A Travel Price Comparison for Germany Potsdam vs. Bonn for Families, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Potsdam or Bonn?

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 Potsdam and Bonn can help you decide which place is right for you.

Potsdam

Potsdam is a park-filled, historic, and accessible city. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Bonn

Bonn is a beautiful, outdoorsy, and lively city. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Potsdam and Bonn: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Potsdam or Bonn?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Bonn than Potsdam. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Bonn is very popular for its historical sights, shopping, and quaint atmosphere, while Potsdam attracts visitors for its food, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Potsdam is famous for its beautiful palaces, scenic town center, and accessibility to Berlin. Bonn is famous for its many museums, cultural venues, and university atmosphere, as well as being the birthplace of Beethoven. It is also well known for The Bonn Minster.

How is Potsdam different from Bonn?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the great sights and museums in both Potsdam and Bonn.

Many visitors head to Potsdam specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. People visit this city for its high concentration of historic sights. The Renaissance Orangery Palace is a highlight of the visit for many travelers.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Bonn can be an interesting and educational experience. 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 Potsdam or Bonn? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Potsdam 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 Potsdam. You'll find a diverse restaurant scene, although the city is quite small. There are international restaurants as well as local venues where you can try regional specialties.

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 Potsdam or Bonn Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Potsdam and Bonn.

Potsdam has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city is not far from Berlin, so head in to Germany's nightlife capital for the most famous clubs and venues. In the town of Potsdam there are cocktail bars and breweries that make for a mellow and relaxed evening.

If you're looking for night time activities Bonn has a few options to choose from. 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 Potsdam or Bonn Better for its Old Town?

Bonn is well known for its old town. However, Potsdam does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Bonn. 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.

Potsdam does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Potsdam or Bonn?

Bonn is well known for its shopping opportunities. Also, Potsdam is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Bonn is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Potsdam has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are plazas and shopping streets that have the standard chain stores as well as antique shops and other boutiques.

Is Potsdam or Bonn Better for Families?

Bonn is very popular for its family-friendly activities. Also, Potsdam is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Bonn is one of the most popular family destinations. 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.

Potsdam offers lots of family activities. There are a number of playgrounds around town as well as several beaches by lakes that are fun for kids. Another highlight for families is a visit to Babelsberg Film Studios.

Is Potsdam or Bonn Better for Couples?

Both Potsdam and Bonn are nice destinations to visit as a couple.

Potsdam makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Exploring the city and soaking up the sights is the best way for couples to enjoy their time. There are some nice hotels and restaurants in the area that make for a great date night.

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 Potsdam or Bonn Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Potsdam and Bonn are nice places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Potsdam is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a handful of hostels to choose from in town.

It's common for backpackers to 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 Potsdam or Bonn Better for Students?

Bonn is well known for students. However, Potsdam is not popular with students.

Bonn is very popular with students. 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.

Potsdam is not popular with students.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Potsdam and Bonn.

Potsdam has some very good public transit options. The city is well connected to Berlin by S-Bahn and bus.

The public transit in Bonn can get you to most places 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.

Is Potsdam or Bonn a more walkable city?

Potsdam and Bonn both are great when exploring on foot.

Potsdam is a very walkable city. It's a smaller, compact city that can mostly be explored on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Bonn or Potsdam?

How long in Potsdam or Bonn?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Potsdam and Bonn. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Bonn than in Potsdam. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Potsdam, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bonn.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bonn than Potsdam 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 Potsdam or Bonn?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Potsdam. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

In Bonn, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Potsdam or Bonn?

Potsdam is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. 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.

In Bonn, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bonn has to offer.

Five days in Potsdam or Bonn?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the compact destination of Potsdam. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Bonn is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Potsdam or Bonn?

The compact city of Potsdam offers nightlife and food. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bonn. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Bonn. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in Germany, The Best Adventure Tours to Germany, The Best Cultural Tours in Germany, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Germany.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Potsdam and Bonn, we can see that Bonn is more expensive. And not only is Potsdam much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Potsdam would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Potsdam 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 Potsdam.

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

Which is Bigger, Potsdam or Bonn?

Bonn has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Potsdam. When comparing the sizes of Potsdam 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 Potsdam or Bonn?

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 Potsdam or Bonn in the Summer?

Both Bonn and Potsdam during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Potsdam for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Bonn because of the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Potsdam is generally around the same temperature as Bonn. Daily temperatures in Potsdam average around 19°C (66°F), and Bonn fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

It's quite sunny in Potsdam. In the summer, Potsdam often gets more sunshine than Bonn. Potsdam gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bonn receives 191 hours of full sun.

Potsdam usually gets less rain in July than Bonn. Potsdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Potsdam or Bonn in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Potsdam and Bonn. The autumn months attract visitors to Potsdam because of the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the shopping scene are the main draw to Bonn this time of year.

Potsdam is cooler than Bonn in the autumn. The daily temperature in Potsdam averages around 10°C (51°F) in October, and Bonn fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Potsdam usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bonn during autumn. Potsdam gets 114 hours of sunny skies, while Bonn receives 109 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Potsdam usually receives less rain than Bonn. Potsdam gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Potsdam or Bonn in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Potsdam as well as Bonn. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Potsdam this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Bonn for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Bonn. It's quite cold in Potsdam in the winter. In the winter, Potsdam is much colder than Bonn. Typically, the winter temperatures in Potsdam in January average around -0°C (31°F), and Bonn averages at about 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Potsdam often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bonn. Potsdam gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bonn receives 45 hours of full sun.

Potsdam usually gets less rain in January than Bonn. Potsdam gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Potsdam or Bonn in the Spring?

Both Bonn and Potsdam are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Potsdam for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, Potsdam is generally around the same temperature as Bonn. Daily temperatures in Potsdam average around 9°C (48°F), and Bonn fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Potsdam usually receives more sunshine than Bonn during spring. Potsdam gets 168 hours of sunny skies, while Bonn receives 145 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Potsdam usually receives less rain than Bonn. Potsdam gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bonn and Potsdam