A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Amsterdam vs. Krakow for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Amsterdam or Krakow?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Amsterdam or Krakow, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Amsterdam or Krakow?

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is the capital and most popular tourist destination in the Netherlands. Amsterdam is most famous for its canals that cross and weave around the city, but it also has a rich history, interesting culture, and liberal vibe that appeal to all types of travelers. The historical architecture, scenic bridges, and energetic cycling culture help this metropolitan area maintain its small town vibe, despite being the largest city in the country as well as the financial center.

Krakow

Krakow is Poland's second largest city. It sits on both sides of the Wisla River at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains. There are more than 1.4 million residents in the metropolitan area. Krakow is known as a historical and beautiful city that is one of the country's most popular tourist destinations. Tourism makes up a large part of the city's economy, but there is also a university and several local colleges which are major employers as well. Technology has grown in recent years and the city has some notable employees including Google, IBM and Motorola. Other important industries include steel, pharmaceuticals and tobacco.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam, The Best Budget Tours to Poland, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Krakow.


Which place is cheaper, Krakow or Amsterdam?

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 Amsterdam is €206, while the average daily cost in Krakow is €71. 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 Amsterdam and Krakow in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Amsterdam 102
    Krakow 40
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Amsterdam 204
    Krakow 80
Compare Hotels in Amsterdam and Krakow

Looking for a hotel in Amsterdam or Krakow? 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.

Hotels in Amsterdam


Hotels in Krakow


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.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Amsterdam Hotel Prices and Krakow Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Amsterdam 20
    Krakow 6.12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Amsterdam

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Amsterdam:


  • Ride on Tram
    3.20
  • Renting a Bike
    15
  • One Hour Canal Cruise
    10
  • Single Day Transit Pass
    2.60
  • Transit Pass to Amsterdam Airport
    3.40

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Amsterdam

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Amsterdam:

  • 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Airport Amsterdam to Amsterdam : $132
  • 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Alkmaar: $299
  • 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Leiden: $294
  • 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Noordwijk: $123
  • 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Utrecht: $237
  • 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Zaandam: $102
  • 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam in Amsterdam City: $100
  • AMS Schiphol Airport VIP Meet and Assist Pickup (with Hotel Private Transfer): $184
  • Airport Transfer: Amsterdam to Schiphol Airport AMS by Luxury Van: $89
  • Airport or Port transfer First Class (private car service) : $211
  • Airport transfer [Schiphol airport - Hotel in Amsterdam]: $104
  • Amsterdam Airport & Non-Airport Private Transfer to City Center: $54

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Krakow

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Krakow:

  • Krakow Lezajsk Lizhensk Private Transfer Rabbi Elimelech : $211
  • 1 Day Trip Auschwitz Birkenau and Salt Mines with Hotel Transfer: $94
  • 1945-1989 Communism Tour of Krakow Nowa Huta with Transfers: $155
  • 1945-1989 Communism Tour of Krakow Nowa Huta with Transfers: $174
  • Airport Transfers, Tours, Trips, Travels: $21
  • Airport to Cracow transfer by Minivan: $54
  • Arrival Private Transfers from Krakow Airport KRK to Krakow City: $46
  • Auschwitz Birkenau Guided Tour with Transfer and Hotel Pickup: $34
  • Auschwitz Birkenau Transfer Service, Private Driver from Krakow: $116
  • Auschwitz-Birkenau Guided Tour & Transfer from Krakow: $25
  • Auschwitz-Birkenau Guided Tour with Ticket & Transfer from Krakow: $28
  • Auschwitz-Birkenau Tour with Transfer, eBook and Optional Guide: $37

Is it cheaper to fly into Amsterdam or Krakow?

Prices for flights to both Krakow and Amsterdam 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.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Amsterdam 75
    Krakow 22
Typical Food Prices in Amsterdam

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Amsterdam:


  • Afternoon Tea
    6.00

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Amsterdam

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Amsterdam.

