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

Should you visit Grindelwald or Krakow?

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 Grindelwald and Krakow can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Grindelwald or Krakow?

Grindelwald

Grindelwald, Switzerland is a glacier village located in the picturesque Jungfrau Region of the Swiss Alps. The Jungfrau Region encompasses many small villages and was chosen as the first Alpine UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. This Alpine paradise has been a popular destination since the 17th century, due to its natural beauty and fantastic hiking and skiing trails.

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 10-Day Tours in Switzerland, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Switzerland, The Best 10-Day Tours in Poland, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Poland.


Which place is cheaper, Krakow or Grindelwald?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Grindelwald is $241, while the average daily cost in Krakow is $64. 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 Grindelwald and Krakow in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Grindelwald $141
    Krakow $42
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Grindelwald $282
    Krakow $84
Compare Hotels in Grindelwald and Krakow

Looking for a hotel in Grindelwald 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 Grindelwald


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: Grindelwald Hotel Prices and Krakow Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Grindelwald $53
    Krakow $6.40

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Grindelwald

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Grindelwald:

  • Grindelwald/Wengen to Geneva Airport (GVA) - Departure Transfer: $180
  • Grindelwald/Wengen to Malpensa Airport (MXP) - Departure Transfer: $201
  • Grindelwald/Wengen to Zurich Airport (ZRH) - Departure Transfer: $87

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Krakow

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Krakow:

  • 1945-1989 Communism Tour of Krakow Nowa Huta with Transfers: $160
  • 1945-1989 Communism Tour of Krakow Nowa Huta with Transfers: $171
  • Airport Transfer (Krakow - Katowice): $100
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Krakow Airport KRK to Krakow City by Business Car: $39
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Krakow Airport KRK to Krakow City by Luxury Van: $54
  • Auschwitz - Birkenau Roundtrip Transfer with assistance: $17
  • Auschwitz Birkenau Transfer Service- Private Driver from Krakow: $109
  • Auschwitz-Birkenau Guided Tour & Transfer from Krakow: $12
  • Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum with Private Transfers from Krakow: $217
  • Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum Guided Tour with Ticket and Transfer: $35
  • Auschwitz-Birkenau Tour with Transfer, eBook and Optional Guide: $32
  • Balice KRK airport OneWay PRIVATE TRANSFER to/from Krakow’s hotel: $29

Is it cheaper to fly into Grindelwald or Krakow?

Prices for flights to both Krakow and Grindelwald 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
    Grindelwald $58
    Krakow $13

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.
    Grindelwald $59
    Krakow $20

Tours and Activities in Grindelwald

Here are a few actual costs in Grindelwald for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Glacier Canyon Entrance Ticket: $21
  • Indoor Ropes Park Entry Ticket: $40
  • Grindelwald First: Cable Car Ticket with Cliff Walk: $134
  • Grindelwald First (Top of Adventure) Ticket incl. Cliff Walk: $142
  • From Jungfraujoch Round-Trip Railway Ticket: $231
  • Switzerland: Private Skiing Day Tour for any level: $447

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
    Grindelwald $33
    Krakow $6.75

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


Which is Bigger, Grindelwald or Krakow?

Krakow has a larger population, and is about 200 times larger than the population of Grindelwald. When comparing the sizes of Grindelwald 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 Grindelwald 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 Grindelwald or Krakow in the Summer?

Both Krakow and Grindelwald are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Grindelwald for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Grindelwald is a little warmer than Krakow in the summer. The daily temperature in Grindelwald averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Krakow fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

It's quite sunny in Krakow. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Grindelwald. Grindelwald usually receives more sunshine than Krakow during summer. Grindelwald gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while Krakow receives 201 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Grindelwald. In July, Grindelwald usually receives more rain than Krakow. Grindelwald gets 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Grindelwald 23°C (73°F) 
    Krakow 19°C (67°F)

Should I visit Grindelwald or Krakow in the Autumn?

Both Krakow and Grindelwald during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Grindelwald because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Grindelwald is a little warmer than Krakow. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Grindelwald in October average around 15°C (58°F), and Krakow averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Grindelwald often gets more sunshine than Krakow. Grindelwald gets 152 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Krakow receives 97 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Grindelwald. Grindelwald usually gets more rain in October than Krakow. Grindelwald gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Grindelwald 15°C (58°F) 
    Krakow 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Grindelwald or Krakow in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Grindelwald and Krakow. The skiing, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Grindelwald this time of year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Krakow. It's quite cold in Grindelwald in the winter. In January, Grindelwald is generally much warmer than Krakow. Daily temperatures in Grindelwald average around 5°C (41°F), and Krakow fluctuates around -2°C (29°F).

Grindelwald usually receives more sunshine than Krakow during winter. Grindelwald gets 119 hours of sunny skies, while Krakow receives 38 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Grindelwald usually receives more rain than Krakow. Grindelwald gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Grindelwald 5°C (41°F) 
    Krakow -2°C (29°F)

Should I visit Grindelwald or Krakow in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Grindelwald as well as Krakow. Many travelers come to Grindelwald for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Grindelwald is a little warmer than Krakow in the spring. The daily temperature in Grindelwald averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Krakow fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Grindelwald often gets more sunshine than Krakow. Grindelwald gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Krakow receives 132 hours of full sun.

Grindelwald receives a lot of rain in the spring. Grindelwald usually gets more rain in April than Krakow. Grindelwald gets 152 mm (6 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Grindelwald 13°C (55°F) 
    Krakow 10°C (50°F)

Typical Weather for Krakow and Grindelwald

Grindelwald Krakow
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 5°C (41°F) 76 mm (3 in) -2°C (29°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Feb 6°C (44°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 0°C (32°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Mar 10°C (49°F) 106 mm (4.2 in) 5°C (40°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Apr 13°C (55°F) 152 mm (6 in) 10°C (50°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
May 17°C (62°F) 194 mm (7.6 in) 15°C (59°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Jun 20°C (69°F) 171 mm (6.7 in) 18°C (64°F) 96 mm (3.8 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 133 mm (5.2 in) 19°C (67°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Aug 22°C (72°F) 166 mm (6.5 in) 19°C (66°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Sep 19°C (67°F) 153 mm (6 in) 15°C (60°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Oct 15°C (58°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 11°C (51°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Nov 9°C (49°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 5°C (41°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Dec 6°C (42°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 1°C (33°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)