A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Stuttgart vs. Cartagena for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Stuttgart or Cartagena?

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

Should I visit Stuttgart or Cartagena? 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: Stuttgart or Cartagena?

Stuttgart

Stuttgart is a large city in southern Germany, notably famous for being the headquarters to some auto industry giants such as Porsche and Mercedes-Benz. The population of the city proper is about 600,000 and there are two and half million people in the metropolitan area. The city dates back to the 10th century and today it is a large city that still maintains a small town vibe. The local residents are quite friendly and eager to welcome you to their city. They are also very accommodating if you do not speak German, so you can always expect a little help with translation if it is needed.

Cartagena

The capital of the Bolivar Department of Colombia, Cartagena is one of the most visited cities in the country. It sits on Colombia's northern coast by the Caribbean Sea. It's a port city with a population of almost 900,000, making it the fifth largest city in Colombia. The city has a rich history and was the first Spanish colony on the American continent. It was also one of the first sanctuaries for freed African slaves in the Americas.

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 Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.


Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or Stuttgart?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Stuttgart is €164, while the average daily cost in Cartagena is €44. 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 Stuttgart and Cartagena in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Stuttgart 101
    Cartagena 25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Stuttgart 202
    Cartagena 50
Compare Hotels in Stuttgart and Cartagena

Looking for a hotel in Stuttgart or Cartagena? 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 Stuttgart


Hotels in Cartagena


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: Stuttgart Hotel Prices and Cartagena Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Stuttgart 25
    Cartagena 6.97

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Stuttgart

Also for Stuttgart, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer Stuttgart Airport STR to Stuttgart by Luxury Car: $109
  • Private Transfer Stuttgart to Stuttgart Airport STR by Luxury Car: $109
  • Private Transfer from Stuttgart City to Frankfurt City: $140
  • Private Transfer: Stuttgart Airport STR to Stuttgart by MB Sedan: $91
  • Private Transfer: Stuttgart Airport STR to Stuttgart by MB Van: $91
  • Private Transfer: Stuttgart to Stuttgart Airport STR by MB Sedan: $91
  • Private Transfer: Stuttgart to Stuttgart Airport STR by MB Van: $91
  • Special Private Transfer from Stuttgart to Mercedes-Benz Museum: $91
  • Stuttgart Airport (STR) to Baden-Baden Thermal - Arrival Transfer: $77
  • Stuttgart Airport to Oberstdorf Alpse Grünten Round Trip Transfer: $176
  • Stuttgart Airport to Oberstdorf Alpsee Grünten Arrival Transfer: $88
  • Stuttgart Airport to Titisee-Neustadt Thermal - Arrival Transfer: $77

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:

  • Walking Tour with Transfers - Gabriel García Márquez & Cartagena Walled City: $110
  • Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Cartagena HTL-APT(CTG): $17
  • Transportation / Transfers: $27
  • Transfer in Private Vehicle from Manzanillo del Mar - Cartagena Airport (CTG): $23
  • Transfer in Private Vehicle from Cartagena Airport (CTG) - Manzanillo del Mar: $23
  • Transfer in Private Vehicle from Cartagena Airport (CTG) - City Center: $13
  • Transfer in Private Minivan from Manzanillo del Mar - Cartagena Airport (CTG): $29
  • Transfer in Private Minivan from City Center - Cartagena Airport (CTG): $20
  • Transfer in Private Minivan from Cartagena Airport (CTG) - City Center: $20
  • Transfer in Private Minivan Cartagena Airport (CTG) - Manzanillo del Mar: $18
  • Transfer from the airport to hotels in Boquilla: $13
  • Transfer Private Vehicle Cartagena Airport (CTG) -City Cent: $27

Is it cheaper to fly into Stuttgart or Cartagena?

Prices for flights to both Cartagena and Stuttgart 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
    Stuttgart 37
    Cartagena 9.13
Typical Food Prices in Stuttgart

For Stuttgart, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Panini To Go
    2.00

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cartagena

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

  • Featured in NYTimes > Arepas and Dancing: Danceable Cooking Class in Cartagena: $32
  • Cooking class of typical food at the beach and sunset view: $39
  • Taste Cartagena Food tour: $40
  • Street Food Tour in Cartagena: $42
  • Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $44
  • Local Flavors Food Tour with Native Chef: $50
  • Cooking Class: Street food & Mojito making: $50
  • Cruise by the Bay with Dinner and Wine: $55
  • Private Dinner at a Local Chef's House in Cartagena: $58
  • Cartagena Gourmet: Cooking Class with a View, Elegance & Flavor: $59
  • Street food tour: $61
  • 2 hours Sibarita Express Dinner: $63

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Stuttgart 24
    Cartagena 20

Tours and Activities in Stuttgart

For Stuttgart, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Wine Museum Ticket: $4.31
  • Landesmuseum Württemberg Old Castle Entry Ticket: $6.46
  • Stuttgart Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
  • Stuttgart Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $11
  • Stuttgart Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $11
  • TV Tower Tickets: $11
  • Guided Ghost Walking Tour: $13
  • entertaining guided tour to old town highlights: $15
  • Stuttgart city tour: $15
  • Stuttgart city library - an architectural tour: $17
  • Stuttgart Nature Experience Day: $20
  • Stuttgart 24-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Tour: $22

Tours and Activities in Cartagena

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

  • Beach Buggy ATV Adventure Tour CARTAGENA: $135
  • Eco cultural Historical Tour beyond Old City! + Pool: $98
  • Exciting Beach Buggy ATV Tour in Cartagena : $165
  • Palenque Native Guide, free entrance tickets, dance show & lunch: $110
  • Playa Morena Beach Club Whith Lunch And Walking tour of fort San Fernando: $39
  • Private Beach Tour in Barú and Optional Bird Aviary: $120
  • Private Tour & the best coffee of the world in Cartagena (Also for cruisers): $250
  • Private city tour: $197
  • Shore excursion Accessible sightseeing tour : $250
  • Tour around the Rosario Islands 4 islands: $65
  • "Essential Cartagena" Private Tour. : $70
  • 16. Punta Arena Tour (Tierra Bomba Island): $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Stuttgart 22
    Cartagena 8.56

Sample the Local Flavors in Stuttgart

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

  • Vineyard hike along one of the most beautiful hiking trails in Stuttgart with wine tasting: $29
  • Wine hike with wine tasting: $31
  • Guided Wine Walk & Wine Tasting: $44
  • Wine Tour with wines of the best winemakers: $46
  • Fußball Weintour - Football & Wine Tour: $46
  • Private Premium Pub Crawl Tour: $517

Sample the Local Flavors in Cartagena

Also in Cartagena, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Pub Crawl with Dancing Lessons and Free Shots: $19
  • Cartagena's Best Pub Crawl all included!: $23
  • Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $24
  • Pub Crawl Only Locals Have Fun In The Walled City: $35
  • Nightlife Pub crawl in Cartagena: $72


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Stuttgart and Cartagena, we can see that Stuttgart is more expensive. And not only is Cartagena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Stuttgart is in Europe and Cartagena is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Cartagena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cartagena 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 Stuttgart would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Stuttgart than you might in Cartagena.

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


Which is Bigger, Stuttgart or Cartagena?

Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 59% larger than the population of Stuttgart. When comparing the sizes of Stuttgart and Cartagena, 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 Cartagena?

Stuttgart has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Cartagena experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Stuttgart or Cartagena in the Summer?

Both Cartagena and Stuttgart during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Stuttgart this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round.

In July, Stuttgart is generally cooler than Cartagena. Daily temperatures in Stuttgart average around 22°C (71°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

In Cartagena, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Stuttgart. In the summer, Stuttgart often gets more sunshine than Cartagena. Stuttgart gets 238 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 207 hours of full sun.

Stuttgart usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Cartagena. Stuttgart gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Stuttgart 22°C (71°F) 
    Cartagena 29°C (84°F)

Should I visit Stuttgart or Cartagena in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Stuttgart and Cartagena. Many travelers come to Stuttgart for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Stuttgart is much colder than Cartagena in the autumn. The daily temperature in Stuttgart averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Stuttgart usually receives less sunshine than Cartagena during autumn. Stuttgart gets 122 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 175 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Cartagena receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Stuttgart usually receives less rain than Cartagena. Stuttgart gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Stuttgart 13°C (56°F) 
    Cartagena 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Stuttgart or Cartagena in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Stuttgart as well as Cartagena. Many visitors come to Stuttgart in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.

Stuttgart can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Stuttgart is much colder than Cartagena. Typically, the winter temperatures in Stuttgart in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Cartagena averages at about 27°C (81°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. In the winter, Stuttgart often gets less sunshine than Cartagena. Stuttgart gets 60 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 278 hours of full sun.

Stuttgart usually gets more rain in January than Cartagena. Stuttgart gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Stuttgart 3°C (38°F) 
    Cartagena 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Stuttgart or Cartagena in the Spring?

Both Cartagena and Stuttgart are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Stuttgart for the activities around the city during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In April, Stuttgart is generally much colder than Cartagena. Daily temperatures in Stuttgart average around 11°C (53°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

It's quite sunny in Cartagena. Stuttgart usually receives less sunshine than Cartagena during spring. Stuttgart gets 154 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 209 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Stuttgart usually receives more rain than Cartagena. Stuttgart gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Stuttgart 11°C (53°F) 
    Cartagena 28°C (82°F)

Typical Weather for Cartagena and Stuttgart

Stuttgart Cartagena
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (38°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 4°C (39°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 8°C (47°F) 35 mm (1.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 11°C (53°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 28°C (82°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
May 16°C (61°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 29°C (84°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jun 19°C (66°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 29°C (84°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Jul 22°C (71°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 29°C (84°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 21°C (70°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 28°C (82°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Sep 18°C (65°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 29°C (84°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Oct 13°C (56°F) 51 mm (2 in) 27°C (81°F) 150 mm (5.9 in)
Nov 7°C (45°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 28°C (82°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Dec 5°C (41°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)