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

Should you visit Cesis or Krakow?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Cesis and Krakow can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Cesis or Krakow?

Cesis

Cesis is the quintessential old world town in Latvia. It is nestled among rolling hills, giving it a beautiful, fantasy world like setting. The small town is sprinkled with old castles, fortresses, and parks that you can leisurely wander through to pass the time. There's a lovely town square that is the perfect place to grab a seat on a bench and people watch. Because of the square's central location, many residents pass through it on their way to and from the market. The town is intertwined with lovely cobblestone streets that are lined with old homes, in various stages of disrepair. Cesis manages to perfectly balance a level of authentic wear and tear with a fairytale ambiance. Outside of town you'll find great hiking trails that you can use to explore the rolling hills and picturesque countryside. The small town is also conveniently located less than 100 kilometers from Riga, making it an easy trip on a bus.

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 10-Day Tours in Poland, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Poland.


Which place is cheaper, Krakow or Cesis?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Cesis is €108, 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 Cesis and Krakow in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cesis 47
    Krakow 39
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cesis 94
    Krakow 78
Compare Hotels in Cesis and Krakow

Looking for a hotel in Cesis 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 Cesis


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: Krakow Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cesis 30
    Krakow 6.00

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 Cesis or Krakow?

Prices for flights to both Krakow and Cesis 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
    Cesis 41
    Krakow 12
Typical Food Prices in Cesis

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cesis:


  • Lunch in town for two
    6.67

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.
    Cesis 16
    Krakow 19

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cesis 17
    Krakow 6.32

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 Cesis and Krakow, we can see that Cesis 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 Cesis would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cesis 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 Cesis Expensive? and Is Krakow Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Cesis or Krakow?

Krakow has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Cesis. When comparing the sizes of Cesis 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 Cesis 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 Cesis or Krakow in the Summer?

Both Krakow and Cesis are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Cesis for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Cesis is cooler than Krakow. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cesis in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Krakow averages at about 19°C (67°F).

In July, Cesis usually receives less rain than Krakow. Cesis gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


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

Should I visit Cesis or Krakow in the Autumn?

Both Krakow and Cesis during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Cesis in the autumn for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Cesis is generally cooler than Krakow. Daily temperatures in Cesis average around 7°C (45°F), and Krakow fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Cesis usually gets more rain in October than Krakow. Cesis gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Cesis 7°C (45°F) 
    Krakow 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Cesis or Krakow in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cesis and Krakow. Most visitors come to Cesis for the cuisine during these months.

The weather in Krakow can be very cold. Cesis can be very cold during winter. Cesis is much colder than Krakow in the winter. The daily temperature in Cesis averages around -5°C (23°F) in January, and Krakow fluctuates around -2°C (29°F).

In January, Cesis usually receives around the same amount of rain as Krakow. Cesis gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Cesis -5°C (23°F) 
    Krakow -2°C (29°F)

Should I visit Cesis or Krakow in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Cesis as well as Krakow. The spring months attract visitors to Cesis because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Cesis is much colder than Krakow. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cesis in April average around 5°C (42°F), and Krakow averages at about 10°C (50°F).

Cesis usually gets less rain in April than Krakow. Cesis gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Cesis 5°C (42°F) 
    Krakow 10°C (50°F)

Typical Weather for Krakow and Cesis

Cesis Krakow
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -5°C (23°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) -2°C (29°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Feb -4°C (24°F) 25 mm (1 in) 0°C (32°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Mar -0°C (31°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 5°C (40°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Apr 5°C (42°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 10°C (50°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
May 12°C (53°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 15°C (59°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Jun 15°C (60°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 18°C (64°F) 96 mm (3.8 in)
Jul 17°C (63°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 19°C (67°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Aug 16°C (62°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 19°C (66°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 76 mm (3 in) 15°C (60°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Oct 7°C (45°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 11°C (51°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Nov 2°C (36°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 5°C (41°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Dec -2°C (28°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 1°C (33°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)