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

Should you visit Karlovy Vary or Flam?

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 Flam can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Karlovy Vary or Flam?

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.

Flam

Flam is a village in Norway. The fjord village of Flam is located on the scenic inner Aurlandsfjord branch of the world's deepest and second-longest fjord, Sognefjord. Flam is surrounded by steep mountains, thundering waterfalls and narrow valleys, and during the spring and summer months you will see large cruise ships gliding in through the narrow fjord with their course set for Flam Harbor. The main attraction here is the stunning mountain railway that creeps up into the surrounding peaks and offers truly eye-popping panoramas. Unfortunately, it's far from a well-kept secret, and on the busiest summer days the tiny village can find itself swamped by several thousand visitors – it's probably best left for the quieter seasons of spring and autumn. The popular 'Norway in a Nutshell' tour also stops here.

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 Adventure Tours to Norway, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Norway.

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

Which is Bigger, Karlovy Vary or Flam?

Karlovy Vary has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Flam. When comparing the sizes of Karlovy Vary and Flam, 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 Flam?

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 Karlovy Vary or Flam in the Summer?

Both Flam and Karlovy Vary are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Flam for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Karlovy Vary is a little warmer than Flam in the summer. The daily temperature in Karlovy Vary averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Flam fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Flam. In July, Karlovy Vary usually receives less rain than Flam. Karlovy Vary gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Flam receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Karlovy Vary or Flam in the Autumn?

Both Flam and Karlovy Vary during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Flam because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Karlovy Vary is a little warmer than Flam. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Karlovy Vary in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Flam averages at about 9°C (48°F).

Flam gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Karlovy Vary usually gets less rain in October than Flam. Karlovy Vary gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Flam receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Karlovy Vary or Flam in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Karlovy Vary and Flam. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Flam this time of year.

It's quite cold in Flam in the winter. The weather in Karlovy Vary can be very cold. In January, Karlovy Vary is generally much colder than Flam. Daily temperatures in Karlovy Vary average around 1°C (33°F), and Flam fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

Flam receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Karlovy Vary usually receives less rain than Flam. Karlovy Vary gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Flam receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Karlovy Vary or Flam in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Karlovy Vary as well as Flam. Additionally, many travelers come to Flam for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Karlovy Vary is much warmer than Flam in the spring. The daily temperature in Karlovy Vary averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Flam fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

It's quite rainy in Flam. Karlovy Vary usually gets less rain in April than Flam. Karlovy Vary gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Flam receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Flam and Karlovy Vary