A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nizhny Novgorod vs. Hamburg for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Nizhny Novgorod or Hamburg?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Nizhny Novgorod and Hamburg 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.

Where Should I go: Nizhny Novgorod or Hamburg?

Nizhny Novgorod

Nizhny Novgorod, commonly referred to as simply Nizhny, is the fifth largest city in Russia. It has a population of over 1.2 million and it is the primary economic and cultural center for the Volga region. The city dates back to 1221 and it sits at the intersection of the Volga and Oka Rivers. It became popular with tourists back in 1817 when the Makaryev Monastery Fair was moved to the city. The city continued to grow in popularity and by the middle of the 19th century it was a major trade center for the country. During the Soviet Union times the city became an industrial center as trade connections were abandoned.

Hamburg

Hamburg is most noted for its port, which is the largest in Germany and the second busiest in Europe. Despite it's size, it is actually located about 100 kilometers from the North Sea on the River Elbe. The popularity of this port has given Hamburg the nickname as Germany's Gateway to the World. The city itself is the second largest in Germany and the metropolitan area has a population of over 4 million people.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Berlin.


Which place is cheaper, Hamburg or Nizhny Novgorod?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Nizhny Novgorod is $30, while the average daily cost in Hamburg is $125. 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 Nizhny Novgorod and Hamburg in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nizhny Novgorod $20
    Hamburg $58
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nizhny Novgorod $40
    Hamburg $116
Compare Hotels in Nizhny Novgorod and Hamburg

Looking for a hotel in Nizhny Novgorod or Hamburg? 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.

Hotels in Nizhny Novgorod


Hotels in Hamburg


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: Hamburg Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nizhny Novgorod $1.19
    Hamburg $31

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hamburg

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Hamburg:


  • Short Distance Ubahn Ticket
    $1.82

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hamburg

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hamburg:

  • Hamburg Airport(HAM): Transfer to Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port: $645
  • Fredericia Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Hamburg city: $585
  • Hamburg Airport (HAM): Transfer to Fredericia Cruise Port: $585
  • Private One-Way Transfer to or from Kiel Port: $422
  • Private Direct Transfer From Hamburg to Berlin, English Speaking Driver: $300
  • Private Direct Transfer From Hamburg to Wolfsburg; English Speaking Driver: $289
  • Private Transfer from Hamburg to Hannover with 2h of Sightseeing: $271
  • Rickmer Rickmers Museum Guided Tour with Transfers : $267
  • Rickmer Rickmers Museum Guided Tour with Transfers: $262
  • Hamburg Airport (HAM) to Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $235
  • Private Transfer from Hamburg to Bremen with an English Speaking Driver: $234
  • Private Transfer From Hamburg To Bremen With a 2 Hour Stop: $233

Is it cheaper to fly into Nizhny Novgorod or Hamburg?

Prices for flights to both Hamburg and Nizhny Novgorod 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Nizhny Novgorod $9.51
    Hamburg $37

Typical Food Prices in Hamburg

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hamburg:


  • Pink Thai Soup Dinner and Spring Rolls
    $16
  • Currywurst and Pommes Frites
    $5.36
  • Donner Kebab and Coke
    $6.43
  • Traditional Hamburg Dinner w/ Beer
    $16
  • Donner Kebab Lunch
    $4.29
  • Sandwich and Coffee Break
    $6.43
  • Fish Sandwich from Fish Market
    $3.75
  • Coffee and Donut
    $4.29

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hamburg

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hamburg.

  • St. Pauli kulinarisch – Die Food Tour: $48
  • Elphi Plaza und HafenCity kulinarisch – Die Food Tour: $59
  • Original Musical Dinner Cruise 2024: $117
  • Hamburg Private Food Tours with a Local: 100% Personalized : $186
  • St. Pauli: Guided Food Tour with 5 Tastings: $481
  • Elbphilharmonie Plaza and HafenCity Food Tour: $588
  • Elbphilharmonie Plaza and HafenCity Food Tour: $588

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nizhny Novgorod $1.69
    Hamburg $42

Typical Entertainment Prices in Hamburg

Here are a few typical costs in Hamburg for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Tower at St. Michael's Church
    $3.75

Tours and Activities in Hamburg

Here are a few actual costs in Hamburg for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Hamburg Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $287
  • Safari tour in St Pauli: $33
  • "Cruise in the City" - Sailing Yacht Event, Hamburg/Elbe: $69
  • "Hafengeburtstag Hamburg" 2024. Cruise&Sail from/to Wedel: $181
  • "Highlights of Hamburg" Biketour: $39
  • 1 Hour Kiez Speed Tour for Adults: $19
  • 1-Day Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour of Hamburg Line D: $20
  • 10 secrets of Hamburg's old town - exciting scavenger hunt tour: $34
  • 2 Hours Guided Hamburg E-Scooter Tour: $71
  • 2 Hours Guided Hamburg Segway Night Tour: $93
  • 2 Hours Guided Hamburg Segway Tour: $75
  • 2 Hours Hamburg E-scooter Tour: $35

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nizhny Novgorod $2.35
    Hamburg $19

Sample the Local Flavors in Hamburg

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Hamburg:

  • Night Pub Crawl through The Repperbahn: $21
  • Weekend Night Pub Crawl through the Reeperbahn: $34
  • Pub Crawl - Ultimate party pub crawl incl. One-hour drinks flat rate: $44
  • Hamburg Pub Crawl including 1 hour flatrate for beer: $51
  • Bachelor(ette) Premium Party with Pub Crawl: $401
  • Private Pub Crawl Tour: $401
  • Private Premium Pub Crawl: $513


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nizhny Novgorod and Hamburg, we can see that Hamburg is more expensive. And not only is Nizhny Novgorod much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nizhny Novgorod would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nizhny Novgorod 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 Hamburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hamburg than you might in Nizhny Novgorod.

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


Which is Bigger, Nizhny Novgorod or Hamburg?

Hamburg has a larger population, and is about 35% larger than the population of Nizhny Novgorod. When comparing the sizes of Nizhny Novgorod and Hamburg, 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 Nizhny Novgorod or Hamburg?

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 Nizhny Novgorod or Hamburg in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Nizhny Novgorod as well as Hamburg. Additionally, most visitors come to Hamburg for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Nizhny Novgorod is a little warmer than Hamburg. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nizhny Novgorod in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Hamburg averages at about 17°C (62°F).

Nizhny Novgorod usually gets less rain in July than Hamburg. Nizhny Novgorod gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Hamburg receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Nizhny Novgorod 20°C (68°F) 
    Hamburg 17°C (62°F)

Should I visit Nizhny Novgorod or Hamburg in the Autumn?

Both Hamburg and Nizhny Novgorod are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Hamburg because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Nizhny Novgorod is generally much colder than Hamburg. Daily temperatures in Nizhny Novgorod average around 5°C (41°F), and Hamburg fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In October, Nizhny Novgorod usually receives less rain than Hamburg. Nizhny Novgorod gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Hamburg receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Nizhny Novgorod 5°C (41°F) 
    Hamburg 10°C (50°F)

Should I visit Nizhny Novgorod or Hamburg in the Winter?

Both Hamburg and Nizhny Novgorod during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Hamburg this time of year.

It's quite cold in Hamburg in the winter. The weather in Nizhny Novgorod can be very cold. Nizhny Novgorod is much colder than Hamburg in the winter. The daily temperature in Nizhny Novgorod averages around -10°C (13°F) in January, and Hamburg fluctuates around 0°C (33°F).

Nizhny Novgorod usually gets less rain in January than Hamburg. Nizhny Novgorod gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Hamburg receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Nizhny Novgorod -10°C (13°F) 
    Hamburg 0°C (33°F)

Should I visit Nizhny Novgorod or Hamburg in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Nizhny Novgorod and Hamburg. Also, many travelers come to Hamburg for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Nizhny Novgorod is cooler than Hamburg. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nizhny Novgorod in April average around 7°C (44°F), and Hamburg averages at about 8°C (46°F).

In April, Nizhny Novgorod usually receives less rain than Hamburg. Nizhny Novgorod gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Hamburg receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Nizhny Novgorod 7°C (44°F) 
    Hamburg 8°C (46°F)

Typical Weather for Hamburg and Nizhny Novgorod

Nizhny Novgorod Hamburg
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -10°C (13°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 0°C (33°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Feb -8°C (17°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 1°C (34°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Mar -2°C (28°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 4°C (39°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Apr 7°C (44°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 8°C (46°F) 51 mm (2 in)
May 14°C (58°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 12°C (54°F) 57 mm (2.3 in)
Jun 18°C (64°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 15°C (60°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Jul 20°C (68°F) 76 mm (3 in) 17°C (62°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Aug 18°C (64°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 17°C (62°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 14°C (57°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Oct 5°C (41°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 10°C (50°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Nov -2°C (29°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 5°C (41°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Dec -7°C (19°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 2°C (35°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)