Which place is cheaper, Karlovy Vary or Kiel?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kiel or Karlovy Vary?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kiel or Karlovy Vary? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Kiel or Karlovy Vary?
Kiel
Kiel is a port city on Germany's Baltic Sea coast. Much of the city center it was obliterated during WWII by bombing raids on its U-boat pens. In the old town, the rebuilt, medieval St. Nikolai Church hosts classical concerts and Holstenstrasse and Danische Strasse are streets lined with shops. The city also has several indoor malls linked by pedestrian bridges. Along the Kiel Fjord, the Maritime Museum displays model ships and nautical instruments in a former fish auction hall. Nearby, cruise ships dock at the Ostseekai Terminal in Germania Harbor. This grand harbor in Kiel continues on as it has for centuries and should be the focus of your visit. Huge ferries transport millions of passengers to and from Scandinavia, while summer sees locals strolling the long waterfront promenade.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin, 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 dayKiel €138Karlovy Vary €76
The average daily cost (per person) in Kiel is €138, 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 Kiel and Karlovy Vary in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKiel €67Karlovy Vary €36
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKiel €134Karlovy Vary €72
Compare Hotels in Kiel and Karlovy Vary
Looking for a hotel in Kiel 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: Kiel Hotel Prices and Karlovy Vary Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kiel €54Karlovy Vary €24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kiel
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kiel:
- Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Hamburg: $645
- Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $235
- Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg hotels - Arrival Private Transfer : $118
- Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg Airport (HAM) - Departure Private Transfer: $118
- Private Transfer from Ostseekai Kiel Port to Hamburg Airport: $79
- Private Transfer from Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg city: $79
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 Kiel or Karlovy Vary?
Prices for flights to both Karlovy Vary and Kiel 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 dayKiel €39Karlovy Vary €25
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kiel €19Karlovy Vary €11
Tours and Activities in Kiel
Here are a few actual costs in Kiel for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Bicycle tour to Friedrichshafen with a visit to the Zeppelin & Dornier Museum: $141
- Bike Tour of Lubeck with Top Attractions and Private Guide: $244
- Boat Cruise and a Private Walking Tour of Lubeck's Old Town: $205
- Christmas Stories of Lubeck – Private Walking Tour: $256
- City Sightseeing Kiel Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $22
- Discovering Lubeck – Private Walking Tour for Couples: $202
- Fascinating Pearls of Lubeck - Guided Walking Tour: $191
- Kiel - Private Historic Walking Tour: $384
- Kiel Crime Experience: self-guided crime tour: $42
- Kiel Private Guided Walking Tour: $281
- Kiel Self-Guided Audio Tour: Explore this Historic Port: $12
- Kiel's Historical Port: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
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 dayKiel €12Karlovy Vary €6.13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kiel and Karlovy Vary, we can see that Kiel 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 Kiel would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kiel 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 Kiel Expensive? and Is Karlovy Vary Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kiel or Karlovy Vary?
Kiel has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Karlovy Vary. When comparing the sizes of Kiel 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 Kiel 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 Kiel or Karlovy Vary in the Summer?
Both Karlovy Vary and Kiel during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kiel this time of year.
In July, Kiel is generally cooler than Karlovy Vary. Daily temperatures in Kiel average around 16°C (61°F), and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
In Karlovy Vary, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kiel. In the summer, Kiel often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Karlovy Vary. Kiel gets 219 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 217 hours of full sun.
Kiel usually gets more rain in July than Karlovy Vary. Kiel gets 88 mm (3.4 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 JulyKiel 16°C (61°F)Karlovy Vary 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Kiel or Karlovy Vary in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kiel and Karlovy Vary. Many travelers come to Kiel for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
Kiel is around the same temperature as Karlovy Vary in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kiel averages around 10°C (50°F) in October, and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Kiel usually receives less sunshine than Karlovy Vary during autumn. Kiel gets 102 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Kiel usually receives more rain than Karlovy Vary. Kiel gets 65 mm (2.6 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 OctoberKiel 10°C (50°F)Karlovy Vary 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Kiel or Karlovy Vary in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Kiel as well as Karlovy Vary. Many visitors come to Kiel in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Karlovy Vary can be very cold during winter. Kiel can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Kiel is cooler than Karlovy Vary. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kiel in January average around 0°C (33°F), and Karlovy Vary averages at about 1°C (33°F).
In the winter, Kiel often gets less sunshine than Karlovy Vary. Kiel gets 39 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 58 hours of full sun.
Kiel usually gets more rain in January than Karlovy Vary. Kiel gets 61 mm (2.4 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 JanuaryKiel 0°C (33°F)Karlovy Vary 1°C (33°F)
Should I visit Kiel or Karlovy Vary in the Spring?
Both Karlovy Vary and Kiel are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Kiel for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.
In April, Kiel is generally cooler than Karlovy Vary. Daily temperatures in Kiel average around 7°C (44°F), and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
Kiel usually receives more sunshine than Karlovy Vary during spring. Kiel gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 151 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Kiel usually receives around the same amount of rain as Karlovy Vary. Kiel gets 49 mm (1.9 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 AprilKiel 7°C (44°F)Karlovy Vary 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Karlovy Vary and Kiel
| Kiel | Karlovy Vary | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 0°C (33°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 1°C (34°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 3°C (38°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Apr | 7°C (44°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| May | 11°C (53°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 16°C (61°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (56°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Oct | 10°C (50°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 5°C (41°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Dec | 2°C (35°F) | 73 mm (2.9 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.