Which place is cheaper, Krakow or Christchurch?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Christchurch or Krakow?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Christchurch or Krakow? 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: Christchurch or Krakow?
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city on the South Island of New Zealand, right beside the Canterbury Plains. Most people begin their South Island travels here. The city itself can be fascinating to explore so it is worth allowing yourself several days in town as an introduction to the region.
The River Avon flows through the city center, twisting through the old buildings. Christchurch is referred to in New Zealand as the Garden City and it is easy to see why. It's quite a nice city with trees spread throughout. The economy is centered around international tourism as well as foreign education. There is a high Asian student population here, giving the city a diverse feel.
Christchurch's climate is temperate and the city receives moderate rainfall. In January average high temperatures are around 73 degrees Fahrenheit with averages around 52 degrees Fahrenheit in July. There is a sea breeze during the summer months that keep temperatures pleasant. Temperatures can drop below freezing at night during the winter months. Snow may also fall several times a year.
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 G Adventures Tours to New Zealand, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland, The Best 10-Day Tours in Poland, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Poland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChristchurch $96Krakow $65
The average daily cost (per person) in Christchurch is $96, while the average daily cost in Krakow is $65. 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 Christchurch and Krakow in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChristchurch $50Krakow $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChristchurch $100Krakow $84
Compare Hotels in Christchurch and Krakow
Looking for a hotel in Christchurch 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: Christchurch Hotel Prices and Krakow Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Christchurch $15Krakow $6.41
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Christchurch
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Christchurch:
- Arrival Private Transfer from Airport CHC to Christchurch in Business Car: $66
- Arrival Transfer: Christchurch Airport to Christchurch Central City Hotels: $18
- Christchurch Airport (CHC) to Christchurch - Round-Trip Transfer: $64
- Christchurch Airport (CHC): Transfer to Christchurch hotels: $130
- Christchurch Airport Transfers : Airport CHC to Christchurch in Business Car: $66
- Christchurch Airport Transfers : Airport CHC to Christchurch in Luxury Car: $107
- Christchurch Airport Transfers : Airport CHC to Christchurch in Luxury Van: $91
- Christchurch Airport Transfers : Christchurch to Airport CHC in Business Car: $66
- Christchurch Airport Transfers : Christchurch to Airport CHC in Luxury Van: $91
- Christchurch Airport(CHC) to Christchurch-Arrival PrivateTransfer: $32
- Christchurch Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer to Christchurch: $69
- Christchurch City Hotels to Airport Transfer - Lowest price 1 to 9 Passengers: $80
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
- Airport to Cracow transfer by Luxurious VIP limo: $56
- Arrival Private Transfer from Krakow Airport KRK to Krakow City by Business Car: $39
- Arrival Private Transfer from Krakow Airport KRK to Krakow City in Luxury Van: $49
- Arrival Private Transfers from Krakow Airport KRK to Krakow City: $38
- Auschwitz Birkenau Transfer Service- Private Driver from Krakow: $109
- Auschwitz and Birkenau Round-Trip Transfer Premium from Krakow: $273
- Auschwitz-Birkenau Guided Tour & Transfer from Krakow: $12
- Auschwitz-Birkenau Live Guided Tour and Transfer from Krakow: $32
- Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum with Private Transfers from Krakow: $217
- Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum Guided Tour with Ticket and Transfer: $35
- Auschwitz-Birkenau Self-Guided Visit from Krakow with Private Transfers: $131
Is it cheaper to fly into Christchurch or Krakow?
