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

Should you visit Southampton or Frankfurt?

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

Should I visit Southampton or Frankfurt? 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 dynamic, up-and-coming, and waterfront port city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Frankfurt

Frankfurt is a modern, connected, and energetic city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Southampton and Frankfurt: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Southampton or Frankfurt?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Frankfurt than Southampton, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Frankfurt is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Southampton is known for its impressive beauty. Frankfurt is more touristy than Southampton and is known for its financial industry, its popularity as a transportation hub, and its active nightlife. It is also home to The Old Town Center. Southampton is popular for its popularity as a cruise ship port as well as its focus watersports.

The Old Town Center

How is Southampton different from Frankfurt?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt?

Frankfurt 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.

Frankfurt offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Many sights are concentrated in the old town center. Highlights include the Historical Museum and St. Nicholas Church. Elsewhere, make sure you check out Maintower, the Städel Museum, and the Museum District.

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 Frankfurt? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Frankfurt is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Southampton is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Frankfurt has a huge number of terrific restaurants. In addition to a number of international restaurants, the city also has a strong regional cuisine. Some of the most interesting local dishes include Frankfurter Sausage, Rindwurst, Grüne Soße (an herb sauce), and Handkäse mit Musik (marinated sour milk cheese). Also make sure you sample the Apfelwein.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Southampton area. 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.

Is Southampton or Frankfurt Better for Nightlife?

Frankfurt is a great city for nightlife and partying. Also, Southampton is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Frankfurt has something for everybody. It's a vibrant city with many trendy clubs, cocktail bars, music venues, and more. You can enjoy techno, hip hop, and almost any style of music. There are also festivals, beer halls, and classic pubs.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Southampton. The nightlife scene is filled with restaurants, pubs, and bars as well as a few nightclubs mixed in.

Is Southampton or Frankfurt Better for its Old Town?

Frankfurt is a popular place for its old town. However, Southampton does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Frankfurt. Many museums and cafes are concentrated in the old town area.

Southampton does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Southampton or Frankfurt?

Frankfurt 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.

Frankfurt is well-known for its shopping. It's a financial capital in Europe, and as such there are plenty of high end shopping opportunities. MyZeil is a major shopping mall in the city and Kleinmarkthalle is a more classic market. Popular shopping neighborhoods and streets include Goethestrasse, Sachsenhausen and Berger Strasse.

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 Frankfurt Better for Families?

Frankfurt is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Southampton is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Frankfurt is very family-friendly. In town there's a zoo, a children’s museum, a math and technology museum (EXPERIMINTA), and a number of parks, natural areas, and playgrounds. If you're willing to head out of town then you can visit Taunus Wunderland, which is an amusement park with about 50 rides and attractions.

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 Frankfurt Better for Couples?

Southampton is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Southampton makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Museums, parks, gardens, and chartered boats all offer a romantic experience for couples visiting the area.

Frankfurt is a nice destination for couples. The iconic spot of romance in the city is the Iron Footbridge, which is a traditional spot to attach a "love lock" and take a selfie. The city also offers river cruises, winery tours, and beautiful parks and natural areas.

Is Southampton or Frankfurt Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Frankfurt is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Southampton is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Many backpackers visit Frankfurt. You'll find a number of hostels in town. The city is also a major transportation hub so many backpackers pass through the area at some point on their trip through Germany.

Southampton is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Southampton or Frankfurt Better for Students?

Frankfurt is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Southampton is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Frankfurt. The city offers prestigious universities and a world class education. The economy offers many internships and job opportunities and you'll find students from around the world studying here. Frankfurt is also well connected to the rest of Europe, so it's easy to explore the region.

Southampton is not popular with students.

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

Frankfurt is an amazing city to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Southampton is not known for its public transit.

Public transit in Frankfurt is top-notch. It is a huge transportation hub with a major international airport and a number of international train connections. Locally, the city has a subway, trams, commuter trains and buses.

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

Is Southampton or Frankfurt a more walkable city?

Frankfurt 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.

Frankfurt is a very walkable city. It has a compact city center that is generally pedestrian-friendly.

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 Frankfurt Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Frankfurt or Southampton?

How long in Southampton or Frankfurt?

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

Families should spend more time in Frankfurt than Southampton. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Frankfurt, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Frankfurt than Southampton. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Frankfurt that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt.

One day in Southampton or Frankfurt?

You'll find shopping and museums around the port city of Southampton. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Southampton has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Frankfurt is a energetic city where you can fill many days. 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 Frankfurt?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the up-and-coming destination of Southampton. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this port city has to offer. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Frankfurt is a connected big city where you can fill many days. 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 Frankfurt?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the dynamic port city of Southampton. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

The connected city of Frankfurt offers shopping and museums. 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 Frankfurt?

Southampton is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Frankfurt. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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 Coach Bus Tours in Germany, and The Best Adventure Tours to Germany.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Southampton and Frankfurt, we can see that Southampton is more expensive. And not only is Frankfurt much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Frankfurt would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Frankfurt 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 Southampton would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Southampton than you might in Frankfurt.

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

Which is Bigger, Southampton or Frankfurt?

Frankfurt has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Southampton. When comparing the sizes of Southampton and Frankfurt, 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 Frankfurt?

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 Frankfurt in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Southampton and Frankfurt. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Southampton this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Frankfurt for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Southampton is around the same temperature as Frankfurt. Typically, the summer temperatures in Southampton in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Frankfurt averages at about 19°C (67°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Frankfurt this time of the year. Southampton usually receives less sunshine than Frankfurt during summer. Southampton gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Frankfurt receives 225 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Southampton usually receives less rain than Frankfurt. Southampton gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Southampton or Frankfurt in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Southampton as well as Frankfurt. Many travelers come to Southampton for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, many visitors come to Frankfurt in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Southampton is generally a little warmer than Frankfurt. Daily temperatures in Southampton average around 12°C (53°F), and Frankfurt fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Southampton often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Frankfurt. Southampton gets 107 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Frankfurt receives 103 hours of full sun.

Southampton usually gets more rain in October than Frankfurt. Southampton gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Southampton or Frankfurt in the Winter?

Both Frankfurt and Southampton are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Southampton in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Frankfurt for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Frankfurt can be very cold during winter. Southampton can get quite cold in the winter. Southampton is much warmer than Frankfurt in the winter. The daily temperature in Southampton averages around 4°C (40°F) in January, and Frankfurt fluctuates around 1°C (34°F).

Southampton usually receives more sunshine than Frankfurt during winter. Southampton gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Frankfurt receives 41 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Southampton usually receives more rain than Frankfurt. Southampton gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Southampton or Frankfurt in the Spring?

Both Frankfurt and Southampton during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Southampton for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Frankfurt because of the activities around the city.

In the spring, Southampton is around the same temperature as Frankfurt. Typically, the spring temperatures in Southampton in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Frankfurt averages at about 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Southampton often gets less sunshine than Frankfurt. Southampton gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Frankfurt receives 163 hours of full sun.

Southampton usually gets less rain in April than Frankfurt. Southampton gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Frankfurt and Southampton