A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Newcastle upon Tyne vs. Kiel for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Newcastle upon Tyne or Kiel?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Newcastle upon Tyne and Kiel can help you decide which place is right for you.

Newcastle upon Tyne

Newcastle upon Tyne is a vibrant, high energy, and livable port city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Kiel

Kiel is a maritime, authentic, and off-the-beaten-path city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Newcastle upon Tyne and Kiel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Newcastle upon Tyne or Kiel?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Kiel than Newcastle upon Tyne, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Kiel is more popular for its beaches and big city activities, while Newcastle upon Tyne is known for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping. Newcastle upon Tyne is popular for its compact and livable atmosphere as well as its active nightlife scene. Kiel is popular for its maritime history and its role as the host of the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival. It is also home to The Kiel Castle.

How is Newcastle upon Tyne different from Kiel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Newcastle upon Tyne or Kiel?

Newcastle upon Tyne is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Newcastle upon Tyne offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are many historic and cultural sights around town. Some of the most interesting include the Historic Tyne Bridges, the Millennium Bridge, the Castle, Newcastle Cathedral, and the Great North Museum: Hancock.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Kiel. You'll find museums and landmarks that focus on the city's maritime past. These include Submarine U-995, the Naval Memorial, Schifffahrtsmuseum Kiel, and Leuchtturm Bülk.

Is the Food Better in Newcastle upon Tyne or Kiel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Newcastle upon Tyne is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Newcastle upon Tyne. The city is known for its food and there are some interesting local flavors that you should try. For something unique, try the singing hinny (sweet bread), pan haggerty (similar to potato gratin), stottie cake (bread) or craster kippers (smoked herring). You'll also find a diversity of cosmopolitan restaurants around town.

Kiel is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The local cuisine, Schleswig-Holstein cuisine, is similar to much of Germany in that the dishes are hearty and filling. There are many British and Scandenavian influences. Local dishes that you should try include Kieler Sprotte (herring-like fish), Schnüüsch (veggie stew), and Mehlbüdel (bread dumpling with pork belly)

Is Newcastle upon Tyne or Kiel Better for Nightlife?

Newcastle upon Tyne is well known for nightlife and partying. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Newcastle upon Tyne is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. Because of the large student population, you'll find a very active nightlife scene. There are several party districts in the city that you should check out including Quayside, the Gate, the Diamond Strip, Bigg Market, and Dean Street.

If you're looking for night time activities Kiel has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene is low key and relaxing. You can sip a cocktail at a trendy bar or enjoy a beer on a floating beach bar.

Is Newcastle upon Tyne or Kiel Better for Beaches?

Kiel is very good for the beach. However, Newcastle upon Tyne is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Kiel to enjoy the beach. The city has several sandy beaches with coastal dunes and a family-friendly atmosphere.

Newcastle upon Tyne is not a beach destination.

Is Newcastle upon Tyne or Kiel Better for its Old Town?

Newcastle upon Tyne is well known for its old town. However, Kiel does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Newcastle upon Tyne. Known as Grainger Town, the city's historic commercial center is famous for its Georgian and Victorian buildings.

Kiel does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Newcastle upon Tyne or Kiel?

Newcastle upon Tyne is well known for its shopping opportunities. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Newcastle upon Tyne is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has boutique shops as well as major shopping malls. Some of the best shopping areas include the pedestrian shopping street of Northumberland Street, the historic Grey Street, and Grainger Market.

Kiel has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There's a mix of retail shopping centers and pedestrian shopping streets like Holstenstrasse and Dänische Strasse.

Is Newcastle upon Tyne or Kiel Better for Families?

You'll find good kid-friendly activities in either Newcastle upon Tyne or Kiel.

Newcastle upon Tyne is a family-friendly port city. Kids will love visiting the Newcastle Castle, but there are also ropes courses and the Victoria Tunnel Tours. Museum lovers will enjoy a visit to Discovery Museum, the Life Science Center, or Beamish, the Living Museum of the North.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Kiel. The U-Boot U 995 is a museum on an actual submarine. Kids will love exploring this unique setting. The Kiel Botanical Gardens is another beautiful and fun place to explore. Also make sure you check out the city's aquarium, the Zoologisches Museum, and Computermuseum der Fachhochschule Kiel.

Is Newcastle upon Tyne or Kiel Better for Couples?

Both Newcastle upon Tyne and Kiel are good destinations to visit as a couple.

Newcastle upon Tyne is a good port city for couples to visit. The city boasts many romantic walks as well as fine dining restaurants and interesting entertainment options. It's not hard to enjoy a fun date night out on the town.

Kiel is a nice destination for couples. The old port city sits along Germany’s Baltic Sea and couples can enjoy learning about the city's maritime past and shopping along the shopping streets of Holstenstrasse and Dänische Strasse.

