A Travel Price Comparison for Germany Stuttgart vs. Bonn for Families, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Stuttgart or Bonn?

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

Should I visit Stuttgart 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.

Stuttgart

Stuttgart is a dynamic, modern, and authentic city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Bonn

Bonn is a cultural, beautiful, and outdoorsy city. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Stuttgart and Bonn: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Stuttgart or Bonn?

You'll generally find more things to do in Stuttgart than Bonn. Stuttgart is bigger than Bonn, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Stuttgart is better known for its food, nightlife, and big city activities, while Bonn is more popular for its museums, historical sights, and quaint atmosphere. Bonn is more touristy than Stuttgart and is known for its many museums, cultural venues, and university atmosphere, as well as being the birthplace of Beethoven. Stuttgart is well known for its many automobile museums including the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Porsche Museum. Also, Stuttgart is famous for The Mercedes-Benz Museum.

How is Stuttgart different from Bonn?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Bonn is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

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.

Stuttgart is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The city's influence over the car industry is reflected in the museums in town. You can visit both the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart. Also check out Schlossplatz, the Ludwigsburg Palace, and Altes Schloss and Landesmuseum while you're in town.

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

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

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Stuttgart. The city blends traditional German flavors with modern twists. You'll find much more than the standard bratworsts that so many people associate with German cuisine. One favorite dish is maultaschen, which is like a ravioli. Also make sure you try spätzle, zwiebelrostbraten (roast and onions) and flädlesuppe (soup with long pasta).

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Bonn. 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 Stuttgart or Bonn Better for Nightlife?

Stuttgart is a great city for nightlife. Also, Bonn is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Stuttgart has something for everybody. The nightlife scene stays active late into the evening. You'll find no shortage of clubs, bars, music venues, and beer gardens. You'll meet a combination of locals, tourists, students, and expats at many venues.

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 Stuttgart or Bonn Better for its Old Town?

Bonn is a very popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Stuttgart 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.

Stuttgart does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Stuttgart or Bonn?

Shoppers can find a variety of high quality stores in both Stuttgart and Bonn.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Stuttgart. The city is filled with pedestrian shopping streets as well as flea markets and major shopping malls. The main shopping street in town is Koenigstrasse, where you'll find many upscale boutiques. For a local food market head to Markthalle Stuttgart. The flagship store of the Breuninger chain is also found in Stuttgart.

Bonn is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Is Stuttgart or Bonn Better for Families?

Bonn is an amazing city to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Stuttgart. Like many German city's, there's a great zoo to explore. There's also some unique museums like the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Porsche Museum. Kids will also enjoy taking in the view from the top of the Fernsehturm.

Is Stuttgart or Bonn Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Stuttgart and Bonn make for a notable place to visit.

Stuttgart is a good city for couples to visit. The city is large enough to have some nice romantic hotels, spas, luxury restaurants, and other activities that make for a great date night.

Bonn is a nice destination for couples. 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 Stuttgart or Bonn Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Stuttgart and Bonn are both notable destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Stuttgart. It's not on the backpacker circuit for most people but there are still plenty of hostels and affordable accommodation options. You'll also find plenty of activities and affordable restaurants to choose from.

Bonn is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Is Stuttgart or Bonn Better for Students?

Both Stuttgart and Bonn are high quality destinations for students.

Stuttgart is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It's an international city with great universities and a friendly and central location. There's also a lively nightlife and plenty of things to do.

Bonn is very popular with students. 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.

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

Visitors will find high quality public transit in both Stuttgart and Bonn.

The public transit in Stuttgart can get you to most places easily. The city's transit system includes buses, the U‑Bahn and the S‑Bahn. The U-Bahn is a denser train system in the city center and the S-Bahn covers more distance and reaches into the suburbs with stops that are more spread out.

Visitors to Bonn can move around easily with public transportation. 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.

Is Stuttgart or Bonn a more walkable city?

Bonn is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

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

Stuttgart is somewhat walkable. There are parts of the city that are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Bonn or Stuttgart?

How long in Stuttgart or Bonn?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Stuttgart and Bonn. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Stuttgart than in Bonn. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Stuttgart, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bonn.

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

Stuttgart is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

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

A weekend in Stuttgart or Bonn?

Stuttgart 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Bonn. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Stuttgart or Bonn?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the dynamic big city of Stuttgart. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural city of Bonn. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Stuttgart or Bonn?

The diverse city of Stuttgart 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.

Bonn is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin, The Best 2-Week Tours from Berlin, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Germany.

When comparing the travel costs between Stuttgart and Bonn, we can see that Stuttgart 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 Stuttgart Expensive? and Is Bonn Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Stuttgart or Bonn?

Stuttgart has a larger population, and is about 92% larger than the population of Bonn. When comparing the sizes of Stuttgart 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 Stuttgart 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 Stuttgart or Bonn in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Stuttgart and Bonn. The summer months attract visitors to Stuttgart because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bonn this time of year.

In the summer, Stuttgart is a little warmer than Bonn. Typically, the summer temperatures in Stuttgart in July average around 22°C (71°F), and Bonn averages at about 19°C (66°F).

In Stuttgart, it's very sunny this time of the year. Stuttgart usually receives more sunshine than Bonn during summer. Stuttgart gets 238 hours of sunny skies, while Bonn receives 191 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Stuttgart usually receives less rain than Bonn. Stuttgart gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Stuttgart or Bonn in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Stuttgart as well as Bonn. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Stuttgart this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Bonn for the shopping scene.

In October, Stuttgart is generally a little warmer than Bonn. Daily temperatures in Stuttgart average around 13°C (56°F), and Bonn fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In the autumn, Stuttgart often gets more sunshine than Bonn. Stuttgart gets 122 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bonn receives 109 hours of full sun.

Stuttgart usually gets more rain in October than Bonn. Stuttgart gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Stuttgart or Bonn in the Winter?

Both Bonn and Stuttgart are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Stuttgart 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 Stuttgart. Stuttgart is a little warmer than Bonn in the winter. The daily temperature in Stuttgart averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Bonn fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Stuttgart usually receives more sunshine than Bonn during winter. Stuttgart gets 60 hours of sunny skies, while Bonn receives 45 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Stuttgart usually receives less rain than Bonn. Stuttgart gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Stuttgart or Bonn in the Spring?

Both Bonn and Stuttgart during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Stuttgart in the spring for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Stuttgart is a little warmer than Bonn. Typically, the spring temperatures in Stuttgart in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Bonn averages at about 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Stuttgart often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bonn. Stuttgart gets 154 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bonn receives 145 hours of full sun.

Stuttgart usually gets more rain in April than Bonn. Stuttgart gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bonn and Stuttgart