Which place is cheaper, Plzen or Heidelberg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Heidelberg or Plzen?
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 Plzen. 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 Plzen?
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.
Plzen
Renowned as the home of the pilsner beer, Plzen is a city located in the West Bohemia region of the Czech Republic. Beyond beer, it also features a number of impressive landmarks some of which include St. Bartholomew's Cathedral and the Great Synagogue.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Germany, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Germany, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Czech Republic, and The Best Cultural Tours in Czech Republic.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHeidelberg €142Plzen €95
The average daily cost (per person) in Heidelberg is €142, while the average daily cost in Plzen is €95. 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 Plzen in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHeidelberg €93Plzen €57
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHeidelberg €186Plzen €114
Compare Hotels in Heidelberg and Plzen
Looking for a hotel in Heidelberg or Plzen? 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 Plzen Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Heidelberg €17Plzen €7.75
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 Plzen
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Plzen:
- Private Transfer from Pilsen(Plzen) to Prague: $271
- Private Transfer from Pilsen to Prague with 2 hours for sightseeing: $116
- Private Transfer from Pilsen to Prague: $87
Is it cheaper to fly into Heidelberg or Plzen?
Prices for flights to both Plzen 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
-
Food Meals for one dayHeidelberg €37Plzen €29
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
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Heidelberg €11Plzen €20
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 Plzen
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Plzen are as follows:
- Experience Best Prague Tandem Skydiving : $250
- Pilsen Historic Underground Tour with a Glass of Beer: $8.74
- Pilsen Private Walking Tour: $201
- Pilsen: Historic Underground Tour with a Glass of Beer: $8.56
- Pilsen: Old Town Gastronomy Tour: $32
- Private Tour to Pilsner Urquell from Prague: $272
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayHeidelberg €17Plzen €22
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 Plzen
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Plzen:
- Brewery Museum Entrance including a Glass of Beer: $6.55
- Pilsen: Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting: $17
- Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting: $17
- Pilsen Highlights Small-Group Tour and Pilsner Brewery Tour including Lunch and Beer Tasting: $108
- Pilsner brewery tour incl beer tasting & Czech town Pilsen: $140
- Day trip to Pilsner Urquell brewery and Bohemian glassworks: $207
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Heidelberg and Plzen, we can see that Heidelberg is more expensive. And not only is Plzen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Plzen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Plzen 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 Plzen.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Heidelberg Expensive? and Is Plzen Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Heidelberg or Plzen?
Plzen has a larger population, and is about 15% larger than the population of Heidelberg. When comparing the sizes of Heidelberg and Plzen, 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 Plzen?
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 Plzen in the Summer?
Both Plzen and Heidelberg during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Heidelberg for the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Heidelberg is around the same temperature as Plzen. Typically, the summer temperatures in Heidelberg in July average around 21°C (69°F), and Plzen averages at about 20°C (67°F).
In Plzen, 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 Plzen. Heidelberg gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Plzen receives 212 hours of full sun.
Heidelberg usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Plzen. Heidelberg gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Plzen receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyHeidelberg 21°C (69°F)Plzen 20°C (67°F)
Should I visit Heidelberg or Plzen in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Heidelberg and Plzen. The autumn months attract visitors to Heidelberg because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Heidelberg is generally a little warmer than Plzen. Daily temperatures in Heidelberg average around 12°C (54°F), and Plzen fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Heidelberg usually receives less sunshine than Plzen during autumn. Heidelberg gets 102 hours of sunny skies, while Plzen receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Heidelberg usually receives more rain than Plzen. Heidelberg gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Plzen receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHeidelberg 12°C (54°F)Plzen 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Heidelberg or Plzen in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Heidelberg as well as Plzen. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Heidelberg this time of year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Plzen. It's quite cold in Heidelberg in the winter. Heidelberg is much warmer than Plzen in the winter. The daily temperature in Heidelberg averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Plzen fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).
In the winter, Heidelberg often gets less sunshine than Plzen. Heidelberg gets 38 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Plzen receives 45 hours of full sun.
Heidelberg usually gets more rain in January than Plzen. Heidelberg gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Plzen receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHeidelberg 3°C (37°F)Plzen -1°C (31°F)
Should I visit Heidelberg or Plzen in the Spring?
Both Plzen and Heidelberg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Heidelberg for the natural beauty.
In the spring, Heidelberg is around the same temperature as Plzen. Typically, the spring temperatures in Heidelberg in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Plzen averages at about 11°C (51°F).
Heidelberg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Plzen during spring. Heidelberg gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Plzen receives 164 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Heidelberg usually receives more rain than Plzen. Heidelberg gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Plzen receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilHeidelberg 11°C (52°F)Plzen 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Plzen and Heidelberg
| Heidelberg | Plzen | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | -1°C (31°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (39°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Mar | 7°C (45°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (52°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 16°C (60°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (65°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (69°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Aug | 20°C (68°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Sep | 17°C (63°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (38°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 23 mm (0.9 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.