A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sydney vs. Cologne for Attractions, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Sydney or Cologne?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sydney or Cologne, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Sydney

Sydney is a outdoorsy, adventurous, and glamorous city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, Sydney attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. See Sydney travel costs.

Cologne

Cologne is a fun, accessible, and vibrant city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Cologne offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Cologne travel costs.

Sydney and Cologne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sydney or Cologne?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Sydney than Cologne. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Sydney is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Cologne attracts visitors for its historical sights and christmas markets. Sydney is famous for its iconic buildings, world-renowned beaches, colorful nightlife, and cosmopolitan restaurants. It is also well known for the Sydney Opera House. Cologne is famous for its large and detailed cathedral, its festive Christmas markets, and its location along the Rhine River.

How is Sydney different from Cologne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Sydney or Cologne?

Sydney is an unbeatable place for its museums and landmarks. Also, Cologne is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Sydney on the map. The city is filled with iconic and world famous landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. There's also the famous Royal Botanic Garden and the Sydney Tower Eye.

Many visitors head to Cologne specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. At the heart of the city is Cologne Cathedral, which is stunningly intricate and highlights High Gothic architecture. It is one of the largest cathedrals in Europe. Other famous sights around town include Cologne City Hall, the Wallraf-Richartz & Ludwig Museums, and Hohenzollern Bridge.

Is the Food Better in Sydney or Cologne? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Sydney is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Cologne is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Sydney is an experience not to be missed. There are international restaurants offering impressive dishes from around the world. You'll also find some local Australian favorites around town. Seafood is abundant, as are a number of Asian cuisines. Barramundi is a local fish that you'll find on many menus. Oysters, prawns, and John Dory (a local fish) are also popular.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Cologne. The food scene consists mostly of brewhouses and pubs, where you'll find local cuisine. There are also a number of international restaurants around town if you want something a little different. In particular, you'll find many Turkish kebab shops near the train station. Local dishes from Cologne include Halve Hahn (an open face sandwich), Hämmche (pork with sauerkraut or potatoes), and Mettbrütche (minced pork bread roll). For a sweet treat, there is no shortage of donut shops with decadently decorated toppings.

Is Sydney or Cologne Better for Nightlife?

Sydney is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Cologne is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

The nightlife in Sydney is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The city is filled with nightclubs and DJ hosted dance parties. There's a huge young crowd that brings together residents, students, and backpackers in a vibrant nightlife scene. Some of the best areas for nightlife are Kings Cross, Oxford Street, Surry Hills or Darling Harbour.

Many people head to Cologne for the nightlife scene. Head to one of the many beerhalls to check out the local nightlife scene. Make sure you try the local beer, Kölsch. Some of the most popular places for night include Ona Mor, Pepe, and Engel & Weiss.

Is Sydney or Cologne Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Sydney is a popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Cologne is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Sydney has a few good snorkeling spots. There's some good snorkeling and diving nearby with a diversity of marine life and interesting ecosystems. Some of the best snorkeling spots are at Palm Beach, Shelly Beach, and Clifton Gardens.

Cologne is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Sydney or Cologne Better for Beaches?

Sydney is an unbeatable place for the beach. However, Cologne is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Sydney. There are more than 100 beaches near the city with everything from hidden coves to world famous destinations. Bondi Beach is the most famous beach in town and it has all of the tourist sights and activities that you could need. Surfers often head to Bronte Beach, which isn't too far away. Divers and snorkelers love Gordons Bay. Manly is also a nearby suburb with family-friendly beaches that can be reached by ferry.

Cologne is not a beach destination.

Is Sydney or Cologne Better for its Old Town?

Cologne is a nice place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Sydney does not have a historic old town.

Cologne offers a nice historic old town area. The Old Town is large, but its mostly been rebuilt with modern buildings. There are plenty of shopping areas where you can buy name brand clothing or sample sweets.

Sydney does not have a historic old town.

Is Sydney or Cologne Better for Hiking?

Sydney is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Cologne is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Sydney. The city offers a number of coastal and inland trails that are easily accessible from town. There are short paths as well as multi-day routes not far and pass by stunning landscapes and viewpoints.

Cologne is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sydney or Cologne?

Sydney is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Cologne is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Sydney is a world class destination for shoppers. There's a wonderful mix of shopping streets, modern malls, and boutique vendors who sell local fashions. For souvenirs or local art, go to The Rocks, which is not far from Sydney Opera House. The Queen Victoria Building and Strand Arcade are also popular shopping areas.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Cologne. There is no shortage of clothing shops around Cologne. You'll find all of the major European chains with many souvenir shops mixed in. Schildergasse is a major shopping street in town, but there are also many shopping malls to choose from. For local markets, head to Wilhemplatz.

Is Sydney or Cologne More Beautiful?

Sydney is well known for its scenery and beauty. Also, Cologne is still popular, but not quite as popular for its scenery and beauty.

With stunning beauty, Sydney attracts visitors from all around. The waterfront setting and grand buildings make this a truly beautiful city. It also has a lot of natural beauty with impressive beaches and nice green spaces.

Cologne is a gorgeous place to visit. You'll be greeted by the intricately designed Cologne Cathedral as you leave the train station. Old Town spreads out from this square and although many areas have been rebuilt, there city still offers a fascinating beauty.

Is Sydney or Cologne Better for Families?

