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

Should you visit Graz or Karlovy Vary?

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

Should I visit Graz 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: Graz or Karlovy Vary?

Graz

Graz is the second largest city in Austria and the capital of Styria. The city has at least six different universities, and a large portion of the city's population is actually made up of students.

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 Christmas Market Tours in Austria, The Best Bicycle Tours in Austria, The Best Cultural Tours in Czech Republic, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Czech Republic.


Which place is cheaper, Karlovy Vary or Graz?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Graz is €112, 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 Graz and Karlovy Vary in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Graz 67
    Karlovy Vary 36
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Graz 134
    Karlovy Vary 72
Compare Hotels in Graz and Karlovy Vary

Looking for a hotel in Graz 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.

Hotels in Graz


Hotels in Karlovy Vary


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: Graz Hotel Prices and Karlovy Vary Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Graz 18
    Karlovy Vary 24

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Graz

Also for Graz, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer from Graz Airport to Koper: $207
  • Graz Private Transfer from Graz city centre to Graz Airport: $58
  • Graz Private Transfer from Graz Airport to City centre: $58

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 Graz or Karlovy Vary?

Prices for flights to both Karlovy Vary and Graz 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
    Graz 32
    Karlovy Vary 25

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Graz 13
    Karlovy Vary 11

Tours and Activities in Graz

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Graz.

  • 2.5-hour puzzle tour through Graz city center: $16
  • Graz - Private tour including Castle visit: $374
  • Graz Christmas Market Tour: $267
  • Graz Crime Experience: self-guided crime tour: $42
  • Graz Enchantment Walking Tour: $238
  • Graz Enchantment Walking Tour: $129
  • Graz Jewish Quarter and Old Town Private Tour: $214
  • Graz Museum: Private Guided Tour: $219
  • Graz Old Town Highlights Private Walking Tour: $195
  • Graz Private Family Friendly Walking Tour: $214
  • Graz Private Family Friendly Walking Tour: $210
  • Graz Private Walking Tour: $235

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Graz 16
    Karlovy Vary 6.13


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Graz and Karlovy Vary, we can see that Graz 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 Graz would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Graz 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 Graz Expensive? and Is Karlovy Vary Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Graz or Karlovy Vary?

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

Both Karlovy Vary and Graz are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Graz this time of year.

In July, Graz is generally a little warmer than Karlovy Vary. Daily temperatures in Graz average around 23°C (73°F), and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

It's quite sunny in Karlovy Vary. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Graz. Graz usually receives more sunshine than Karlovy Vary during summer. Graz gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 217 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Graz. In July, Graz usually receives more rain than Karlovy Vary. Graz gets 126 mm (5 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Graz 23°C (73°F) 
    Karlovy Vary 20°C (68°F)

Should I visit Graz or Karlovy Vary in the Autumn?

Both Karlovy Vary and Graz during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Graz for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Graz is a little warmer than Karlovy Vary in the autumn. The daily temperature in Graz averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Graz often gets more sunshine than Karlovy Vary. Graz gets 139 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 127 hours of full sun.

Graz usually gets more rain in October than Karlovy Vary. Graz gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Graz 13°C (55°F) 
    Karlovy Vary 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Graz or Karlovy Vary in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Graz and Karlovy Vary. Many visitors come to Graz in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Karlovy Vary can be very cold during winter. Graz can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Graz is much warmer than Karlovy Vary. Typically, the winter temperatures in Graz in January average around 1°C (34°F), and Karlovy Vary averages at about 1°C (33°F).

Graz usually receives more sunshine than Karlovy Vary during winter. Graz gets 95 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 58 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Graz usually receives less rain than Karlovy Vary. Graz gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Graz 1°C (34°F) 
    Karlovy Vary 1°C (33°F)

Should I visit Graz or Karlovy Vary in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Graz as well as Karlovy Vary. Most visitors come to Graz for the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Graz is generally a little warmer than Karlovy Vary. Daily temperatures in Graz average around 13°C (55°F), and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Graz often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Karlovy Vary. Graz gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 151 hours of full sun.

Graz usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Karlovy Vary. Graz gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Graz 13°C (55°F) 
    Karlovy Vary 10°C (50°F)

Typical Weather for Karlovy Vary and Graz

Graz Karlovy Vary
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 1°C (34°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 1°C (33°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Feb 3°C (38°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 2°C (36°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Mar 8°C (46°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 5°C (41°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Apr 13°C (55°F) 52 mm (2 in) 10°C (50°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 15°C (58°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Jun 21°C (70°F) 119 mm (4.7 in) 18°C (65°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 126 mm (5 in) 20°C (68°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 22°C (72°F) 115 mm (4.5 in) 19°C (67°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Sep 18°C (64°F) 76 mm (3 in) 16°C (60°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Oct 13°C (55°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 11°C (51°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Nov 7°C (44°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 6°C (43°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Dec 2°C (36°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 2°C (35°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)