Which place is cheaper, Karlovy Vary or Frankfurt?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Frankfurt or Karlovy Vary?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Frankfurt and Karlovy Vary can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Frankfurt or Karlovy Vary?
Frankfurt
Frankfurt is the financial and business hub of Germany. It houses the European Central Bank and the German Stock Exchange, and often plays host to trade shows and business fairs. It has the country's most modern skyline and the largest airport. It is also a transportation hub for Germany with many important train lines passing through. The city itself is situated on the River Main. Some of the most important sights are along the river near Romer Square and include museums and monuments. This area pulls in millions of tourists every year. Although many sights are clustered in this area, it's important to head into more off the beaten path areas that can be enjoyable to explore. These areas offer glimpses into daily life in Frankfurt.
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 Coach Bus Tours in Germany, The Best Adventure 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 dayFrankfurt €122Karlovy Vary €76
The average daily cost (per person) in Frankfurt is €122, 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 Frankfurt and Karlovy Vary in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFrankfurt €58Karlovy Vary €36
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFrankfurt €116Karlovy Vary €72
Compare Hotels in Frankfurt and Karlovy Vary
Looking for a hotel in Frankfurt 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: Karlovy Vary Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Frankfurt €25Karlovy Vary €24
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Frankfurt
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Frankfurt:
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Car Rental€50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Frankfurt
Also for Frankfurt, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private transfer from Frankfurt am Main to Prague: $1,059
- Transfer from Frankfurt Airport to Munich: $695
- Transfer from Frankfurt Airport to Baden-Baden: $396
- Frankfurt Highlights Private Car Tour with Airport Transfers: $383
- Private Transfer: Frankfurt to River Cruise Dock Nuremberg Port/Harbor transport: $284
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Frankfurt Airport (FRA)- Kaiserlautern: $267
- Private Transfer Frankfurt Airport to Heidelberg City by Minivan: $157
- Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to Baden-Baden Thermal - Arrival Transfer: $142
- Frankfurt Airport (FRA): Private Transfer to Frankfurt: $140
- BaronFleet Frankfurt- Arrival & Departure Airport Transfers: $132
- Roundtrip Transfer Private Minivan Frankfurt Airport (FRA) - Frankfurt City: $123
- Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to Frankfurt Round-Trip Private Transfer: $109
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Karlovy Vary
Also for Karlovy Vary, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague: Private daytrip with 2h for sightseeing: $128
- Private Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague, English-speaking driver: $120
- Private Transfer Karlovy Vary to Prague Vaclav Havel Airport : $66
Is it cheaper to fly into Frankfurt or Karlovy Vary?
Prices for flights to both Karlovy Vary and Frankfurt 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 dayFrankfurt €41Karlovy Vary €25
Typical Food Prices in Frankfurt
For Frankfurt, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Soda€2.00
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Bagel Sandwich and Latte€7.00
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Ham & Cheese Sandwich and Coffee€6.00
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Sandwich and Cola€7.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Frankfurt
For Frankfurt, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- FOOD TOUR WITH 3-4 LOCAL INSIDER FOODSPOTS: $80
- Eltz Castle Small-Group Tour from Frankfurt with Dinner: $281
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Frankfurt €36Karlovy Vary €11
Tours and Activities in Frankfurt
For Frankfurt, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2-Hour Best of Frankfurt Walking Tour (English): $26
- Atta Dripstone Cave and Braunfels Castle Tour from Frankfurt: $271
- Bike Tour of Frankfurt Top Attractions & Nature with a Guide : $207
- Bike tour city tour by bike to Skyline, Goethe, and apple wine: $53
- Brandenburg Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $11
- Breathtaking Pearls of Frankfurt - Walking Tour: $242
- Cologne & Limburg Full-Day Tour: $283
- Culinary Frankfurt Walking Tour: $609
- Exciting private city tour of Frankfurt for your group: $164
- Explore Bird & Marine Wildlife private Boat Tour in English: $108
- Franfurt Horror Tour: Terror of the White Spider: $20
- Frankfurt - Old Town Historic Walking Tour: $374
Tours and Activities in Karlovy Vary
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Karlovy Vary.
