Bonn on a Budget: Beethoven, Food, and History

Experience the beauty of Bonn without breaking the bank.

21 June 2023

Visiting Bonn, Germany on a limited budget is still a great idea. The city offers affordable accommodation options such as hostels, guesthouses and budget hotels. Visitors can save on transport costs by walking or cycling around the city and can enjoy free entry to museums and galleries on certain days.

Day trip plan

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Day

A Budget Day in Bonn

  • Start the day with a visit to the Beethoven House, the birthplace of the famous composer. The small museum is packed with interesting artefacts, from his original instruments to manuscripts.
  • Next, take a stroll along the Rhine promenade, where you can enjoy views of the river and the green hills surrounding Bonn. There are plenty of benches and cafes to stop at.
  • For lunch, head to the MarktHalle, a cool and stylish indoor food market with a huge variety of international food stalls. From sushi and burgers to tapas and Vietnamese, there's something for everyone.
  • After lunch, take a walk through Poppelsdorf Palace Gardens, a peaceful and beautiful green space with a lake, fountains and statues. It's a popular spot for locals to have picnics and take a nap in the sun.
  • For something different, visit the Museum of Contemporary History, which tells the story of Germany's recent political history, from WWII to present day. The museum is free and has really interesting exhibitions.
  • End the day with a beer and some German sausages at Brauhaus Bönnsch, a traditional brewery pub in the city centre. Don't miss the chance to try the local beer, Bönnsch, which is brewed on site. Prost!

How to get there

Plane

The best way to get to Bonn by plane is to fly into Cologne Bonn Airport and then take a train or bus directly to Bonn. Airlines that fly to Cologne Bonn Airport include Lufthansa, Ryanair, and Eurowings.

Car

If you prefer driving to Bonn, the best route to take is via the A59 motorway. The journey takes approximately 25 minutes from Cologne and 2 hours and 30 minutes from Frankfurt. It is recommended to park in one of the many secure car parks located in the city center.

Train

Bonn is easily accessible by train from most major German cities. The Bonn Hauptbahnhof is the main train station in Bonn and is located in the city center. Deutsche Bahn is the main train operator in Germany and offers frequent and reliable train services to Bonn.

Boat

While Bonn is not accessible by boat, travelers can take a boat cruise along the Rhine River which runs through the city. KD Rhine Cruise Line and Viking River Cruises are two popular companies that offer boat tours along the Rhine River. The closest boarding point to Bonn is in Cologne.

Bus

Taking a bus to Bonn is also a convenient option, especially for travelers on a budget. Flixbus and Eurolines are two of the major bus operators in Germany that offer services to Bonn. The Bonn Busbahnhof is located in the city center and is easily accessible from most parts of the city.

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