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

Should you visit Hydra or Krakow?

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

Should I visit Hydra or Krakow? 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 Krakow?

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.

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 Historical Tours in Greece, The Best 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best 10-Day Tours in Poland, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Poland.


Which place is cheaper, Krakow or Hydra?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Hydra is €97, while the average daily cost in Krakow is €60. 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 Hydra and Krakow in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hydra 51
    Krakow 39
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hydra 102
    Krakow 78
Compare Hotels in Hydra and Krakow

Looking for a hotel in Hydra 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 Hydra


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: Krakow Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hydra 26
    Krakow 6.00

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 Hydra or Krakow?

Prices for flights to both Krakow and Hydra 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
    Hydra 30
    Krakow 12

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.
    Hydra 11
    Krakow 19

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
    Hydra 11
    Krakow 6.32

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 Hydra and Krakow, we can see that Hydra 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 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 Krakow.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hydra Expensive? and Is Krakow Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Hydra or Krakow?

Krakow has a larger population, and is about 330 times larger than the population of Hydra. When comparing the sizes of Hydra 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 Hydra 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 Hydra or Krakow in the Summer?

Both Krakow and Hydra are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Hydra because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Hydra is generally a little warmer than Krakow. Daily temperatures in Hydra average around 27°C (81°F), 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 Hydra. Hydra usually receives more sunshine than Krakow during summer. Hydra gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while Krakow receives 201 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Hydra usually receives less rain than Krakow. Hydra gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Hydra 27°C (81°F) 
    Krakow 19°C (67°F)

Should I visit Hydra or Krakow in the Autumn?

Both Krakow and Hydra during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Hydra this time of year.

Hydra is much warmer than Krakow in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hydra averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Krakow fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

It's quite sunny in Hydra. In the autumn, Hydra often gets more sunshine than Krakow. Hydra gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Krakow receives 97 hours of full sun.

Hydra usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Krakow. Hydra gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Hydra 19°C (67°F) 
    Krakow 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Hydra or Krakow in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hydra and Krakow. Many travelers come to Hydra for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Krakow can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Hydra is much warmer than Krakow. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hydra in January average around 10°C (51°F), and Krakow averages at about -2°C (29°F).

Hydra usually receives more sunshine than Krakow during winter. Hydra gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Krakow receives 38 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Hydra usually receives more rain than Krakow. Hydra gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Hydra 10°C (51°F) 
    Krakow -2°C (29°F)

Should I visit Hydra or Krakow in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Hydra as well as Krakow. Many visitors come to Hydra in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In April, Hydra is generally much warmer than Krakow. Daily temperatures in Hydra average around 16°C (60°F), and Krakow fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hydra this time of the year. In the spring, Hydra often gets more sunshine than Krakow. Hydra gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Krakow receives 132 hours of full sun.

Hydra usually gets less rain in April than Krakow. Hydra gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Hydra 16°C (60°F) 
    Krakow 10°C (50°F)

Typical Weather for Krakow and Hydra

Hydra Krakow
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 10°C (51°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) -2°C (29°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Feb 11°C (51°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 0°C (32°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Mar 12°C (54°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 5°C (40°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 25 mm (1 in) 10°C (50°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
May 20°C (68°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 15°C (59°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Jun 24°C (76°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 18°C (64°F) 96 mm (3.8 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 19°C (67°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 8 mm (0.3 in) 19°C (66°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Sep 24°C (76°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 15°C (60°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Oct 19°C (67°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 11°C (51°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Nov 16°C (60°F) 51 mm (2 in) 5°C (41°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 1°C (33°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)