Which place is cheaper, Krakow or Kiel?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Kiel or Krakow?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kiel or Krakow? 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 Krakow?
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.
Krakow
Krakow is Poland's second largest city. It sits on both sides of the Wisla River at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains. There are more than 1.4 million residents in the metropolitan area. Krakow is known as a historical and beautiful city that is one of the country's most popular tourist destinations. Tourism makes up a large part of the city's economy, but there is also a university and several local colleges which are major employers as well. Technology has grown in recent years and the city has some notable employees including Google, IBM and Motorola. Other important industries include steel, pharmaceuticals and tobacco.
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 10-Day Tours in Poland, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Poland.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKiel €138Krakow €60
The average daily cost (per person) in Kiel is €138, while the average daily cost in Krakow is €60. 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 Krakow in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKiel €67Krakow €39
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKiel €134Krakow €78
Compare Hotels in Kiel and Krakow
Looking for a hotel in Kiel or Krakow? 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 Krakow Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kiel €54Krakow €6.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kiel
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kiel:
- 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
- Private Transfer from Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg city: $79
- Private Transfer from Ostseekai Kiel Port to Hamburg Airport: $79
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Krakow
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Krakow:
- 1945-1989 Communism Tour of Krakow Nowa Huta with Transfers: $160
- 1945-1989 Communism Tour of Krakow Nowa Huta with Transfers: $171
- Airport Transfer (Krakow - Katowice): $100
- Arrival Private Transfer from Krakow Airport KRK to Krakow City by Business Car: $39
- Arrival Private Transfer from Krakow Airport KRK to Krakow City by Luxury Van: $54
- Auschwitz - Birkenau Roundtrip Transfer with assistance: $17
- Auschwitz Birkenau Transfer Service- Private Driver from Krakow: $109
- Auschwitz-Birkenau Guided Tour & Transfer from Krakow: $12
- Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum with Private Transfers from Krakow: $217
- Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum Guided Tour with Ticket and Transfer: $35
- Auschwitz-Birkenau Tour with Transfer, eBook and Optional Guide: $32
- Balice KRK airport OneWay PRIVATE TRANSFER to/from Krakow’s hotel: $29
Is it cheaper to fly into Kiel or Krakow?
Prices for flights to both Krakow 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 dayKiel €39Krakow €12
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Krakow
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Krakow.
- Walking Street Food Tour: $22
- From Polish Folk Show with All-You-Can-Eat Dinner: $32
- Polish Folk Show and Dinner From Krakow: $40
- Folk Show & 3-Course Dinner at Jama Michalika Café: $44
- Romantic Dinner with a Cruise on the Vistula River: $47
- Brewery Dinner -center of Krakow : $49
- Krakow : Folk Show Dinner Drinking and Fun ! Book Now!: $59
- Folk Show Dinner Drinking and Fun in Krakow: $63
- Cabaret Show with Optional Dinner: $69
- Half-Day Krakow Food Tour in Old Town and Kazimierz: $83
- 4-Hour Polish Food Tour: $88
- Polish Pierogi Cooking Class with Farmer's Market Shopping: $97
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kiel €19Krakow €19
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 Krakow
Here are a few actual costs in Krakow for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Kraków in a nutshell - walking tour: $1.24
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Old Town Audio-Guided Walking Tour with Headset: $3.72
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $4.28
- Old Town Audioguided walking Tour: $4.46
- Tadeusz Kościuszko Mound Entry Tickets: $4.71
- From Wieliczka Salt Mine Guided Tour: $4.95
- Wawel Hill Tour with Audio Guide: $5.57
- Tadeusz Kościuszko Mound Entrance Tickets: $5.62
- From Kraków: Wieliczka Salt Mine Trip & Guided Tour: $6.19
- Skip the Line Ticket for Kościuszko Mound in Krakow: $6.59
- Wawel Hill Audioguide Tour: $6.69
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayKiel €12Krakow €6.32
Typical Alcohol Prices in Krakow
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Krakow:
-
Vodka€13
Sample the Local Flavors in Krakow
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Krakow:
- Pub Crawl with 1 Hour of Unlimited Alcoholic Drinks: $22
- Kazimierz Pub Crawl with 1-Hour of Unlimited Drinks: $22
- Pub Crawl - 1-hour Open Bar then Vip to 5 Clubs - Krakow: $24
- Halloween Pub Crawl - Krawl Through Krakow: $24
- Pub tour in Old Town with 1 hour open bar with a guide.: $25
- Kazimierz Pub Crawl + 1-hour Open Bar: $25
- Pub Crawl with Shots, Drinks & Skip-the-Line Entry: $25
- Pub Crawl of Kazimierz Jewish Quarter with a Local Guide : $25
- Three-Hour Pub Crawl: $39
- Wieliczka Vineyard: Wine tasting with local snacks: $44
- Hoppy tours - Krakow brewery tour : $56
- Krakow Wine Tasting Private Tour with Wine Expert: $176
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kiel and Krakow, we can see that Kiel is more expensive. And not only is Krakow much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Krakow would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Krakow 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 Krakow.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kiel Expensive? and Is Krakow Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kiel or Krakow?
Krakow has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Kiel. When comparing the sizes of Kiel and Krakow, 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 Krakow?
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 Krakow in the Summer?
Both Krakow and Kiel are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Kiel because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Kiel is cooler than Krakow. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kiel in July average around 16°C (61°F), and Krakow averages at about 19°C (67°F).
It's quite sunny in Krakow. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kiel. Kiel usually receives more sunshine than Krakow during summer. Kiel gets 219 hours of sunny skies, while Krakow receives 201 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Kiel usually receives around the same amount of rain as Krakow. Kiel gets 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyKiel 16°C (61°F)Krakow 19°C (67°F)
Should I visit Kiel or Krakow in the Autumn?
Both Krakow and Kiel during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Kiel this time of year.
In October, Kiel is generally around the same temperature as Krakow. Daily temperatures in Kiel average around 10°C (50°F), and Krakow fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
In the autumn, Kiel often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Krakow. Kiel gets 102 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Krakow receives 97 hours of full sun.
Kiel usually gets more rain in October than Krakow. Kiel gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKiel 10°C (50°F)Krakow 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Kiel or Krakow in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kiel and Krakow. Many travelers come to Kiel for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Krakow can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Kiel. Kiel is much warmer than Krakow in the winter. The daily temperature in Kiel averages around 0°C (33°F) in January, and Krakow fluctuates around -2°C (29°F).
Kiel usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Krakow during winter. Kiel gets 39 hours of sunny skies, while Krakow receives 38 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Kiel usually receives more rain than Krakow. Kiel gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKiel 0°C (33°F)Krakow -2°C (29°F)
Should I visit Kiel or Krakow in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Kiel as well as Krakow. Many visitors come to Kiel in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.
In the spring, Kiel is cooler than Krakow. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kiel in April average around 7°C (44°F), and Krakow averages at about 10°C (50°F).
In the spring, Kiel often gets more sunshine than Krakow. Kiel gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Krakow receives 132 hours of full sun.
Kiel usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Krakow. Kiel gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilKiel 7°C (44°F)Krakow 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Krakow and Kiel
| Kiel | Krakow | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 0°C (33°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | -2°C (29°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Feb | 1°C (34°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Mar | 3°C (38°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Apr | 7°C (44°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 11°C (53°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Jul | 16°C (61°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (56°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Oct | 10°C (50°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Nov | 5°C (41°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Dec | 2°C (35°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 40 mm (1.6 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.