A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Odense vs. Heidelberg for Food, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Odense or Heidelberg?

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 Odense and Heidelberg. 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.

Odense

It's also popular because of the food.

Heidelberg

Heidelberg is a quaint, energetic, and lively town. You'll find world class beauty here as well. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. Other popular activities here include shopping, nightlife, and food.

Odense and Heidelberg: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Family-friendly
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with couples
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Active nightlife
  • Scenic old town
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good public transit
  • Very walkable
  • Impressive beauty
  • Quaint atmosphere


Is there more to do in Odense or Heidelberg?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Heidelberg. Although Odense and Heidelberg are popular destinations, Heidelberg has more sights and attractions for tourists. Heidelberg is more touristy than Odense and is popular for its picturesque beauty, romantic atmosphere, and its classic old town. It is also well known for The Heidelberg Castle. Odense is famous for

How is Odense different from Heidelberg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is the Food Better in Odense or Heidelberg? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Odense
Heidelberg

Heidelberg is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Odense is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Heidelberg is an experience not to be missed. The old town is filled with local restaurants that offer an assortment of traditional dishes. The restaurants offer a mix of outdoor and indoor seating and classic dishes include saumagen, lewwerkneedl, and dampfnudeln.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Odense. You'll find local restaurants serving local favorites such as smoked salmon. You'll also find burger joints and international options such as sushi.


Is Odense or Heidelberg Better for Nightlife?

Odense
Heidelberg

Heidelberg is notable for its evening party scene. However, Odense is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Heidelberg has plenty to do after the sun goes down. As a university town, you'll find a very young population and many bars, pubs, and nightclubs where you can hang out.

Odense is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Odense or Heidelberg Better for its Old Town?

Odense
Heidelberg

Heidelberg is terrific for its historic old town charm. However, Odense does not have a historic old town.

Heidelberg has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The charming old town, or Altstadt, is lined with cafes that spill out onto the street and churches with bells that chime hourly. The area is filled with activity and there are many shops, ice cream vendors, and restaurants to choose from.

Odense does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Odense or Heidelberg?

Odense
Heidelberg

Heidelberg is a good destination for its shopping areas. However, Odense is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors go to Heidelberg to go shopping. The pedestrian area is the best place to pass your time shopping. There are name brand stores mixed in with local independent shops which you'll mostly find on the side streets. Popular items to buy include wooden toys, Christmas decorations, and candy.

Odense is not a noteworthy shopping destination.


Is Odense or Heidelberg Better for Families?

Odense
Heidelberg

Odense is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Odense. As the home of Hans Christian Andersen, this town is a child's playhouse. You can visit the H.C. Andersen House, which will bring his fairytale mind to life. The city also has more than 200 playgrounds, an amazing zoo, and the Funen Village, which is an open air museum. There's also a castle to explore and paddle boating on the water.

Heidelberg is a family-friendly place to visit. With its many ice cream shops, playgrounds, and impressive castle, this city makes a nice stop for families with kids. The restaurants usually have a kid's menu and there are a number of kid-friendly museums and activities.

Is Odense or Heidelberg Better for Couples?

Odense
Heidelberg

Heidelberg is notable for couples. However, Odense is a mediocre city for romance.

Heidelberg is a very popular place to visit for couples. This beautiful city offers an impressive backdrop for a couple's getaway. The view from the castle looks out beautifully over the city and the old town has many excellent restaurants and activities that are great for couples.

Odense is not the best destination for a couple to visit. It's a charming city with a lot of green space and paddle boating on the water, but it lacks some of the romance that you find in many European cities.

Is Odense or Heidelberg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Odense
Heidelberg

Heidelberg is notable for backpackers. However, Odense is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Heidelberg is a very popular town for backpackers and budget travelers. Prices are reasonable and there are a handful of hostels around town. As a university town, you can be assured there are plenty of fun activities and cheap places to eat.

Odense is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There's a hostel or two in town, but most backpackers don't make the time to visit this off-the-beaten-path destination.


Is Odense or Heidelberg Better for Students?

Odense
Heidelberg

Odense and Heidelberg are both nice destinations for students and younger travelers.

Odense is a good city to visit for students. It's a charming and friendly city that makes a fun place to learn and live. There's a fascinating culture and a number of things to do.

