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

Should you visit Kiel or Plzen?

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

Should I visit Kiel or Plzen? 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 Plzen?

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.

Plzen

Renowned as the home of the pilsner beer, Plzen is a city located in the West Bohemia region of the Czech Republic. Beyond beer, it also features a number of impressive landmarks some of which include St. Bartholomew's Cathedral and the Great Synagogue.

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 Sightseeing Tours in Czech Republic, and The Best Cultural Tours in Czech Republic.


Which place is cheaper, Plzen 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 Plzen is €95. 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 Plzen in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kiel 67
    Plzen 57
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kiel 134
    Plzen 114
Compare Hotels in Kiel and Plzen

Looking for a hotel in Kiel or Plzen? 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 Plzen


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 Plzen Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kiel 54
    Plzen 7.75

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 Plzen

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Plzen:

  • Private Transfer from Pilsen to Prague: $87
  • Private Transfer from Pilsen to Prague with 2 hours for sightseeing: $116
  • Private Transfer from Pilsen(Plzen) to Prague: $271

Is it cheaper to fly into Kiel or Plzen?

Prices for flights to both Plzen 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
    Plzen 29

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kiel 19
    Plzen 20

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 Plzen

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

  • Pilsen: Historic Underground Tour with a Glass of Beer: $8.56
  • Pilsen Historic Underground Tour with a Glass of Beer: $8.74
  • Pilsen: Old Town Gastronomy Tour: $32
  • Pilsen Private Walking Tour: $201
  • Experience Best Prague Tandem Skydiving : $250
  • Private Tour to Pilsner Urquell from Prague: $272

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kiel 12
    Plzen 22

Sample the Local Flavors in Plzen

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Plzen:

  • Brewery Museum Entrance including a Glass of Beer: $6.55
  • Pilsen: Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting: $17
  • Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting: $17
  • Pilsen Highlights Small-Group Tour and Pilsner Brewery Tour including Lunch and Beer Tasting: $108
  • Pilsner brewery tour incl beer tasting & Czech town Pilsen: $140
  • Day trip to Pilsner Urquell brewery and Bohemian glassworks: $207


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

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


Which is Bigger, Kiel or Plzen?

Kiel has a larger population, and is about 42% larger than the population of Plzen. When comparing the sizes of Kiel and Plzen, 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 Plzen?

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 Plzen in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kiel and Plzen. Many visitors come to Kiel in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Kiel is generally cooler than Plzen. Daily temperatures in Kiel average around 16°C (61°F), and Plzen fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Plzen 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 Plzen during summer. Kiel gets 219 hours of sunny skies, while Plzen receives 212 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Kiel usually receives more rain than Plzen. Kiel gets 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Plzen receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Kiel 16°C (61°F) 
    Plzen 20°C (67°F)

Should I visit Kiel or Plzen in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Kiel as well as Plzen. Most visitors come to Kiel for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

Kiel is around the same temperature as Plzen in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kiel averages around 10°C (50°F) in October, and Plzen fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Kiel often gets less sunshine than Plzen. Kiel gets 102 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Plzen receives 120 hours of full sun.

Kiel usually gets more rain in October than Plzen. Kiel gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Plzen receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Kiel 10°C (50°F) 
    Plzen 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Kiel or Plzen in the Winter?

Both Plzen and Kiel are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Kiel because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Plzen in the winter. The weather in Kiel can be very cold. In the winter, Kiel is much warmer than Plzen. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kiel in January average around 0°C (33°F), and Plzen averages at about -1°C (31°F).

Kiel usually receives less sunshine than Plzen during winter. Kiel gets 39 hours of sunny skies, while Plzen receives 45 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Kiel usually receives more rain than Plzen. Kiel gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Plzen receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Kiel 0°C (33°F) 
    Plzen -1°C (31°F)

Should I visit Kiel or Plzen in the Spring?

Both Plzen and Kiel during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Kiel this time of year.

In April, Kiel is generally much colder than Plzen. Daily temperatures in Kiel average around 7°C (44°F), and Plzen fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the spring, Kiel often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Plzen. Kiel gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Plzen receives 164 hours of full sun.

Kiel usually gets more rain in April than Plzen. Kiel gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Plzen receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Kiel 7°C (44°F) 
    Plzen 11°C (51°F)

Typical Weather for Plzen and Kiel

Kiel Plzen
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 0°C (33°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) -1°C (31°F) 25 mm (1 in)
Feb 1°C (34°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 2°C (35°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Mar 3°C (38°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 6°C (42°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)
Apr 7°C (44°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 11°C (51°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
May 11°C (53°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 15°C (59°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 18°C (64°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Jul 16°C (61°F) 88 mm (3.4 in) 20°C (67°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Aug 16°C (62°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 19°C (67°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Sep 14°C (56°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 16°C (61°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Oct 10°C (50°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 11°C (51°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Nov 5°C (41°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 5°C (41°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Dec 2°C (35°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 1°C (34°F) 23 mm (0.9 in)