A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sochi vs. Hamburg for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Sochi or Hamburg?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Sochi or Hamburg? 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 Hamburg?

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.

Hamburg

Hamburg is most noted for its port, which is the largest in Germany and the second busiest in Europe. Despite it's size, it is actually located about 100 kilometers from the North Sea on the River Elbe. The popularity of this port has given Hamburg the nickname as Germany's Gateway to the World. The city itself is the second largest in Germany and the metropolitan area has a population of over 4 million people.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Berlin.


Which place is cheaper, Hamburg or Sochi?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Sochi is $60, while the average daily cost in Hamburg is $125. 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 Hamburg in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sochi $14
    Hamburg $58
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sochi $28
    Hamburg $116
Compare Hotels in Sochi and Hamburg

Looking for a hotel in Sochi or Hamburg? 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 Sochi


Hotels in Hamburg


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: Hamburg Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sochi -
    Hamburg $31

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hamburg

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Hamburg:


  • Short Distance Ubahn Ticket
    $1.82

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hamburg

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hamburg:

  • Hamburg hotels to Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $118
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Hamburg Airport HAM to Hamburg: $41
  • Arrival Private Transfers from Hamburg Airport HAM to Hamburg City: $108
  • Arrival Private Transfers from Hamburg Airport HAM to Hamburg City: $86
  • Arrival Private Transfers from Hamburg Airport XFW to Hamburg City: $76
  • Departure Private Transfers from Hamburg City to Hamburg Airport HAM: $108
  • Departure Private Transfers from Hamburg City to Hamburg Airport HAM: $86
  • Departure Private Transfers from Hamburg City to Hamburg Airport XFW: $76
  • Departure Private Transfers from Hamburg City to Hamburg Airport XFW: $92
  • Fredericia Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Hamburg city: $585
  • Hamburg Airport (HAM) to Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $235
  • Hamburg Airport (HAM): Private Transfer to Hamburg hotels: $176

Is it cheaper to fly into Sochi or Hamburg?

Prices for flights to both Hamburg 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Sochi $17
    Hamburg $37

Typical Food Prices in Hamburg

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


  • Pink Thai Soup Dinner and Spring Rolls
    $16
  • Currywurst and Pommes Frites
    $5.36
  • Donner Kebab and Coke
    $6.43
  • Traditional Hamburg Dinner w/ Beer
    $16
  • Donner Kebab Lunch
    $4.29
  • Sandwich and Coffee Break
    $6.43
  • Fish Sandwich from Fish Market
    $3.75
  • Coffee and Donut
    $4.29

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hamburg

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

  • St. Pauli kulinarisch – Die Food Tour: $48
  • Elphi Plaza und HafenCity kulinarisch – Die Food Tour: $59
  • Original Musical Dinner Cruise 2024: $117
  • Hamburg Private Food Tours with a Local: 100% Personalized : $186
  • St. Pauli: Guided Food Tour with 5 Tastings: $481
  • Elbphilharmonie Plaza and HafenCity Food Tour: $588
  • Elbphilharmonie Plaza and HafenCity Food Tour: $588

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sochi $112
    Hamburg $42

Typical Entertainment Prices in Hamburg

Here are a few typical costs in Hamburg for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Tower at St. Michael's Church
    $3.75

Tours and Activities in Hamburg

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

  • Selfguided Audiotour "Speicherstadt and HafenCity": $3.20
  • Selfguided Audiotour "Old Town and City Center": $3.20
  • Deutsche Hafen & St.Pauli Bezahl-Was-ihr-wollt Tour zu Fuß: $3.21
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $3.21
  • Harbor&St. Pauli Pay-What-You-Want 2-Hour Walking Tour: $3.21
  • English Hamburg City Center Pay-What-You-Want Walking Tour: $3.21
  • German Hamburg Historic City Center Pay-What-You-Want Tour: $3.21
  • English Harbor&St.Pauli Pay-What-You-Want Walking Tour: $3.21
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • The Local Tour of Hamburg Historic Centre: $3.26
  • Germany eSIM Tourist Roaming Data Plan: $4.28
  • Exclusive Self-Guided Audio Tour in St. Pauli: $4.60

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sochi -
    Hamburg $19

Sample the Local Flavors in Hamburg

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

  • Night Pub Crawl through The Repperbahn: $21
  • Weekend Night Pub Crawl through the Reeperbahn: $34
  • Pub Crawl - Ultimate party pub crawl incl. One-hour drinks flat rate: $44
  • Hamburg Pub Crawl including 1 hour flatrate for beer: $51
  • Bachelor(ette) Premium Party with Pub Crawl: $401
  • Private Pub Crawl Tour: $401
  • Private Premium Pub Crawl: $513


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


Which is Bigger, Sochi or Hamburg?

Hamburg has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Sochi. When comparing the sizes of Sochi and Hamburg, 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 Hamburg?

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 Hamburg in the Summer?

Both Hamburg and Sochi are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Hamburg for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Sochi is a little warmer than Hamburg. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sochi in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Hamburg averages at about 17°C (62°F).

In July, Sochi usually receives more rain than Hamburg. Sochi gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Hamburg receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Sochi 23°C (73°F) 
    Hamburg 17°C (62°F)

Should I visit Sochi or Hamburg in the Autumn?

Both Hamburg and Sochi during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Hamburg in the autumn for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Sochi is generally much warmer than Hamburg. Daily temperatures in Sochi average around 16°C (60°F), and Hamburg fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sochi. Sochi usually gets more rain in October than Hamburg. Sochi gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Hamburg receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Sochi 16°C (60°F) 
    Hamburg 10°C (50°F)

Should I visit Sochi or Hamburg in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sochi and Hamburg. Furthermore, most visitors come to Hamburg for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Hamburg can be very cold during winter. Sochi is much warmer than Hamburg in the winter. The daily temperature in Sochi averages around 6°C (44°F) in January, and Hamburg fluctuates around 0°C (33°F).

Sochi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Sochi usually receives more rain than Hamburg. Sochi gets 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Hamburg receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Sochi 6°C (44°F) 
    Hamburg 0°C (33°F)

Should I visit Sochi or Hamburg in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Sochi as well as Hamburg. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Hamburg because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Sochi is much warmer than Hamburg. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sochi in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Hamburg averages at about 8°C (46°F).

Sochi receives a lot of rain in the spring. Sochi usually gets more rain in April than Hamburg. Sochi gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Hamburg receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Sochi 13°C (55°F) 
    Hamburg 8°C (46°F)

Typical Weather for Hamburg and Sochi

Sochi Hamburg
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 6°C (44°F) 183 mm (7.2 in) 0°C (33°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Feb 7°C (45°F) 119 mm (4.7 in) 1°C (34°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Mar 9°C (48°F) 115 mm (4.5 in) 4°C (39°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Apr 13°C (55°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 8°C (46°F) 51 mm (2 in)
May 17°C (62°F) 89 mm (3.5 in) 12°C (54°F) 57 mm (2.3 in)
Jun 20°C (68°F) 99 mm (3.9 in) 15°C (60°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 93 mm (3.7 in) 17°C (62°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Aug 23°C (73°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 17°C (62°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Sep 20°C (68°F) 133 mm (5.2 in) 14°C (57°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Oct 16°C (60°F) 135 mm (5.3 in) 10°C (50°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Nov 12°C (54°F) 182 mm (7.2 in) 5°C (41°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Dec 9°C (47°F) 202 mm (8 in) 2°C (35°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)