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

Should you visit Hydra or Karlovy Vary?

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

Should I visit Hydra 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: Hydra or Karlovy Vary?

Hydra

The island of Hydra is located in the Aegean Sea between the Saronic and Argolic Gulfs. Named for its natural springs, the island now has most of its freshwater imported from the mainland. The real gem of the place is the absence of motorized vehicles. Car and scooters are nowhere to be seen by the narrow marble-cobbled lanes, rocks, and sea. Such vehicles have been outlawed and so the way to navigate the island is by donkey, water taxi, or on foot.

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 Historical Tours in Greece, The Best 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best Cultural Tours in Czech Republic, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Czech Republic.

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

Which is Bigger, Hydra or Karlovy Vary?

Karlovy Vary has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Hydra. When comparing the sizes of Hydra 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 Hydra or Karlovy Vary?

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 Hydra or Karlovy Vary in the Summer?

Both Karlovy Vary and Hydra during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Hydra this time of year.

Hydra is a little warmer than Karlovy Vary in the summer. The daily temperature in Hydra averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In Karlovy Vary, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Hydra. In the summer, Hydra often gets more sunshine than Karlovy Vary. Hydra gets 357 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 217 hours of full sun.

Hydra usually gets less rain in July than Karlovy Vary. Hydra gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hydra or Karlovy Vary in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hydra and Karlovy Vary. Many travelers come to Hydra for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Hydra is much warmer than Karlovy Vary. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hydra in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Karlovy Vary averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In Hydra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hydra usually receives more sunshine than Karlovy Vary during autumn. Hydra gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Hydra usually receives around the same amount of rain as Karlovy Vary. Hydra gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Hydra or Karlovy Vary in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Hydra as well as Karlovy Vary. Many visitors come to Hydra in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Karlovy Vary can be very cold during winter. In January, Hydra is generally much warmer than Karlovy Vary. Daily temperatures in Hydra average around 10°C (51°F), and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).

In the winter, Hydra often gets more sunshine than Karlovy Vary. Hydra gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 58 hours of full sun.

Hydra usually gets more rain in January than Karlovy Vary. Hydra gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hydra or Karlovy Vary in the Spring?

Both Karlovy Vary and Hydra are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Hydra for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months.

Hydra is much warmer than Karlovy Vary in the spring. The daily temperature in Hydra averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hydra. Hydra usually receives more sunshine than Karlovy Vary during spring. Hydra gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 151 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Hydra usually receives less rain than Karlovy Vary. Hydra gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Karlovy Vary and Hydra