Which place is cheaper, Karlovy Vary or Berlin?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Berlin or Karlovy Vary?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Berlin 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: Berlin or Karlovy Vary?
Berlin
Berlin is the capital and largest city in Germany. As such, travelers can expect typical European prices for everything from hotels to food to sights and attractions. While it's possible to experience this city on a cheaper budget, don't expect to get much without paying a decent amount.
With a population of about 4.5 million, Berlin is a very international city that is well known for its high level of tolerance, an eclectic nightlife, an artistic vibe and many historical sights. There are museums, palaces and landmarks spread throughout the city. Despite having a significant amount of damage during the last few years of World War II, Berlin has been rebuilt with an interesting diversity of architecture styles. This is particularly true after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Architecture in the city represents many different historical periods ranging from medieval buildings through modern, glass structures.
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 Adventure Tours to Germany, The Best Cultural 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 dayBerlin €137Karlovy Vary €76
The average daily cost (per person) in Berlin is €137, 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 Berlin and Karlovy Vary in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBerlin €64Karlovy Vary €36
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBerlin €128Karlovy Vary €72
Compare Hotels in Berlin and Karlovy Vary
Looking for a hotel in Berlin 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: Berlin Hotel Prices and Karlovy Vary Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Berlin €18Karlovy Vary €24
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Berlin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Berlin:
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Short Trip Metro Ticket€1.40
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Bahn Ticket€3.00
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Short Taxi Ride€20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Berlin
Also for Berlin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private transfer from Berlin to Prague: $727
- Private Highlights Tour with Hotel Transfers: $367
- Trabi Limousine Airport Transfer with City Tour: $358
- Private Minivan Transfer with Driver and Guide: $321
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Berlin APT-HTL (SXF): $300
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Berlin HTL-APT (SXF): $300
- Private transfer from Berlin to Prague with stops at Potsdam + Sanssouci Palace: $295
- Private Transfer from Berlin to Nuremberg with 2h of Sightseeing: $276
- Private Transfer, Berlin to Prague with 2h of Sightseeing, 8 pax: $273
- Classic Remise Private Tour with Transfer: $271
- Private transfer from Berlin to Prague with Terezin Concentration Camp stop: $267
- Private Transfer: Berlin to River Cruise Dock Nuremberg - Port/Harbor transport: $263
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Karlovy Vary
Also for Karlovy Vary, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague: Private daytrip with 2h for sightseeing: $128
- Private Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague, English-speaking driver: $120
- Private Transfer Karlovy Vary to Prague Vaclav Havel Airport : $66
Is it cheaper to fly into Berlin or Karlovy Vary?
Prices for flights to both Karlovy Vary and Berlin 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 dayBerlin €52Karlovy Vary €25
Typical Food Prices in Berlin
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Berlin:
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Sandwich and Coffee To Go€5.00
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Turkish Sandwich€2.00
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Currywurst€2.00
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2 Pho Noodles€9.00
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Restaurant Dinner and Beers (for 2)€60
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Mauer Park (2)€11
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Coffees at Impala€7.80
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Berlin
For Berlin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- English Stand-Up Comedy with Pizza and Shots: $19
- Hard Rock Cafe Berlin with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $27
- English Comedy Showcase Including Pizza in Berlin Mitte: $28
- Hard Rock Cafe Berlin With Set Lunch or Dinner : $34
- Kreuzberg kulinarisch – Die Food Tour: $48
- Berlin Mitte kulinarisch – Die Food Tour: $48
- No Diet Club - Street Food Tour with many Tastings !: $59
- Evening Yacht Cruise with Aperitif & Optional Dinner: $63
- Sicilian Cooking Workshop with unlimited drinks: $70
- Evening Food Tour by Bike: $70
- Sharing plate food tour in Berlin: $76
- Dinner Cruise on the Spree with Prosecco: $79
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Berlin €22Karlovy Vary €11
Typical Entertainment Prices in Berlin
For Berlin, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Berlin Zoo (2)€20
Tours and Activities in Berlin
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Berlin.
- East Berlin and the Berlin Wall 2-Hour Walking Tour : $22
- Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Memorial Tour from Berlin.: $32
- (E) Bike Tour for Non Bikers option Rickshaw Shared Guide: $48
- 2 Hours Berlin City Guided Electric Trike Tour: $59
- 2 Hours E-Scooter Tour: $60
- 2-Hour Private Berlin Walking Tour, Berlin in the Third Reich and Cold War: $213
- 2-Hour Segway Discovery Tour Berlin: $75
- 3 Hours Berlin City Guided Electric Trike Tour: $73
- 3-Hour Bike Tour of Tiergarten and Berlin's Hidden Places: $35
- 3-Hour Private Berlin Bike Tour: Vibes of Berlin: $184
- 3D Adventure black light mini golf (Berlin): $21
- 4 Hours 2 Person Highlights Berlin Rickshaw Tour with Guide : $207
Tours and Activities in Karlovy Vary
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Karlovy Vary.
