Which place is cheaper, Karlovy Vary or Bonn?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Bonn or Karlovy Vary?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Bonn or Karlovy Vary? 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: Bonn or Karlovy Vary?
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.
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 from Berlin, The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin, 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 dayBonn €154Karlovy Vary €76
The average daily cost (per person) in Bonn 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 Bonn and Karlovy Vary in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBonn €85Karlovy Vary €36
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBonn €170Karlovy Vary €72
Compare Hotels in Bonn and Karlovy Vary
Looking for a hotel in Bonn 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: Bonn Hotel Prices and Karlovy Vary Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bonn €23Karlovy Vary €24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bonn
Also for Bonn, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Bonn hotels Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) - Departure Private Transfer: $55
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 Bonn or Karlovy Vary?
Prices for flights to both Karlovy Vary and Bonn 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 dayBonn €49Karlovy Vary €25
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bonn €34Karlovy Vary €11
Tours and Activities in Bonn
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Bonn.
- Autumn tours with a live guide: $20
- Bonn : Private Walking Tour With A Guide ( Private Tour ): $120
- Bonn : Private Walking Tour With A Guide ( Private Tour ): $51
- Bonn Crime-Experience: self-guided crime tour: $42
- Bonn Musikerviertel Crime Experience: self-guided crime tour: $42
- Bonn Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $222
- Bonn Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
- Bonn Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $11
- Bonn Self Guided City Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $11
- Bonn Walking Tour (In the footsteps of Ludwig Van Beethoven): $321
- Bonn and Bad Godesberg hop-on hop-off tour in a double-decker bus: $22
- 1.5-Hour River Cruise on the Rhine: $20
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 dayBonn €23Karlovy Vary €6.13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bonn and Karlovy Vary, we can see that Bonn 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 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 Karlovy Vary.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bonn Expensive? and Is Karlovy Vary Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bonn or Karlovy Vary?
Bonn has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Karlovy Vary. When comparing the sizes of Bonn 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 Bonn 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 Bonn or Karlovy Vary in the Summer?
Both Karlovy Vary and Bonn are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bonn this time of year.
Bonn is around the same temperature as Karlovy Vary in the summer. The daily temperature in Bonn averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
It's quite sunny in Karlovy Vary. Bonn usually receives less sunshine than Karlovy Vary during summer. Bonn gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 217 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Bonn usually receives more rain than Karlovy Vary. Bonn gets 78 mm (3.1 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 JulyBonn 19°C (66°F)Karlovy Vary 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Bonn or Karlovy Vary in the Autumn?
Both Karlovy Vary and Bonn during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Bonn for the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Bonn is around the same temperature as Karlovy Vary. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bonn in October average around 12°C (53°F), and Karlovy Vary averages at about 11°C (51°F).
In the autumn, Bonn often gets less sunshine than Karlovy Vary. Bonn gets 109 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 127 hours of full sun.
Bonn usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Karlovy Vary. Bonn gets 47 mm (1.9 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 OctoberBonn 12°C (53°F)Karlovy Vary 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Bonn or Karlovy Vary in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bonn and Karlovy Vary. Many visitors come to Bonn in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Karlovy Vary can be very cold during winter. Bonn can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Bonn is generally much warmer than Karlovy Vary. Daily temperatures in Bonn average around 3°C (37°F), and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).
Bonn usually receives less sunshine than Karlovy Vary during winter. Bonn gets 45 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 58 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Bonn usually receives more rain than Karlovy Vary. Bonn gets 49 mm (1.9 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 JanuaryBonn 3°C (37°F)Karlovy Vary 1°C (33°F)
Should I visit Bonn or Karlovy Vary in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Bonn as well as Karlovy Vary.
Bonn is around the same temperature as Karlovy Vary in the spring. The daily temperature in Bonn averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
In the spring, Bonn often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Karlovy Vary. Bonn gets 145 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 151 hours of full sun.
Bonn usually gets less rain in April than Karlovy Vary. Bonn gets 48 mm (1.9 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 AprilBonn 10°C (50°F)Karlovy Vary 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Karlovy Vary and Bonn
| Bonn | Karlovy Vary | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (39°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 7°C (44°F) | 47 mm (1.8 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (50°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| May | 14°C (58°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (63°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (66°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (61°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (44°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (39°F) | 53 mm (2.1 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.