- A day in the life of Karlovy Vary - Private tour with a local: $224
- Full-Day Private Karlovy Vary Tour from Prague: $298
- Karlovy Vary & Marianske Lazne Tour from Prague with Lunch: $112
- Karlovy Vary Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $209
- Hot Springs Tasting Tour: $35
- Hot Springs Tasting Tour: $32
- Private Walking Tour: $227
- LOCATION: Karlovy Vary City Tour: $255
- Prague: Karlovy Vary Tour with Lunch and Moser Museum Visit: $77
- Private Tour to Karlovy Vary: $353
- 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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFrankfurt €30Karlovy Vary €6.13
Typical Alcohol Prices in Frankfurt
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Frankfurt:
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Becks Beer€2.00
Sample the Local Flavors in Frankfurt
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Frankfurt:
- Night Pub Crawl through Alt-Sachsenhausen: $21
- Enjoy the night with our Pub Tours: $32
- Weekend Night Pub Crawl through Alt-Sachsenhausen: $34
- Full Day Private Rhine Valley Wine Tour Experience from Frankfurt: $279
- Frankfurt Wine Tasting Tour with a Wine Expert: $280
- Frankfurt Wine Tasting Tour with a Wine Expert: $286
- Guided Walk Tour With Apple Wine Tasting: $334
- Bachelor(ette) Party with Pub Crawl: $401
- Private Premium Pub Crawl Tour: $513
- Private Rhine Valley tour with river cruise & wine tasting: $748
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Frankfurt and Karlovy Vary, we can see that Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt Expensive? and Is Karlovy Vary Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Frankfurt or Karlovy Vary?
Frankfurt has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Karlovy Vary. When comparing the sizes of Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt or Karlovy Vary?
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 Frankfurt or Karlovy Vary in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Frankfurt and Karlovy Vary. The summer months attract visitors to Frankfurt because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Frankfurt is around the same temperature as Karlovy Vary. Typically, the summer temperatures in Frankfurt in July average around 19°C (67°F), and Karlovy Vary averages at about 20°C (68°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Karlovy Vary this time of the year. In Frankfurt, it's very sunny this time of the year. Frankfurt usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Karlovy Vary during summer. Frankfurt gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 217 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Frankfurt usually receives around the same amount of rain as Karlovy Vary. Frankfurt gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyFrankfurt 19°C (67°F)Karlovy Vary 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Frankfurt or Karlovy Vary in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Frankfurt as well as Karlovy Vary. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Frankfurt this time of year.
In October, Frankfurt is generally around the same temperature as Karlovy Vary. Daily temperatures in Frankfurt average around 11°C (51°F), and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
In the autumn, Frankfurt often gets less sunshine than Karlovy Vary. Frankfurt gets 103 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 127 hours of full sun.
Frankfurt usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Karlovy Vary. Frankfurt gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberFrankfurt 11°C (51°F)Karlovy Vary 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Frankfurt or Karlovy Vary in the Winter?
Both Karlovy Vary and Frankfurt are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Frankfurt for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Karlovy Vary can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Frankfurt. Frankfurt is much warmer than Karlovy Vary in the winter. The daily temperature in Frankfurt averages around 1°C (34°F) in January, and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).
Frankfurt usually receives less sunshine than Karlovy Vary during winter. Frankfurt gets 41 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 58 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Frankfurt usually receives more rain than Karlovy Vary. Frankfurt gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryFrankfurt 1°C (34°F)Karlovy Vary 1°C (33°F)
Should I visit Frankfurt or Karlovy Vary in the Spring?
Both Karlovy Vary and Frankfurt during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Frankfurt in the spring for the activities around the city.
In the spring, Frankfurt is around the same temperature as Karlovy Vary. Typically, the spring temperatures in Frankfurt in April average around 10°C (50°F), and Karlovy Vary averages at about 10°C (50°F).
In the spring, Frankfurt often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Karlovy Vary. Frankfurt gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 151 hours of full sun.
Frankfurt usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Karlovy Vary. Frankfurt gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilFrankfurt 10°C (50°F)Karlovy Vary 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Karlovy Vary and Frankfurt
| Frankfurt | Karlovy Vary | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 1°C (34°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (37°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (50°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| May | 14°C (58°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (63°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (67°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (66°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 5°C (42°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Dec | 2°C (36°F) | 54 mm (2.1 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.