Comparison · Berlin vs Frankfurt · Germany
Berlin vs Frankfurt
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
_b.jpg){kind=link}
Quick answer
Choose Berlin for Berlin Wall, Brandenburg Gate and free sights; choose Frankfurt for Skyline, Römerberg and a short break. Berlin is generally less expensive, and the two are about 424 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 424 km
- Less expensive
- Berlin
- Best time for Berlin
- May–September
- Best time for Frankfurt
- May–September and December
Side by side
| Berlin | Frankfurt | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Germany | Germany |
| Known for | Berlin Wall, Brandenburg Gate and Museum Island | Skyline, Römerberg and Städel Museum |
| Best time to visit | May–September | May–September and December |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 2 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $150–$260 | $170–$300 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Expensive |
| Warmest month | July, 25°C (77°F) | July, 26°C (79°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 3°C (37°F) | January, 4°C (39°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 10 | 7 |
| Day trips in our guide | 6 | 7 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | BER | FRA, HHN |
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…
.jpg){kind=link}
Choose Frankfurt for…
Skyline, Römerberg and a short break. Frankfurt am Main is Germany's financial centre, with the only true skyscraper skyline in the country rising behind a reconstructed medieval core around the Römerberg and the cathedral where Holy Roman Emperors were crowned. Across the river, the Museumsufer…
Top sights compared
| # | Berlin | Frankfurt |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brandenburg Gate | Römerberg and the Römer |
| 2 | Reichstag and its glass dome | New Old Town (DomRömer quarter) |
| 3 | Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe | Frankfurt Cathedral |
| 4 | Museum Island | Städel Museum |
| 5 | Neues Museum | Main Tower observation deck |
Food compared
| Berlin | Frankfurt |
|---|---|
| Currywurst | Frankfurt green sauce |
| Döner kebab | Cheese with music |
| Berliner Pfannkuchen | Apple wine |
| Eisbein | Frankfurt sausages |
Which is cheaper?
Berlin is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $150–$260 per person there, against $170–$300 in Frankfurt (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Berlin on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Berlin and Frankfurt are about 424 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Berlin and 2 in Frankfurt.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Berlin or Frankfurt cheaper?
Berlin is usually less expensive: about $150–$260 a day mid-range against $170–$300 (estimates).
+Is Berlin or Frankfurt better for a first trip?
Pick Berlin for Berlin Wall, Brandenburg Gate and free sights, or Frankfurt for Skyline, Römerberg and a short break.
+How far is Berlin from Frankfurt?
About 424 km in a straight line.