Which place is cheaper, Plzen or Dresden?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Dresden or Plzen?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Dresden or Plzen? 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: Dresden or Plzen?
Dresden
As towering baroque architecture and verdant woodlands surround your vision, this cityscape works almost as a time capsule of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, untouched by the burdens of modernity. With a melange of cultures and histories, Dresden, Germany stands before you. The capital of the eastern German state of Saxony, Dresden is globally known for its celebrated art museums and classic architecture of its reconstructed Old Town. From the baroque church Frauenkirche to the Versailles-inspired Zwinger palace, the aesthetic value of this Germany city is simply immeasurable. Located on the gorgeous Elbe River, Dresden receives about ten million tourists a year, most of them from Germany. Nevertheless, despite the traditional German culture its most historic buildings exude, Dresden is still touched by the present-day generation with its abundance of restaurants, clubs, shops, and theaters. Whether you wish to gaze at the Raphael's "Sistine Madonna" or simply go for a quick shopping run, Dresden obliges its guests most satisfactorily.
Plzen
Renowned as the home of the pilsner beer, Plzen is a city located in the West Bohemia region of the Czech Republic. Beyond beer, it also features a number of impressive landmarks some of which include St. Bartholomew's Cathedral and the Great Synagogue.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Czech Republic, and The Best Cultural Tours in Czech Republic.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDresden €135Plzen €95
The average daily cost (per person) in Dresden is €135, while the average daily cost in Plzen is €95. 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 Dresden and Plzen in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDresden €61Plzen €57
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDresden €122Plzen €114
Compare Hotels in Dresden and Plzen
Looking for a hotel in Dresden or Plzen? 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: Dresden Hotel Prices and Plzen Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dresden €11Plzen €7.75
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dresden
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dresden:
- Airport transfer from/to DRESDEN (DRS) - Business Van: $77
- Private Transfer from Dresden City to Leipzig City: $83
- Airport transfer from/to DRESDEN (DRS) - First Class: $136
- One-Way Transfer from Dresden Airport (DRS) to Dresden: $146
- Private Transfer from Dresden to Prague with 2 hours for sightseeing: $158
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Plzen
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Plzen:
- Private Transfer from Pilsen to Prague: $87
- Private Transfer from Pilsen to Prague with 2 hours for sightseeing: $115
- Private Transfer from Pilsen(Plzen) to Prague: $270
Is it cheaper to fly into Dresden or Plzen?
Prices for flights to both Plzen and Dresden 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 dayDresden €31Plzen €29
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dresden
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Dresden.
- Evening River Cruise with Dinner: $51
- Winterlights Evening River Cruise with Dinner: $59
- Dinner-Show "INDUSTRIELLE REVOLUTION": $117
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dresden €9.56Plzen €20
Tours and Activities in Dresden
Here are a few actual costs in Dresden for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Secrets of Old The Lost Treasure Adventure: $4.27
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $4.28
- River Elbe Smartphone Audio Tour: $5.99
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.36
- Old Town Highlights Scavenger Hunt and Walking Tour: $6.42
- Dresden‘s Rise from Ruin: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Dresden‘s Rise from Ruin: A Self-Guided Audio Tour : $7.99
- Old Town Highlights Self-guided Tour: $8.45
- Tour of VW's Transparent Factory: $9.62
- The Green Factory Tour VW Transparent Factory: $9.62
- Special Tour for Children & Families VW Factory: $9.62
Tours and Activities in Plzen
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Plzen are as follows:
- Pilsen: Historic Underground Tour with a Glass of Beer: $8.56
- Pilsen Historic Underground Tour with a Glass of Beer: $8.72
- Pilsen: Old Town Gastronomy Tour: $32
- Pilsen Private Walking Tour: $200
- Experience Best Prague Tandem Skydiving : $250
- Private Tour to Pilsner Urquell from Prague: $272
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDresden €16Plzen €22
Sample the Local Flavors in Dresden
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dresden:
- Dresden Bike Tour with Wine Tasting: $53
- Radeberger Brewery Tour in German: $57
- Private Pub Crawl Tour: $401
Sample the Local Flavors in Plzen
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Plzen:
- Brewery Museum Entrance including a Glass of Beer: $6.54
- Pilsen: Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting: $17
- Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting: $17
- Pilsen Highlights Small-Group Tour and Pilsner Brewery Tour including Lunch and Beer Tasting: $108
- Pilsner brewery tour incl beer tasting & Czech town Pilsen: $140
- Day trip to Pilsner Urquell brewery and Bohemian glassworks: $207
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dresden and Plzen, we can see that Dresden is more expensive. And not only is Plzen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Plzen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Plzen 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 Dresden would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dresden than you might in Plzen.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dresden Expensive? and Is Plzen Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dresden or Plzen?
Dresden has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Plzen. When comparing the sizes of Dresden and Plzen, 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 Dresden or Plzen?
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 Dresden or Plzen in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dresden and Plzen. Many visitors come to Dresden in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Dresden is around the same temperature as Plzen. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dresden in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Plzen averages at about 20°C (67°F).
In July, Dresden usually receives less rain than Plzen. Dresden gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Plzen receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDresden 20°C (68°F)Plzen 20°C (67°F)
Should I visit Dresden or Plzen in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Dresden as well as Plzen. Most visitors come to Dresden for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.
In October, Dresden is generally around the same temperature as Plzen. Daily temperatures in Dresden average around 11°C (51°F), and Plzen fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Dresden usually gets more rain in October than Plzen. Dresden gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Plzen receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDresden 11°C (51°F)Plzen 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Dresden or Plzen in the Winter?
Both Plzen and Dresden are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Dresden because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Plzen in the winter. The weather in Dresden can be very cold. Dresden is much warmer than Plzen in the winter. The daily temperature in Dresden averages around 1°C (33°F) in January, and Plzen fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).
In January, Dresden usually receives more rain than Plzen. Dresden gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Plzen receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDresden 1°C (33°F)Plzen -1°C (31°F)
Should I visit Dresden or Plzen in the Spring?
Both Plzen and Dresden during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city are the main draw to Dresden this time of year.
In the spring, Dresden is around the same temperature as Plzen. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dresden in April average around 10°C (50°F), and Plzen averages at about 11°C (51°F).
Dresden usually gets more rain in April than Plzen. Dresden gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Plzen receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDresden 10°C (50°F)Plzen 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Plzen and Dresden
| Dresden | Plzen | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 1°C (33°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | -1°C (31°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Feb | 2°C (36°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Mar | 5°C (41°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (50°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 15°C (58°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (65°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 20°C (68°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (67°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (43°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Dec | 2°C (35°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 23 mm (0.9 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.