Sydney is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Cologne is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Sydney is a very family-friendly destination. The city has great beaches where kids can learn to surf, zoos and aquariums with local wildlife, and outdoor activities that take advantage of the city's waterfront location. There's everything from whale watching to visiting the Olympic Park, all of which will fascinate kids of all ages.

Cologne is a very family-friendly destination. In addition to the stunning cathedral and impressive bridge, this city has many great playgrounds including Rheinpark, right across the river from old town. Kids who like high places will enjoy the view from the top of KölnTriangle. Popular kid-friendly museums in town include Odysseum and the Chocolate Museum. And if you have a day to spare, head to the indoor waterpark at Aqualand.

Is Sydney or Cologne Better for Couples?

Sydney is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Cologne is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Sydney makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. It's a romantic city that's filled with iconic landmarks like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. There are also award winning restaurants and world class beaches. Wander around the botanical gardens or take a sailing cruise on the harbor. There is an endless supply of romantic activities to choose from.

Cologne is a nice destination for couples. The city has a number of activities that couples will enjoy such as walks along the river, dining at nice restaurants, and Rhein River cruises. Also make sure you put a lock on the Hohenzollern Bridge to declare your commitment to each other.

Is Sydney or Cologne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sydney is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Cologne is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Sydney is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. It's popular for its adventure sports, active beaches, and vibrant nightlife. While it's not a particularly cheap city to visit, there are plenty of hostels around town and no shortage of backpackers to hang out with.

Cologne is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a few good hostels around town and many free sights that make this a budget-friendly destination for backpackers.

Is Sydney or Cologne Better for Students?

Sydney is an unbeatable place for students. Also, Cologne is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Many students frequent Sydney. Students love the energy and plethora of outdoor activities in this beautiful city. Many international students come not only for the excellent universities but also for the diverse environment and many things to do.

Cologne is very popular with students. The city is large enough to attract international students for all types of studies. It's also well connected to the German train system so it's easy to get out and explore the area.

Is Sydney or Cologne Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Sydney and Cologne.

Visitors in Sydney can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. There are a variety of types of public transit in town including buses, trains, ferries and light rail.

Cologne has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. KVB operates the system that includes trains, trams, and buses. The city is also easily connected to other nearby towns so it makes a great base for exploring the entire area.

Is Sydney or Cologne a more walkable city?

Sydney and Cologne both are very good when exploring on foot.

Sydney is a very walkable destination. The city center and nearby suburbs are relatively easy to walk around. On the western side of the city, the suburbs are much less walkable.

Cologne is very walkable. If you stick to the Old Town and nearby neighborhoods, you'll be able to explore easily on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Sydney Worth Visiting? and Is Cologne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cologne or Sydney?

How long in Sydney or Cologne?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Sydney and Cologne. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Sydney than in Cologne. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Sydney, and 1-3 days is enough time in Cologne.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sydney than Cologne 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 Sydney.

One day in Sydney or Cologne?

Because Sydney is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the big city destination of Cologne. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Sydney or Cologne?

Because Sydney is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Cologne is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Sydney or Cologne?

Sydney is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Sydney has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cologne. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Sydney or Cologne?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sydney. Because Sydney is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the vibrant big city of Cologne. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Australia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia, The Best Luxury Tours to Germany, and The Best Budget Tours to Germany.

When comparing the travel costs between Sydney and Cologne, we can see that Cologne 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. Even though Sydney is in Pacific and Cologne is in Europe, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Sydney or Cologne?

Sydney has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Cologne. When comparing the sizes of Sydney and Cologne, 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 Sydney or Cologne?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Sydney is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Cologne has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Sydney or Cologne in the Summer?

Both Cologne and Sydney are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Sydney in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Cologne for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Sydney is a little warmer than Cologne in the summer. The daily temperature in Sydney averages around 23°C (73°F) in January, and Cologne fluctuates around 19°C (66°F)in July.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sydney. Sydney usually receives more sunshine than Cologne during summer. Sydney gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Cologne receives 184 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Sydney. In January, Sydney usually receives more rain than Colognein July. Sydney gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sydney or Cologne in the Autumn?

Both Cologne and Sydney during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Sydney for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Cologne because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Sydney is much warmer than Cologne. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sydney in April average around 19°C (65°F), and Cologne averages at about 12°C (54°F)in October.

In the autumn, Sydney often gets more sunshine than Colognein October. Sydney gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cologne receives 104 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sydney. Sydney usually gets more rain in April than Colognein October. Sydney gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sydney or Cologne in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sydney and Cologne. The winter months attract visitors to Sydney because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Cologne this time of year.

It's quite cold in Cologne in the winter. In July, Sydney is generally much warmer than Colognein January. Daily temperatures in Sydney average around 12°C (53°F), and Cologne fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In Sydney, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sydney usually receives more sunshine than Cologne during winter. Sydney gets 208 hours of sunny skies, while Cologne receives 43 hours of full sun in the winter.

In July, Sydney usually receives less rain than Colognein January. Sydney gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sydney or Cologne in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Sydney as well as Cologne. The beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Sydney this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Cologne for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Sydney is much warmer than Cologne in the spring. The daily temperature in Sydney averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Cologne fluctuates around 10°C (50°F)in April.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sydney this time of the year. In the spring, Sydney often gets more sunshine than Colognein April. Sydney gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cologne receives 152 hours of full sun.

Sydney usually gets more rain in October than Colognein April. Sydney gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Cologne and Sydney