Which place is cheaper, Alesund or Krakow?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Krakow or Alesund?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Krakow or Alesund? 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: Krakow or Alesund?
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.
Alesund
Alesund is a port town on the west coast of Norway, at the entrance to the Geirangerfjord. It could be the backdrop for a Nordic fairytale – with a modern plot twist. It's known for the art nouveau architectural style in which most of the town was rebuilt after a fire in 1904, as documented at the Jugendstilsenteret museum. And it's no coincidence that Alesund and the surrounding areas are among the most visited sites for tourists in Norway. Many use The Art Nouveau town as a starting point to explore the renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Geirangerfjord, the bird sanctuary island of Runde, or the spectacular snow-capped summits of the Hjorundfjord and the Sunnmorsalpene. There are panoramic views of Alesund's architecture, the surrounding archipelago and fjords from the Mount Aksla lookout. The town of Alesund has a beautiful setting across several islands stretching out into the Atlantic Ocean and you find unspoilt and beautiful nature the whole year round.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Poland, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Poland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Norway, and The Best Contiki Tours to Norway.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKrakow $64Alesund $99
The average daily cost (per person) in Krakow is $64, while the average daily cost in Alesund is $99. 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 Krakow and Alesund in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKrakow $42Alesund $53
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKrakow $84Alesund $106
Compare Hotels in Krakow and Alesund
Looking for a hotel in Krakow or Alesund? 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: Krakow Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Krakow $6.40Alesund $25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Krakow
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Krakow:
- Kraków: Kraków Airport to Central Bus Station Bus Transfer: $5.31
- From Auschwitz-Birkenau Roundtrip Bus Transfer: $6.19
- Balice Airport Luxury Vehicle Private Transfer: $9.91
- Private Transfer to or from Krakow Airport: $10
- Private Transfer to/from Krakow Airport (KRK): $11
- Auschwitz-Birkenau Guided Tour & Transfer from Krakow: $12
- Krakow Airport Transfer Balice: $14
- Krakow Airport Private Transfers: $15
- Electric Car Transfer between Krakow and the Airport: $15
- Kraków: Airport Private Transfer by Luxury Car: $16
- Auschwitz - Birkenau Roundtrip Transfer with assistance: $17
- Kraków Airport Private Transfer - Kraków City Center: $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alesund
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alesund:
- Aalesund Private Transfer from Aalesund (AES) Airport to City centre: $135
- Aalesund Private Transfer from Aalesund city centre to Aalesund airport: $135
- Alesund to Alesund Vigra Airport (AES)-Departure Private Transfer: $59
- Private Transfer To and From Airport in Ålesund: $71
- Private Transfer from Alesund Airport (AES) to Andalsnes Port: $87
- Private Transfer from Alesund Airport (AES) to Geiranger Port: $185
- Private Transfer from Alesund City Hotels to Alesund Cruise Port: $36
- Private Transfer from Alesund City Hotels to Andalsnes Port: $87
- Private Transfer from Alesund City Hotels to Molde Cruise Port: $58
- Private Transfer from Alesund City Hotels to Olden Cruise Port: $60
- Private Transfer from Alesund Cruise Port to Alesund City Hotels: $36
- Private Transfer from Alesund Port to Alesund Vigra Airport (AES): $36
Is it cheaper to fly into Krakow or Alesund?
Prices for flights to both Alesund and Krakow 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 dayKrakow $13Alesund $30
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Krakow $20Alesund $16
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
Tours and Activities in Alesund
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Alesund are as follows:
- Ålesund Two Hour Walking City Tour: $42
- 1-Day Hop-on Hop-off Audio-Guided Tour in Alesund : $42
- City Sightseeing Alesund Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $45
- Varden Molde Panorama Hike Tour: $46
- Hellesylt Sightseeing Boat Geirangerfjord: $55
- Molde and Atlantic Ocean Road Audio Tour: $64
- Ålesund Sightseeing and Viking Saga Islands: $102
- 3 Hour Guided Food Walk Tour in Alesund, Norway: $111
- Fjord Paddle in Hellesylt - Half Day Kayaking Tour: $121
- Alesund Shore Excursion: The Ultimate Sightseeing Tour: $125
- Sightseeing Tour in Trollstigen - Land of Trolls: $140
- E-bike And Hiking Tour In Ålesund: $140
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKrakow $6.75Alesund $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Krakow
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Krakow:
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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 Krakow and Alesund, we can see that Alesund 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 Alesund would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Alesund 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 Krakow Expensive? and Is Alesund Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Krakow or Alesund?
Krakow has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Alesund. When comparing the sizes of Krakow and Alesund, 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 Krakow or Alesund?
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 Krakow or Alesund in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Krakow and Alesund. Furthermore, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Alesund this time of year.
In the summer, Krakow is much warmer than Alesund. Typically, the summer temperatures in Krakow in July average around 19°C (67°F), and Alesund averages at about 12°C (54°F).
In July, Krakow usually receives around the same amount of rain as Alesund. Krakow gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKrakow 19°C (67°F)Alesund 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Krakow or Alesund in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Krakow as well as Alesund. Additionally, many travelers come to Alesund for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Krakow is generally a little warmer than Alesund. Daily temperatures in Krakow average around 11°C (51°F), and Alesund fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
It's quite rainy in Alesund. Krakow usually gets less rain in October than Alesund. Krakow gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKrakow 11°C (51°F)Alesund 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Krakow or Alesund in the Winter?
Both Alesund and Krakow are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Alesund in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Alesund can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Krakow. Krakow is much colder than Alesund in the winter. The daily temperature in Krakow averages around -2°C (29°F) in January, and Alesund fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Alesund. In January, Krakow usually receives less rain than Alesund. Krakow gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKrakow -2°C (29°F)Alesund 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Krakow or Alesund in the Spring?
Both Alesund and Krakow during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Alesund for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
Alesund can be very cold during spring. In the spring, Krakow is much warmer than Alesund. Typically, the spring temperatures in Krakow in April average around 10°C (50°F), and Alesund averages at about 5°C (40°F).
Krakow usually gets less rain in April than Alesund. Krakow gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKrakow 10°C (50°F)Alesund 5°C (40°F)
Typical Weather for Alesund and Krakow
| Krakow | Alesund | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (29°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Feb | 0°C (32°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Mar | 5°C (40°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 108 mm (4.2 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (50°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (67°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (66°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Sep | 15°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) |
| Nov | 5°C (41°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) |
| Dec | 1°C (33°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 167 mm (6.6 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.