Plenty of students visit Heidelberg. It is a beautiful student town with a lot of activities for young visitors. This is not the most popular study abroad destination, but it does have a lot to offer for those who visit.

Is Odense or Heidelberg Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Odense
Heidelberg

Heidelberg is notable for its public transit. However, Odense does not have public transit.

The public transit in Heidelberg can get you to most places easily. There are trams and buses that connect the old town to the train station.

Odense does not have public transit.

Is Odense or Heidelberg a more walkable city?

Odense
Heidelberg

Heidelberg is notable for its ease of walking around. However, Odense is not a walkable destination.

Heidelberg is a very walkable destination. The old town is particularly walkable.

Odense is not a walkable destination.


Should I spend more time in Heidelberg or Odense?

How long in Odense or Heidelberg?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Odense and Heidelberg. In our opinion, Heidelberg has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Heidelberg than Odense. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Odense, and 1-3 days is enough time in Heidelberg.

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

Couples should spend more time in Heidelberg than Odense. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Heidelberg that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Heidelberg than Odense 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 Heidelberg.


  • How many days in Odense or Heidelberg? Ideal Length of Stay
    Odense 2-3 
    Heidelberg 1-3

One day in Odense or Heidelberg?

With food around the city of Odense, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

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

A weekend in Odense or Heidelberg?

With food around the destination of Odense, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Heidelberg 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 Odense or Heidelberg?

Odense, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Heidelberg. 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 Odense or Heidelberg?

Odense is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the energetic destination of Heidelberg. This town 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 2-Week Tours from Copenhagen, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Denmark, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Germany, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Germany.


Which place is cheaper, Heidelberg or Odense?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Odense is $160, while the average daily cost in Heidelberg is $152. 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 Odense and Heidelberg in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Odense $80
    Heidelberg $99
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Odense $160
    Heidelberg $198
Compare Hotels in Odense and Heidelberg

Looking for a hotel in Odense or Heidelberg? 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 Odense


Hotels in Heidelberg


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: Odense Hotel Prices and Heidelberg Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Odense $44
    Heidelberg $18

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Heidelberg

Also for Heidelberg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Karlsruhe Airport (FKB) to Baden-Baden - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
  • Karlsruhe Airport (FKB) to BadenBaden Round-Trip Private Transfer: $46
  • Private Transfer from Badenweiler Thermal to Basel EuroAirport: $63
  • Private Transfer from Heidelberg City to Mannheim City by Van: $64
  • Airport transfer from Karlsruhe Airport to Baden-Baden: $105
  • Privat Transfer From Basel EuroAirport BSL To Badenweiler : $126
  • One Way Private Transfer from Mannheim to Frankfurt : $251

Is it cheaper to fly into Odense or Heidelberg?

Prices for flights to both Heidelberg and Odense 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
    Odense $51
    Heidelberg $40

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Heidelberg

For Heidelberg, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Heidelberg crime dinner to solve the mystery with a delicious 3-course menu: $64
  • Craft Beer and Street Food Tour: $598

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Odense $29
    Heidelberg $12

Tours and Activities in Odense

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Odense are as follows:

  • Christmas Charms in Odense - Walking Tour: $587
  • Copenhagen Audio Tour: Following Hans Christian Andersen: $9.99
  • GoBoat Self-drive Boat Tour: $57
  • Inspiring Odense - Walking Tour for Couples: $480
  • River Cruise on the Odense River: $16

Tours and Activities in Heidelberg

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Heidelberg.

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • Heidelberg's Altstadt: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.20
  • Heidelberg's Altstadt: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.41
  • Pure experience: Original Black Forest farmer smoke tour: $6.54
  • Heidelberg Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.54
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.95
  • Heidelberg Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & City Tour: $6.95
  • Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $8.02
  • Complete Self-guided Audio Tour on your Phone: $8.54
  • Uncover A Self-Guided Audio Tour Through Time: $11
  • Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $11

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Odense $22
    Heidelberg $18

Sample the Local Flavors in Heidelberg

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

  • Highlights of the romantic Black Forest & brewery, private tour: $295


When comparing the travel costs between Odense and Heidelberg, we can see that Odense 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 Odense Expensive? and Is Heidelberg Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Odense or Heidelberg?

Odense has a larger population, and is about 2% larger than the population of Heidelberg. When comparing the sizes of Odense and Heidelberg, 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.