Bonn is famous for its many museums, cultural venues, and university atmosphere, as well as being the birthplace of Beethoven.

How is Nagano different from Bonn?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Nagano or Bonn Better for Skiing?

Nagano is a great city for skiing. However, Bonn is not a skiing destination.

Nagano offers world-class skiing that is fun for everyone. The city hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics and many of the skiing events were held at ski resorts in the area. In the Nagano Prefecture you'll find several ski resorts with some of the most popular being the Hakuba ski areas, Shiga Kogen, Nozawa Onsen, and Myoko Kogen.

Bonn is not a skiing destination.

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

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

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Nagano. The area is filled with history and there are many places to explore. Matsumoto Castle, the Matsumoto City Museum of Art, Zenko-ji Temple, and Togakushi Shrine are just some of the highlights.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Bonn. 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 Nagano or Bonn? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Nagano 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 Nagano. You'll find many of Japan's culinary favorites here like ramen, udon, sushi, and sashimi. There are also regional dishes and some comfort food like Tonkatsu and Oyaki Dumplings.

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 Nagano or Bonn Better for Nightlife?

Nagano 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 Nagano has something for everybody. The nightlife scene is varied, from local and intimate venues, to wild and crazy clubs. You'll find all styles and activities such that whatever you're looking for, the city likely won't disappoint.

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 Nagano or Bonn Better for Resorts?

Nagano is a popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Bonn is not a resort destination.

Nagano has a handful of resorts to choose from. You'll find wonderful mountain resorts throughout the entire prefecture.

Bonn is not a resort destination.

Is Nagano or Bonn Better for its Old Town?

Bonn is a great city for its old town. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its historic old town charm.

Bonn is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. 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.

Nagano offers a nice historic old town area. Throughout the prefecture there is a lot of history and charming towns. If you're willing to get out of Nagano City, you can enjoy an area filled with tradition and culture. In particular, Tsumago-juku was the first preserved old town in Japan.

Is Nagano or Bonn Better for Hiking?

Nagano is a great city for hiking. However, Bonn is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Nagano for the hiking trails. The surrounding area is filled with stunning scenery, natural beauty, and beautiful hikes. You'll find shrines and temples, historic villages, nice views, and peaceful walks throughout the region. One of the most unique walks is along the highest road in Japan, the Norikura Echo Line. The route is at 8,800 feet and is lined with ten meter high snow walls. It's open from from late April to the end of June every year.

Bonn is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nagano or Bonn?

Bonn is a great city for its shopping opportunities. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping areas.

Bonn is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Many visitors go to Nagano to go shopping. There are a number of shopping streets that are fun to explore including the historic street of Naka-mise. This street is lined with tea shops, cafes, traditional stores, and more. While there aren't a huge number of shopping centers around town, Midori Nagano is one of the biggest.

Is Nagano or Bonn Better for Families?

Bonn is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Bonn is an extremely popular city to visit for families. 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.

Nagano is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Chibikko Ninja Village is a great place for kids with climbing walls, indoor playgrounds, and more. There are also a number of sports facilities around town, and you can keep the sport theme going with a visit to the Nagano Olympic Museum. Animal lovers will enjoy a visit to the Nagano Chausuyama Zoo and for little kids, the Nagano City Joyama Zoo is nice.

Is Nagano or Bonn Better for Couples?

Both Nagano and Bonn are nice destinations for a couple's getaway.

Nagano makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city has a lot of history and beauty, making it a romantic destination for couples. There are also outdoor activities as well as a number of sports that you can enjoy.

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 Nagano or Bonn Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Nagano and Bonn are nice places to visit.

Nagano is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are several good hostels in the area, as well as some great activities for young travelers, backpackers, and sports enthusiasts.

Plenty of backpackers visit Bonn. 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 Nagano or Bonn Better for Students?

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

Students come from all over to stay in Bonn. 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.

Nagano is a good city to visit for students. It's relative affordability combined with its close proximity to Tokyo and laid back populations make this a nice place to study.

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

Bonn is a great city for times when you don't have a car. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

The public transit in Bonn can get you around easily. 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.

Nagano has a few public transit options. The main station in town is Nagano Station. There's a bus and train system through the area, including buses that run to Zenkoji Temple. There's also a bus that goes to the Togakushi area and takes about an hour. However, renting a car will give you more freedom and efficiency. .

Is Nagano or Bonn a more walkable city?

Bonn is a great city for its high level of walkability. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

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

Nagano is a somewhat walkable city. Parts of the city are walkable and there are hiking trails around the Togakushi area, where you'll find many shrines and other attractions.

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

Should I spend more time in Bonn or Nagano?

How long in Nagano or Bonn?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Nagano and Bonn. In our opinion, Bonn has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Bonn than Nagano. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

One day in Nagano or Bonn?

Visitors enjoy the skiing and nightlife when visiting the destination of Nagano. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Bonn. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Nagano or Bonn?

Nagano is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.

Bonn is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Nagano or Bonn?

You'll find food and shopping around the alpine destination of Nagano. This city offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bonn. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Nagano or Bonn?

The alpine city of Nagano offers shopping and museums. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the lively destination of Bonn. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan, The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nagano and Bonn, we can see that Bonn is more expensive. And not only is Nagano much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nagano is in Asia and Bonn is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Nagano would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nagano 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 Bonn would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bonn than you might in Nagano.

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

Which is Bigger, Nagano or Bonn?

Nagano has a larger population, and is about 15% larger than the population of Bonn. When comparing the sizes of Nagano 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 Nagano or Bonn?

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 Nagano or Bonn in the Summer?

Both Bonn and Nagano are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Nagano for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Bonn in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Nagano is generally a little warmer than Bonn. Daily temperatures in Nagano average around 25°C (77°F), and Bonn fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

Nagano usually receives less sunshine than Bonn during summer. Nagano gets 136 hours of sunny skies, while Bonn receives 191 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Nagano. In July, Nagano usually receives more rain than Bonn. Nagano gets 222 mm (8.8 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nagano or Bonn in the Autumn?

Both Bonn and Nagano during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Nagano in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Bonn for the shopping scene during these months.

Nagano is a little warmer than Bonn in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nagano averages around 16°C (60°F) in October, and Bonn fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In the autumn, Nagano often gets more sunshine than Bonn. Nagano gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bonn receives 109 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nagano. Nagano usually gets more rain in October than Bonn. Nagano gets 227 mm (9 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nagano or Bonn in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Nagano and Bonn. Most visitors come to Nagano for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Bonn because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Bonn can be very cold. Nagano can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Nagano is cooler than Bonn. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nagano in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Bonn averages at about 3°C (37°F).

In Nagano, it's very sunny this time of the year. Nagano usually receives more sunshine than Bonn during winter. Nagano gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while Bonn receives 45 hours of full sun in the winter.

Nagano gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Nagano usually receives more rain than Bonn. Nagano gets 446 mm (17.5 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nagano or Bonn in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Nagano as well as Bonn. The spring months attract visitors to Nagano because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Nagano is generally a little warmer than Bonn. Daily temperatures in Nagano average around 11°C (52°F), and Bonn fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Nagano often gets more sunshine than Bonn. Nagano gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bonn receives 145 hours of full sun.

Nagano usually gets more rain in April than Bonn. Nagano gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bonn and Nagano