Which place is cheaper, Dresden or Kaunas?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Kaunas and Dresden. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Kaunas is a cultural, active, and young city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include nightlife and food.
Dresden is a architectural, cultural, and park-filled city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.
Tourists will generally find more to do in Dresden than Kaunas. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Dresden is more touristy than Kaunas and is known for its beautiful palaces, castles, and many landmarks (such as the Baroque Zwinger Palace, Semperoper Opera House and the Church of Our Lady). It is also well known for Dresden Frauenkirche and The Royal Palace. Kaunas is famous for its traditional Lithuanian culture and authentic old town.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Dresden and Kaunas. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Dresden is a good destination for its sights and museums. However, Kaunas does not have museums and landmarks.
If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Dresden. It's rich in culture and baroque architecture. Some of the main sights around town include Dresden Frauenkirche, the Dresden Royal Palace and Museums, the Zwinger and Old Masters Picture Gallery, and the Semper Opera.
Kaunas does not have museums and landmarks.
There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at nice restaurants in both Kaunas and Dresden.
There are many up and coming restaurants in the Kaunas area. It is a great place to try traditional Lithuanian dishes as there are a number of good restaurants and an active restaurant scene. Popular local dishes include cepelinai potato dumplings and cold beetroot soup.
There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Dresden. The food features a number of Saxon specialties, which are typically hearty and heavy on the meat. If you have a sweet tooth, you'll also appreciate the many sweets that you can find around town. You should make sure you try a Fettbemme (open faced sandwich), Eierschecke (a cake), and Sächsische Kartoffelsuppe (potato soup) while you're in town.
Dresden is notable for its evening party scene. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.
Dresden has plenty to do after the sun goes down. Head to Neustadt for the highest concentration of bars and clubs. There's a diversity of trendy clubs and casual bars. Bar hopping is easy as most places are accessible by public transit.
With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Kaunas. The nightlife scene continues to improve with a growing number of bars and clubs. During the warmer months you'll find many places opening outdoor areas. The old town is one of the more lively areas in town where it's nice to enjoy a drink on a terrace.
Dresden is notable for its historic old town charm. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town.
There are many historical things to see in the old town of Dresden. Much of the city's old town has been rebuilt, but that's not to say it isn't beautiful. The main square and surrounding area are where you'll find the majority of the city's main sights.
Kaunas is a good destination for visiting its old town. The old town has tree-lined streets with charming cafes and a number of museums. It's also where you'll find the Kaunas Castle.
Dresden is a good destination for its shopping areas. However, Kaunas is a mediocre city for shopping.
Many visitors go to Dresden to go shopping. Kunsthofpassage Dresden is a network of streets where you'll find crafts, art, and other eclectic items for sale. Prager Strasse is a popular shopping street near old town and Seestrasse is where you'll find all of the trendy brands that are popular throughout Europe. The city also has many shopping malls.
Kaunas is a good destination for shopping. The old town is the place to pick up souvenirs, but there are also shopping malls and outlets in the city.
Kaunas is a popular place for its family-friendly activities. However, Dresden is a city with minimal options for its kid-friendly activities.
You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Kaunas. The city has both outdoor and indoor areas that are fun for kids. Vienybės Square has fountains and splash areas that are fun for kids of all ages. Lampėdis Lake is a great place to swim or visit an adventure park. When the weather isn't great, you can head indoors to the the Kaunas Tadas Ivanauskas Zoological Museum or "CurioCity" in the Mega Mall.
For families, Dresden is not always the best place to visit. It doesn't have quite the abundance of activities for kids that you may find in other Germany cities, but that doesn't mean that kids will be bored. There's the Dresden Zoo, the Dresdner Parkeisenbahn (a small steam rail), and the Saxon Folk Art Museum. Families can also take a guided to of the Transparent Factory, which is owned by Volkswagon and provided information on the manufacturing of automobiles.
Dresden is a good destination for couples. However, Kaunas is a mediocre city for romance.
Dresden is a good city for couples to visit. Couples can explore the old town or walk through one of the city's many parks. The city has many cultural activities. In the new town you'll find many great bars and fascinating restaurants.
