Travel budget and cost of living in Cologne (Germany) how much does a trip cost?

Cologne travel budget

Cologne: calculate your travel budget

Sample budgets for a trip to Cologne

These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in Cologne for 2 people.

* estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks (excluding plane tickets).

Cost of living in Cologne compared to United States in 2024

On average, the cost of living in Cologne in 2024 is essentially identical to the average cost of living in the United States (USA).

See the graphic below for the price variation percentage by type of expense in Cologne in 2024 compared to average prices in the United States (USA):

Local prices in Cologne by expense type

Restaurant budget in Cologne

Lunch

$ 14/person
($ 11 to $ 27)

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30% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 20

3 course dinner

$ 35/person
($ 27 to $ 53)

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7% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 38

McDonald's meal

$ 11/person
($ 10 to $ 13)

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2% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11

Local beer

$ 4.8 for 500ml
($ 2.2 to $ 5.5)

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19% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.9

Imported beer

$ 1.6 for 330ml
($ 1.3 to $ 2.1)

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54% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5

Cappuccino

$ 3.9/cup
($ 2.3 to $ 5.4)

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23% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.1

Fizzy drink

$ 2.9/can
($ 1.9 to $ 3.7)

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16% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5

Water bottle

$ 2.3/bottle
($ 1.5 to $ 4.2)

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17% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2

Hotel and accommodation budget in Cologne

1-star hotel

$ 111/night
($ 63 to $ 364)

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34% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 169

2-star hotel

$ 119/night
($ 63 to $ 386)

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22% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 153

3-star hotel

$ 135/night
($ 68 to $ 627)

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40% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 225

4-star hotel

$ 154/night
($ 68 to $ 638)

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49% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 306

5-star hotel

$ 231/night
($ 129 to $ 627)

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47% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 438

Hostel/Youth Hostel

$ 114/month
($ 57 to $ 374)

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30% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 163

Room with kitchen

$ 181/month
($ 57 to $ 726)

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23% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 237

Hotel with swimming pool

$ 173/month
($ 77 to $ 619)

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15% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 205

Cottage or guest house

$ 130/month
($ 67 to $ 398)

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41% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 222

Family room

$ 212/month
($ 85 to $ 942)

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5% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 203

Supermarket food budget in Cologne

Milk

$ 1.2/litre
($ 1.1 to $ 1.6)

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12% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1

Bread

$ 2.1/500g
($ 1.7 to $ 3.7)

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40% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5

Rice

$ 3.3/kg
($ 2.9 to $ 4.9)

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26% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.5

Eggs

$ 3.7/12 eggs
($ 3.1 to $ 5.3)

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0% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.7

Chicken

$ 16/kg
($ 8 to $ 18)

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31% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 12

Apples

$ 2.8/kg
($ 1.1 to $ 3.2)

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47% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.2

Tomatoes

$ 4.8/kg
($ 2.4 to $ 5.3)

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1% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.8

Potatoes

$ 1.4/kg
($ 0.8 to $ 2)

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51% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.9

Water bottle

$ 0.7
($ 0.2 to $ 1.1)

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63% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.2

Public and private transport budget in Cologne

Bus ticket

$ 3.4/ticket
($ 3.2 to $ 3.7)

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38% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5

Taxi (per km)

$ 2.2/km
($ 2 to $ 2.3)

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28% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.7

Petrol

$ 1.8/litre
($ 1.8 to $ 1.9)

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94% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 0.9

Taxi (initial pick-up charge)

$ 5.3
($ 4.2 to $ 7.4)

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46% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6

Car hire

$ 40/24hrs
($ 14 to $ 77)

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44% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 71

Leisure activity budget in Cologne

Cinema

$ 13/ticket
($ 12 to $ 17)

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8% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 14

Tennis

$ 26/hr
( $ 26)

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23% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 21

Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes in Cologne

Cigarettes

$ 8.7/pack
($ 8.7 to $ 10)

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12% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 10

Levi's jeans

$ 100
($ 85 to $ 106)

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91% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 52

Summer dress

$ 36
($ 27 to $ 43)

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16% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 43

Plane ticket budget

Dublin → Cologne

$ 129
(fair price: $ 86)

Manchester → Cologne

$ 126
(fair price: $ 87)

London → Cologne

$ 104
(fair price: $ 75)

Edinburgh → Cologne

$ 182
(fair price: $ 145)

Montreal → Cologne

$ 859
(fair price: $ 801)

New York City → Cologne

$ 783
(fair price: $ 581)

Book a flight Flight prices to Cologne