Which place is cheaper, Plzen or Bratislava?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Bratislava or Plzen?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Bratislava or Plzen? 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: Bratislava or Plzen?
Bratislava
The capital and largest city of Slovakia, Bratislava is set on the shores of the Danube River near the borders of Austria and Hungary. While the city is skirted by mountains and vineyards, its 18th century old town center is crossed with cobbled walkways and surrounded by historic landmarks and architecture. One such monument is the Bratislava Castle, set atop a hill overlooking it all-the old town, the river, and the bustle of people in the charming city below.
Plzen
Renowned as the home of the pilsner beer, Plzen is a city located in the West Bohemia region of the Czech Republic. Beyond beer, it also features a number of impressive landmarks some of which include St. Bartholomew's Cathedral and the Great Synagogue.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Slovakia, The Best River Cruises in Slovakia, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Czech Republic, and The Best Cultural Tours in Czech Republic.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBratislava €122Plzen €95
The average daily cost (per person) in Bratislava is €122, while the average daily cost in Plzen is €95. 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 Bratislava and Plzen in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBratislava €49Plzen €57
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBratislava €98Plzen €114
Compare Hotels in Bratislava and Plzen
Looking for a hotel in Bratislava or Plzen? 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: Bratislava Hotel Prices and Plzen Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bratislava €26Plzen €7.75
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bratislava
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bratislava:
- Airport to Hotel Private Transfer Service: $23
- Bratislava Airport BTS to Piestany - Arrival Private Transfer: $47
- Bratislava Airport to Turčianske Teplice Arrival Private Transfer: $65
- Private Transfer from Bratislava City to Vienna City: $98
- Private Transfer From Bratislava To Vienna Airport, 2 Hour Stop: $109
- Vienna Airport VIE to Bojnice Resorts Round Trip Private Transfer: $130
- Bratislava Airport (BTS) to Bojnice Resorts - Round Trip Transfer: $130
- Bratislava Airport BTS to Poprad - Arrival Private Transfer: $168
- Bratislava - Budapest Transfer: $197
- Private Transfer from Bratislava to Budapest with 2h of Sightseeing: $201
- Private transfer from Bratislava to Vienna: $261
- Bratislava-Budapest One-Way Sightseeing Transfer: $293
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Plzen
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Plzen:
- Private Transfer from Pilsen to Prague: $87
- Private Transfer from Pilsen to Prague with 2 hours for sightseeing: $115
- Private Transfer from Pilsen(Plzen) to Prague: $269
Is it cheaper to fly into Bratislava or Plzen?
Prices for flights to both Plzen and Bratislava 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 dayBratislava €45Plzen €29
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bratislava
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bratislava.
- Local Beer & Food Tour: $141
- Bratislava Traditional Food Tour: $168
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bratislava €30Plzen €20
Tours and Activities in Bratislava
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bratislava are as follows:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.20
- Top experience walking tour with bonus and castle: $4.33
- Guided City and Castle Tour from Bratislava: $4.34
- City & Castle Tour - Introduction to Bratislava: $5.41
- Bratislava Old Town In App Audio Tour (ENG): $5.43
- Historic City Centre Self-guided Tour: $6.29
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.38
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.39
- Gallery Multium Entrance Ticket: $6.93
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $6.93
- Gallery Multium Entrance Ticket: $7.05
- The jewels of Bratislava a Self-Guided Audio Tour in English: $7.81
Tours and Activities in Plzen
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Plzen are as follows:
- Pilsen: Historic Underground Tour with a Glass of Beer: $8.52
- Pilsen Historic Underground Tour with a Glass of Beer: $8.69
- Pilsen: Old Town Gastronomy Tour: $32
- Pilsen Private Walking Tour: $200
- Experience Best Prague Tandem Skydiving : $249
- Private Tour to Pilsner Urquell from Prague: $270
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBratislava €19Plzen €22
Sample the Local Flavors in Bratislava
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bratislava:
- Quick Wine Tasting in Michalská: $11
- Quick Wine Tasting in Michalská: $11
- Wine Tasting with Sommelier in Bratislava: $14
- Wine Tasting with Sommelier: $15
- Wine Tasting IN THE DARK!: $16
- Wine Tasting IN THE DARK!: $16
- Bratislava 3-Hour Wine Tasting: $103
- Devin Castle Tour with Currant Wine Tasting: $143
- Devin Castle Tour with Wine Tasting: $157
- Bratislava Food and Wine Tour: $179
- Small Carpathian Wine Tasting and Red Stone Castle Tour: $190
- Little Carpathian Wine Tour: $199
Sample the Local Flavors in Plzen
