Which place is cheaper, Krakow or Istanbul?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Istanbul or Krakow?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Istanbul or Krakow, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Istanbul or Krakow?
Istanbul
Istanbul is strategically located on the Bosphorus and is split between Europe and Asia. It truly is a city where east meets west. Istanbul is the cultural and financial hub of Turkey, and also the most populous city. The sites are countless and there's something for everybody, whether you're interested in art, music, food, or adventure. You can pass many days exploring both the residential and commercial pockets of this city. Much of the appeal is hidden away along back alleys or within corner shops.
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 2-Week Tours in Turkey, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey, The Best 10-Day Tours in Poland, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Poland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIstanbul $126Krakow $64
The average daily cost (per person) in Istanbul is $126, 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 Istanbul and Krakow in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIstanbul $47Krakow $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIstanbul $94Krakow $84
Compare Hotels in Istanbul and Krakow
Looking for a hotel in Istanbul 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.
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: Istanbul Hotel Prices and Krakow Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Istanbul $55Krakow $6.40
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Istanbul are as follows:
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Ferry$0.09
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Local Bus$0.09
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
- Istanbul Airport Transfer by Private Minivan + Meet & Greet Service: $85
- Istanbul Cruise Port(Galataport) Private Transfer Service: $35
- Saw Sabiha Gokcen Airport Transfers for Old City & Taksim Hotels: $55
- 1-Way Private Transfer to/from Sabiha Gokcen Airport: $75
- Airport - Otel Transfer and City Tours: $20
- Airport Istanbul Private Transfer IST or SAW Airport : $34
- Airport transfer Istanbul: $46
- Arrival & Departure Private Transfer in Istanbul: $43
- Arrival Private Transfer: New Airport IST to Istanbul in Luxury Van: $70
- Bursa Uludağ Mountain Tour From Istanbul w/Lunch & Hotel Transfer: $35
- CARPEDIEM : SABIHA GOKCEN AIRPORT LUXURY TRANSFER (Arrival/Departure): $45
- Daily Green Bursa Tour with Cable Car & Transfer from Istanbul: $73
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Krakow
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Krakow:
- Kraków: Kraków Airport to Central Bus Station Bus Transfer: $5.31
- From Auschwitz-Birkenau Roundtrip Bus Transfer: $6.19
- Balice Airport Luxury Vehicle Private Transfer: $9.91
- Private Transfer to or from Krakow Airport: $10
- Private Transfer to/from Krakow Airport (KRK): $11
- Auschwitz-Birkenau Guided Tour & Transfer from Krakow: $12
- Krakow Airport Transfer Balice: $14
- Krakow Airport Private Transfers: $15
- Electric Car Transfer between Krakow and the Airport: $15
- Kraków: Airport Private Transfer by Luxury Car: $16
- Auschwitz - Birkenau Roundtrip Transfer with assistance: $17
- Kraków Airport Private Transfer - Kraków City Center: $17
Is it cheaper to fly into Istanbul or Krakow?
Prices for flights to both Krakow and Istanbul 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 dayIstanbul $31Krakow $13
Typical Food Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of dining costs in Istanbul are as follows:
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Juice$0.06
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Turkish Delight$0.02
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Dessert$0.26
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Pastries$0.05
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Istanbul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Istanbul.
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show from Istanbul: $16
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Show with Private Table: $17
- Dinner Cruise and Entertainment with Private Table: $17
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise , Unlimited Drinks, & Show: $21
- Bosphorus Luxury Catamaran Cruise with Dinner Show: $25
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise and Turkish Night Show: $26
- Bosphorus Boat Cruise with Dinner & Entertainment: $27
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Unlimited Drinks and Shows: $28
- Dinner Cruise Bosphorus with Hotel Transfer: $28
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise and Turkish Night Show: $29
- Half Day Sunset Luxury Yacht Dinner Cruise Tour in Istanbul: $29
- 3 Hour Ottoman Dinner Cruise in Istanbul : $29
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Istanbul $79Krakow $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Istanbul are as follows:
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Bosphurus Boat (for 2)$0.62
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Yerebatan Cistern for Two$0.62
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Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts for Two$0.31
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Hagia Sofia entrance$0.93
Tours and Activities in Istanbul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
- App self-guided tours Istanbul with multilingual audioguide: $2.14
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- City Tour with Audio Guide in your smartphone: $5.35
- Highlights Self Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $5.35
- Hagia Sophia Exclusive Digital Audio Guided Tour: $5.35
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.42
- Istanbul Outdoor Escape Game: The Royal Adventure: $7.08
- Istanbul in a day: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in English: $7.87
- Daytime or Sunset Sightseeing Cruise & Audio Guide: $8.06
- Hippodrome and Blue Mosque Guided Tour: $8.73
- Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise with Audio Guide: $9.62
- The Royal Adventure Highlights Exploration Game: $11
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayIstanbul $15Krakow $6.75
Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
- Istanbul Pub Crawl Big Nightout . Rooftop parties,party Bus & Nightlife: $22
- Istanbul 7-Hour Pub Crawl: Big Night Out: $27
- Famous Istanbul Pub Crawl #1 Nightlife Experience: $27
- Party Pub Crawl with Party Bus: $29
- Wine Tasting Experience in Istanbul : $50
- Istanbul Wine Tasting at Home with Local Family: $80
- 2-Day Wine Tasting Tour along the Thracian Wine Route: $180
- Istanbul Private Wine Tasting Tour Through 3 City Wineries : $245
- Istanbul Private and Guided, Food and Wine Tasting Tour: $430
- Luxury Wine Tasting on a Private Yacht: $844
Typical Alcohol Prices in Krakow
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Krakow:
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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 Istanbul and Krakow, we can see that Istanbul 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 Istanbul would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Istanbul 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 Istanbul Expensive? and Is Krakow Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Istanbul or Krakow?
Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Krakow. When comparing the sizes of Istanbul 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 Istanbul 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 Istanbul or Krakow in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Istanbul and Krakow. Many visitors come to Istanbul in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Istanbul is generally a little warmer than Krakow. Daily temperatures in Istanbul average around 24°C (74°F), and Krakow fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Krakow this time of the year. In Istanbul, it's very sunny this time of the year. Istanbul usually receives more sunshine than Krakow during summer. Istanbul gets 333 hours of sunny skies, while Krakow receives 201 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Istanbul usually receives less rain than Krakow. Istanbul gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyIstanbul 24°C (74°F)Krakow 19°C (67°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Krakow in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Istanbul as well as Krakow. Most visitors come to Istanbul for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Istanbul is much warmer than Krakow in the autumn. The daily temperature in Istanbul averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Krakow fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
In the autumn, Istanbul often gets more sunshine than Krakow. Istanbul gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Krakow receives 97 hours of full sun.
Istanbul usually gets more rain in October than Krakow. Istanbul gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberIstanbul 16°C (61°F)Krakow 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Krakow in the Winter?
Both Krakow and Istanbul are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Istanbul because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Krakow in the winter. In the winter, Istanbul is much warmer than Krakow. Typically, the winter temperatures in Istanbul in January average around 6°C (43°F), and Krakow averages at about -2°C (29°F).
Istanbul usually receives more sunshine than Krakow during winter. Istanbul gets 75 hours of sunny skies, while Krakow receives 38 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Istanbul usually receives more rain than Krakow. Istanbul gets 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryIstanbul 6°C (43°F)Krakow -2°C (29°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Krakow in the Spring?
Both Krakow and Istanbul during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Istanbul this time of year.
In April, Istanbul is generally a little warmer than Krakow. Daily temperatures in Istanbul average around 13°C (55°F), and Krakow fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
In the spring, Istanbul often gets more sunshine than Krakow. Istanbul gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Krakow receives 132 hours of full sun.
Istanbul usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Krakow. Istanbul gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilIstanbul 13°C (55°F)Krakow 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Krakow and Istanbul
| Istanbul | Krakow | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 6°C (43°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | -2°C (29°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (44°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (47°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (71°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (74°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (74°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Sep | 20°C (69°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Dec | 9°C (47°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 40 mm (1.6 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.