A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Uppsala vs. Cologne for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Uppsala or Cologne?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Uppsala 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.

Where Should I go: Uppsala or Cologne?

Uppsala

Uppsala is a college town in Sweden, located about 40 minutes north of Stockholm. Home to two universities, Uppsala is the 4th largest city in Sweden and features a huge diversity in culture. The Fyris River divides the city into the historic and modern sides of the city, each one with their own unique culture and sights to see. The area features fairly cool weather year-round, with temperatures in the 30's Fahrenheit from November-April and May-October seeing temperatures in the 40's and 50's Fahrenheit. The best time to visit it from May-July when temperatures are at their highest and there's plenty of sunshine.

Cologne

Spanning the Rhine River in western Germany, the city of Cologne dates back 2,000 years, once existing as the largest city of the Holy Roman Empire in medieval times. Today, it is the region's cultural hub - a center of museums, galleries, and towering Gothic cathedrals.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Sweden, The Best Budget Tours to Sweden, The Best Luxury Tours to Germany, and The Best Budget Tours to Germany.


Which place is cheaper, Cologne or Uppsala?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Uppsala is $135, while the average daily cost in Cologne is $172. 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 Uppsala and Cologne in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Uppsala $89
    Cologne $97
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Uppsala $178
    Cologne $194
Compare Hotels in Uppsala and Cologne

Looking for a hotel in Uppsala or Cologne? 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 Uppsala


Hotels in Cologne


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: Uppsala Hotel Prices and Cologne Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Uppsala $19
    Cologne $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Uppsala

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

  • Uppsala City to Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN) - Departure Private Transfer: $45

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cologne

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cologne:

  • Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Bonn hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $109
  • Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Cologne hotels - Round-trip Private Transfer : $98
  • Transfer from Cologne Airport CGN to Cologne City by Luxury Car: $83
  • Superior Private Transfer from Cologne City to Dortmund City: $64
  • Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Bonn hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $55
  • Cologne hotels to Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) - Departure Private Transfer: $49

Is it cheaper to fly into Uppsala or Cologne?

Prices for flights to both Cologne and Uppsala 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
    Uppsala $32
    Cologne $54

Typical Food Prices in Cologne

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cologne:


  • Dinner
    $15
  • Donner Kebab
    $4.29

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cologne

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

  • Hard Rock Café with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $27
  • Hard Rock Cafe Cologne With Set Lunch or Dinner: $29
  • Köln Südstadt kulinarisch – Die Food Tour: $48
  • 3-Hour Südstadt Food Tour: $481

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Uppsala $18
    Cologne $22

Tours and Activities in Uppsala

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Uppsala.

  • Uppsala Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $11
  • Uppsala Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self Guided Tour: $11
  • Vasatid at Uppsala Castle 1h - a guided tour in Uppsala: $27
  • Medieval horror, undead and dark folklore walk Uppsala city - open tour: $31
  • Guided 1h walking tour of Uppsala city's must see big attractions!!: $55
  • Guided tour 90min at Old Uppsala mounds and old Uppsala church: $75
  • Private 1h tour of famous Old Uppsala mounds and mediveal church: $83
  • Private guided 1h walking tour of Uppsala city's must see big attractions!!: $99
  • Private tour, A Dark perspective, the dark Uppsala city walk, about a dark past!: $113
  • Swedish Lifestyle and Private Walking Tour of Uppsala: $120
  • From Stockholm: Viking History Tour to Sigtuna and Uppsala: $164

Tours and Activities in Cologne

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

  • 120min - Cologne City Tour: $158
  • 3-Hour Cologne Street Art Bike Tour in Small Group with Guide: $44
  • 3-Hour Murder Mystery Interactive City Walking Tour in Köln: $75
  • 5 Hours Cologne to Aachen Train Tour in Germany: $63
  • Aachen Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $231
  • Aachen Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
  • Aachen Scavenger Hunt and Self Guided Walking Tour on your Phone: $7.63
  • Aachen old town tour - GERMAN (public): $13
  • Amusing Stories of Cologne Walking Tour: $13
  • Awesome Sites of Cologne – Private Family Walking Tour: $395
  • Beethoven and Bonn Highlights Tour from Cologne by Car: $840
  • Best of Cologne in 1-Day Private Guided Tour with Transport: $438

