A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kiel vs. Katowice for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Kiel or Katowice?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Kiel or Katowice? 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 Katowice?

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.

Katowice

Katowice is a city east of Krakow, in the Silesian province of southern Poland. A large dome crowns the Cathedral of Christ the King, built between 1927 and 1955. The adjacent Archdiocesan Museum exhibits Silesian sacred art. The ultramodern Silesian Museum features several glass structures on the site of a former coal mine. It exhibits Polish art and chronicles the history of Upper Silesia. Historically, Katowice is a product of the 19th-century industrial boom, but it only became a city in the interwar period. After WWII, at the height of the Stalinist cult craze, the city was renamed Stalinogrod, but reverted to its old name soon after Comrade Joe died in 1953. Katowice has few significant historical monuments, but it's a major commercial and cultural center and holds sufficient attractions to make it worth a stop.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Krakow, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Warsaw.


Which place is cheaper, Katowice or Kiel?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Kiel is €138, while the average daily cost in Katowice is €43. 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 Katowice in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kiel 67
    Katowice 18
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kiel 134
    Katowice 36
Compare Hotels in Kiel and Katowice

Looking for a hotel in Kiel or Katowice? 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 Kiel


Hotels in Katowice


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 Katowice Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kiel 54
    Katowice 12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kiel

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kiel:

  • Private Transfer from Ostseekai Kiel Port to Hamburg Airport: $79
  • Private Transfer from Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg city: $79
  • Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg Airport (HAM) - Departure Private Transfer: $118
  • Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg hotels - Arrival Private Transfer : $118
  • Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $235
  • Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Hamburg: $645

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Katowice

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Katowice:

  • Auschwitz-Birkenau Tour from Katowice with Private Transfers: $199
  • Auschwitz-Birkenau: Fast-Track Ticket & Guided Tour No Transfers: $32
  • Katowice Airport: Private Transfer to or from Krakow: $186
  • Katowice Pyrzowice KTW to Krakow City Private Transfer: $129

Is it cheaper to fly into Kiel or Katowice?

Prices for flights to both Katowice 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Kiel 39
    Katowice 18

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Katowice

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

  • Private Traditional Polish Food Tour: $179

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kiel 19
    Katowice 6.00

Tours and Activities in Kiel

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

  • Lübeck Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.54
  • Laboe Naval Memorial: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
  • Lindau Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $11
  • Kiel's Historical Port: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
  • Kiel Self-Guided Audio Tour: Explore this Historic Port: $12
  • SEA LIFE Timmendorfer Strand Admission Ticket: $16
  • City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $21
  • City Sightseeing Kiel Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $22
  • Lübeck stories - an exciting scavenger hunt tour: $34
  • Kiel Crime Experience: self-guided crime tour: $42
  • Murder Crime Game Self-Guided Interactive Tour: $74
  • Private Walking Tour of Kiel: $97

Tours and Activities in Katowice

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Katowice are as follows:

  • Ticket Pass and Guided Tour in Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum: $28
  • Auschwitz-Birkenau: Entry Ticket with Guided Tour: $32
  • Entrance Ticket to Auschwitz Birkenau with Guide and FREE ebook: $32
  • Auschwitz-Birkenau - Skip the Line Tickets : $32
  • Katowice and Nikiszowiec: bicycle tour with guide: $42
  • Auschwitz & Birkenau Live Guide Tour Entrance Ticket: $55
  • From Auschwitz-Birkenau Skip-the-Line Guided Tour: $95
  • Katowice Old Town Highlights Private Walking Tour: $99
  • Private City Tour with Stories & Viewing Points: $154
  • Private Tour to Auschwitz Birkenau: $156
  • Katowice Private Vodka Tasting Tour: $159
  • Katowice Private Polish Beer Tasting Tour: $160

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kiel 12
    Katowice 5.33

Sample the Local Flavors in Katowice

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

  • Tyskie Brewery Tour: $111


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kiel and Katowice, we can see that Kiel is more expensive. And not only is Katowice much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Katowice would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Katowice 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 Katowice.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kiel Expensive? and Is Katowice Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Kiel or Katowice?

Katowice has a larger population, and is about 36% larger than the population of Kiel. When comparing the sizes of Kiel and Katowice, 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 Katowice?

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 Kiel or Katowice in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kiel and Katowice. The summer months attract visitors to Kiel because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Kiel is around the same temperature as Katowice in the summer. The daily temperature in Kiel averages around 16°C (61°F) in July, and Katowice fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Katowice this time of the year. In Kiel, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kiel usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Katowice during summer. Kiel gets 219 hours of sunny skies, while Katowice receives 219 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Kiel usually receives more rain than Katowice. Kiel gets 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Katowice receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Kiel 16°C (61°F) 
    Katowice 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Kiel or Katowice in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Kiel as well as Katowice. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Kiel this time of year.

In the autumn, Kiel is around the same temperature as Katowice. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kiel in October average around 10°C (50°F), and Katowice averages at about 10°C (50°F).

In the autumn, Kiel often gets less sunshine than Katowice. Kiel gets 102 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Katowice receives 128 hours of full sun.

Kiel usually gets more rain in October than Katowice. Kiel gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Katowice receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Kiel 10°C (50°F) 
    Katowice 10°C (50°F)

Should I visit Kiel or Katowice in the Winter?

Both Katowice and Kiel are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Kiel for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Katowice can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Kiel. In January, Kiel is generally much warmer than Katowice. Daily temperatures in Kiel average around 0°C (33°F), and Katowice fluctuates around -2°C (28°F).

Kiel usually receives less sunshine than Katowice during winter. Kiel gets 39 hours of sunny skies, while Katowice receives 51 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Kiel usually receives more rain than Katowice. Kiel gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Katowice receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Kiel 0°C (33°F) 
    Katowice -2°C (28°F)

Should I visit Kiel or Katowice in the Spring?

Both Katowice and Kiel during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Kiel in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

Kiel is cooler than Katowice in the spring. The daily temperature in Kiel averages around 7°C (44°F) in April, and Katowice fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

In the spring, Kiel often gets more sunshine than Katowice. Kiel gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Katowice receives 152 hours of full sun.

Kiel usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Katowice. Kiel gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Katowice receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Kiel 7°C (44°F) 
    Katowice 8°C (46°F)

Typical Weather for Katowice and Kiel

Kiel Katowice
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 0°C (33°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) -2°C (28°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Feb 1°C (34°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) -2°C (28°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Mar 3°C (38°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 4°C (39°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Apr 7°C (44°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 8°C (46°F) 50 mm (2 in)
May 11°C (53°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 13°C (55°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 16°C (61°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Jul 16°C (61°F) 88 mm (3.4 in) 18°C (64°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Aug 16°C (62°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 17°C (63°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Sep 14°C (56°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 14°C (57°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 10°C (50°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 10°C (50°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Nov 5°C (41°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 4°C (39°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Dec 2°C (35°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 0°C (32°F) 50 mm (2 in)