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

Should you visit Ghent or Krakow?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Ghent and Krakow. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Ghent or Krakow?

Ghent

Ghent is a large city in the northern part of Belgium (the Flanders region) with a population of about 250,000. This city was one of the most powerful cities in Europe during the Middle Ages, which is portrayed today, mostly through architecture. There is a large university in Ghent with over 60,000 students, and a large portion of the population are young students. However, among the natives and students, there are also many foreigners and artists that you will find walking the streets of the city. Ghent is also Belgium's second largest port city.

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 Cultural Tours in Belgium, The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium, The Best 10-Day Tours in Poland, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Poland.


Which place is cheaper, Krakow or Ghent?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Ghent is €118, 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 Ghent and Krakow in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ghent 72
    Krakow 39
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ghent 144
    Krakow 78
Compare Hotels in Ghent and Krakow

Looking for a hotel in Ghent 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 Ghent


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: Ghent Hotel Prices and Krakow Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ghent 19
    Krakow 6.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ghent

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ghent:

  • Departure Private Transfer from Ghent City to Brussels Airport by Business Car: $147
  • Departure Private Transfer from Ghent City to Brussels Airport by Luxury Van: $166
  • Ghent <-> Amsterdam Shuttle Transfer (1 to 8 Seats): $229
  • Ostend <-> Luxembourg transfer (1 to 8 places): $233
  • Ostend Bruges Airport(OST) to Bruges- Round-Trip Private Transfer: $63

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 Ghent or Krakow?

Prices for flights to both Krakow and Ghent 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
    Ghent 35
    Krakow 12

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ghent

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

  • Walking food tour: Introduction to Ghent through food: $102
  • Small-Group Food Tour in Ghent by Bike: $158

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.
    Ghent 8.64
    Krakow 19

Tours and Activities in Ghent

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

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • Gastronomic Walking Tour of Gent - Tasters included: $3.26
  • Historical Walking Tour: Legends of Gent: $3.26
  • Ghent city tour: audio guide in your smartphone: $5.35
  • Self Guided City Audio Tour in Ghent: $5.45
  • Hidden A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • Escape Game and Tour: $6.95
  • Ghent Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $7.08
  • Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $8.02
  • Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $8.02
  • Medieval Center Guided Boat Tour: $11
  • 40-Minute Historical Boat Tour of City Center: $11

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
    Ghent 18
    Krakow 6.32

Sample the Local Flavors in Ghent

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Ghent:

  • Ghent Pub Trail : Pub crawl with interactive online game: $12
  • Private Ghent Beer & Brewery Tour by a young local: $245

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


Which is Bigger, Ghent or Krakow?

Krakow has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Ghent. When comparing the sizes of Ghent 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 Ghent 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 Ghent or Krakow in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Ghent and Krakow. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Ghent this time of year.

In July, Ghent is generally cooler than Krakow. Daily temperatures in Ghent average around 17°C (63°F), and Krakow fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Krakow this time of the year. In Ghent, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ghent usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Krakow during summer. Ghent gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Krakow receives 201 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Ghent usually receives less rain than Krakow. Ghent gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Ghent 17°C (63°F) 
    Krakow 19°C (67°F)

Should I visit Ghent or Krakow in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Ghent as well as Krakow. Many travelers come to Ghent for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Ghent is a little warmer than Krakow in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ghent averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Krakow fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Ghent often gets more sunshine than Krakow. Ghent gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Krakow receives 97 hours of full sun.

Ghent usually gets more rain in October than Krakow. Ghent gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Ghent 12°C (54°F) 
    Krakow 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Ghent or Krakow in the Winter?

Both Krakow and Ghent are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Ghent in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Krakow can be very cold during winter. Ghent can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Ghent is much warmer than Krakow. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ghent in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Krakow averages at about -2°C (29°F).

Ghent usually receives more sunshine than Krakow during winter. Ghent gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while Krakow receives 38 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Ghent usually receives more rain than Krakow. Ghent gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Ghent 3°C (38°F) 
    Krakow -2°C (29°F)

Should I visit Ghent or Krakow in the Spring?

Both Krakow and Ghent during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Ghent for the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Ghent is generally cooler than Krakow. Daily temperatures in Ghent average around 8°C (47°F), and Krakow fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Ghent often gets more sunshine than Krakow. Ghent gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Krakow receives 132 hours of full sun.

Ghent usually gets less rain in April than Krakow. Ghent gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Ghent 8°C (47°F) 
    Krakow 10°C (50°F)

Typical Weather for Krakow and Ghent

Ghent Krakow
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (38°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) -2°C (29°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Feb 3°C (38°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 0°C (32°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Mar 6°C (42°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 5°C (40°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Apr 8°C (47°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 10°C (50°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
May 12°C (54°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 15°C (59°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 18°C (64°F) 96 mm (3.8 in)
Jul 17°C (63°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 19°C (67°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Aug 18°C (64°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 19°C (66°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Sep 16°C (60°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 15°C (60°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Oct 12°C (54°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 11°C (51°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Nov 7°C (45°F) 75 mm (2.9 in) 5°C (41°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Dec 5°C (40°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 1°C (33°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)