- A day in the life of Karlovy Vary - Private tour with a local: $224
- Full-Day Private Karlovy Vary Tour from Prague: $298
- Karlovy Vary & Marianske Lazne Tour from Prague with Lunch: $112
- Karlovy Vary Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $209
- Hot Springs Tasting Tour: $35
- Hot Springs Tasting Tour: $32
- Private Walking Tour: $227
- LOCATION: Karlovy Vary City Tour: $255
- Prague: Karlovy Vary Tour with Lunch and Moser Museum Visit: $77
- Private Tour to Karlovy Vary: $353
- Private tour of best of Karlovy Vary - Sightseeing, Food & Culture with a local: $168
- Touristic highlights of Karlovy Vary on a Private half day tour with a local: $168
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBerlin €16Karlovy Vary €6.13
Typical Alcohol Prices in Berlin
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Berlin from other travelers:
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Drinks at a Show€14
Sample the Local Flavors in Berlin
Also in Berlin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Original One80 Berlin Pub Crawl: $16
- VIP Pub Crawl with Drinks and Challenges: $16
- brewery tour with beer tasting: $19
- Vagabund Brauerei Beer Tasting & Guided Brewery Tour: $24
- Pub Crawl with Skip-the-Line Club Entry: $24
- Berlin Pub Crawl and Nightlife Clubbing tour: $26
- The Showgirls of Burlesque: $46
- Showgirls of Burlesque Entry Ticket: $69
- Berlin:sunset boat trip with Argentine wine tasting and food: $214
- German Wine Tasting Tour at the Best Wine Bars in Berlin: $250
- German Wine Tasting Tour at the Best Wine Bars in Berlin: $255
- Bachelor(ette) Party with Pub Crawl: $401
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Berlin and Karlovy Vary, we can see that Berlin 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 Berlin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Berlin 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 Berlin Expensive? and Is Karlovy Vary Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Berlin or Karlovy Vary?
Berlin has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Karlovy Vary. When comparing the sizes of Berlin 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 Berlin or Karlovy Vary?
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 Berlin or Karlovy Vary in the Summer?
Both Karlovy Vary and Berlin are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Berlin for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Berlin is generally around the same temperature as Karlovy Vary. Daily temperatures in Berlin average around 19°C (66°F), and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
It's quite sunny in Karlovy Vary. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Berlin. Berlin usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Karlovy Vary during summer. Berlin gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 217 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Berlin usually receives less rain than Karlovy Vary. Berlin gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBerlin 19°C (66°F)Karlovy Vary 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Berlin or Karlovy Vary in the Autumn?
Both Karlovy Vary and Berlin during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Berlin because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.
Berlin is around the same temperature as Karlovy Vary in the autumn. The daily temperature in Berlin averages around 10°C (50°F) in October, and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
In the autumn, Berlin often gets less sunshine than Karlovy Vary. Berlin gets 106 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 127 hours of full sun.
Berlin usually gets less rain in October than Karlovy Vary. Berlin gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBerlin 10°C (50°F)Karlovy Vary 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Berlin or Karlovy Vary in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Berlin and Karlovy Vary. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Berlin this time of year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Karlovy Vary. It's quite cold in Berlin in the winter. In the winter, Berlin is much colder than Karlovy Vary. Typically, the winter temperatures in Berlin in January average around -0°C (31°F), and Karlovy Vary averages at about 1°C (33°F).
Berlin usually receives less sunshine than Karlovy Vary during winter. Berlin gets 42 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 58 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Berlin usually receives around the same amount of rain as Karlovy Vary. Berlin gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBerlin -0°C (31°F)Karlovy Vary 1°C (33°F)
Should I visit Berlin or Karlovy Vary in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Berlin as well as Karlovy Vary. Many travelers come to Berlin for the activities around the city.
In April, Berlin is generally cooler than Karlovy Vary. Daily temperatures in Berlin average around 9°C (47°F), and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
In the spring, Berlin often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Karlovy Vary. Berlin gets 160 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 151 hours of full sun.
Berlin usually gets less rain in April than Karlovy Vary. Berlin gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBerlin 9°C (47°F)Karlovy Vary 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Karlovy Vary and Berlin
| Berlin | Karlovy Vary | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -0°C (31°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 1°C (33°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 4°C (40°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Apr | 9°C (47°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (63°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (65°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 15°C (59°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Oct | 10°C (50°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 5°C (41°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Dec | 2°C (35°F) | 51 mm (2 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.