A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kitzbuhel vs. Karlovy Vary for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Kitzbuhel or Karlovy Vary?

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

Should I visit Kitzbuhel 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: Kitzbuhel or Karlovy Vary?

Kitzbuhel

An internationally renowned ski resort, Kitzbuhel is a part of one of the largest ski regions in Austria. Located about halfway between Innsbruck and Salzburg, the town is surrounded by the Kitzbuhler Alpen, which reach over 2,000 meters. The rugged terrain is a great location for skiing in the winter as well as hiking in the summer.

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 Budget Tours to Austria, The Best Luxury Tours to Austria, The Best Cultural Tours in Czech Republic, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Czech Republic.


Which place is cheaper, Karlovy Vary or Kitzbuhel?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Kitzbuhel is €179, 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 Kitzbuhel and Karlovy Vary in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kitzbuhel 89
    Karlovy Vary 36
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kitzbuhel 178
    Karlovy Vary 72
Compare Hotels in Kitzbuhel and Karlovy Vary

Looking for a hotel in Kitzbuhel 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.

Hotels in Kitzbuhel


Hotels in Karlovy Vary


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: Kitzbuhel Hotel Prices and Karlovy Vary Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kitzbuhel 69
    Karlovy Vary 24

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Karlovy Vary

Also for Karlovy Vary, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague: Private daytrip with 2h for sightseeing: $128
  • Private Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague, English-speaking driver: $120
  • Private Transfer Karlovy Vary to Prague Vaclav Havel Airport : $66

Is it cheaper to fly into Kitzbuhel or Karlovy Vary?

Prices for flights to both Karlovy Vary and Kitzbuhel 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
    Kitzbuhel 48
    Karlovy Vary 25

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kitzbuhel 34
    Karlovy Vary 11

Tours and Activities in Karlovy Vary

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Karlovy Vary.

  • A day in the life of Karlovy Vary - Private tour with a local: $224
  • Full-Day Private Karlovy Vary Tour from Prague: $298
  • Karlovy Vary & Marianske Lazne Tour from Prague with Lunch: $112
  • Karlovy Vary Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $209
  • Hot Springs Tasting Tour: $35
  • Hot Springs Tasting Tour: $32
  • Private Walking Tour: $227
  • LOCATION: Karlovy Vary City Tour: $255
  • Prague: Karlovy Vary Tour with Lunch and Moser Museum Visit: $77
  • Private Tour to Karlovy Vary: $353
  • 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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kitzbuhel 11
    Karlovy Vary 6.13


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kitzbuhel and Karlovy Vary, we can see that Kitzbuhel 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 Kitzbuhel would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kitzbuhel 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 Kitzbuhel Expensive? and Is Karlovy Vary Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Kitzbuhel or Karlovy Vary?

Karlovy Vary has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Kitzbuhel. When comparing the sizes of Kitzbuhel 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.