Which place is cheaper, Cologne or Sochi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sochi or Cologne?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sochi or Cologne? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Sochi or Cologne?
Sochi
Located on the coast of the Black Sea, Sochi is one of the southernmost major cities in Russia. It is especially busy in the summer when native Russians and international visitors alike come to enjoy the mountainous coastline and sunny beaches. Sochi is also known as the host of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, and many of the Olympic venues can still be visited today.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Germany, and The Best Budget Tours to Germany.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySochi $60Cologne $172
The average daily cost (per person) in Sochi is $60, while the average daily cost in Cologne is $172. 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 Sochi and Cologne in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSochi $14Cologne $97
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSochi $28Cologne $194
Compare Hotels in Sochi and Cologne
Looking for a hotel in Sochi or Cologne? 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: Cologne Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sochi -Cologne $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cologne
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cologne:
- Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Bonn hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $55
- Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Bonn hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $109
- Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Cologne hotels - Round-trip Private Transfer : $98
- Cologne hotels to Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) - Departure Private Transfer: $49
- Superior Private Transfer from Cologne City to Dortmund City: $64
- Transfer from Cologne Airport CGN to Cologne City by Luxury Car: $83
Is it cheaper to fly into Sochi or Cologne?
Prices for flights to both Cologne and Sochi 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 daySochi $17Cologne $54
Typical Food Prices in Cologne
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cologne:
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Dinner$15
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Donner Kebab$4.29
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cologne
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cologne.
- Hard Rock Café with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $27
- Hard Rock Cafe Cologne With Set Lunch or Dinner: $29
- Köln Südstadt kulinarisch – Die Food Tour: $48
- 3-Hour Südstadt Food Tour: $481
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sochi $112Cologne $22
Tours and Activities in Cologne
Here are a few actual costs in Cologne for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cologne Walking Tour: The essential and unmissable one: $3.20
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Original funky-fun Free Tour of Cologne: $3.21
- Germany eSIM Tourist Roaming Data Plan: $4.28
- Smartphone Scavenger Hunt Sightseeing Tour: $5.88
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.36
- Cologne Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
- Aachen Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
- Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $6.95
- Horrors of World War II Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.48
- Cologne Scavenger Hunt and Self Guided Walking Tour on your Phone: $7.63
- Aachen Scavenger Hunt and Self Guided Walking Tour on your Phone: $7.63
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySochi -Cologne $24
Sample the Local Flavors in Cologne
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cologne:
- Old Town Walking Tour with Brewery and Kölsch Beer: $18
- Public brewery tour in Cologne in English: $18
- Public brewery tour in German in Cologne: $18
- Guided tour of the old town with a visit to the brewery in Cologne: $19
- Old Town Walking Tour inkl Brewery Visit: $24
- Entertaining Brewery Tour: Feel Good Package including local beer: $27
- South Cologne Walking Tour with brewery visit: $27
- Pub Crawl Cologne Including Admission Fee for Bars and Shots: $27
- Brewery Tour with 3 Kölsch Beer Tastings: $29
- Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting and Halven Hahn: $31
- The Legendary Kölsch Brewery Tour: $32
- The Legendary Kölsch Brewery Tour: $33
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sochi and Cologne, we can see that Cologne is more expensive. And not only is Sochi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sochi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sochi 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 Sochi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sochi Expensive? and Is Cologne Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sochi or Cologne?
Cologne has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Sochi. When comparing the sizes of Sochi and Cologne, 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 Sochi or Cologne?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Sochi or Cologne in the Summer?
Both Cologne and Sochi are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cologne this time of year.
In the summer, Sochi is a little warmer than Cologne. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sochi in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Cologne averages at about 19°C (66°F).
In July, Sochi usually receives more rain than Cologne. Sochi gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySochi 23°C (73°F)Cologne 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Sochi or Cologne in the Autumn?
Both Cologne and Sochi during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Cologne for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Sochi is generally a little warmer than Cologne. Daily temperatures in Sochi average around 16°C (60°F), and Cologne fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sochi. Sochi usually gets more rain in October than Cologne. Sochi gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSochi 16°C (60°F)Cologne 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Sochi or Cologne in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sochi and Cologne. Furthermore, many visitors come to Cologne in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Cologne can get quite cold in the winter. Sochi is much warmer than Cologne in the winter. The daily temperature in Sochi averages around 6°C (44°F) in January, and Cologne fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
Sochi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Sochi usually receives more rain than Cologne. Sochi gets 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySochi 6°C (44°F)Cologne 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Sochi or Cologne in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Sochi as well as Cologne. Additionally, most visitors come to Cologne for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Sochi is a little warmer than Cologne. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sochi in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Cologne averages at about 10°C (50°F).
Sochi receives a lot of rain in the spring. Sochi usually gets more rain in April than Cologne. Sochi gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSochi 13°C (55°F)Cologne 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Cologne and Sochi
| Sochi | Cologne | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 6°C (44°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 7°C (45°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 17°C (62°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jun | 20°C (68°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Sep | 20°C (68°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 62 mm (2.5 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (60°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Dec | 9°C (47°F) | 202 mm (8 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.