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

Should you visit Bruges or Krakow?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Bruges and Krakow. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Bruges or Krakow?

Bruges

Located in the northern part of Belgium, in Flanders, Bruges is one of the most charming and well preserved cities in Europe. With its stone streets and charming shops, it is a postcard perfect city that seems to have jumped out of the pages of a Disney fairytale. The city itself is quite compact, adding to the charm and making it easily walkable. Even given its old world charm, it manages to present a cosmopolitan air as well. There's an active nightlife, but during the day the historical city center is best enjoyed at a leisurely pace. You can take a carriage ride through the cobblestone streets or you can wander around on your own. Be sure to swing into some of the museums, cathedrals, and churches you'll see along the way. There are now shops everywhere that are designed to appeal to tourists. While some may be easy to walk by, it takes the strongest souls to ignore the chocolate shops you'll see on your way.

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 Cultural Tours in Belgium, The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium, The Best 10-Day Tours in Poland, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Poland.


Which place is cheaper, Krakow or Bruges?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Bruges is €123, while the average daily cost in Krakow is €60. 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 Bruges and Krakow in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bruges 59
    Krakow 39
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bruges 118
    Krakow 78
Compare Hotels in Bruges and Krakow

Looking for a hotel in Bruges 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 Bruges


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: Bruges Hotel Prices and Krakow Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bruges 17
    Krakow 6.00
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bruges

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Bruges:


  • Five Day Bus Pass
    15
  • Bike Rental for Day
    8.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bruges

Also for Bruges, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Bruges hotel to Ostend Airport (OST) - Departure Private Transfer: $32
  • Bruges to Ostend Bruges Airport(OST) - Departure Private Transfer: $32
  • Brugge Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer to Brugge: $111
  • Brussels Shuttle Transfer <-> Disneyland Paris (1 to 8 SEATS): $291
  • Brussels airport transfer (BRU) <-> from or to Bruges (3 pax sedan): $261
  • Private Direct Transfer From Bruges to Amsterdam: $274
  • Private Transfer from Bruges City Hotels to Zeebrugge Cruise Port: $33
  • Private Transfer from Bruges to Brussels By Business car: $152
  • Private Transfer from ZeeBrugge or Bruges to Antwerp By Luxury car: $163
  • Private Transfer from Zeebrugge Cruise Port to Bruges hotels : $33
  • Private Transfer from Zeebrugge Cruise Port to Brussels hotels : $143
  • PrivateTransfer from Zeebrugge Port to Ostend Bruges Airport(OST): $86

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Krakow

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Krakow:

  • Private Transfer to or from Berlin: $929
  • Private Transfer to or from Budapest: $867
  • Warsaw to Luxury Private Transfer: $747
  • From Gdansk or One-Way Private Transfer: $669
  • Private Transfer to or from Bratislava: $619
  • Private transfer! Warsaw Chopin Airport - Krakow City Center: $470
  • Private transfer from Krakow to Budapest or from Budapest to Krakow: $299
  • Private door-to-door transfer from Krakow to Budapest: $291
  • Warsaw - Premium-Class Private Airport Transfer: $288
  • Transfer from Krakow (Balice airport) to Krynica Zdroj : $283
  • Private Transfer Airport to Warszawa OkÄ™cie: $278
  • Private transfer from Katowice AirPort to Krakow City: $272

Is it cheaper to fly into Bruges or Krakow?

Prices for flights to both Krakow and Bruges 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
    Bruges 52
    Krakow 12
Typical Food Prices in Bruges

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Bruges:


  • Cup of Tea
    2.00
  • Sandwich for Lunch
    3.25

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bruges

For Bruges, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • The 10 Tastings of Bruges With Locals: Private Food Tour : $133
  • Private Food Tour – 10 Tastings with Locals: $142

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Krakow

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

  • Walking Street Food Tour: $22
  • From Polish Folk Show with All-You-Can-Eat Dinner: $32
  • Polish Folk Show and Dinner From Krakow: $40
  • Folk Show & 3-Course Dinner at Jama Michalika Café: $44
  • Romantic Dinner with a Cruise on the Vistula River: $47
  • Brewery Dinner -center of Krakow : $49
  • Krakow : Folk Show Dinner Drinking and Fun ! Book Now!: $59
  • Folk Show Dinner Drinking and Fun in Krakow: $63
  • Cabaret Show with Optional Dinner: $69
  • Half-Day Krakow Food Tour in Old Town and Kazimierz: $83
  • 4-Hour Polish Food Tour: $88
  • Polish Pierogi Cooking Class with Farmer's Market Shopping: $97

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bruges 15
    Krakow 19
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bruges

For Bruges, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Groeninge Museum Entrance
    8.00

Tours and Activities in Bruges

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Bruges.

  • Self-Guided City Game and Audio Tour App: $2.67
  • Unforgettable Sightseeings, History and Tasting.: $3.21
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • Bruges Guided Walking Tour: Stories, Mysteries and People: $3.21
  • Storytelling Tour Bruges | First Day Must | History & Tips: $3.27
  • Historical Walking Tour: Legends of Bruges: $3.27
  • Gastronomic Tour: A Taste of Bruges: $3.27
  • Walking Tour Exciting Stories, Mysteries, People: $3.28
  • Bruges city tour: audio guide in your smartphone: $5.35
  • Self Guided City Audio Tour in Bruges: $5.46
  • Medieval A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.41

Tours and Activities in Krakow

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

  • Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum Guided Tour from Krakow: $64
  • Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Wieliczka Salt Mine 1-Day Tour: $141
  • Rynek Underground Museum Guided Tour: $25
  • Rynek Underground Museum, Old Town and St. Mary's Basilica Tour: $50
  • 1 Day Auschwitz Birkenau Museum Guided Tour Hotel Pick up: $44
  • 1 Day Trip Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum Guided Tour from Krakow: $34
  • 1-Hour Tour to Krakow's Old Town by Electric Golf Cart: $21
  • 120 min Old Town Segway Tour in Krakow: $49
  • 2 Days Tour in Wawel Hill, Jewish Quarter and Wieliczka with Guide and Lunch: $187
  • 2 Hour Private Pinball and Arcade Museum Tour from Krakow: $273
  • 2 Hours Old Town Guided Bike Tour in Krakow: $27
  • 2-Hour Guided Walking Tour in The Old Town of Krakow: $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bruges 11
    Krakow 6.32

Sample the Local Flavors in Bruges

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

  • Bruges Pub Trail: Pub crawl with interactive online game: $12
  • Bourgogne des Flandres Brewery and Distillery Visit: $17
  • Private: Discover Bruges beers & brewery with chocolate pairing by a young local: $191
  • Beer walking tour with visit Brewery Bourgogne de Flandres: $642

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 with 1 Hour of Unlimited Alcoholic Drinks: $22
  • Kazimierz Pub Crawl with 1-Hour of Unlimited Drinks: $22
  • Pub Crawl - 1-hour Open Bar then Vip to 5 Clubs - Krakow: $24
  • Halloween Pub Crawl - Krawl Through Krakow: $24
  • Pub tour in Old Town with 1 hour open bar with a guide.: $25
  • Kazimierz Pub Crawl + 1-hour Open Bar: $25
  • Pub Crawl with Shots, Drinks & Skip-the-Line Entry: $25
  • Pub Crawl of Kazimierz Jewish Quarter with a Local Guide : $25
  • Three-Hour Pub Crawl: $39
  • Wieliczka Vineyard: Wine tasting with local snacks: $44
  • Hoppy tours - Krakow brewery tour : $56
  • Krakow Wine Tasting Private Tour with Wine Expert: $176


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bruges and Krakow, we can see that Bruges 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 Bruges would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bruges 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 Bruges Expensive? and Is Krakow Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Bruges or Krakow?

Krakow has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Bruges. When comparing the sizes of Bruges 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 Bruges or Krakow?

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 Bruges or Krakow in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bruges as well as Krakow. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bruges this time of year.

Bruges is cooler than Krakow in the summer. The daily temperature in Bruges averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Krakow fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Krakow. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bruges this time of the year. In the summer, Bruges often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Krakow. Bruges gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Krakow receives 201 hours of full sun.

Bruges usually gets less rain in July than Krakow. Bruges gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Bruges 17°C (63°F) 
    Krakow 19°C (67°F)

Should I visit Bruges or Krakow in the Autumn?

Both Krakow and Bruges are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Bruges for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Bruges is a little warmer than Krakow. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bruges in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Krakow averages at about 11°C (51°F).

Bruges usually receives more sunshine than Krakow during autumn. Bruges gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Krakow receives 97 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Bruges usually receives more rain than Krakow. Bruges gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Bruges 12°C (54°F) 
    Krakow 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Bruges or Krakow in the Winter?

Both Krakow and Bruges during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Bruges in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Krakow can be very cold during winter. Bruges can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Bruges is generally much warmer than Krakow. Daily temperatures in Bruges average around 3°C (38°F), and Krakow fluctuates around -2°C (29°F).

In the winter, Bruges often gets more sunshine than Krakow. Bruges gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Krakow receives 38 hours of full sun.

Bruges usually gets more rain in January than Krakow. Bruges gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Bruges 3°C (38°F) 
    Krakow -2°C (29°F)

Should I visit Bruges or Krakow in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bruges and Krakow. Most visitors come to Bruges for the natural beauty during these months.

Bruges is cooler than Krakow in the spring. The daily temperature in Bruges averages around 8°C (47°F) in April, and Krakow fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Bruges usually receives more sunshine than Krakow during spring. Bruges gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Krakow receives 132 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bruges usually receives less rain than Krakow. Bruges gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Bruges 8°C (47°F) 
    Krakow 10°C (50°F)

Typical Weather for Krakow and Bruges

Bruges Krakow
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (38°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) -2°C (29°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Feb 3°C (38°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 0°C (32°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Mar 6°C (42°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 5°C (40°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Apr 8°C (47°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 10°C (50°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
May 12°C (54°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 15°C (59°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 18°C (64°F) 96 mm (3.8 in)
Jul 17°C (63°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 19°C (67°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Aug 18°C (64°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 19°C (66°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Sep 16°C (60°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 15°C (60°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Oct 12°C (54°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 11°C (51°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Nov 7°C (45°F) 75 mm (2.9 in) 5°C (41°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Dec 5°C (40°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 1°C (33°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)