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

Should you visit Cork 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 Cork 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: Cork or Krakow?

Cork

Located on the banks of the River Lee, Cork has a small, but pleasant downtown that is easy to walk around. The city was built up on marshland, and many of the streets today, including St Patrick's Street, the South Mall and the Grand Parade, are actually built over what was once river channels. Today there are more than thirty bridges that cross over the channelized River Lee. As an orientation, it's nice to take a historic walking tour of the downtown area. Then you can explore the area in more detail by yourself. There are cathedrals, museums, and galleries around town so you can keep yourself quite entertained. If the weather is nice, head out to Lough park, which has a small freshwater limestone lake and some interesting water fowl to see. It's a great place to people watch and see daily life in the city of Cork.

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 Family-Friendly Tours to Ireland, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ireland, The Best 10-Day Tours in Poland, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Poland.


Which place is cheaper, Krakow or Cork?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Cork is €101, 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 Cork and Krakow in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cork 60
    Krakow 39
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cork 120
    Krakow 78
Compare Hotels in Cork and Krakow

Looking for a hotel in Cork 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 Cork


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: Cork Hotel Prices and Krakow Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cork 16
    Krakow 6.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Krakow

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Krakow:

  • Kraków: Kraków Airport to Central Bus Station Bus Transfer: $5.31
  • From Auschwitz-Birkenau Roundtrip Bus Transfer: $6.19
  • Balice Airport Luxury Vehicle Private Transfer: $9.91
  • Private Transfer to or from Krakow Airport: $10
  • Private Transfer to/from Krakow Airport (KRK): $11
  • Auschwitz-Birkenau Guided Tour & Transfer from Krakow: $12
  • Krakow Airport Transfer Balice: $14
  • Krakow Airport Private Transfers: $15
  • Electric Car Transfer between Krakow and the Airport: $15
  • Kraków: Airport Private Transfer by Luxury Car: $16
  • Auschwitz - Birkenau Roundtrip Transfer with assistance: $17
  • Kraków Airport Private Transfer - Kraków City Center: $17

Is it cheaper to fly into Cork or Krakow?

Prices for flights to both Krakow and Cork 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
    Cork 30
    Krakow 12

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cork

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cork.

  • Hysterical Histories, Comedic Dinner Theater Show: $53
  • Hysterical Histories Cork Dinner Theatre Show: $57
  • Historic Cork Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $65

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.
    Cork 9.29
    Krakow 19

Tours and Activities in Cork

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cork are as follows:

  • Highlights of A Self-Guided Walking Tour: $5.99
  • Cork Highlights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • Discover Cork's Legacy: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens Admission Ticket: $13
  • City Gaol Tour with Audio Guide: $14
  • Cork City Gaol Admission Ticket: $14
  • Cork Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
  • Guided Historical Walking Tour: $20
  • Cork Instagram Photography Walking Tour: $22
  • Tour guidé de Cork City centre en français: $24
  • Cork City Hop On/Off Open Top Bus Tour: $24
  • Hop On/Hop Off Cork City Sightseeing Tour : $24

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
    Cork 13
    Krakow 6.32

Sample the Local Flavors in Cork

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cork:

  • Clonakilty Distillery Tour & Classic Whiskey Tasting: $22
  • Cork City: Rebel City Distillery Tour: $27
  • Rebel City Distillery Tour: $27
  • Midleton Distillery Tour with Whiskey Tasting: $32
  • Midleton Distillery Experience & Whiskey Tasting -Home of Jameson: $33
  • Whiskey Cocktail Making Class at Midleton Distillery: $64
  • Cork Irish Whiskey Cocktail Making Class at Midleton Distillery : $65
  • Midleton Distillery Behind the Scenes Tour & Tasting: $80
  • Blarney Castle Cork City and Jameson Distillery Semi Private Tour: $196
  • Private Cork City Tour, Kinsale and Jameson Distillery: $254

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


Which is Bigger, Cork or Krakow?

Krakow has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Cork. When comparing the sizes of Cork 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 Cork 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 Cork or Krakow in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cork and Krakow. Many travelers come to Cork for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Cork is generally cooler than Krakow. Daily temperatures in Cork average around 16°C (60°F), and Krakow fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Krakow this time of the year. Cork usually receives less sunshine than Krakow during summer. Cork gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Krakow receives 201 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Cork usually receives less rain than Krakow. Cork gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Cork 16°C (60°F) 
    Krakow 19°C (67°F)

Should I visit Cork or Krakow in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Cork as well as Krakow. Many visitors come to Cork in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Cork is around the same temperature as Krakow in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cork averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Krakow fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Cork often gets less sunshine than Krakow. Cork gets 90 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Krakow receives 97 hours of full sun.

Cork usually gets more rain in October than Krakow. Cork gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Cork 11°C (52°F) 
    Krakow 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Cork or Krakow in the Winter?

Both Krakow and Cork are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Cork for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

The weather in Krakow can be very cold. In the winter, Cork is much warmer than Krakow. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cork in January average around 6°C (43°F), and Krakow averages at about -2°C (29°F).

Cork usually receives more sunshine than Krakow during winter. Cork gets 60 hours of sunny skies, while Krakow receives 38 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Cork. In January, Cork usually receives more rain than Krakow. Cork gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Cork 6°C (43°F) 
    Krakow -2°C (29°F)

Should I visit Cork or Krakow in the Spring?

Both Krakow and Cork during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Cork because of the activities around the city.

In April, Cork is generally cooler than Krakow. Daily temperatures in Cork average around 9°C (48°F), and Krakow fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Cork often gets more sunshine than Krakow. Cork gets 157 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Krakow receives 132 hours of full sun.

Cork usually gets more rain in April than Krakow. Cork gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Cork 9°C (48°F) 
    Krakow 10°C (50°F)

Typical Weather for Krakow and Cork

Cork Krakow
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 6°C (43°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) -2°C (29°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Feb 6°C (43°F) 91 mm (3.6 in) 0°C (32°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Mar 7°C (45°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 5°C (40°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Apr 9°C (48°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 10°C (50°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
May 11°C (52°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 15°C (59°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Jun 14°C (57°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 18°C (64°F) 96 mm (3.8 in)
Jul 16°C (60°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 19°C (67°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Aug 16°C (60°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 19°C (66°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Sep 14°C (57°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 15°C (60°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Oct 11°C (52°F) 97 mm (3.8 in) 11°C (51°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Nov 8°C (47°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 5°C (41°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Dec 7°C (45°F) 101 mm (4 in) 1°C (33°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)