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Plzen:
- Brewery Museum Entrance including a Glass of Beer: $6.52
- Pilsen: Brewery Museum Entrance with a Glass of Beer: $6.93
- Pilsen: Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting: $17
- Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting: $17
- Pilsen Highlights Small-Group Tour and Pilsner Brewery Tour including Lunch and Beer Tasting: $108
- Pilsner brewery tour incl beer tasting & Czech town Pilsen: $139
- Day trip to Pilsner Urquell brewery and Bohemian glassworks: $206
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bratislava and Plzen, we can see that Bratislava is more expensive. And not only is Plzen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Plzen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Plzen 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 Bratislava would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bratislava than you might in Plzen.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bratislava Expensive? and Is Plzen Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bratislava or Plzen?
Bratislava has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Plzen. When comparing the sizes of Bratislava and Plzen, 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 Bratislava or Plzen?
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 Bratislava or Plzen in the Summer?
Both Plzen and Bratislava are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Bratislava in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.
Bratislava is a little warmer than Plzen in the summer. The daily temperature in Bratislava averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Plzen fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).
It's quite sunny in Plzen. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bratislava. Bratislava usually receives more sunshine than Plzen during summer. Bratislava gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while Plzen receives 212 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Bratislava usually receives less rain than Plzen. Bratislava gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Plzen receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBratislava 23°C (73°F)Plzen 20°C (67°F)
Should I visit Bratislava or Plzen in the Autumn?
Both Plzen and Bratislava during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Bratislava for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Bratislava is a little warmer than Plzen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bratislava in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Plzen averages at about 11°C (51°F).
In the autumn, Bratislava often gets more sunshine than Plzen. Bratislava gets 140 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Plzen receives 120 hours of full sun.
Bratislava usually gets more rain in October than Plzen. Bratislava gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Plzen receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBratislava 12°C (54°F)Plzen 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Bratislava or Plzen in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bratislava and Plzen. The winter months attract visitors to Bratislava because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Plzen in the winter. The weather in Bratislava can be very cold. In January, Bratislava is generally much warmer than Plzen. Daily temperatures in Bratislava average around 2°C (36°F), and Plzen fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).
Bratislava usually receives more sunshine than Plzen during winter. Bratislava gets 65 hours of sunny skies, while Plzen receives 45 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Bratislava usually receives more rain than Plzen. Bratislava gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Plzen receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBratislava 2°C (36°F)Plzen -1°C (31°F)
Should I visit Bratislava or Plzen in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Bratislava as well as Plzen. The natural beauty are the main draw to Bratislava this time of year.
Bratislava is a little warmer than Plzen in the spring. The daily temperature in Bratislava averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Plzen fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bratislava this time of the year. In the spring, Bratislava often gets more sunshine than Plzen. Bratislava gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Plzen receives 164 hours of full sun.
Bratislava usually gets more rain in April than Plzen. Bratislava gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Plzen receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBratislava 13°C (55°F)Plzen 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Plzen and Bratislava
| Bratislava | Plzen | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 2°C (36°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | -1°C (31°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (38°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (46°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 20°C (69°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (37°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 23 mm (0.9 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.