  • Food Tour Amsterdam: $3.16
  • Amsterdam Self-Guided Food Tour in De Pijp Neighbourhood : $9.74
  • Self-Guided Food Tour in De Jordaan Neighbourhood: $13
  • Self-Guided Food Tour in De Pijp Neighbourhood: $13
  • Pizza Cruise with Drinks: $25
  • Space Cake Cooking Class: $26
  • A'DAM Lookout Ticket and Lunch or Dinner Voucher: $27
  • Amsterdam Pizza Cruise with Unlimited Drinks: $31
  • Hard Rock Cafe Amsterdam with Set Lunch or Dinner: $32
  • Evening Canal Cruise with Pizza and Drinks: $36
  • Pizza Cruise in Amsterdam Including Drinks and Ice Cream: $39
  • Burger Dinner Cruise with restaurant Beers & Barrels: $42

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Krakow

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Krakow.

  • Small-Group Online Cooking Class Polish Pierogi : $26
  • Discovering Cracow's Local Flavour: Food Tour: $33
  • From Polish Folk Show with All-You-Can-Eat Dinner: $40
  • Folk Show & 3-Course Dinner at Jama Michalika Café: $43
  • Polish Folk Show with 3 course dinner in Krakow legendary restaurant: $43
  • Romantic Dinner with a Cruise on the Vistula River: $54
  • Polish Folk Dinner with Vistula River Cruise: $60
  • Full Traditional Polish Dinner & Folk Show: $63
  • Traditional Polish Food Tour in Krakow Old Town: $73
  • Krakow food tour: $83
  • Secret Food Tours Krakow w/ Private Tour Option: $100
  • 4-Hour Polish Food Tour: $103

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Amsterdam 37
    Krakow 19
Typical Entertainment Prices in Amsterdam

Here are a few typical costs in Amsterdam for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Two tickets to the Houseboat Museum
    6.00
  • Entry for two to the Anne Frank House
    17

Tours and Activities in Amsterdam

Here are a few actual costs in Amsterdam for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • The Anne Frank Tour Amsterdam : $3.15
  • Amsterdam Spanish Tour 2 Hours: $3.15
  • Rude Bastards Tour of Amsterdam: $3.15
  • Rude Bastards Tour of Amsterdam (CYHIT): $3.16
  • Amsterdam 2H Dark History of the City Walking Tour: $3.16
  • Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Amsterdam: $4.20
  • Self-Guided Audio City Tour of Amsterdam For Your Smartphone: $5.25
  • Discover Amsterdam's city center in this Outside Escape game tour: $5.26
  • Amsterdam Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $5.26
  • Private Tour of Simonehoeve Cheese Farm and Clog Factory: $5.26
  • Complimentary Jubilee Amsterdam Essentials Tour TOURS BY MARY: $5.26
  • Introductory Walking Tour in Amsterdam: $5.26

Tours and Activities in Krakow

Here are a few actual costs in Krakow for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Krakow's Essential Tour of the Old Town and Wawel Castle: $3.15
  • Kościuszko Mound Entry Ticket: $3.85
  • Old Town Audioguided walking Tour: $4.15
  • Historic Krakow : Old Town & Wawel Castle Walking tour: $5.00
  • Skip the Line Ticket for Kościuszko Mound in Krakow & Krakow Card: $5.16
  • Self Guided Walking Tour of Krakow City: $5.25
  • Old Town Audio-Guided Walking Tour with Headset: $5.29
  • Jewish Museum Galicja Entrance Ticket or Cracow Museum Card: $5.42
  • Wawel Hill Tour with Audio Guide: $5.66
  • Home Army Museum Emil Fieldorf “Nil” - Entrance Ticket: $5.79
  • Auschwitz-Birkenau Day Trip with Tour Leader: $6.29
  • Krakow Old Town Guided Walking Tour: $6.32

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Amsterdam 24
    Krakow 6.45

Sample the Local Flavors in Amsterdam

Also in Amsterdam, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Ludwig's Original Pub Crawl with VIP Club Entry: $18
  • Ludwig's Red Light Pub Crawl with VIP Club Entry: $18
  • Original Pub Crawl Party with VIP Entrance: $18
  • Amsterdam Private Self Guided Pub Crawl: $21
  • Ludwig's Queer Pub Crawl with Club Entry: $21
  • Red Light District Pub Crawl with Unlimited Shots: $22
  • City Center Bar Crawl and Nightlife Experience: $23
  • Amsterdam Red Light District Pub Crawl: $25
  • Self-guided Red Light District Pub Crawl Mystery: $37
  • City Centre and Red Light Pub Crawl: 2 Night Pass: $37
  • Red Light District and Local Pub Tour: $38
  • Dutch Cheese and Wine Tasting : $42

