Which place is cheaper, Katowice or Heidelberg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Heidelberg or Katowice?
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 Heidelberg and Katowice. 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: Heidelberg or Katowice?
Heidelberg
Heidelberg, in the state of Baden-Wurttemberg, is a top travel destination in Germany. It's picturesquely situated in the Neckar River Valley and is a wonderful place to spend a few days. The city has a population of over 148,000 and it's home to Germany's oldest university, the Ruprecht-Karls-Universitat, which has a student population of approximately 28,000.
Katowice
Katowice is a city east of Krakow, in the Silesian province of southern Poland. A large dome crowns the Cathedral of Christ the King, built between 1927 and 1955. The adjacent Archdiocesan Museum exhibits Silesian sacred art. The ultramodern Silesian Museum features several glass structures on the site of a former coal mine. It exhibits Polish art and chronicles the history of Upper Silesia. Historically, Katowice is a product of the 19th-century industrial boom, but it only became a city in the interwar period. After WWII, at the height of the Stalinist cult craze, the city was renamed Stalinogrod, but reverted to its old name soon after Comrade Joe died in 1953. Katowice has few significant historical monuments, but it's a major commercial and cultural center and holds sufficient attractions to make it worth a stop.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Germany, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Germany, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Krakow, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Warsaw.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHeidelberg €142Katowice €43
The average daily cost (per person) in Heidelberg is €142, while the average daily cost in Katowice is €43. 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 Heidelberg and Katowice in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHeidelberg €93Katowice €18
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHeidelberg €186Katowice €36
Compare Hotels in Heidelberg and Katowice
Looking for a hotel in Heidelberg or Katowice? 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: Heidelberg Hotel Prices and Katowice Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Heidelberg €17Katowice €12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Heidelberg
Also for Heidelberg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Karlsruhe Airport (FKB) to Baden-Baden - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
- Karlsruhe Airport (FKB) to BadenBaden Round-Trip Private Transfer: $46
- Private Transfer from Badenweiler Thermal to Basel EuroAirport: $63
- Private Transfer from Heidelberg City to Mannheim City by Van: $64
- Airport transfer from Karlsruhe Airport to Baden-Baden: $105
- Privat Transfer From Basel EuroAirport BSL To Badenweiler : $126
- One Way Private Transfer from Mannheim to Frankfurt : $251
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Katowice
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Katowice:
- Auschwitz-Birkenau Tour from Katowice with Private Transfers: $199
- Katowice Airport: Private Transfer to or from Krakow: $186
- Katowice Pyrzowice KTW to Krakow City Private Transfer: $129
- Auschwitz-Birkenau: Fast-Track Ticket & Guided Tour No Transfers: $32
Is it cheaper to fly into Heidelberg or Katowice?
Prices for flights to both Katowice and Heidelberg 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 dayHeidelberg €37Katowice €18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Heidelberg
For Heidelberg, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Heidelberg crime dinner to solve the mystery with a delicious 3-course menu: $64
- Craft Beer and Street Food Tour: $598
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Katowice
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Katowice.
- Private Traditional Polish Food Tour: $179
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Heidelberg €11Katowice €6.00
Tours and Activities in Heidelberg
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Heidelberg.
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Heidelberg's Altstadt: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.20
- Heidelberg's Altstadt: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.41
- Pure experience: Original Black Forest farmer smoke tour: $6.54
- Heidelberg Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.54
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.95
- Heidelberg Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & City Tour: $6.95
- Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $8.02
- Complete Self-guided Audio Tour on your Phone: $8.54
- Uncover A Self-Guided Audio Tour Through Time: $11
- Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $11
Tours and Activities in Katowice
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Katowice are as follows:
- Auschwitz & Birkenau Live Guide Tour Entrance Ticket: $55
- Auschwitz-Birkenau - Skip the Line Tickets : $32
- Auschwitz-Birkenau: Entry Ticket with Guided Tour: $32
- Entrance Ticket to Auschwitz Birkenau with Guide and FREE ebook: $32
- From Auschwitz-Birkenau Skip-the-Line Guided Tour: $95
- Jasna Gora and Czestochowa Private Tour from Katowice by Car: $349
- Katowice Old Town Highlights Private Walking Tour: $99
- Katowice Private Polish Beer Tasting Tour: $160
- Katowice Private Vodka Tasting Tour: $159
- Katowice and Nikiszowiec: bicycle tour with guide: $42
- Private City Tour with Stories & Viewing Points: $154
- Private Tour to Auschwitz Birkenau: $156
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHeidelberg €17Katowice €5.33
Sample the Local Flavors in Heidelberg
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Heidelberg:
- Highlights of the romantic Black Forest & brewery, private tour: $295
Sample the Local Flavors in Katowice
Also in Katowice, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Tyskie Brewery Tour: $111
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Heidelberg and Katowice, we can see that Heidelberg is more expensive. And not only is Katowice much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Katowice would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Katowice 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 Heidelberg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Heidelberg than you might in Katowice.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Heidelberg Expensive? and Is Katowice Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Heidelberg or Katowice?
Katowice has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Heidelberg. When comparing the sizes of Heidelberg and Katowice, 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 Heidelberg or Katowice?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Heidelberg or Katowice in the Summer?
Both Katowice and Heidelberg during the summer are popular places to visit. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Heidelberg this time of year.
In July, Heidelberg is generally a little warmer than Katowice. Daily temperatures in Heidelberg average around 21°C (69°F), and Katowice fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
In Katowice, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Heidelberg. In the summer, Heidelberg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Katowice. Heidelberg gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Katowice receives 219 hours of full sun.
Heidelberg usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Katowice. Heidelberg gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Katowice receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHeidelberg 21°C (69°F)Katowice 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Heidelberg or Katowice in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Heidelberg and Katowice. Many travelers come to Heidelberg for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
Heidelberg is a little warmer than Katowice in the autumn. The daily temperature in Heidelberg averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Katowice fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
Heidelberg usually receives less sunshine than Katowice during autumn. Heidelberg gets 102 hours of sunny skies, while Katowice receives 128 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Heidelberg usually receives more rain than Katowice. Heidelberg gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Katowice receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHeidelberg 12°C (54°F)Katowice 10°C (50°F)
Should I visit Heidelberg or Katowice in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Heidelberg as well as Katowice. Many visitors come to Heidelberg in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.
Katowice can be very cold during winter. Heidelberg can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Heidelberg is much warmer than Katowice. Typically, the winter temperatures in Heidelberg in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Katowice averages at about -2°C (28°F).
In the winter, Heidelberg often gets less sunshine than Katowice. Heidelberg gets 38 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Katowice receives 51 hours of full sun.
Heidelberg usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Katowice. Heidelberg gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Katowice receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHeidelberg 3°C (37°F)Katowice -2°C (28°F)
Should I visit Heidelberg or Katowice in the Spring?
Both Katowice and Heidelberg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Heidelberg for the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Heidelberg is generally a little warmer than Katowice. Daily temperatures in Heidelberg average around 11°C (52°F), and Katowice fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).
Heidelberg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Katowice during spring. Heidelberg gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Katowice receives 152 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Heidelberg usually receives more rain than Katowice. Heidelberg gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Katowice receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHeidelberg 11°C (52°F)Katowice 8°C (46°F)
Typical Weather for Katowice and Heidelberg
| Heidelberg | Katowice | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (39°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 7°C (45°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (52°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| May | 16°C (60°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (65°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (69°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 20°C (68°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 17°C (63°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (38°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 50 mm (2 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.