A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sochi vs. Bonn for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Sochi or Bonn?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Sochi or Bonn? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Sochi or Bonn?

Sochi

Located on the coast of the Black Sea, Sochi is one of the southernmost major cities in Russia. It is especially busy in the summer when native Russians and international visitors alike come to enjoy the mountainous coastline and sunny beaches. Sochi is also known as the host of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, and many of the Olympic venues can still be visited today.

Bonn

Bonn was the capital of the Federal Republic of Germany (previously, West Germany) and it has a population of about 315,000 people. It sits on the Rhine River just twenty kilometers away from Cologne. Many people travel to Bonn for conferences and business, but Bonn also has a lot of cultural and historical sights to offer visitors. The city is also famous as the birth place of Ludwig van Beethoven. There's a strong student culture in the city as well, and it actually shares many characteristics with Italian cities because of its many cafes and restaurants which line the streets. Outdoor beer gardens are popular and Bonn is a particular good summer destination when the weather is pleasant and you can enjoy the outdoor setting. The city's location also makes it a great base for day trips to Cologne, Dusseldorf, and the Rhine and Eifel regions.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sochi and Bonn, we can see that Bonn is more expensive. And not only is Sochi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sochi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sochi 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 Bonn would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bonn than you might in Sochi.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sochi Expensive? and Is Bonn Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Sochi or Bonn?

Sochi has a larger population, and is about 5% larger than the population of Bonn. When comparing the sizes of Sochi and Bonn, 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.

When is the best time to visit Sochi or Bonn?

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.

Should I visit Sochi or Bonn in the Summer?

Both Bonn and Sochi during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bonn this time of year.

In July, Sochi is generally a little warmer than Bonn. Daily temperatures in Sochi average around 23°C (73°F), and Bonn fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

Sochi usually gets more rain in July than Bonn. Sochi gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sochi or Bonn in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sochi and Bonn. Also, many travelers come to Bonn for the shopping scene.

Sochi is a little warmer than Bonn in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sochi averages around 16°C (60°F) in October, and Bonn fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Sochi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Sochi usually receives more rain than Bonn. Sochi gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Sochi or Bonn in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Sochi as well as Bonn. Also, many visitors come to Bonn in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Bonn can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Sochi is much warmer than Bonn. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sochi in January average around 6°C (44°F), and Bonn averages at about 3°C (37°F).

Sochi receives a lot of rain in the winter. Sochi usually gets more rain in January than Bonn. Sochi gets 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sochi or Bonn in the Spring?

Both Bonn and Sochi are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

In April, Sochi is generally a little warmer than Bonn. Daily temperatures in Sochi average around 13°C (55°F), and Bonn fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

It's quite rainy in Sochi. In April, Sochi usually receives more rain than Bonn. Sochi gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bonn and Sochi