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

Should you visit Karlovy Vary or Bergen?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Karlovy Vary and Bergen can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Karlovy Vary or Bergen?

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.

Bergen

Bergen is the second largest city in Norway, and a major tourist destination due to its proximity and easy access to the fjords in West Norway. The nature that surrounds the city is stunning, and you can easily hop into the nearby countryside for some incredible hikes and outdoor adventures. The city itself is well known for its music and art scenes, making it a cultural haven in the country. There are many reasons to visit Bergen, not the least of which is the people that live there. Bergen is the most hilly city within Norway. It is surrounded by the Seven Mountains, which restrict development and keep the city contained. Situated in the far west of Norway, Bergen can be reached by a very scenic seven hour train ride from Oslo.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Czech Republic, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Czech Republic, The Best 10-Day Tours in Norway, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Norway.


Which place is cheaper, Bergen or Karlovy Vary?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Karlovy Vary is $81, while the average daily cost in Bergen is $108. 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 Karlovy Vary and Bergen in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Karlovy Vary $39
    Bergen $67
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Karlovy Vary $78
    Bergen $134
Compare Hotels in Karlovy Vary and Bergen

Looking for a hotel in Karlovy Vary or Bergen? 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 Karlovy Vary


Hotels in Bergen


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: Karlovy Vary Hotel Prices and Bergen Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Karlovy Vary $26
    Bergen $9.65

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Karlovy Vary

Also for Karlovy Vary, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer Karlovy Vary to Prague Vaclav Havel Airport : $66
  • Private Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague, English-speaking driver: $120
  • Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague: Private daytrip with 2h for sightseeing: $128

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bergen

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bergen:

  • From Private Transfer to Gudvangen: $443
  • From Private Transfer to Voss: $362
  • TRANSFER, STANDARD, 1-7 PAX: Solstrand Hotel transfer: $286
  • TRANSFER, STANDARD, 1-7 PAX: Panorama Hotel & Resort transfer: $286
  • Private Bergen Airport Transfer to or from Bergen City: $251
  • TRANSFER, LUXURY VAN 1-7 PAX: Bergen airport transfer: $233
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Bergen Airport BGO to Bergen City by Minibus: $198
  • Departure Private Transfer from Bergen City to Bergen Airport BGO by Minibus: $198
  • TRANSFER, STANDARD, 1-7 PAX: Bergen airport transfer: $192
  • TRANSFER, LUXURY VAN 1-7 PAX: Bergen city transfer: $177
  • TRANSFER, LUXURY CAR 1-3 PAX: Bergen airport transfer: $172
  • Private Transfer to Airport, City or Cruise Port: $153

Is it cheaper to fly into Karlovy Vary or Bergen?

Prices for flights to both Bergen and Karlovy Vary 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
    Karlovy Vary $26
    Bergen $31

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bergen

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bergen.

  • Guided Fishing Tour with Outdoor Cooking: $180

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Karlovy Vary $12
    Bergen $16

Tours and Activities in Karlovy Vary

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Karlovy Vary.

  • Hot Springs Tasting Tour: $32
  • Hot Springs Tasting Tour: $35
  • Prague: Karlovy Vary Tour with Lunch and Moser Museum Visit: $77
  • Karlovy Vary & Marianske Lazne Tour from Prague with Lunch: $112
  • Private tour of best of Karlovy Vary - Sightseeing, Food & Culture with a local: $168
  • Touristic highlights of Karlovy Vary on a Private half day tour with a local: $168
  • Karlovy Vary Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $209
  • A day in the life of Karlovy Vary - Private tour with a local: $224
  • Private Walking Tour: $227
  • LOCATION: Karlovy Vary City Tour: $255
  • Full-Day Private Karlovy Vary Tour from Prague: $298
  • Private Tour to Karlovy Vary: $353

Tours and Activities in Bergen

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bergen are as follows:

