Is Cologne expensive to visit?
Cologne is a moderately priced destination with an average daily cost of $175. Compared to the rest of Europe, which is known to be an expensive region, it is a moderately priced place to visit. It's ranked in the top 50% of cities in Europe for its travel costs, comparable to places like Barcelona and Edinburgh.
Hohenzollern Bridge and Cologne Cathedral, Cologne, Germany
How expensive is Cologne?
The average cost of traveling to Cologne can vary widely based on many factors, but our calculations based on previous travlers show that the average daily cost is $175 (U.S. Dollars). Your travel style, accommodation preferences, dining choices, and trip duration can alter your individual budget, as you can find a wide array of accommodation, food, and entertainment options available for your visit. Sticking to mid-range hotels, affordable restaurants, and public transit when available can keep your costs close to this calculated average. See more travel costs for Cologne here.
How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Cologne?
Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a weekend trip to Cologne will cost around $526 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a weekend trip would cost $1,051.
How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Cologne?
On average, a one week trip to Cologne costs about $1,226 per person. This is based on the previous expenses of actual travelers, and includes accommodation, food, activities, local transportation, and more. For two people, a one week trip costs $2,452.
Is it expensive to backpack in Cologne?
Cologne is a fairly common backpacker destination with more than 9 hostels in the area. Dorm beds in hostels average about $47 per night. (See hostel prices in Cologne here.) Keep in mind that you'll find a wide range in prices here, too. The most expensive beds are priced around $169 and the cheapest around $19 per night.
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Cologne.
- $29 for a dorm bed at Die Wohngemeinschaft
- $21 for a dorm bed at a&o Köln Neumarkt
- $26 for a dorm bed at Weltempfänger Backpacker Hostel
Are hotels expensive in Cologne?
From our analysis of hotel prices in Cologne, we can see that they are moderate and on par in comparison to the rest of the world. On average, a night in a hotel room costs approximately $82. The area hosts around 6 five-star hotels, averaging $133 per night. For those with an eye on both comfort and economy, three-star hotels present a reasonable choice at an average of $84 per night, while two-star hotels offer an even more economical option at $65 per night.
Hotels by star rating in Cologne
| Rating | Number of Hotels | Average Hotel Price |
|---|---|---|
| 5 stars | 6 | $133 |
| 4 stars | 55 | $96 |
| 3 stars | 146 | $84 |
| 2 stars | 42 | $65 |
| 1 star | 23 | $113 |
| No rating | 3 | $173 |
How expensive are sightseeing activities in Cologne?
Activities and things to do in Cologne can vary in price depending on the type of activity, length, and location. Below are a number of popular activities to give you an idea of what to expect when visiting. Generally, previous travelers have spent $22 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting, which is less than the country's average of $31.
- 120min - Cologne City Tour: $158
- Cologne Highlights Walking Tour with your Private Tour Guide 3 h: $235
- Street Art Tour Köln Ehrenfeld: $28
- Aachen Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $231
- Compact tour (7km): $71
- Exclusive E Bike Tour of Cologne with Guide in Small Group : $65
- Cologne: WWII places & EL-DE Haus Private Guided Tour: $199
- Christmas Magic in Cologne: A Festive Walking Tour: $256
Is food expensive in Cologne?
Food in Cologne can vary in price depending on the restaurant and food options available. Generally, other travelers have spent $54 on food per person per day, which is more than the country's average of $43. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible.
- Köln Südstadt kulinarisch – Die Food Tour: $48
- Hard Rock Cafe Cologne With Set Lunch or Dinner: $29
- Cologne: 3-Hour Südstadt Food Tour: $481
- Cologne: Hard Rock Café with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $27
Is transportation expensive in Cologne?
Exploring local transportation in Cologne shows that the price can vary greatly by the type of transportation used. On average, previous travelers have spent $21 per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $26. If you want to save money, use public transit as it's much cheaper than taxis or private drivers.
More for Cologne
If you're planning a trip to Cologne, Germany, check out these other informative travel guides.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.