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Uppsala $17
    Cologne $24

Sample the Local Flavors in Cologne

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

  • Old Town Walking Tour with Brewery and Kölsch Beer: $18
  • Public brewery tour in Cologne in English: $18
  • Public brewery tour in German in Cologne: $18
  • Guided tour of the old town with a visit to the brewery in Cologne: $19
  • Old Town Walking Tour inkl Brewery Visit: $24
  • Entertaining Brewery Tour: Feel Good Package including local beer: $27
  • South Cologne Walking Tour with brewery visit: $27
  • Pub Crawl Cologne Including Admission Fee for Bars and Shots: $27
  • Brewery Tour with 3 Kölsch Beer Tastings: $29
  • Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting and Halven Hahn: $31
  • The Legendary Kölsch Brewery Tour: $32
  • The Legendary Kölsch Brewery Tour: $33


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

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


Which is Bigger, Uppsala or Cologne?

Cologne has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Uppsala. When comparing the sizes of Uppsala 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 Uppsala or Cologne?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Uppsala or Cologne in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Uppsala as well as Cologne. Also, most visitors come to Cologne for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Uppsala this time of the year. In the summer, Uppsala often gets more sunshine than Cologne. Uppsala gets 260 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cologne receives 184 hours of full sun.

Uppsala usually gets less rain in July than Cologne. Uppsala gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Uppsala 18°C (64°F) 
    Cologne 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Uppsala or Cologne in the Autumn?

Both Cologne and Uppsala are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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.

Uppsala is much colder than Cologne in the autumn. The daily temperature in Uppsala averages around 8°C (46°F) in October, and Cologne fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Uppsala usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cologne during autumn. Uppsala gets 99 hours of sunny skies, while Cologne receives 104 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Uppsala usually receives less rain than Cologne. Uppsala gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Uppsala 8°C (46°F) 
    Cologne 12°C (54°F)

Should I visit Uppsala or Cologne in the Winter?

Both Cologne and Uppsala during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, 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. The weather in Uppsala can be very cold. In the winter, Uppsala is much colder than Cologne. Typically, the winter temperatures in Uppsala in January average around -3°C (27°F), and Cologne averages at about 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Uppsala often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Cologne. Uppsala gets 40 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cologne receives 43 hours of full sun.

Uppsala usually gets less rain in January than Cologne. Uppsala gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Uppsala -3°C (27°F) 
    Cologne 3°C (37°F)

Should I visit Uppsala or Cologne in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Uppsala and Cologne. Furthermore, many travelers come to Cologne for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Uppsala is generally much colder than Cologne. Daily temperatures in Uppsala average around 5°C (41°F), and Cologne fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Uppsala usually receives more sunshine than Cologne during spring. Uppsala gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Cologne receives 152 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Uppsala usually receives less rain than Cologne. Uppsala gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Uppsala 5°C (41°F) 
    Cologne 10°C (50°F)

Typical Weather for Cologne and Uppsala

Uppsala Cologne
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -3°C (27°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 3°C (37°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Feb -3°C (27°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 4°C (39°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Mar 0°C (33°F) 26 mm (1 in) 7°C (44°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Apr 5°C (41°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 10°C (50°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
May 11°C (52°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 14°C (58°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Jun 16°C (61°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 17°C (63°F) 76 mm (3 in)
Jul 18°C (64°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Aug 17°C (62°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 19°C (66°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 16°C (61°F) 62 mm (2.5 in)
Oct 8°C (46°F) 50 mm (2 in) 12°C (54°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Nov 3°C (37°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 7°C (45°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Dec -1°C (31°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 4°C (39°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)