Comparison · Cologne vs Frankfurt · Germany
Cologne 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: Martin Falbisoner, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Choose Cologne for Cologne Cathedral and Kölsch beer; choose Frankfurt for Skyline and Römerberg. Cologne is generally less expensive, and the two are about 153 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 153 km
- Less expensive
- Cologne
- Best time for Cologne
- May–September and December
- Best time for Frankfurt
- May–September and December
Side by side
| Cologne | Frankfurt | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Germany | Germany |
| Known for | Cologne Cathedral, Kölsch beer and Carnival | Skyline, Römerberg and Städel Museum |
| Best time to visit | May–September and December | May–September and December |
| Ideal stay | 2 days | 2 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $150–$260 | $170–$300 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Expensive |
| Warmest month | July, 24°C (75°F) | July, 26°C (79°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 5°C (41°F) | January, 4°C (39°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 7 | 7 |
| Day trips in our guide | 7 | 7 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | CGN, DUS | FRA, HHN |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Cologne for…
Cologne Cathedral and Kölsch beer. 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…
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Choose Frankfurt for…
Skyline and Römerberg. 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
| # | Cologne | Frankfurt |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cologne Cathedral | Römerberg and the Römer |
| 2 | Cathedral south tower climb | New Old Town (DomRömer quarter) |
| 3 | Hohenzollern Bridge | Frankfurt Cathedral |
| 4 | Museum Ludwig | Städel Museum |
| 5 | Wallraf-Richartz Museum | Main Tower observation deck |
Food compared
| Cologne | Frankfurt |
|---|---|
| Kölsch | Frankfurt green sauce |
| Halve Hahn | Cheese with music |
| Heaven and earth | Apple wine |
| Rhineland sauerbraten | Frankfurt sausages |
Which is cheaper?
Cologne 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). Cologne on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Cologne and Frankfurt are about 153 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 2 days in Cologne and 2 in Frankfurt.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Cologne or Frankfurt cheaper?
Cologne is usually less expensive: about $150–$260 a day mid-range against $170–$300 (estimates).
+Is Cologne or Frankfurt better for a first trip?
Pick Cologne for Cologne Cathedral and Kölsch beer, or Frankfurt for Skyline and Römerberg.
+How far is Cologne from Frankfurt?
About 153 km in a straight line.