Which place is cheaper, Potsdam or Zermatt?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Zermatt and Potsdam can help you decide which place is right for you.
Zermatt is a stunning, iconic, and breathtaking town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and skiing.
Potsdam is a historic, accessible, and compact city. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.
Travelers will usually find more to do in Zermatt. Although Zermatt and Potsdam are popular destinations, Zermatt has more sights and attractions for tourists. Zermatt is very popular for its skiing, nightlife, resorts, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Potsdam attracts visitors for its museums. Zermatt is more touristy than Potsdam and is known for its skiing, hiking, winter sports, and stunning views of Matterhorn. It is also well known for The Matterhorn. Potsdam is famous for its beautiful palaces, scenic town center, and accessibility to Berlin.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Potsdam and Zermatt. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Zermatt is very popular for winter skiing. However, Potsdam is not a skiing destination.
Zermatt is among the world's best ski destinations. This is Europe's highest ski resort and it is one of the most famous and beautiful, at the base of the world renowned Matterhown. The slopes attract professional skiers from around the world who come for the challenging skiing and spectacular setting.
Potsdam is not a skiing destination.
Potsdam is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Zermatt is not a good town for its museums and history.
Many visitors head to Potsdam specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. People visit this city for its high concentration of historic sights. The Renaissance Orangery Palace is a highlight of the visit for many travelers.
While most people don't head to Zermatt specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. You don't visit Zermatt for the museums, but it is worth checking out the Matterhorn Museum while you're in town.
Both Zermatt and Potsdam offer very good local cuisine and restaurants.
With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Zermatt makes for a great culinary experience. There are actually many great restaurants right on the slopes, so you don't have to head into town to enjoy a meal. In town, you'll find many cozy restaurants that have terraces that offer spectacular views.
Potsdam has a huge number of terrific restaurants. You'll find a diverse restaurant scene, although the city is quite small. There are international restaurants as well as local venues where you can try regional specialties.
Zermatt is well known for nightlife and partying. Also, Potsdam is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.
Zermatt is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The town cuts loose in the evening with locals and visitors intermingling at the many bars and live music venues around town. Elegant fun is a great way to describe the nightlife scene and whether you're looking for a mellow night out or a more vibrant party, there's something for everyone.
If you're looking for night time activities Potsdam has a few options to choose from. The city is not far from Berlin, so head in to Germany's nightlife capital for the most famous clubs and venues. In the town of Potsdam there are cocktail bars and breweries that make for a mellow and relaxed evening.
Zermatt is well known for its resorts. However, Potsdam is not a resort destination.
Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Zermatt. There are a number of upscale inns and hotels in town. Many have pools or hot tubs with views of the mountains.
Potsdam is not a resort destination.
Zermatt is very popular for its hiking experiences. However, Potsdam is not a hiking destination.
Many people visit Zermatt specifically for its hiking. There are countless hiking trails in the area that cater to all levels of fitness. Almost all trails offer some sort of view of Matterhorn, and it's possible to enjoy a great view without much effort. It's also possible to do a multi-day trek while staying in mountain huts which will get you well into the amazing scenery.
Potsdam is not a hiking destination.
Zermatt is well known for its shopping opportunities. Also, Potsdam is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.
Zermatt is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Luxury boutiques that sell jewelry, watches, and clothing are found all around town. You'll also find sporting equipment or anything that you may have forgotten. For the best shopping in town head to Bahnhofstrasse.
Potsdam has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are plazas and shopping streets that have the standard chain stores as well as antique shops and other boutiques.
Zermatt is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Potsdam is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.
Zermatt is a very kid-friendly town. From world class hiking to countless outdoor adventures, this is a great place to explore with kids. There are a number of kid-friendly ways to view Matterhorn as well as cable cars and Glacier Palace.
Potsdam offers lots of family activities. There are a number of playgrounds around town as well as several beaches by lakes that are fun for kids. Another highlight for families is a visit to Babelsberg Film Studios.
Zermatt is very popular for its romantic activities. Also, Potsdam is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.
For those traveling as a couple, Zermatt has plenty to offer. Couples who seek an adrenaline filled adventure will be in heaven in this iconic alpine destination. There are breathtaking views of Matterhorn, stunning hikes, impressive skiing, and a charming town where you can enjoy a great meal after a day filled with adventure.
Potsdam is a good town for couples to visit. Exploring the city and soaking up the sights is the best way for couples to enjoy their time. There are some nice hotels and restaurants in the area that make for a great date night.
Zermatt is well known for backpackers. Also, Potsdam is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.
Zermatt is a great town to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels in town that cater to the backpacker and budget crowd. It's an expensive place to visit, with food and entertainment costing a lot, but if you can swing it, it's well worth a visit.
It's common for backpackers to visit Potsdam. There are a handful of hostels to choose from in town.
Potsdam is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Zermatt is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for times when you don't have a car.
Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Potsdam. The city is well connected to Berlin by S-Bahn and bus.
Zermatt has some public transit options. There are ebuses in town, but the town itself is car free and walking is your best option.
Zermatt is very popular for its high level of walkability. Also, Potsdam is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.
Getting around Zermatt on foot is easy. There aren't any cars in town so this is a very pedestrian-friendly town with charming streets and walking paths.
Potsdam is a very walkable destination. It's a smaller, compact city that can mostly be explored on foot.
For even more information, also check out Is Zermatt Worth Visiting? and Is Potsdam Worth Visiting?.
You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Zermatt or Potsdam to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Zermatt than Potsdam because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Zermatt, and 1-2 days is enough time in Potsdam.
Families should spend more time in Zermatt than Potsdam. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Zermatt, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Zermatt than Potsdam. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Zermatt that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Zermatt than Potsdam 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 Zermatt.
In Zermatt, you'll find skiing and nightlife. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.
In Potsdam, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.
In Zermatt, you'll find nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Zermatt has to offer.
In Potsdam, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Potsdam has to offer.
Zermatt is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Zermatt has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.
Potsdam is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Zermatt. Many people enjoy the shopping and skiing when visiting Zermatt. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Potsdam. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Potsdam. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Germany, and The Best Adventure Tours to Germany.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Zermatt is $223, while the average daily cost in Potsdam is $119. 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 Zermatt and Potsdam in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Zermatt or Potsdam? 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.
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.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zermatt:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Potsdam:
Prices for flights to both Potsdam and Zermatt 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.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zermatt.
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zermatt are as follows:
Here are a few actual costs in Potsdam for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Zermatt:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zermatt and Potsdam, we can see that Zermatt is more expensive. And not only is Potsdam much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Potsdam would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Potsdam 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 Zermatt would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zermatt than you might in Potsdam.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zermatt Expensive? and Is Potsdam Expensive?.
Potsdam has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Zermatt. When comparing the sizes of Zermatt and Potsdam, 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.
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.
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Zermatt and Potsdam. The summer months attract visitors to Zermatt because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Potsdam this time of year.
In the summer, Zermatt is a little warmer than Potsdam. Typically, the summer temperatures in Zermatt in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Potsdam averages at about 19°C (66°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Potsdam this time of the year. In Zermatt, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zermatt usually receives more sunshine than Potsdam during summer. Zermatt gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while Potsdam receives 232 hours of full sun in the summer.
Zermatt gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Zermatt usually receives more rain than Potsdam. Zermatt gets 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Potsdam receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
The autumn brings many poeple to Zermatt as well as Potsdam. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Zermatt this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Potsdam for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Zermatt is generally a little warmer than Potsdam. Daily temperatures in Zermatt average around 15°C (58°F), and Potsdam fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).
In the autumn, Zermatt often gets more sunshine than Potsdam. Zermatt gets 152 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Potsdam receives 114 hours of full sun.
Zermatt receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Zermatt usually gets more rain in October than Potsdam. Zermatt gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Potsdam receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Potsdam and Zermatt are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Zermatt for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Potsdam in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Potsdam can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Zermatt. Zermatt is much warmer than Potsdam in the winter. The daily temperature in Zermatt averages around 5°C (41°F) in January, and Potsdam fluctuates around -0°C (31°F).
Zermatt usually receives more sunshine than Potsdam during winter. Zermatt gets 119 hours of sunny skies, while Potsdam receives 47 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Zermatt usually receives more rain than Potsdam. Zermatt gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Potsdam receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Both Potsdam and Zermatt during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Zermatt in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Potsdam for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Zermatt is a little warmer than Potsdam. Typically, the spring temperatures in Zermatt in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Potsdam averages at about 9°C (48°F).
In the spring, Zermatt often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Potsdam. Zermatt gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Potsdam receives 168 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Zermatt. Zermatt usually gets more rain in April than Potsdam. Zermatt gets 152 mm (6 in) of rain, while Potsdam receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
Zermatt | Potsdam | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 5°C (41°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | -0°C (31°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
Feb | 6°C (44°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
Mar | 10°C (49°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
May | 17°C (62°F) | 194 mm (7.6 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
Jun | 20°C (69°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
Sep | 19°C (67°F) | 153 mm (6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
Oct | 15°C (58°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
Nov | 9°C (49°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
Dec | 6°C (42°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |