Which place is cheaper, Berlin or Hamburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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 Hamburg and Berlin can help you decide which place is right for you.
Hamburg is a historic, energetic, and cultural port city. Hamburg is a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and live music. See Hamburg travel costs.
Berlin is a creative, eclectic, and diverse city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Berlin travel costs.
Travelers will usually find more to do in Berlin than Hamburg, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Berlin is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Hamburg is known for its impressive beauty. Hamburg is popular for its music clubs, beautiful architecture, relaxing natural areas, and green space. Berlin is popular for its art scene, cultural activities, and war torn history. It is also home to the Brandenburg Gate.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Berlin and Hamburg. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Berlin is renowned for its museums and landmarks. Also, Hamburg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.
You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Berlin on the map. Famous landmarks include the rebuilt Reichstag, the Berlin Wall Memorial, and Berliner Fernsehturm. Many of the city's oldest and most famous museums are found on Museum Island, where you'll find the Pergamon Museum, the James Simon Gallery, the Altes Museum, and the Neues Museum, among others.
With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Hamburg can be an interesting and educational experience. The city's most famous district is the port area, which has a number of cultural sights and a pedestrian trail. There are also many museums and architectural landmarks around town.
Berlin is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Hamburg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.
Dining out in Berlin is an experience not to be missed. There's a great international food scene, but also all of the traditional favorites like currywurst, spätzle, and schnitzel. You'll find many diverse food halls, street markets, and local restaurants, as well as a large selection of traditional German restaurants that cater to the tourists.
There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Hamburg. The city has a mix of cosmopolitan restaurants and traditional places where you can enjoy a classic German dish like currywurst or labskaus (a type of stew).
Berlin is renowned for its evening party scene. Also, Hamburg is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.
Berlin is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. The nightlife scene here is legendary. There are club nights that last for days, bars and parties that appeal to every personality, and a diversity of venues that you can choose from. You'll find the classic techno warehouses, but there are also modern dance clubs, bunker parties, and raves.
Many people head to Hamburg for the nightlife scene. The city is often overlooked, but it's nightlife scene is actually among the best. There are techno concerts, music festivals, and nightclubs that appeal to all personalities.
Live music enthusiatsts will find something to enjoy in either Hamburg or Berlin.
In Hamburg you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. The city is an influential power in the music scene around Europe. You'll find many clubs concentrated in the St. Pauli district.
Berlin is known as a music capital around the world. From the raves to the techno parties, there is a hugely diverse music scene in the city. It is so much more than the stereotypical punk and techno music that Berlin is known for. Rock, pop, and other genres are popular as well.
Berlin is renowned for its shopping areas. Also, Hamburg is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.
Berlin is a world class destination for shoppers. Bookshops, flea markets, luxury boutiques and artisan shops all make up the shopping scene in the city. Kurfürstendamm is one of the most famous shopping districts in the city.
Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Hamburg. The diversity of shopping venues includes flea markets and luxury shopping malls. One of the main shopping streets in town is the Mönkebergstrasse.
Hamburg is a nice place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Berlin is not a destination known for its beauty.
Hamburg is a beautiful place to visit, too. The city is divided into a number of different districts that each have their own personality.
Berlin is not a destination known for its beauty.
You'll find excellent kid-friendly activities in either Hamburg or Berlin.
Hamburg is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has a surprising number of opportunities to see wildlife nearby including a zoo and a wildlife park just outside of town. The city also has great playgrounds that are fun for kids who need a break from sightseeing.
Berlin is a very family-friendly destination. The city has a number of great kid-friendly museums such as the Museum of Natural History and the Computer Games Museum. There's also Legoland, an impressive aquarium, and lots of parks and playgrounds to explore.
Both Hamburg and Berlin are good destinations to visit as a couple.
Hamburg is a good port city for couples to visit. Romantic activities in town include taking a boat ride or harbor cruise or grabbing a cocktail at one of the city's many bars.
Berlin is a nice destination for couples. Romantic activities in the city include wandering through Schloss Charlottenburg gardens and learning to dance at Clärchen’s Ballhaus. For couples who enjoy a night out on the town, there are many great restaurants and nightclubs that you can check out.
Berlin is renowned for backpackers. Also, Hamburg is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.
Berlin is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. The city has no shortage of hostels to choose from, many of which organize activities and tours that guests can enjoy.
It's common for backpackers to visit Hamburg. Many backpackers overlook the city, but there are a number of good hostels and a relaxing vibe that makes for a nice visit.
Berlin is renowned for students. Also, Hamburg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.
