Which place is cheaper, Karlovy Vary or Budapest?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Budapest and Karlovy Vary can help you decide which place is right for you.
Budapest is the capital city of Hungary. It has been called the "Paris of the East" because of its impressive architecture and general beauty. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987 because of its cultural importance, its location on the Banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter and Andrassy Avenue. In addition to its rich history, Budapest still has a young vibe with a lot of energy. There's an active night life, an impressive music scene, and a good reputation with European youth.
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 10-Day Tours from Budapest, The Best 2-Week Tours from Budapest, The Best Cultural Tours in Czech Republic, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Czech Republic.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Budapest is $89, while the average daily cost in Karlovy Vary is $81. 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 Budapest and Karlovy Vary in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Budapest 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Budapest:
Also for Budapest, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Also for Karlovy Vary, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Karlovy Vary and Budapest 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.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Budapest:
For Budapest, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
For Budapest, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Budapest.
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Karlovy Vary.
Also in Budapest, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When comparing the travel costs between Budapest and Karlovy Vary, we can see that Budapest is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Budapest Expensive? and Is Karlovy Vary Expensive?.
Budapest has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Karlovy Vary. When comparing the sizes of Budapest 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.
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.
Both Karlovy Vary and Budapest are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Budapest because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Budapest is generally around the same temperature as Karlovy Vary. Daily temperatures in Budapest average around 21°C (70°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 Budapest. Budapest usually receives more sunshine than Karlovy Vary during summer. Budapest gets 278 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 217 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Budapest usually receives less rain than Karlovy Vary. Budapest gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Both Karlovy Vary and Budapest during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Budapest this time of year.
Budapest is around the same temperature as Karlovy Vary in the autumn. The daily temperature in Budapest averages around 12°C (53°F) in October, and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
In the autumn, Budapest often gets more sunshine than Karlovy Vary. Budapest gets 152 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 127 hours of full sun.
Budapest usually gets less rain in October than Karlovy Vary. Budapest gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Budapest and Karlovy Vary. Many travelers come to Budapest for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Karlovy Vary can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Budapest. In the winter, Budapest is much colder than Karlovy Vary. Typically, the winter temperatures in Budapest in January average around -1°C (31°F), and Karlovy Vary averages at about 1°C (33°F).
Budapest usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Karlovy Vary during winter. Budapest gets 61 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 58 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Budapest usually receives more rain than Karlovy Vary. Budapest gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
The spring brings many poeple to Budapest as well as Karlovy Vary. Many visitors come to Budapest in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In April, Budapest is generally a little warmer than Karlovy Vary. Daily temperatures in Budapest average around 12°C (53°F), and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
In the spring, Budapest often gets more sunshine than Karlovy Vary. Budapest gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 151 hours of full sun.
Budapest usually gets less rain in April than Karlovy Vary. Budapest gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
Budapest | Karlovy Vary | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | -1°C (31°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
Feb | 2°C (35°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
Mar | 7°C (44°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
May | 16°C (62°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
Jun | 20°C (67°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
Aug | 21°C (69°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
Sep | 17°C (63°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
Oct | 12°C (53°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
Nov | 6°C (42°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
Dec | 1°C (34°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |