Which place is cheaper, Plitvice Lakes National Park or Karlovy Vary?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Karlovy Vary or Plitvice Lakes National Park?
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 Plitvice Lakes National Park can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Karlovy Vary or Plitvice Lakes National Park?
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.
Plitvice Lakes National Park
One of the most beautiful natural sights in Europe, Plitvice Lakes National Park is an area of green forests laced with a system of interconnected turquoise lakes. It was set aside as a national park in 1949, and was later designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.
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 Croatia, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Croatia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKarlovy Vary $81Plitvice Lakes National Park $133
The average daily cost (per person) in Karlovy Vary is $81, while the average daily cost in Plitvice Lakes National Park is $133. 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKarlovy Vary $39Plitvice Lakes National Park $64
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKarlovy Vary $78Plitvice Lakes National Park $128
Compare Hotels in Karlovy Vary and Plitvice Lakes National Park
Looking for a hotel in Karlovy Vary or Plitvice Lakes National Park? 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: Karlovy Vary Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Karlovy Vary $26Plitvice Lakes National Park $28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Karlovy Vary
Also for Karlovy Vary, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague: Private daytrip with 2h for sightseeing: $128
- Private Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague, English-speaking driver: $120
- Private Transfer Karlovy Vary to Prague Vaclav Havel Airport : $66
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Plitvice Lakes National Park
Also for Plitvice Lakes National Park, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Plitvička Jezera to Zadar Airport (ZAD): $271
- Private Transfer from Plitvička Jezera to Zagreb Airport (ZAG): $232
- Plitvice lakes Guiding with Transfer: $182
- From Plitvice Lakes to Zagreb private one-way transfer: $150
- From Zadar: Round-Trip Transfer to Plitvice Lakes: $42
Is it cheaper to fly into Karlovy Vary or Plitvice Lakes National Park?
Prices for flights to both Plitvice Lakes National Park 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
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Food Meals for one dayKarlovy Vary $26Plitvice Lakes National Park $43
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Karlovy Vary $12Plitvice Lakes National Park $36
Tours and Activities in Karlovy Vary
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Karlovy Vary.
- A day in the life of Karlovy Vary - Private tour with a local: $224
- Full-Day Private Karlovy Vary Tour from Prague: $298
- Karlovy Vary & Marianske Lazne Tour from Prague with Lunch: $112
- Karlovy Vary Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $209
- Hot Springs Tasting Tour: $35
- Hot Springs Tasting Tour: $32
- Private Walking Tour: $227
- LOCATION: Karlovy Vary City Tour: $255
- Prague: Karlovy Vary Tour with Lunch and Moser Museum Visit: $77
- Private Tour to Karlovy Vary: $353
- 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
Tours and Activities in Plitvice Lakes National Park
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Plitvice Lakes National Park.
- 3,5 hours Guided Buggy Tour in Plitvice lakes: $76
- Abandoned military airbase Zeljava -2h guided tour: $55
- Croatia Walking Tour in a Wonderland: $174
- E-Bike tour Plitvice Big Waterfall Viewpoints & Tito's Villa: $87
- From Split and Trogir: Plitvice Lakes Economy Group Tour: $48
- From Split: Plitvice Lakes Guided tour: $70
- Full Day Private Tour of Plitvice Lakes from Split & Trogir: $738
- Half day tour around Plitvice Lakes: $29
- PLITVICE LAKES FULL DAY TOUR WITH LOCAL: $182
- Plitvice Countryside Bike Tour with Barac Caves: $76
- Plitvice Guided Tour- Tickets only RESERVED: $44
- Plitvice Lakes Guided Tour: $36
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKarlovy Vary $6.54Plitvice Lakes National Park $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Karlovy Vary and Plitvice Lakes National Park, we can see that Plitvice Lakes National Park 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Plitvice Lakes National Park 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Karlovy Vary or Plitvice Lakes National Park?
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 Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Summer?
Both Plitvice Lakes National Park and Karlovy Vary are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Plitvice Lakes National Park this time of year.
Karlovy Vary is cooler than Plitvice Lakes National Park in the summer. The daily temperature in Karlovy Vary averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Plitvice Lakes National Park fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
It's quite sunny in Plitvice Lakes National Park. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Karlovy Vary. Karlovy Vary usually receives less sunshine than Plitvice Lakes National Park during summer. Karlovy Vary gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 266 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Karlovy Vary usually receives less rain than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Karlovy Vary gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKarlovy Vary 20°C (68°F)Plitvice Lakes National Park 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Karlovy Vary or Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Autumn?
Both Plitvice Lakes National Park and Karlovy Vary during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Plitvice Lakes National Park for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Karlovy Vary is cooler than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Karlovy Vary in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Plitvice Lakes National Park averages at about 13°C (55°F).
In the autumn, Karlovy Vary often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Plitvice Lakes National Park. Karlovy Vary gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 133 hours of full sun.
Karlovy Vary usually gets less rain in October than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Karlovy Vary gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKarlovy Vary 11°C (51°F)Plitvice Lakes National Park 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Karlovy Vary or Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Karlovy Vary and Plitvice Lakes National Park. Also, many visitors come to Plitvice Lakes National Park in the winter for the cuisine.
Plitvice Lakes National Park can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Karlovy Vary. In January, Karlovy Vary is generally much colder than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Daily temperatures in Karlovy Vary average around 1°C (33°F), and Plitvice Lakes National Park fluctuates around 1°C (35°F).
Karlovy Vary usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Plitvice Lakes National Park during winter. Karlovy Vary gets 58 hours of sunny skies, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 54 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Karlovy Vary usually receives less rain than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Karlovy Vary gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKarlovy Vary 1°C (33°F)Plitvice Lakes National Park 1°C (35°F)
Should I visit Karlovy Vary or Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Karlovy Vary as well as Plitvice Lakes National Park. Also, most visitors come to Plitvice Lakes National Park for the natural beauty during these months.
Karlovy Vary is cooler than Plitvice Lakes National Park in the spring. The daily temperature in Karlovy Vary averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Plitvice Lakes National Park fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
In the spring, Karlovy Vary often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Plitvice Lakes National Park. Karlovy Vary gets 151 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 163 hours of full sun.
Karlovy Vary usually gets less rain in April than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Karlovy Vary gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKarlovy Vary 10°C (50°F)Plitvice Lakes National Park 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Plitvice Lakes National Park and Karlovy Vary
| Karlovy Vary | Plitvice Lakes National Park | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 1°C (33°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 1°C (35°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Feb | 2°C (36°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Mar | 5°C (41°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (50°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 15°C (58°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (65°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Jul | 20°C (68°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (67°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (43°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Dec | 2°C (35°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 62 mm (2.4 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.