Kaunas is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The city has a number of historical sites as well as interesting restaurants that you can explore.
Both Kaunas and Dresden are nice destinations for backpackers.
Plenty of backpackers visit Kaunas. It's not a popular destination, but there are enough concerts and festivals throughout the year that it does see a few tourists.
Plenty of budget travelers visit Dresden. There are plenty of hostels to choose from and the city itself is not particularly expensive.
Kaunas is a popular place for students. However, Dresden is not popular with students.
Kaunas is popular with students. The city has a vibrant and young student population. It also hosts festivals, concerts, and other events that make it a fun destination for international students.
Dresden is not popular with students.
Both Kaunas and Dresden offer nice public transit options.
Kaunas has a few public transit options. There are both buses and trolleybuses around town.
Dresden has some public transit options. The city has two major train stations as well as tram and bus lines around town.
Dresden is notable for its ease of walking around. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its walkability.
Dresden is a very walkable destination. Particularly in the compact city center you'll find Dresden to be very walkable.
Kaunas is somewhat walkable. When the weather is nice, the city is a nice place to take a walk.
For even more information, also check out Is Kaunas Worth Visiting? and Is Dresden Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Kaunas and Dresden. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Dresden than in Kaunas. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Kaunas, and 1-3 days is enough time in Dresden.
Families should spend more time in Kaunas than Dresden. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Kaunas, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Dresden than Kaunas. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Dresden that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Dresden than Kaunas if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Dresden.
In Kaunas, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.
Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Dresden. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.
In Kaunas, you'll find food and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Kaunas has to offer.
Dresden is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
Kaunas is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dresden. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kaunas. Many people enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting Kaunas. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.
Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the park-filled destination of Dresden. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Lithuania, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vilnius, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Kaunas is €95, while the average daily cost in Dresden is €135. 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 Kaunas and Dresden in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Kaunas or Dresden? 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.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kaunas:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dresden:
Prices for flights to both Dresden and Kaunas 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.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Dresden.
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kaunas are as follows:
Here are a few actual costs in Dresden for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dresden:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kaunas and Dresden, we can see that Dresden is more expensive. And not only is Kaunas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kaunas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kaunas 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 Dresden would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dresden than you might in Kaunas.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kaunas Expensive? and Is Dresden Expensive?.
Dresden has a larger population, and is about 30% larger than the population of Kaunas. When comparing the sizes of Kaunas and Dresden, 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.
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.
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kaunas and Dresden. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kaunas this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Dresden for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Kaunas is cooler than Dresden in the summer. The daily temperature in Kaunas averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Dresden fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
In July, Kaunas usually receives more rain than Dresden. Kaunas gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
The autumn brings many poeple to Kaunas as well as Dresden. Many travelers come to Kaunas for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Dresden in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Kaunas is cooler than Dresden. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kaunas in October average around 8°C (46°F), and Dresden averages at about 11°C (51°F).
Kaunas usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Dresden. Kaunas gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Dresden and Kaunas are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Kaunas in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Dresden for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Dresden can be very cold during winter. Kaunas can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Kaunas is generally much colder than Dresden. Daily temperatures in Kaunas average around -5°C (23°F), and Dresden fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).
In January, Kaunas usually receives around the same amount of rain as Dresden. Kaunas gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Both Dresden and Kaunas during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Kaunas for the activities around the city during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Dresden because of the activities around the city.
Kaunas is cooler than Dresden in the spring. The daily temperature in Kaunas averages around 7°C (44°F) in April, and Dresden fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
Kaunas usually gets less rain in April than Dresden. Kaunas gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
Kaunas | Dresden | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | -5°C (23°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
Feb | -4°C (25°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
Mar | 0°C (33°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
Apr | 7°C (44°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
May | 13°C (56°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
Jun | 16°C (62°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
Aug | 17°C (63°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
Sep | 13°C (55°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
Oct | 8°C (46°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
Nov | 2°C (36°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
Dec | -2°C (28°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |