Which city is cheaper, Bonn or Potsdam?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Germany Potsdam vs. Bonn for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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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.
Where Should I go: Potsdam or Bonn?
Potsdam
Before you lays a treasure chest of historic beauties. From the glimmering Renaissance Orangery Palace that overlooks its sumptuous fountains to the neoclassical Charlottenhof Castle that is surrounded by lush England gardens, you find yourself in none other than Potsdam, Germany. The capital and largest city of the German federal state of Brandenburg, Potsdam borders the German capital Berlin and is located right on the bay of the River Havel. A home for Prussian kings until 1918 and a brainchild of the Enlightenment, Potsdam was constructed thoughtfully and carefully by its architects to create what many to believe as "a picturesque, pastoral dream" and a "balance between both nature and reason." From interconnected lakes to historic landmarks, Potsdam is a city that is bursting with life all year around. With its rich history, it was no wonder various parts of the city were named a World Heritage Site. With its landscape and cityscape rivaling in beauty, Potsdam is simply a breathtaking city that must be explored!
Bonn
Bonn was the capital of the Federal Republic of Germany (previously, West Germany) and it has a population of about 315,000 people. It sits on the Rhine River just twenty kilometers away from Cologne. Many people travel to Bonn for conferences and business, but Bonn also has a lot of cultural and historical sights to offer visitors. The city is also famous as the birth place of Ludwig van Beethoven. There's a strong student culture in the city as well, and it actually shares many characteristics with Italian cities because of its many cafes and restaurants which line the streets. Outdoor beer gardens are popular and Bonn is a particular good summer destination when the weather is pleasant and you can enjoy the outdoor setting. The city's location also makes it a great base for day trips to Cologne, Dusseldorf, and the Rhine and Eifel regions.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPotsdam €89Bonn €123
The average daily cost (per person) in Potsdam is €89, while the average daily cost in Bonn is €123. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Potsdam and Bonn in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPotsdam €48Bonn €68
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPotsdam €96Bonn €136
Compare Hotels in Potsdam and Bonn
Looking for a hotel in Potsdam or Bonn? 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.
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: Potsdam Hotel Prices and Bonn Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Potsdam €22Bonn €18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Potsdam
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Potsdam:
- Berlin Airport Departure Transfer from Potsdam Hotels: $198
- Departure Airport Transfer from Potsdam Hotels to Berlin BER Airport: $198
- Private Transfer from Potsdam to Berlin Tegel Airport: $182
- Berlin Brandenburg Airport to Potsdam Private Transfer: $172
- Round Trip Berlin Schönefeld Airport (SXF) Transfer to Potsdam City Center: $146
- Round Trip Berlin Tegel Airport (TXL) Transfer to Potsdam City Center: $114
- Low Cost Private Transfer From Berlin-Schönefeld International Airport to Potsdam City - One Way: $108
- Private Business Transfer from Hotel in Potsdam to Schönefeld Airport (SXF): $70
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bonn
Also for Bonn, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Low Cost Private Transfer From Düsseldorf International Airport to Bonn City - One Way: $254
- Private Airport Transfer: from Bonn to Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN): $42
Is it cheaper to fly into Potsdam or Bonn?
Prices for flights to both Bonn and Potsdam 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
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Food Meals for one dayPotsdam €25Bonn €39
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Potsdam €20Bonn €27
Tours and Activities in Potsdam
Here are a few actual costs in Potsdam for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Berlin: Berlin Wall and the Cold War Walking Tour: $270
- Berlin: Private Sightseeing Tour in Iconic Oldtimer VW Bus: $334
- Berlin: Private Tour with Locals – Highlights & Hidden Gems: $69
- Berlin: Red Sightseeing Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus with Boat Option: $27
- Berlin: Sightseeing Tour in a Mini Hotrod: $87
- City Sightseeing Potsdam Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $25
- City and Palaces Tour Potsdam - Stadt- und Schloesserrundfahrt Potsdam: $26
- Guided tour “Love stories of Potsdam”: $496
- Potsdam Private Walking Tour: $184
- Potsdam and Palace Cecilienhof Walking Tour: $383
- Potsdam and Palace Cecilienhof Walking Tour: $383
- Potsdam, City of Kings: Private Walking Tour: $264
Tours and Activities in Bonn
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Bonn.
- Discover Beethoven's birthplace: Bonn Private Walking Tour: $193
- Bonn Walking Tour (In the footsteps of Ludwig Van Beethoven): $240
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPotsdam €5.36Bonn €18
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.
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.
In July, Potsdam is generally around the same temperature as Bonn. Temperatures in Potsdam average around 19°C (66°F), and Bonn stays 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.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPotsdam 19°C (66°F)Bonn 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Potsdam or Bonn in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Potsdam and Bonn.
Potsdam is cooler than Bonn in the autumn. The temperature in Potsdam is usually 10°C (51°F) in October, and Bonn stays 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.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPotsdam 10°C (51°F)Bonn 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Potsdam or Bonn in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Potsdam as well as Bonn.
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 are around -0°C (31°F), and Bonn is 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.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPotsdam -0°C (31°F)Bonn 3°C (37°F)
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.
In April, Potsdam is generally around the same temperature as Bonn. Temperatures in Potsdam average around 9°C (48°F), and Bonn stays 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.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPotsdam 9°C (48°F)Bonn 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Bonn and Potsdam
| Potsdam | Bonn | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -0°C (31°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Feb | 1°C (34°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Mar | 5°C (40°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 47 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 9°C (48°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (63°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (65°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Sep | 15°C (59°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Oct | 10°C (51°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 5°C (41°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Dec | 1°C (34°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
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