Which place is cheaper, Karlovy Vary or Kaunas?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kaunas or Karlovy Vary?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Kaunas and Karlovy Vary. 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.
Where Should I go: Kaunas or Karlovy Vary?
Kaunas
Kaunas is the second biggest city in Lithuania, located at the country's center. It is a city of medieval history as well as modern entertainment with castle ruins, churches, and cathedrals, as well as galleries, museums, theatres, and outdoor recreation.
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.
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 Cultural Tours in Czech Republic, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Czech Republic.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKaunas €95Karlovy Vary €76
The average daily cost (per person) in Kaunas is €95, while the average daily cost in Karlovy Vary is €76. 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 Karlovy Vary in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKaunas €44Karlovy Vary €36
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKaunas €88Karlovy Vary €72
Compare Hotels in Kaunas and Karlovy Vary
Looking for a hotel in Kaunas or Karlovy Vary? 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: Kaunas Hotel Prices and Karlovy Vary Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kaunas €17Karlovy Vary €24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kaunas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kaunas:
- Departure Private Transfer Kaunas City to Kaunas Airport KUN by Minivan: $56
- Private Kaunas Airport to City Transfer: $48
- Private Transfer from Kaunas City to Kaunas Airport KUN by car: $46
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Kaunas or Karlovy Vary?
Prices for flights to both Karlovy Vary 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.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayKaunas €37Karlovy Vary €25
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kaunas €19Karlovy Vary €11
Tours and Activities in Kaunas
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kaunas are as follows:
- Kaunas Old Town tour + IX Fort Museum (BONUS): $55
- Kaunas Old Town: 2-Hour Ghost Tour: $86
- Kaunas Old Town: 2-Hour Ghost Tour: $170
- Kaunas Private Walking Tour: $84
- Kaunas Private Walking Tour: $374
- Kaunas Tour: Love Stories: $86
- Kaunas Tour: Love Stories: $170
- Kaunas city center tour + IX Fort Museum (BONUS): $109
- Kaunas, Lithuania 2-Hour Sightseeing Tour: $144
- 2-Hour Sightseeing Walking Tour: $191
- Kayak Tour in Nemunas: $185
- Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local Guide in Kaunas: $76
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKaunas €16Karlovy Vary €6.13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kaunas and Karlovy Vary, we can see that Kaunas 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 Kaunas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kaunas 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 Kaunas Expensive? and Is Karlovy Vary Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kaunas or Karlovy Vary?
Kaunas has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Karlovy Vary. When comparing the sizes of Kaunas and Karlovy Vary, 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 Kaunas or Karlovy Vary?
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 Kaunas or Karlovy Vary in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Kaunas as well as Karlovy Vary. Many travelers come to Kaunas for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Kaunas is cooler than Karlovy Vary. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kaunas in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Karlovy Vary averages at about 20°C (68°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Karlovy Vary. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kaunas this time of the year. In the summer, Kaunas often gets more sunshine than Karlovy Vary. Kaunas gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 217 hours of full sun.
Kaunas usually gets more rain in July than Karlovy Vary. Kaunas gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKaunas 18°C (64°F)Karlovy Vary 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Kaunas or Karlovy Vary in the Autumn?
Both Karlovy Vary and Kaunas are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Kaunas in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In October, Kaunas is generally cooler than Karlovy Vary. Daily temperatures in Kaunas average around 8°C (46°F), and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Kaunas usually receives less sunshine than Karlovy Vary during autumn. Kaunas gets 99 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Kaunas usually receives around the same amount of rain as Karlovy Vary. Kaunas gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKaunas 8°C (46°F)Karlovy Vary 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Kaunas or Karlovy Vary in the Winter?
Both Karlovy Vary and Kaunas during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Kaunas for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.
The weather in Karlovy Vary can be very cold. Kaunas can be very cold during winter. Kaunas is much colder than Karlovy Vary in the winter. The daily temperature in Kaunas averages around -5°C (23°F) in January, and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).
In the winter, Kaunas often gets less sunshine than Karlovy Vary. Kaunas gets 40 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 58 hours of full sun.
Kaunas usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Karlovy Vary. Kaunas gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKaunas -5°C (23°F)Karlovy Vary 1°C (33°F)
Should I visit Kaunas or Karlovy Vary in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kaunas and Karlovy Vary. The spring months attract visitors to Kaunas because of the activities around the city.
In the spring, Kaunas is cooler than Karlovy Vary. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kaunas in April average around 7°C (44°F), and Karlovy Vary averages at about 10°C (50°F).
Kaunas usually receives more sunshine than Karlovy Vary during spring. Kaunas gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 151 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Kaunas usually receives less rain than Karlovy Vary. Kaunas gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKaunas 7°C (44°F)Karlovy Vary 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Karlovy Vary and Kaunas
| Kaunas | Karlovy Vary | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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) |
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.