Is Newcastle upon Tyne or Kiel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Newcastle upon Tyne is a popular place for backpackers. However, Kiel is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Newcastle upon Tyne. There are a number of hostels to choose from and plenty of entertainment choices so you shouldn't have much trouble meeting other people.

Kiel is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While it's not on the main backpacker circuit, there is a hostel or two in town.

Is Newcastle upon Tyne or Kiel Better for Students?

Newcastle upon Tyne is well known for students. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Newcastle upon Tyne is a very popular port city for students and younger travelers. The city has a large student population and a lively nightlife scene, so it's a fun place for students to spend a semester or more.

It's common for students to visit Kiel. Students can enjoy the city's beaches and lively nightlife scene.

Is Newcastle upon Tyne or Kiel Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Newcastle upon Tyne is well known for its public transit. However, Kiel is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

Newcastle upon Tyne has some very good public transit options. There are bus, ferry, and light rail services in the city.

Public transit is mostly limited in Kiel. There is a bus system around town.

Is Newcastle upon Tyne or Kiel a more walkable city?

Newcastle upon Tyne is a must-visit destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Getting around Newcastle upon Tyne on foot is easy. The city is one of the most walkable in the UK.

Kiel is a somewhat walkable port city. Some parts of Kiel are more walkable than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Newcastle upon Tyne Worth Visiting? and Is Kiel Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kiel or Newcastle upon Tyne?

How long in Newcastle upon Tyne or Kiel?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Newcastle upon Tyne and Kiel. In our opinion, Newcastle upon Tyne has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Newcastle upon Tyne than Kiel. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Newcastle upon Tyne, and 1-3 days is enough time in Kiel.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Newcastle upon Tyne than Kiel 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 Newcastle upon Tyne.

One day in Newcastle upon Tyne or Kiel?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Newcastle upon Tyne. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Kiel, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this destination offers. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Newcastle upon Tyne or Kiel?

Newcastle upon Tyne is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

Many people visit Kiel for a weekend. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Kiel, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Newcastle upon Tyne or Kiel?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the livable destination of Newcastle upon Tyne. This port city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

The destination of Kiel offers shopping and museums. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Newcastle upon Tyne or Kiel?

The cultural port city of Newcastle upon Tyne offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Kiel. This city offers something for everyone. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Historical Tours in United Kingdom, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.

When comparing the travel costs between Newcastle upon Tyne and Kiel, we can see that Newcastle upon Tyne 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. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Newcastle upon Tyne or Kiel?

Kiel has a larger population, and is about 21% larger than the population of Newcastle upon Tyne. When comparing the sizes of Newcastle upon Tyne and Kiel, 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 Newcastle upon Tyne or Kiel?

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 Newcastle upon Tyne or Kiel in the Summer?

Both Kiel and Newcastle upon Tyne during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Newcastle upon Tyne for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Kiel because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Newcastle upon Tyne is generally around the same temperature as Kiel. Daily temperatures in Newcastle upon Tyne average around 15°C (59°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In Kiel, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Newcastle upon Tyne often gets less sunshine than Kiel. Newcastle upon Tyne gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 219 hours of full sun.

Newcastle upon Tyne usually gets more rain in July than Kiel. Newcastle upon Tyne gets 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Newcastle upon Tyne or Kiel in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Newcastle upon Tyne and Kiel. The autumn months attract visitors to Newcastle upon Tyne because of the shopping scene. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Kiel this time of year.

Newcastle upon Tyne is around the same temperature as Kiel in the autumn. The daily temperature in Newcastle upon Tyne averages around 10°C (49°F) in October, and Kiel fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Newcastle upon Tyne usually receives less sunshine than Kiel during autumn. Newcastle upon Tyne gets 69 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 102 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Newcastle upon Tyne gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Newcastle upon Tyne usually receives more rain than Kiel. Newcastle upon Tyne gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Newcastle upon Tyne or Kiel in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Newcastle upon Tyne as well as Kiel. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Newcastle upon Tyne this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Kiel for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Kiel. It's quite cold in Newcastle upon Tyne in the winter. In the winter, Newcastle upon Tyne is much warmer than Kiel. Typically, the winter temperatures in Newcastle upon Tyne in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Kiel averages at about 0°C (33°F).

In the winter, Newcastle upon Tyne often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kiel. Newcastle upon Tyne gets 40 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 39 hours of full sun.

Newcastle upon Tyne receives a lot of rain in the winter. Newcastle upon Tyne usually gets more rain in January than Kiel. Newcastle upon Tyne gets 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Newcastle upon Tyne or Kiel in the Spring?

Both Kiel and Newcastle upon Tyne are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Kiel in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In April, Newcastle upon Tyne is generally around the same temperature as Kiel. Daily temperatures in Newcastle upon Tyne average around 7°C (45°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Newcastle upon Tyne usually receives less sunshine than Kiel during spring. Newcastle upon Tyne gets 134 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 171 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Newcastle upon Tyne usually receives more rain than Kiel. Newcastle upon Tyne gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kiel and Newcastle upon Tyne