Which place is cheaper, Karlovy Vary or Cologne?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cologne or Karlovy Vary?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Cologne or Karlovy Vary? 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: Cologne or Karlovy Vary?
Cologne
Spanning the Rhine River in western Germany, the city of Cologne dates back 2,000 years, once existing as the largest city of the Holy Roman Empire in medieval times. Today, it is the region's cultural hub - a center of museums, galleries, and towering Gothic cathedrals.
Karlovy Vary
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 Luxury Tours to Germany, The Best Budget Tours to Germany, The Best Cultural Tours in Czech Republic, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Czech Republic.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCologne €161Karlovy Vary €76
The average daily cost (per person) in Cologne is €161, while the average daily cost in Karlovy Vary is €76. 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 Cologne and Karlovy Vary in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCologne €91Karlovy Vary €36
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCologne €182Karlovy Vary €72
Compare Hotels in Cologne and Karlovy Vary
Looking for a hotel in Cologne 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Cologne Hotel Prices and Karlovy Vary Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cologne €19Karlovy Vary €24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cologne
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cologne:
- Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Bonn hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $109
- Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Cologne hotels - Round-trip Private Transfer : $98
- Transfer from Cologne Airport CGN to Cologne City by Luxury Car: $83
- Superior Private Transfer from Cologne City to Dortmund City: $64
- Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Bonn hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $55
- Cologne hotels to Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) - Departure Private Transfer: $49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Karlovy Vary
Also for Karlovy Vary, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Karlovy Vary to Prague Vaclav Havel Airport : $66
- Private Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague, English-speaking driver: $120
- Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague: Private daytrip with 2h for sightseeing: $128
Is it cheaper to fly into Cologne or Karlovy Vary?
Prices for flights to both Karlovy Vary and Cologne 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 dayCologne €50Karlovy Vary €25
Typical Food Prices in Cologne
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cologne:
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Dinner€14
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Donner Kebab€4.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cologne
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cologne.
- Hard Rock Café with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $27
- Hard Rock Cafe Cologne With Set Lunch or Dinner: $29
- Köln Südstadt kulinarisch – Die Food Tour: $48
- 3-Hour Südstadt Food Tour: $481
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cologne €20Karlovy Vary €11
Tours and Activities in Cologne
Here are a few actual costs in Cologne for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 120min - Cologne City Tour: $158
- 3-Hour Cologne Street Art Bike Tour in Small Group with Guide: $44
- 3-Hour Murder Mystery Interactive City Walking Tour in Köln: $75
- 5 Hours Cologne to Aachen Train Tour in Germany: $63
- Aachen Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $231
- Aachen Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
- Aachen Scavenger Hunt and Self Guided Walking Tour on your Phone: $7.63
- Aachen old town tour - GERMAN (public): $13
- Amusing Stories of Cologne Walking Tour: $13
- Awesome Sites of Cologne – Private Family Walking Tour: $395
- Beethoven and Bonn Highlights Tour from Cologne by Car: $840
- Best of Cologne in 1-Day Private Guided Tour with Transport: $438
Tours and Activities in Karlovy Vary
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Karlovy Vary.
- Hot Springs Tasting Tour: $32
- Hot Springs Tasting Tour: $35
- Prague: Karlovy Vary Tour with Lunch and Moser Museum Visit: $77
- Karlovy Vary & Marianske Lazne Tour from Prague with Lunch: $112
- Private tour of best of Karlovy Vary - Sightseeing, Food & Culture with a local: $168
- Touristic highlights of Karlovy Vary on a Private half day tour with a local: $168
- Karlovy Vary Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $209
- A day in the life of Karlovy Vary - Private tour with a local: $224
- Private Walking Tour: $227
- LOCATION: Karlovy Vary City Tour: $255
- Full-Day Private Karlovy Vary Tour from Prague: $298
- Private Tour to Karlovy Vary: $353
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCologne €23Karlovy Vary €6.13
Sample the Local Flavors in Cologne
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cologne:
- Old Town Walking Tour with Brewery and Kölsch Beer: $18
- Public brewery tour in Cologne in English: $18
- Public brewery tour in German in Cologne: $18
- Guided tour of the old town with a visit to the brewery in Cologne: $19
- Old Town Walking Tour inkl Brewery Visit: $24
- Entertaining Brewery Tour: Feel Good Package including local beer: $27
- South Cologne Walking Tour with brewery visit: $27
- Pub Crawl Cologne Including Admission Fee for Bars and Shots: $27
- Brewery Tour with 3 Kölsch Beer Tastings: $29
- Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting and Halven Hahn: $31
- The Legendary Kölsch Brewery Tour: $32
- The Legendary Kölsch Brewery Tour: $33
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cologne and Karlovy Vary, we can see that Cologne is more expensive. And not only is Karlovy Vary much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Karlovy Vary would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Karlovy Vary 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 Cologne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cologne than you might in Karlovy Vary.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cologne Expensive? and Is Karlovy Vary Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cologne or Karlovy Vary?
Cologne has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Karlovy Vary. When comparing the sizes of Cologne 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.
When is the best time to visit Cologne or Karlovy Vary?
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 Cologne or Karlovy Vary in the Summer?
Both Karlovy Vary and Cologne during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cologne this time of year.
In the summer, Cologne is around the same temperature as Karlovy Vary. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cologne in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Karlovy Vary averages at about 20°C (68°F).
In Karlovy Vary, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Cologne often gets less sunshine than Karlovy Vary. Cologne gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 217 hours of full sun.
Cologne usually gets more rain in July than Karlovy Vary. Cologne gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCologne 19°C (66°F)Karlovy Vary 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Cologne or Karlovy Vary in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cologne and Karlovy Vary. Many travelers come to Cologne for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Cologne is generally a little warmer than Karlovy Vary. Daily temperatures in Cologne average around 12°C (54°F), and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Cologne usually receives less sunshine than Karlovy Vary during autumn. Cologne gets 104 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Cologne usually receives more rain than Karlovy Vary. Cologne gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCologne 12°C (54°F)Karlovy Vary 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Cologne or Karlovy Vary in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Cologne as well as Karlovy Vary. Many visitors come to Cologne in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Karlovy Vary can be very cold during winter. Cologne can get quite cold in the winter. Cologne is much warmer than Karlovy Vary in the winter. The daily temperature in Cologne averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).
In the winter, Cologne often gets less sunshine than Karlovy Vary. Cologne gets 43 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 58 hours of full sun.
Cologne usually gets more rain in January than Karlovy Vary. Cologne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCologne 3°C (37°F)Karlovy Vary 1°C (33°F)
Should I visit Cologne or Karlovy Vary in the Spring?
Both Karlovy Vary and Cologne are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Cologne for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Cologne is around the same temperature as Karlovy Vary. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cologne in April average around 10°C (50°F), and Karlovy Vary averages at about 10°C (50°F).
Cologne usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Karlovy Vary during spring. Cologne gets 152 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 151 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Cologne usually receives around the same amount of rain as Karlovy Vary. Cologne gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCologne 10°C (50°F)Karlovy Vary 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Karlovy Vary and Cologne
| Cologne | Karlovy Vary | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (39°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 7°C (44°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (50°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| May | 14°C (58°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (63°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (66°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (61°F) | 62 mm (2.5 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (39°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 46 mm (1.8 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.