A Travel Price Comparison for Germany Potsdam vs. Cologne for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Potsdam or Cologne?

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 Cologne can help you decide which place is right for you.

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!

Cologne

Spanning the Rhine River in western Germany, the city of Cologne dates back 2,000 years, once existing as the largest city of the Holy Roman Empire in medieval times. Today, it is the region's cultural hub - a center of museums, galleries, and towering Gothic cathedrals.

Which city is cheaper, Cologne or Potsdam?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Potsdam is €89, while the average daily cost in Cologne is €126. 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 Cologne in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Potsdam €48
    Cologne €70
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Potsdam €96
    Cologne €140

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Potsdam €22
    Cologne €15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Potsdam

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Potsdam:

  • Berlin Airport Departure Transfer from Potsdam Hotels: $198
  • Berlin Brandenburg Airport to Potsdam Private Transfer: $172
  • Departure Airport Transfer from Potsdam Hotels to Berlin BER Airport: $198
  • 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
  • Private Transfer from Potsdam to Berlin Tegel Airport: $182
  • Round Trip Berlin Schönefeld Airport (SXF) Transfer to Potsdam City Center: $146
  • Round Trip Berlin Tegel Airport (TXL) Transfer to Potsdam City Center: $114

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cologne

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cologne:

  • Arrival Private Transfer Cologne-Bonn Airport CGN to Cologne City - Business Car: $73
  • Arrival Private Transfer Cologne-Bonn Airport to Cologne City by Luxury Van: $87
  • Private Transfer to/from Cologne Airport (CGN): $70
  • Departure Private Transfer Cologne-Bonn Airport CGN to Cologne by Business Car: $73
  • Low Cost Private Transfer From Cologne Bonn Airport to Cologne City - One Way: $69
  • Low Cost Private Transfer From Düsseldorf International Airport to Cologne City - One Way: $201
  • Low Cost Private Transfer From Eindhoven Airport to Cologne City - One Way: $243
  • Low Cost Private Transfer From Frankfurt am Main International Airport to Cologne City - One Way: $540
  • Low Cost Private Transfer From Mönchengladbach Airport to Cologne City - One Way: $192
  • Luxury Car Arrival Transfer: Cologne-Bonn Airport to Cologne City: $98
  • Luxury Car Private Departure Transfer: Cologne city to Cologne-Bonn Airport: $98
  • Luxury Van Private Departure Transfer: Cologne-Bonn Airport: $87

Is it cheaper to fly into Potsdam or Cologne?

Prices for flights to both Cologne 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Potsdam €25
    Cologne €40

Typical Food prices in Cologne

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


  • Dinner
    €14
  • Donner Kebab
    €4.00

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cologne

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

  • Traveling Spoon French Quiche Private Online Cooking Class: $27
  • Private Gourmet Cooking Class in the Heart of Cologne: $129
  • Private Market Tour and Gourmet Vegetarian Cooking Class in the Heart of Cologne: $183

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Potsdam €20
    Cologne €16

Tours and Activities in Potsdam

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

  • Villa Schöningen Entrance Ticket: $10
  • City Sightseeing Potsdam Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $25
  • City and Palaces Tour Potsdam - Stadt- und Schloesserrundfahrt Potsdam: $26
  • Berlin: Red Sightseeing Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus with Boat Option: $27
  • Berlin: Private Tour with Locals – Highlights & Hidden Gems: $69
  • Berlin: Sightseeing Tour in a Mini Hotrod: $87
  • Private Tour: Discover the Amazing History of Babelsberg Park: $123
  • Private Potsdam Tour - In the Forbidden City: $173
  • Potsdam Private Walking Tour: $184
  • Private Soviet History Walking Tour: $202
  • Private Half-Day Walking Tour of Potsdam and Sanssouci: $210
  • Private Walking Tour of Soviet Potsdam through Red Potsdam: $229

Tours and Activities in Cologne

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

  • English guided tour (other languages offered): $6.22
  • 1-hour Rhine River Panorama Cruise: $12
  • Entertaining History Tour: $12
  • Tour in German - West to East from Rudolfplatz: $12
  • Tour of Germany's Oldest Metropolis (in German): $14
  • Historical Crime Tour in German: $14
  • Guided Tour of the Melaten Cemetery: $14
  • Guided Highlights Tour with a Local: $14
  • Melaten Cemetery Tour in German: $14
  • 2000 Years of Sex & Crime City Tour (in German): $14
  • 90-Minute Tour in German from Cathedral to Old Town: $15
  • Cologne Sightseeing round-trip Cruise: $15

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Potsdam €5.36
    Cologne €18

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Potsdam and Cologne, we can see that Cologne 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 Cologne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cologne than you might in Potsdam.

Related Articles for Potsdam
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Potsdam vs. Cologne Travel Comparison

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