A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Debrecen vs. Karlovy Vary for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Debrecen or Karlovy Vary?

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

Should I visit Debrecen 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: Debrecen or Karlovy Vary?

Debrecen

Finding its beginning as a collection of agricultural villages, Debrecen has grown to become the second largest city in Hungary as well as the regional center for the Northern Great Plain region. Highlights include the Reformed Great Church of Debrecen, Hortobagy National Park, Deri Museum, and the Debrecen Zoo and Botanical Garden.

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 10-Day Tours in Hungary, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Hungary, The Best Cultural Tours in Czech Republic, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Czech Republic.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Debrecen and Karlovy Vary, we can see that Karlovy Vary is more expensive. And not only is Debrecen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Debrecen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Debrecen 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 Karlovy Vary would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Karlovy Vary than you might in Debrecen.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Debrecen Expensive? and Is Karlovy Vary Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Debrecen or Karlovy Vary?

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

The summer brings many poeple to Debrecen as well as Karlovy Vary.

In the summer, Debrecen is around the same temperature as Karlovy Vary. Typically, the summer temperatures in Debrecen in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Karlovy Vary averages at about 20°C (68°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Karlovy Vary. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Debrecen this time of the year. In the summer, Debrecen often gets more sunshine than Karlovy Vary. Debrecen gets 282 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 217 hours of full sun.

Debrecen usually gets more rain in July than Karlovy Vary. Debrecen gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Debrecen or Karlovy Vary in the Autumn?

Both Karlovy Vary and Debrecen are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.

In October, Debrecen is generally around the same temperature as Karlovy Vary. Daily temperatures in Debrecen average around 11°C (52°F), and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Debrecen usually receives more sunshine than Karlovy Vary during autumn. Debrecen gets 160 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Debrecen usually receives less rain than Karlovy Vary. Debrecen gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Debrecen or Karlovy Vary in the Winter?

Both Karlovy Vary and Debrecen during the winter are popular places to visit.

Karlovy Vary can be very cold during winter. Debrecen can get quite cold in the winter. Debrecen is much colder than Karlovy Vary in the winter. The daily temperature in Debrecen averages around -2°C (28°F) in January, and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).

In the winter, Debrecen often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Karlovy Vary. Debrecen gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 58 hours of full sun.

Debrecen usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Karlovy Vary. Debrecen gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Debrecen or Karlovy Vary in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Debrecen and Karlovy Vary.

In the spring, Debrecen is around the same temperature as Karlovy Vary. Typically, the spring temperatures in Debrecen in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Karlovy Vary averages at about 10°C (50°F).

Debrecen usually receives more sunshine than Karlovy Vary during spring. Debrecen gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 151 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Debrecen usually receives around the same amount of rain as Karlovy Vary. Debrecen gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Karlovy Vary and Debrecen