A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Southampton vs. Bonn for Families, Attractions, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Southampton or Bonn?

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

Should I visit Southampton or Bonn? 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.

Southampton

Southampton is a up-and-coming, waterfront, and dynamic port city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Bonn

Bonn is a outdoorsy, lively, and cultural city. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Southampton and Bonn: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Southampton or Bonn?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Bonn than Southampton. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Bonn is very popular for its museums, historical sights, shopping, and quaint atmosphere, while Southampton attracts visitors for its impressive beauty. Bonn is more touristy than Southampton and is known 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. Southampton is famous for its popularity as a cruise ship port as well as its focus watersports.

How is Southampton different from Bonn?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Bonn is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Southampton is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its sights and museums.

Bonn offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Southampton. Museums are a favorite activity in town. There are a surprising number of options including SeaCity Museum, the Tudor House and Garden, and Southampton City Art Gallery.

Is the Food Better in Southampton or Bonn? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Southampton and Bonn can be difficult as they are each nice in their own way.

Southampton has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. While most people used to pass through Southampton on their way somewhere else, the city now offers a dynamic food scene with local restaurants mixed with international options and even fine dining.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Bonn area. 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 Southampton or Bonn Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find nice options in both Southampton and Bonn.

If you're looking for night time activities Southampton has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene is filled with restaurants, pubs, and bars as well as a few nightclubs mixed in.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Bonn. 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 Southampton or Bonn Better for its Old Town?

Bonn is a great city for its old town. However, Southampton does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting 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.

Southampton does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Southampton or Bonn?

Bonn is a great city for its shopping opportunities. Also, Southampton is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its shopping areas.

Bonn is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Many visitors go to Southampton to go shopping. The city has two indoor shopping centers, as well as a range of markets and several independent vendors.

Is Southampton or Bonn Better for Families?

Bonn is an amazing city to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Southampton is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its family-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Bonn is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

Southampton is a family-friendly place to visit. This cruise port city offers a handful of fascinating activities for kids including learning about the Mayflower and the Titanic. There are also many parks and gardens as well as the Mayflower Theater, which regularly has kid-family productions.

Is Southampton or Bonn Better for Couples?

Southampton is a great port city for romance. Also, Bonn is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

Southampton is a great port city if you're traveling as a couple. Museums, parks, gardens, and chartered boats all offer a romantic experience for couples visiting the area.

Bonn makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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 Southampton or Bonn Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bonn is a popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Southampton is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Plenty of budget travelers 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.

Southampton is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Southampton or Bonn Better for Students?

Bonn is a great city for its student-friendly activities. However, Southampton is not popular with students.

Bonn is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. 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.

Southampton is not popular with students.

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

Bonn is a great city for times when you don't have a car. However, Southampton is not known for its public transit.

The public transit in Bonn can get you around 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.

Public transit is generally limited in Southampton. There are buses around town that make some areas accessible even without a car.

Is Southampton or Bonn a more walkable city?

Bonn is a great city for its high level of walkability. Also, Southampton is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its ease of walking around.

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

Southampton is a somewhat walkable port city. It's possible to walk in parts of Southampton but in general it's easier to take a taxi.

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

Should I spend more time in Bonn or Southampton?

How long in Southampton or Bonn?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Southampton and Bonn. In our opinion, Bonn has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Bonn than Southampton. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Bonn than Southampton. 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 Southampton. 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 Southampton 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 Southampton or Bonn?

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

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the outdoorsy city of Bonn. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Southampton or Bonn?

Southampton 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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the cultural destination of Bonn. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Southampton or Bonn?

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

The beautiful city of Bonn offers shopping and museums. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Southampton or Bonn?

The up-and-coming port city of Southampton 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.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Bonn. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 10-Day Tours from London, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.

When comparing the travel costs between Southampton and Bonn, we can see that Bonn is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Southampton or Bonn?

Bonn has a larger population, and is about 27% larger than the population of Southampton. When comparing the sizes of Southampton 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 Southampton or Bonn?

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 Southampton or Bonn in the Summer?

Both Bonn and Southampton are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Southampton because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bonn this time of year.

In July, Southampton is generally around the same temperature as Bonn. Daily temperatures in Southampton average around 18°C (64°F), and Bonn fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

Southampton usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bonn during summer. Southampton gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Bonn receives 191 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Southampton usually receives less rain than Bonn. Southampton gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Southampton or Bonn in the Autumn?

Both Bonn and Southampton during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Southampton this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bonn for the shopping scene.

Southampton is around the same temperature as Bonn in the autumn. The daily temperature in Southampton averages around 12°C (53°F) in October, and Bonn fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In the autumn, Southampton often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bonn. Southampton gets 107 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bonn receives 109 hours of full sun.

Southampton usually gets more rain in October than Bonn. Southampton gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Southampton or Bonn in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Southampton and Bonn. Many travelers come to Southampton for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Bonn in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Bonn can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Southampton. In the winter, Southampton is much warmer than Bonn. Typically, the winter temperatures in Southampton in January average around 4°C (40°F), and Bonn averages at about 3°C (37°F).

Southampton usually receives more sunshine than Bonn during winter. Southampton gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Bonn receives 45 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Southampton usually receives around the same amount of rain as Bonn. Southampton gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Southampton or Bonn in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Southampton as well as Bonn. Many visitors come to Southampton in the spring for the natural beauty.

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

In the spring, Southampton often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bonn. Southampton gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bonn receives 145 hours of full sun.

Southampton usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Bonn. Southampton gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bonn and Southampton