Prices for flights to both Krakow and Christchurch 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 dayChristchurch $31Krakow $13
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
- Discovering Cracow's Local Flavour: Food Tour: $22
- From Polish Folk Show with All-You-Can-Eat Dinner: $32
- Folk Show & 3-Course Dinner at Jama Michalika Café: $44
- Polish Folk Show with 3 course dinner in Krakow legendary restaurant: $45
- Krakow : Folk Show Dinner Drinking and Fun ! Book Now!: $64
- Cabaret Show with Optional Dinner: $70
- Pierogi Cooking Class: Mastering the Art of Polish Dumplings: $74
- 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
- Krakow Bites and Sights Food Tour: $104
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Christchurch $18Krakow $20
Tours and Activities in Christchurch
Here are a few actual costs in Christchurch for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Hop-On Hop-Off Tour by Vintage Tram: $21
- Chairlift Sightseeing Pass at the Christchurch Adventure Park: $21
- Christchurch Gondola Ride Ticket: $25
- Christchurch International Antarctic Centre Entry Tickets: $35
- International Antarctic Center General Admission Ticket: $36
- Christchurch Gondola and Tram City Tour Combo: $42
- Christchurch Tram City Tour & Punting Combo: $46
- Gondola Ticket and Punt Ride on the Avon River: $47
- Discover Christchurch Sightseeing Tour with optional International Antarctic Center Admission: $52
- Tram, Punt and Gondola Ride Combo Ticket: $63
- Waipara Wine Trail Afternoon Tour from Christchurch: $77
- Waipara Wine Experience for 2 or more, inc tastings and lunch: $108
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: $3.23
- Old Town Audio-Guided Walking Tour with Headset: $3.73
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $4.31
- Old Town Audioguided walking Tour: $4.48
- Home Army Museum Emil Fieldorf “Nil” - Entrance Ticket: $4.54
- From Wieliczka Salt Mine Guided Tour: $4.98
- Wawel Hill Tour with Audio Guide: $5.60
- From Kraków: Wieliczka Salt Mine Trip & Guided Tour: $6.22
- Wawel Hill Audioguide Tour: $6.72
- Krakow Old Town: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $7.00
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChristchurch $11Krakow $6.76
Sample the Local Flavors in Christchurch
Also in Christchurch, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- From Full-Day Wine Tour with Lunch: $102
- All-Inclusive Waipara Region Wine Tour from Christchurch: $106
- From Guided Local Wine Tours in Waipara: $120
- Lyttelton Shore Excursion - City Highlights & Waipara Wine Tour : $135
- Akaroa Craft Distillery HeliGin Experience: $538
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
- Pub Crawl 1 hour Open Bar and 5 Hours Clubs in Krakow with VIP: $24
- Halloween Pub Crawl - Krawl Through Krakow: $24
- Pub tour in Old Town with 1 hour open bar with a guide.: $25
- Pub Crawl with Shots, Drinks & Skip-the-Line Entry: $25
- Pub Crawl + Unlimited Drinks + VIP entry + Drinking Games & Photographer : $25
- Three-Hour Pub Crawl: $39
- Wieliczka Vineyard: Wine tasting with local snacks: $44
- Tyskie Brewery Tour from Katowice: $120
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Christchurch and Krakow, we can see that Christchurch is more expensive. And not only is Krakow much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Christchurch is in Pacific and Krakow is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Christchurch would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Christchurch 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 Christchurch Expensive? and Is Krakow Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Christchurch or Krakow?
Krakow has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Christchurch. When comparing the sizes of Christchurch 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 Christchurch or Krakow?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Christchurch is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Krakow has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Christchurch or Krakow in the Summer?
Both Krakow and Christchurch are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Christchurch because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Christchurch is around the same temperature as Krakow. Typically, the summer temperatures in Christchurch in January average around 18°C (64°F), and Krakow averages at about 19°C (67°F)in July.
It's quite sunny in Krakow. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Christchurch. Christchurch usually receives more sunshine than Krakow during summer. Christchurch gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Krakow receives 201 hours of full sun in the summer.
In January, Christchurch usually receives less rain than Krakowin July. Christchurch gets 46 mm (1.8 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 January and JulyChristchurch 18°C (64°F)Krakow 19°C (67°F)
Should I visit Christchurch or Krakow in the Autumn?
Both Krakow and Christchurch during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Christchurch this time of year.
In April, Christchurch is generally a little warmer than Krakowin October. Daily temperatures in Christchurch average around 12°C (54°F), and Krakow fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
In the autumn, Christchurch often gets more sunshine than Krakowin October. Christchurch gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Krakow receives 97 hours of full sun.
Christchurch usually gets more rain in April than Krakowin October. Christchurch gets 53 mm (2.1 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 April and OctoberChristchurch 12°C (54°F)Krakow 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Christchurch or Krakow in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Christchurch and Krakow. Many travelers come to Christchurch for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Krakow can get quite cold in the winter. Christchurch is much warmer than Krakow in the winter. The daily temperature in Christchurch averages around 6°C (43°F) in July, and Krakow fluctuates around -2°C (29°F)in January.
Christchurch usually receives more sunshine than Krakow during winter. Christchurch gets 122 hours of sunny skies, while Krakow receives 38 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, Christchurch usually receives more rain than Krakowin January. Christchurch gets 68 mm (2.7 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 July and JanuaryChristchurch 6°C (43°F)Krakow -2°C (29°F)
Should I visit Christchurch or Krakow in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Christchurch as well as Krakow. Many visitors come to Christchurch in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Christchurch is a little warmer than Krakow. Typically, the spring temperatures in Christchurch in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Krakow averages at about 10°C (50°F)in April.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Christchurch this time of the year. In the spring, Christchurch often gets more sunshine than Krakowin April. Christchurch gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Krakow receives 132 hours of full sun.
Christchurch usually gets less rain in October than Krakowin April. Christchurch gets 45 mm (1.8 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 October and AprilChristchurch 12°C (54°F)Krakow 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Krakow and Christchurch
| Christchurch | Krakow | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | -2°C (29°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Feb | 17°C (63°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Mar | 16°C (60°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (54°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 9°C (49°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jun | 6°C (44°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Jul | 6°C (43°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Sep | 10°C (49°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (58°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (61°F) | 45 mm (1.8 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.