Comparison · Berlin vs Cologne · Germany
Berlin vs Cologne
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: File:Museumsinsel Berlin Juli 2021 1 (cropped).jpg : Kasa Fue derivative work: Georgfotoar, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
Choose Berlin for Berlin Wall, Brandenburg Gate and free sights; choose Cologne for Cologne Cathedral, Kölsch beer and a short break. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 477 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 477 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Berlin
- May–September
- Best time for Cologne
- May–September and December
Side by side
| Berlin | Cologne | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Germany | Germany |
| Known for | Berlin Wall, Brandenburg Gate and Museum Island | Cologne Cathedral, Kölsch beer and Carnival |
| Best time to visit | May–September | May–September and December |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 2 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $150–$260 | $150–$260 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | July, 25°C (77°F) | July, 24°C (75°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 3°C (37°F) | January, 5°C (41°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 10 | 7 |
| Day trips in our guide | 6 | 7 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | BER | CGN, DUS |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Berlin for…
Berlin Wall, Brandenburg Gate and free sights. Berlin is a sprawling, green city of distinct neighbourhoods, reunited only in 1990 after 28 years divided by the Wall. Mitte holds the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag dome, Museum Island and the Holocaust Memorial, while the remains of the Wall run from…
Choose Cologne for…
Cologne Cathedral, Kölsch beer and a short break. Cologne's twin-spired Gothic cathedral stands right next to the main station, so most visitors step out of the train and straight into the city's defining sight. Around it lie two thousand years of history, from Roman foundations and twelve Romanesque…
Top sights compared
| # | Berlin | Cologne |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brandenburg Gate | Cologne Cathedral |
| 2 | Reichstag and its glass dome | Cathedral south tower climb |
| 3 | Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe | Hohenzollern Bridge |
| 4 | Museum Island | Museum Ludwig |
| 5 | Neues Museum | Wallraf-Richartz Museum |
Food compared
| Berlin | Cologne |
|---|---|
| Currywurst | Kölsch |
| Döner kebab | Halve Hahn |
| Berliner Pfannkuchen | Heaven and earth |
| Eisbein | Rhineland sauerbraten |
Which is cheaper?
Berlin and Cologne cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $150–$260 in Berlin and $150–$260 in Cologne (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Berlin on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Berlin and Cologne are about 477 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Berlin and 2 in Cologne.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Berlin or Cologne cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $150–$260 in Berlin and $150–$260 in Cologne (estimates).
+Is Berlin or Cologne better for a first trip?
Pick Berlin for Berlin Wall, Brandenburg Gate and free sights, or Cologne for Cologne Cathedral, Kölsch beer and a short break.
+How far is Berlin from Cologne?
About 477 km in a straight line.