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

Should you visit Karlovy Vary or Zagreb?

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

Where Should I go: Karlovy Vary or Zagreb?

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.

Zagreb

Zagreb, in central Croatia, is the country's capital. It has a wonderful old town that has cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and a great atmosphere. Many people travel to Croatia specifically for its beaches and coastal towns, but if you overlook this lovely capital city, you'll miss a large part of the culture and personality that is Croatia.

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 2-Week Tours from Dubrovnik, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Split.


Which place is cheaper, Zagreb 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 Zagreb is $82. 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 Zagreb in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Karlovy Vary $39
    Zagreb $51
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Karlovy Vary $78
    Zagreb $102
Compare Hotels in Karlovy Vary and Zagreb

Looking for a hotel in Karlovy Vary or Zagreb? 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 Zagreb


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 Zagreb Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Karlovy Vary $26
    Zagreb $9.69

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 Zagreb

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zagreb:

  • private transfer from Trogir/Split to Zagreb via Plitvice: $1,754
  • Private transfer from Zagreb to Vienna: $930
  • Private transfer from Zagreb to Budapest: $930
  • Transfer Zagreb - Split or Split - Zagreb: $760
  • Private Transfer Zagreb-Split: $741
  • Private Transfer from Split to Zagreb via Plitvice & Rastoke: $642
  • Private Transfer Tour from Zagreb - Split via Plitvice Lakes: $603
  • Private transfer from Zagreb to Split or Split to Zagreb: $567
  • Private Transfer from Split to Zagreb with stop at Plitvice: $556
  • Zagreb to Budapest Private Transfer by Minivan: $534
  • Private Transfer Zagreb-Zadar: $528
  • Transfer Ljubljana - Zagreb: $452

Is it cheaper to fly into Karlovy Vary or Zagreb?

Prices for flights to both Zagreb 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
    Zagreb $18

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zagreb

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

  • Taste Zagreb Food Tour: $74
  • Taste Zagreb Food Tour: $75
  • Private Authentic Croatian Cooking Class in Central Zagreb: $114
  • Private Authentic Market Tour and Cooking Class in the Heart of Zagreb: $144
  • PRIVATE Half-Day Food Tour: The 10 Tastings of Zagreb With Locals: $196
  • Wine & Food tour of Plešivica near Zagreb: $952

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Karlovy Vary $12
    Zagreb $13

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 Zagreb

Here are a few actual costs in Zagreb for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Grand Zagreb Tour : $99
  • Zagreb History Walking Tour: $32
  • 2-Hour Private Walking Tour in Zagreb City with Guide (up to 10): $153
  • 2-Hour Unveiling A Captivating History Tour: $107
  • 4 Day Touristic Adventure from Zagreb: $2,449
  • 4-hour Private Zagreb & the Mountain Tour in a Yugo car: $115
  • All-Inclusive Day Tour Zagreb-Rastoke-Plitvice Lakes-Split: $1,068
  • Back to Yugoslavia Private City Tour in Old-Timer Yugo Car: $93
  • Baroque Varaždin and Trakošćan Castle Private Tour: $176
  • Beautiful Christmas in Zagreb - Walking Tour: $432
  • Best of ISTRIA: Amphitheater PULA + ROVINJ + HUM or POREČ - fully Private Tour: $262
  • Best of SLOVENIA - Bled + Postojna + Ljubljana - Day Tour from Zagreb: $224

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Karlovy Vary $6.54
    Zagreb $9.49

Sample the Local Flavors in Zagreb

Also in Zagreb, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Zagreb Pub Crawl: $16
  • Zagreb:Private Bar Crawling and Alcohol Testing with a Guide: $32
  • Zagreb Wine Tasting & Jarun Lake Tour: $75
  • Plesivica countryside Wine Tasting: $199
  • Fairytale castle & delicious wine tasting and lunch: $202
  • Private Wine Tasting Tour from Zagreb: $208


When comparing the travel costs between Karlovy Vary and Zagreb, we can see that Zagreb is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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 Zagreb Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Karlovy Vary or Zagreb?

Zagreb has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Karlovy Vary. When comparing the sizes of Karlovy Vary and Zagreb, 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 Zagreb?

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 Zagreb in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Karlovy Vary as well as Zagreb. Also, most visitors come to Zagreb for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Karlovy Vary is cooler than Zagreb. Typically, the summer temperatures in Karlovy Vary in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Zagreb averages at about 22°C (72°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zagreb. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Karlovy Vary this time of the year. In the summer, Karlovy Vary often gets less sunshine than Zagreb. Karlovy Vary gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zagreb receives 266 hours of full sun.

Karlovy Vary usually gets less rain in July than Zagreb. Karlovy Vary gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Karlovy Vary 20°C (68°F) 
    Zagreb 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Karlovy Vary or Zagreb in the Autumn?

Both Zagreb and Karlovy Vary are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Zagreb because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Karlovy Vary is generally cooler than Zagreb. Daily temperatures in Karlovy Vary average around 11°C (51°F), and Zagreb fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Karlovy Vary usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Zagreb during autumn. Karlovy Vary gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Zagreb receives 133 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Karlovy Vary usually receives less rain than Zagreb. Karlovy Vary gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Karlovy Vary 11°C (51°F) 
    Zagreb 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Karlovy Vary or Zagreb in the Winter?

Both Zagreb and Karlovy Vary during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Zagreb this time of year.

It's quite cold in Zagreb in the winter. The weather in Karlovy Vary can be very cold. Karlovy Vary is much colder than Zagreb in the winter. The daily temperature in Karlovy Vary averages around 1°C (33°F) in January, and Zagreb fluctuates around 1°C (35°F).

In the winter, Karlovy Vary often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Zagreb. Karlovy Vary gets 58 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zagreb receives 54 hours of full sun.

Karlovy Vary usually gets less rain in January than Zagreb. Karlovy Vary gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


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

Should I visit Karlovy Vary or Zagreb in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Karlovy Vary and Zagreb. Furthermore, many travelers come to Zagreb for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Karlovy Vary is cooler than Zagreb. Typically, the spring temperatures in Karlovy Vary in April average around 10°C (50°F), and Zagreb averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Karlovy Vary usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Zagreb during spring. Karlovy Vary gets 151 hours of sunny skies, while Zagreb receives 163 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Karlovy Vary usually receives less rain than Zagreb. Karlovy Vary gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Karlovy Vary 10°C (50°F) 
    Zagreb 13°C (55°F)

Typical Weather for Zagreb and Karlovy Vary

Karlovy Vary Zagreb
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)