Which place is cheaper, Krakow or Brussels?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Brussels 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 Brussels 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: Brussels or Krakow?
Brussels
Brussels is the capital of Belgium and also the sight of the headquarters of the European Union. Generally speaking, it's an expensive city that sees a good amount of travelers. It is also a highly political city that has an air of importance and power. It's an incredibly international city, with people from all over the world flocking to it due to its political, economical, and cultural significance.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBrussels €137Krakow €60
The average daily cost (per person) in Brussels is €137, 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 Brussels and Krakow in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBrussels €73Krakow €39
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBrussels €146Krakow €78
Compare Hotels in Brussels and Krakow
Looking for a hotel in Brussels 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.
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: Brussels Hotel Prices and Krakow Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Brussels €17Krakow €6.00
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Brussels
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Brussels are as follows:
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Subway Pass€4.50
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Atomium train ticket (2)€8.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Brussels
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Brussels:
- Brussels to Ostend Airport (OST) - Departure Private Transfer: $39
- Airport Transfer: Brussels to Airport BRU by Business Car: $82
- Airport transfers from Brussels to Zaventem Brussels airport by luxury car: $74
- Arrival Private Transfer Brussels Train Station to Brussels by Luxury Car or Van: $68
- BRU Airport Transfer to Brussels City Center for 3 Pax: $150
- BRU Airport Transfer to Brussels City Center for 7 Pax: $128
- Brussels <-> transfer from or to Brussels Airport (BRU) by Van: $130
- Brussels Airport (BRU) To Amsterdam: VIP Transfer: $492
- Brussels Airport Departure Transfer (Brussels Hotels to Brussels Airport): $106
- Brussels Airport Transfer (BRU) <-> to or from Brussels (Sedan): $104
- Brussels Airport: Transfer to/from Gent Sint Pieters Station: $11
- Brussels City Center to BRU Airport Transfer for 3 Pax: $107
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Krakow
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Krakow:
- 1945-1989 Communism Tour of Krakow Nowa Huta with Transfers: $160
- 1945-1989 Communism Tour of Krakow Nowa Huta with Transfers: $171
- Airport Transfer (Krakow - Katowice): $100
- Arrival Private Transfer from Krakow Airport KRK to Krakow City by Business Car: $39
- Arrival Private Transfer from Krakow Airport KRK to Krakow City by Luxury Van: $54
- Auschwitz - Birkenau Roundtrip Transfer with assistance: $17
- Auschwitz Birkenau Transfer Service- Private Driver from Krakow: $109
- Auschwitz-Birkenau Guided Tour & Transfer from Krakow: $12
- Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum with Private Transfers from Krakow: $217
- Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum Guided Tour with Ticket and Transfer: $35
- Auschwitz-Birkenau Tour with Transfer, eBook and Optional Guide: $32
- Balice KRK airport OneWay PRIVATE TRANSFER to/from Krakow’s hotel: $29
Is it cheaper to fly into Brussels or Krakow?
Prices for flights to both Krakow and Brussels 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 dayBrussels €38Krakow €12
Typical Food Prices in Brussels
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Brussels:
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Ice Cream & Macaroons€4.60
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Dessert (Turkish Delights)€4.75
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Cheese€5.60
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Olives and Snacks€6.98
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Waffle€3.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Brussels
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Brussels.
- Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $28
- Hard Rock Cafe Brussels with Set Lunch or Dinner : $29
- City Center Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $61
- Food Tour in Brussels - Do Eat Better Experience: $106
- Brussels Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $130
- Secret Food Tours Brussels: $137
- Market Tour and Cooking Lesson with a Belgian Gourmet Meal in a Brussels Home: $160
- Private Food Tour – 10 Tastings with Locals: $163
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Brussels €23Krakow €19
Tours and Activities in Brussels
Here are a few actual costs in Brussels for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Historical Walking Tour: The Story of Brussels - by Legends: $3.26
- Free Tour of Brussels in Italian (with booking fee): $3.26
- The Most Complete Tour Of Brussels: $3.26
- BELvue Belgium History Museum Entry Ticket: $5.35
- A Self-Guided Tour of Brussels' Secret Places and Untold Stories: $5.99
- 600 Years of History and Heritage: A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Leuven: $5.99
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.41
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.42
- Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $6.95
- Museum Halle Gate Entry Ticket: $7.49
- A Self-Guided Tour of From Medieval to Modern Times: $7.99
Tours and Activities in Krakow
Here are a few actual costs in Krakow for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Kraków in a nutshell - walking tour: $1.24
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Old Town Audio-Guided Walking Tour with Headset: $3.72
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $4.28
- Old Town Audioguided walking Tour: $4.46
- Tadeusz Kościuszko Mound Entry Tickets: $4.71
- From Wieliczka Salt Mine Guided Tour: $4.95
- Wawel Hill Tour with Audio Guide: $5.57
- Tadeusz Kościuszko Mound Entrance Tickets: $5.62
- From Kraków: Wieliczka Salt Mine Trip & Guided Tour: $6.19
- Skip the Line Ticket for Kościuszko Mound in Krakow: $6.59
- Wawel Hill Audioguide Tour: $6.69
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBrussels €13Krakow €6.32
Typical Alcohol Prices in Brussels
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Brussels are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine€10
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Beer€6.00
Sample the Local Flavors in Brussels
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Brussels:
- Brussels Pub Crawl - Nightlife & Party Experience: $17
- Pub Crawl and Nightlife Party Experience: $18
Typical Alcohol Prices in Krakow
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Krakow:
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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 Brussels and Krakow, we can see that Brussels 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 Brussels would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Brussels 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 Brussels Expensive? and Is Krakow Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Brussels or Krakow?
Brussels has a larger population, and is about 35% larger than the population of Krakow. When comparing the sizes of Brussels 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 Brussels or Krakow?
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 Brussels or Krakow in the Summer?
Both Krakow and Brussels are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Brussels this time of year.
In July, Brussels is generally around the same temperature as Krakow. Daily temperatures in Brussels average around 18°C (65°F), and Krakow fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).
It's quite sunny in Krakow. Brussels usually receives less sunshine than Krakow during summer. Brussels gets 186 hours of sunny skies, while Krakow receives 201 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Brussels usually receives less rain than Krakow. Brussels gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBrussels 18°C (65°F)Krakow 19°C (67°F)
Should I visit Brussels or Krakow in the Autumn?
Both Krakow and Brussels during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Brussels for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
Brussels is a little warmer than Krakow in the autumn. The daily temperature in Brussels averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Krakow fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
In the autumn, Brussels often gets more sunshine than Krakow. Brussels gets 114 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Krakow receives 97 hours of full sun.
Brussels usually gets more rain in October than Krakow. Brussels gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBrussels 12°C (54°F)Krakow 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Brussels or Krakow in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Brussels and Krakow. Many visitors come to Brussels in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Krakow can be very cold during winter. Brussels can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Brussels is much warmer than Krakow. Typically, the winter temperatures in Brussels in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Krakow averages at about -2°C (29°F).
Brussels usually receives more sunshine than Krakow during winter. Brussels gets 49 hours of sunny skies, while Krakow receives 38 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Brussels usually receives more rain than Krakow. Brussels gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBrussels 3°C (38°F)Krakow -2°C (29°F)
Should I visit Brussels or Krakow in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Brussels as well as Krakow. Most visitors come to Brussels for the activities around the city during these months.
In April, Brussels is generally around the same temperature as Krakow. Daily temperatures in Brussels average around 10°C (49°F), and Krakow fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
In the spring, Brussels often gets more sunshine than Krakow. Brussels gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Krakow receives 132 hours of full sun.
Brussels usually gets more rain in April than Krakow. Brussels gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBrussels 10°C (49°F)Krakow 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Krakow and Brussels
| Brussels | Krakow | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | -2°C (29°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (39°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (49°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (65°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (40°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 40 mm (1.6 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.