  • 2 Hour Private Guided Walking Tour of Bergen: $55
  • 3-Hour Private Norwegian Hiking Experience with Local Guide: $121
  • 3-Hour Private Tour Hiked through the Bergen Mountains: $148
  • Authentic Private Walking Tour of Bergen: $96
  • Bergen 3-Hour Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
  • Bergen Cruise - Guided City & Harbor Sightseeing: $36
  • Bergen Day Tour to National Park Folgefonna and Glacier Lake: $206
  • Bergen Fjord Cruise to Alversund Streams - All year: $55
  • Bergen Fjord Cruise to Alversund Streams - All year: $55
  • Bergen Fjord Experience Aboard Viking-style Ship: $84
  • Bergen Golden Circle Fjortour by Minibus: $5.00
  • Bergen Guided Tour by Minibus (with Photo stops) & Bryggen Walk: $65

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Karlovy Vary $6.54
    Bergen $6.87


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


Which is Bigger, Karlovy Vary or Bergen?

Bergen has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Karlovy Vary. When comparing the sizes of Karlovy Vary and Bergen, 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 Karlovy Vary or Bergen?

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 Karlovy Vary or Bergen in the Summer?

Both Bergen and Karlovy Vary during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Bergen because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Karlovy Vary is generally a little warmer than Bergen. Daily temperatures in Karlovy Vary average around 20°C (68°F), and Bergen fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

Bergen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Karlovy Vary usually gets less rain in July than Bergen. Karlovy Vary gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Karlovy Vary 20°C (68°F) 
    Bergen 15°C (58°F)

Should I visit Karlovy Vary or Bergen in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Karlovy Vary and Bergen. Also, the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Bergen this time of year.

Karlovy Vary is a little warmer than Bergen in the autumn. The daily temperature in Karlovy Vary averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Bergen fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Bergen receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Karlovy Vary usually receives less rain than Bergen. Karlovy Vary gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Karlovy Vary 11°C (51°F) 
    Bergen 9°C (48°F)

Should I visit Karlovy Vary or Bergen in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Karlovy Vary as well as Bergen. Also, many travelers come to Bergen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Bergen. It's quite cold in Karlovy Vary in the winter. In the winter, Karlovy Vary is much colder than Bergen. Typically, the winter temperatures in Karlovy Vary in January average around 1°C (33°F), and Bergen averages at about 2°C (35°F).

It's quite rainy in Bergen. Karlovy Vary usually gets less rain in January than Bergen. Karlovy Vary gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Karlovy Vary 1°C (33°F) 
    Bergen 2°C (35°F)

Should I visit Karlovy Vary or Bergen in the Spring?

Both Bergen and Karlovy Vary are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Bergen in the spring for the small town charm.

In April, Karlovy Vary is generally much warmer than Bergen. Daily temperatures in Karlovy Vary average around 10°C (50°F), and Bergen fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bergen. In April, Karlovy Vary usually receives less rain than Bergen. Karlovy Vary gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Karlovy Vary 10°C (50°F) 
    Bergen 6°C (43°F)

Typical Weather for Bergen and Karlovy Vary

Karlovy Vary Bergen
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 1°C (33°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 2°C (35°F) 190 mm (7.5 in)
Feb 2°C (36°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 2°C (35°F) 152 mm (6 in)
Mar 5°C (41°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 4°C (38°F) 170 mm (6.7 in)
Apr 10°C (50°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 6°C (43°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
May 15°C (58°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 11°C (51°F) 106 mm (4.2 in)
Jun 18°C (65°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 14°C (56°F) 132 mm (5.2 in)
Jul 20°C (68°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 15°C (58°F) 148 mm (5.8 in)
Aug 19°C (67°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 15°C (58°F) 190 mm (7.5 in)
Sep 16°C (60°F) 52 mm (2 in) 12°C (53°F) 283 mm (11.1 in)
Oct 11°C (51°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 9°C (48°F) 271 mm (10.7 in)
Nov 6°C (43°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 5°C (41°F) 259 mm (10.2 in)
Dec 2°C (35°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 3°C (37°F) 235 mm (9.3 in)