Which place is cheaper, Karlovy Vary or Baden-Baden?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Baden-Baden or Karlovy Vary?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Baden-Baden or Karlovy Vary, 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: Baden-Baden or Karlovy Vary?
Baden-Baden
Baden Baden is the perfect spa town in Germany that lets you dip your toes in the culture, relax, and mingle with the locals all while soaking your weary travel bones in the nourishing mineral waters or sweating out the toxins from one too many German beers.
Baden Baden is located about 2 hours directly South of Frankfurt, making it the perfect day trip. Alternately, Baden Baden is still an easy day trip from Bavaria or other nearby regions of Germany or you can even create a whole weekend in the Black Forest, complete with Cuckoo Clock shopping and more. It's also not far from Stuttgart.
Karlovy Vary
Founded in 1370, Karlovy Vary translates to "Charles' Bath" for its founder Charles IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor, as well as its famous hot springs. It is located in Bohemia in the western Czech Republic and is also known as Karlsbad (German) or Carlsbad (English). Another highlight is the International Film Festival in July with draws celebrities and other film enthusiasts worldwide.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Germany, The Best Bicycle Tours in Germany, The Best Cultural Tours in Czech Republic, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Czech Republic.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBaden-Baden €154Karlovy Vary €76
The average daily cost (per person) in Baden-Baden is €154, while the average daily cost in Karlovy Vary is €76. 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 Baden-Baden and Karlovy Vary in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBaden-Baden €87Karlovy Vary €36
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBaden-Baden €174Karlovy Vary €72
Compare Hotels in Baden-Baden and Karlovy Vary
Looking for a hotel in Baden-Baden or Karlovy Vary? 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Baden-Baden Hotel Prices and Karlovy Vary Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Baden-Baden €33Karlovy Vary €24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Karlovy Vary
Also for Karlovy Vary, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Karlovy Vary to Prague Vaclav Havel Airport : $65
- Private Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague, English-speaking driver: $120
- Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague: Private daytrip with 2h for sightseeing: $128
Is it cheaper to fly into Baden-Baden or Karlovy Vary?
Prices for flights to both Karlovy Vary and Baden-Baden 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
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Food Meals for one dayBaden-Baden €41Karlovy Vary €25
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Baden-Baden €34Karlovy Vary €11
Tours and Activities in Baden-Baden
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Baden-Baden are as follows:
- Baden-Baden Private walking tour: $374
- Baden-Baden Yuletide Stroll: Experience the Festive Charm: $359
- Christmas Market Walking Tour: $254
- Powerful Women Themed Guided Walking Tour: $15
- Private Guided KNUMO e-Scooter Tour VIP: $138
- Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $248
- Family Adventure Stroll: Exploring Baden-Baden’s Treasures: $232
- Family Adventure Stroll: Exploring Baden-Baden’s Treasures: $252
- Private Walking Tour in Baden Neuweirs Vineyard: $653
- Romance in Baden-Baden – Private Walking Tour: $252
- Scenic Baden-Baden Walking Tour: Discovering Historic Charm: $373
Tours and Activities in Karlovy Vary
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Karlovy Vary.
- Hot Springs Tasting Tour: $32
- Hot Springs Tasting Tour: $35
- Prague: Karlovy Vary Tour with Lunch and Moser Museum Visit: $77
- Karlovy Vary & Marianske Lazne Tour from Prague with Lunch: $112
- Private tour of best of Karlovy Vary - Sightseeing, Food & Culture with a local: $167
- Touristic highlights of Karlovy Vary on a Private half day tour with a local: $168
- Karlovy Vary Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $209
- A day in the life of Karlovy Vary - Private tour with a local: $223
- Private Walking Tour: $227
- LOCATION: Karlovy Vary City Tour: $255
- Full-Day Private Karlovy Vary Tour from Prague: $298
- Private Tour to Karlovy Vary: $353
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBaden-Baden €12Karlovy Vary €6.13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Baden-Baden and Karlovy Vary, we can see that Baden-Baden is more expensive. And not only is Karlovy Vary much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Karlovy Vary would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Karlovy Vary 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 Baden-Baden would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Baden-Baden than you might in Karlovy Vary.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Baden-Baden Expensive? and Is Karlovy Vary Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Baden-Baden or Karlovy Vary?
Baden-Baden has a larger population, and is about 5% larger than the population of Karlovy Vary. When comparing the sizes of Baden-Baden and Karlovy Vary, 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 Baden-Baden or Karlovy Vary?
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 Baden-Baden or Karlovy Vary in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Baden-Baden as well as Karlovy Vary. Most visitors come to Baden-Baden for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Baden-Baden is generally around the same temperature as Karlovy Vary. Daily temperatures in Baden-Baden average around 20°C (67°F), and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Karlovy Vary. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Baden-Baden this time of the year. In the summer, Baden-Baden often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Karlovy Vary. Baden-Baden gets 231 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 217 hours of full sun.
Baden-Baden usually gets more rain in July than Karlovy Vary. Baden-Baden gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBaden-Baden 20°C (67°F)Karlovy Vary 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Baden-Baden or Karlovy Vary in the Autumn?
Both Karlovy Vary and Baden-Baden are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Baden-Baden because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Baden-Baden is around the same temperature as Karlovy Vary in the autumn. The daily temperature in Baden-Baden averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Baden-Baden usually receives less sunshine than Karlovy Vary during autumn. Baden-Baden gets 91 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Baden-Baden usually receives more rain than Karlovy Vary. Baden-Baden gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBaden-Baden 11°C (52°F)Karlovy Vary 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Baden-Baden or Karlovy Vary in the Winter?
Both Karlovy Vary and Baden-Baden during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Baden-Baden this time of year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Karlovy Vary. It's quite cold in Baden-Baden in the winter. In the winter, Baden-Baden is much warmer than Karlovy Vary. Typically, the winter temperatures in Baden-Baden in January average around 2°C (35°F), and Karlovy Vary averages at about 1°C (33°F).
In the winter, Baden-Baden often gets less sunshine than Karlovy Vary. Baden-Baden gets 35 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 58 hours of full sun.
Baden-Baden usually gets more rain in January than Karlovy Vary. Baden-Baden gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBaden-Baden 2°C (35°F)Karlovy Vary 1°C (33°F)
Should I visit Baden-Baden or Karlovy Vary in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Baden-Baden and Karlovy Vary. Many travelers come to Baden-Baden for the natural beauty.
In April, Baden-Baden is generally around the same temperature as Karlovy Vary. Daily temperatures in Baden-Baden average around 10°C (50°F), and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
Baden-Baden usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Karlovy Vary during spring. Baden-Baden gets 154 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 151 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Baden-Baden usually receives more rain than Karlovy Vary. Baden-Baden gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBaden-Baden 10°C (50°F)Karlovy Vary 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Karlovy Vary and Baden-Baden
| Baden-Baden | Karlovy Vary | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 2°C (35°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (38°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 7°C (44°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (50°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| May | 14°C (58°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 20°C (67°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (67°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (61°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (52°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (43°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (37°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.