Typical Alcohol Prices in Krakow

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Krakow:


  • Vodka
    13

Sample the Local Flavors in Krakow

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Krakow:

  • Pub Crawl - 1-hour Open Bar then Vip to 5 Clubs - Krakow: $22
  • Pub Crawl with 1 Hour of Unlimited Alcoholic Drinks: $23
  • Halloween Pub Crawl - Krawl Through Krakow: $25
  • Pub Crawl with Shots, Drinks & Skip-the-Line Entry: $27
  • Pub Crawl Unlimited Drinks then 5 Best Clubs in Krakow with VIP: $28
  • Pub Crawl 1hr Unlimited Beer + Vodka then Clubs in Katowice: $28
  • Krakow Evening Pub Crawl: $42
  • New Year's Eve Pub Crawl With 2 Hour Unlimited Alcohol + VIP Entry To Best Clubs: $62
  • Krakow Wine Tasting Private Tour with Wine Expert: $179
  • Krakow to Zywiec Brewery Museum and Beskids by Private Car: $357


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

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


Which is Bigger, Amsterdam or Krakow?

Krakow has a larger population, and is about 2% larger than the population of Amsterdam. When comparing the sizes of Amsterdam and Krakow, 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 Amsterdam or Krakow?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Krakow in the Summer?

Both Krakow and Amsterdam are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Amsterdam in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Amsterdam is cooler than Krakow. Typically, the summer temperatures in Amsterdam in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Krakow averages at about 19°C (67°F).

It's quite sunny in Krakow. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Amsterdam. Amsterdam usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Krakow during summer. Amsterdam gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Krakow receives 201 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Amsterdam usually receives less rain than Krakow. Amsterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Amsterdam 17°C (62°F) 
    Krakow 19°C (67°F)

Should I visit Amsterdam or Krakow in the Autumn?

Both Krakow and Amsterdam during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Amsterdam for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Amsterdam is generally around the same temperature as Krakow. Daily temperatures in Amsterdam average around 11°C (51°F), and Krakow fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Amsterdam often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Krakow. Amsterdam gets 99 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Krakow receives 97 hours of full sun.

Amsterdam usually gets more rain in October than Krakow. Amsterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Amsterdam 11°C (51°F) 
    Krakow 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Amsterdam or Krakow in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Amsterdam and Krakow. The winter months attract visitors to Amsterdam because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Krakow in the winter. The weather in Amsterdam can be very cold. Amsterdam is much warmer than Krakow in the winter. The daily temperature in Amsterdam averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Krakow fluctuates around -2°C (29°F).

Amsterdam usually receives more sunshine than Krakow during winter. Amsterdam gets 46 hours of sunny skies, while Krakow receives 38 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Amsterdam usually receives more rain than Krakow. Amsterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Amsterdam 2°C (36°F) 
    Krakow -2°C (29°F)

Should I visit Amsterdam or Krakow in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Amsterdam as well as Krakow. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Amsterdam this time of year.

In the spring, Amsterdam is cooler than Krakow. Typically, the spring temperatures in Amsterdam in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Krakow averages at about 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Amsterdam often gets more sunshine than Krakow. Amsterdam gets 166 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Krakow receives 132 hours of full sun.

Amsterdam usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Krakow. Amsterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Amsterdam 8°C (46°F) 
    Krakow 10°C (50°F)

Typical Weather for Krakow and Amsterdam

Amsterdam Krakow
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 2°C (36°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) -2°C (29°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Feb 3°C (37°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 0°C (32°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Mar 5°C (41°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 5°C (40°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Apr 8°C (46°F) 52 mm (2 in) 10°C (50°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
May 12°C (54°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 15°C (59°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 18°C (64°F) 96 mm (3.8 in)
Jul 17°C (62°F) 75 mm (3 in) 19°C (67°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Aug 17°C (62°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 19°C (66°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Sep 14°C (57°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 15°C (60°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Oct 11°C (51°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 11°C (51°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Nov 6°C (43°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 5°C (41°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Dec 3°C (38°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 1°C (33°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)