Students come from all over the world to visit Berlin. With it's rich culture and eclectic creative side, this city appeals to many international students. There's also a great social scene that is perfect for university students.
It's common for students to visit Hamburg. The city has a few great universities and a number of opportunities for international students.
Berlin is renowned for its public transit. Also, Hamburg is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.
Berlin has a great public transit system. The transportation system is diverse and includes the S-Bahn, U-Bahn, buses, and trams.
Public transit in Hamburg is fairly effecient and thorough. There are trains and buses that make their way around town.
Hamburg is a great port city for its high level of walkability. Also, Berlin is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.
Hamburg is a very walkable port city. Most tourist areas can easily be explored on foot.
Berlin is a somewhat walkable port city. While parts of the city are very walkable, the neighborhoods are spread out and the city covers a large amount of space, so walking isn't always practical.
For even more information, also check out Is Hamburg Worth Visiting? and Is Berlin Worth Visiting?.
Both Hamburg and Berlin have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Berlin than in Hamburg. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Hamburg, and 2-7 days is enough time in Berlin.
Families should spend more time in Berlin than Hamburg. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Berlin, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Berlin than Hamburg. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Berlin that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Berlin than Hamburg 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 Berlin.
Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Hamburg. One day is often enough time to do most activities.
Because Berlin is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.
Hamburg is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the live music, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
Because Berlin is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. 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 Berlin has to offer.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hamburg. Don't miss the live music, as that's what most people do. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
Berlin is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Berlin has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.
Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the historic destination of Hamburg. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Berlin. Because Berlin is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Germany, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Germany, The Best Bicycle Tours in Germany, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Germany.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
The average daily cost (per person) in Hamburg is €142, while the average daily cost in Berlin is €175. 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 Hamburg and Berlin in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Hamburg or Berlin? 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.
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Hamburg:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hamburg:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Berlin:
Also for Berlin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Berlin and Hamburg 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hamburg:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hamburg.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Berlin:
For Berlin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Here are a few typical costs in Hamburg for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Here are a few actual costs in Hamburg for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
For Berlin, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Berlin.
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Hamburg:
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Berlin from other travelers:
Also in Berlin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hamburg and Berlin, we can see that Berlin is more expensive. And not only is Hamburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hamburg would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hamburg 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 Berlin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Berlin than you might in Hamburg.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hamburg Expensive? and Is Berlin Expensive?.
Berlin has a larger population, and is about 97% larger than the population of Hamburg. When comparing the sizes of Hamburg and Berlin, 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 places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Both Berlin and Hamburg during the summer are popular places to visit. The music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Hamburg this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Berlin for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Hamburg is generally cooler than Berlin. Daily temperatures in Hamburg average around 17°C (62°F), and Berlin fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
In Berlin, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Hamburg. In the summer, Hamburg often gets less sunshine than Berlin. Hamburg gets 207 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Berlin receives 227 hours of full sun.
Hamburg usually gets more rain in July than Berlin. Hamburg gets 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Berlin receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hamburg and Berlin. Many travelers come to Hamburg for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Berlin in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.
Hamburg is around the same temperature as Berlin in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hamburg averages around 10°C (50°F) in October, and Berlin fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
Hamburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Berlin during autumn. Hamburg gets 101 hours of sunny skies, while Berlin receives 106 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Hamburg usually receives more rain than Berlin. Hamburg gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Berlin receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
The winter brings many poeple to Hamburg as well as Berlin. Many visitors come to Hamburg in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Berlin for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Berlin can be very cold during winter. Hamburg can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Hamburg is much warmer than Berlin. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hamburg in January average around 0°C (33°F), and Berlin averages at about -0°C (31°F).
In the winter, Hamburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Berlin. Hamburg gets 42 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Berlin receives 42 hours of full sun.
Hamburg usually gets more rain in January than Berlin. Hamburg gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Berlin receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Berlin and Hamburg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Hamburg for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Berlin because of the activities around the city.
In April, Hamburg is generally cooler than Berlin. Daily temperatures in Hamburg average around 8°C (46°F), and Berlin fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).
Hamburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Berlin during spring. Hamburg gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Berlin receives 160 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Hamburg usually receives more rain than Berlin. Hamburg gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Berlin receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Hamburg | Berlin | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 0°C (33°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | -0°C (31°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
Feb | 1°C (34°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
Mar | 4°C (39°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
Apr | 8°C (46°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
May | 12°C (54°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
Jun | 15°C (60°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
Aug | 17°C (62°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
Sep | 14°C (57°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
Oct | 10°C (50°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
Nov | 5°C (41°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
Dec | 2°C (35°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |