A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Krakow vs. Anchorage for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Krakow or Anchorage?

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

Should I visit Krakow or Anchorage? 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 Anchorage?

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.

Anchorage

Anchorage, Alaska's largest city, is in the south-central part of the state on the Cook Inlet. It's known for its cultural sites and also as a gateway to nearby wilderness areas and mountains. From the sparkling waters of Cook Inlet to the tallest peaks of the Chugach Mountains, Anchorage encompasses incredible adventures and metropolitan appeals that are larger than life. With 1,500 moose, incredible national parks nearby and 60 glaciers a short drive away, it's a dream destination in Alaska.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Poland, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Poland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Anchorage or Krakow?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Krakow is $65, while the average daily cost in Anchorage is $191. 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 Anchorage in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Krakow $42
    Anchorage $117
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Krakow $84
    Anchorage $234
Compare Hotels in Krakow and Anchorage

Looking for a hotel in Krakow or Anchorage? 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 Krakow


Hotels in Anchorage


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 and Anchorage Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Krakow $6.41
    Anchorage $27

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Krakow

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Krakow:

  • Kraków: Kraków Airport to Central Bus Station Bus Transfer: $5.35
  • From Auschwitz-Birkenau Roundtrip Bus Transfer: $7.47
  • Balice Airport Luxury Vehicle Private Transfer: $9.96
  • Private Transfer to or from Krakow Airport: $10
  • Wieliczka Salt mine private transfer-Krakow Balice 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 - Kraków City Center: $16
  • Kraków: Airport Private Transfer by Luxury Car: $16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Anchorage

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Anchorage:

  • Anchorage to Seward- Pre-Cruise Curated Wildlife Tour +Transfer: $219
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Anchorage Airport ANC: $62
  • SUV-Private Transfer, Anchorage to Whittier Cruise Ship Terminal: $299
  • SUV-Private Transfer, Whittier Cruise ship to Anchorage: $299
  • Seward to Anchorage- Post Cruise Curated Wildlife Tour +Transfer: $197

Is it cheaper to fly into Krakow or Anchorage?

Prices for flights to both Anchorage 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Krakow $13
    Anchorage $50

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
  • Discovering Cracow's Local Flavour: Food Tour: $22
  • From Polish Folk Show with All-You-Can-Eat Dinner: $32
  • Folk Show & 3-Course Dinner at Jama Michalika Café: $44
  • Polish Folk Show with 3 course dinner in Krakow legendary restaurant: $45
  • Krakow : Folk Show Dinner Drinking and Fun ! Book Now!: $64
  • Cabaret Show with Optional Dinner: $70
  • Pierogi Cooking Class: Mastering the Art of Polish Dumplings: $74
  • 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
  • Krakow Bites and Sights Food Tour: $104

Typical Food Prices in Anchorage

Some typical examples of dining costs in Anchorage are as follows:


  • Bread
    $4.25
  • Breakfast for Two
    $17

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Anchorage

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

  • City of Anchorage SIGHTSEEING & FOOD Tour: $190

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Krakow $20
    Anchorage $30

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: $3.23
  • Old Town Audio-Guided Walking Tour with Headset: $3.73
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $4.31
  • Old Town Audioguided walking Tour: $4.48
  • Home Army Museum Emil Fieldorf “Nil” - Entrance Ticket: $4.54
  • From Wieliczka Salt Mine Guided Tour: $4.98
  • Wawel Hill Tour with Audio Guide: $5.60
  • From Kraków: Wieliczka Salt Mine Trip & Guided Tour: $6.22
  • Wawel Hill Audioguide Tour: $6.72
  • Krakow Old Town: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $7.00

Typical Entertainment Prices in Anchorage

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Anchorage are as follows:


  • 1 Day Bike Rental
    $33
  • 1/2 Day Rafting Trip
    $105

Tours and Activities in Anchorage

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

  • Anchorage Museum General Admission Ticket: $25
  • 1-Hour Trolley Tour: $25
  • Anchorage Trolley Tour: $25
  • Botanical Garden Walking Tour: $40
  • Deluxe Trolley City Tour: $50
  • Anchorage Trolley's Deluxe City Tour: $50
  • Anchorage City Tour, w/Chocolate Factory Samplings & Much More!: $59
  • Anchorage's Winter City Tour: $59
  • Last Frontier Anchorage City & Wilderness Tour - Top Winter Value: $65
  • Anchorage City Tour w/ Taste of Wild Smoked Salmon & Reindeer Sausage: $69
  • Anchorage City Tour w/ Wild Smoked Salmon & Reindeer Sausage: $73
  • Tour on a unique 14-passenger electric vehicle: $100

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Krakow $6.76
    Anchorage $20
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
  • Pub Crawl 1 hour Open Bar and 5 Hours Clubs in Krakow with VIP: $24
  • Halloween Pub Crawl - Krawl Through Krakow: $24
  • Pub tour in Old Town with 1 hour open bar with a guide.: $25
  • Pub Crawl with Shots, Drinks & Skip-the-Line Entry: $25
  • Pub Crawl + Unlimited Drinks + VIP entry + Drinking Games & Photographer : $25
  • Three-Hour Pub Crawl: $39
  • Wieliczka Vineyard: Wine tasting with local snacks: $44
  • Tyskie Brewery Tour from Katowice: $120

Sample the Local Flavors in Anchorage

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Anchorage:

  • Chocolate and Wine Tasting Tour: $109
  • Half-Day Anchorage Craft Brewery Tour and Tastings: $179
  • Guided Tour on Matanuska Glacier w/Alaska Honey & Wine Tasting: $285


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Krakow and Anchorage, we can see that Anchorage is more expensive. And not only is Krakow much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Krakow is in Europe and Anchorage is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Anchorage would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Anchorage 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 Anchorage Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Krakow or Anchorage?

Krakow has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Anchorage. When comparing the sizes of Krakow and Anchorage, 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 Anchorage?

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 Anchorage in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Krakow and Anchorage. Furthermore, most visitors come to Anchorage for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Krakow is a little warmer than Anchorage. Typically, the summer temperatures in Krakow in July average around 19°C (67°F), and Anchorage averages at about 59°F (15°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Anchorage this time of the year. In Krakow, it's very sunny this time of the year. Krakow usually receives less sunshine than Anchorage during summer. Krakow gets 201 hours of sunny skies, while Anchorage receives 240 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Krakow usually receives more rain than Anchorage. Krakow gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Anchorage receives 1.7 inches (44 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Krakow 19°C (67°F) 
    Anchorage 59°F (15°C)

Should I visit Krakow or Anchorage in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Krakow as well as Anchorage. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Anchorage because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

The weather in Anchorage can be very cold. In October, Krakow is generally much warmer than Anchorage. Daily temperatures in Krakow average around 11°C (51°F), and Anchorage fluctuates around 35°F (2°C).

In the autumn, Krakow often gets less sunshine than Anchorage. Krakow gets 97 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Anchorage receives 118 hours of full sun.

Krakow usually gets less rain in October than Anchorage. Krakow gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Anchorage receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Krakow 11°C (51°F) 
    Anchorage 35°F (2°C)

Should I visit Krakow or Anchorage in the Winter?

Both Anchorage and Krakow are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Anchorage this time of year.

It's quite cold in Anchorage in the winter. The weather in Krakow can be very cold. Krakow is much warmer than Anchorage in the winter. The daily temperature in Krakow averages around -2°C (29°F) in January, and Anchorage fluctuates around 15°F (-9°C).

Krakow usually receives less sunshine than Anchorage during winter. Krakow gets 38 hours of sunny skies, while Anchorage receives 80 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Krakow usually receives more rain than Anchorage. Krakow gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Anchorage receives 0.7 inches (19 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Krakow -2°C (29°F) 
    Anchorage 15°F (-9°C)

Should I visit Krakow or Anchorage in the Spring?

Both Anchorage and Krakow during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Anchorage for the natural beauty.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Anchorage. In the spring, Krakow is much warmer than Anchorage. Typically, the spring temperatures in Krakow in April average around 10°C (50°F), and Anchorage averages at about 36°F (2°C).

In Anchorage, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Krakow often gets less sunshine than Anchorage. Krakow gets 132 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Anchorage receives 233 hours of full sun.

Krakow usually gets more rain in April than Anchorage. Krakow gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Anchorage receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Krakow 10°C (50°F) 
    Anchorage 36°F (2°C)

Typical Weather for Anchorage and Krakow

Krakow Anchorage
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -2°C (29°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 15°F (-9°C) 0.7 inches (19 mm)
Feb 0°C (32°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 19°F (-7°C) 0.8 inches (21 mm)
Mar 5°C (40°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 26°F (-3°C) 0.7 inches (18 mm)
Apr 10°C (50°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 36°F (2°C) 0.7 inches (18 mm)
May 15°C (59°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 47°F (8°C) 0.8 inches (20 mm)
Jun 18°C (64°F) 96 mm (3.8 in) 55°F (13°C) 1.1 inches (27 mm)
Jul 19°C (67°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 59°F (15°C) 1.7 inches (44 mm)
Aug 19°C (66°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 57°F (14°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm)
Sep 15°C (60°F) 52 mm (2 in) 49°F (9°C) 2.6 inches (66 mm)
Oct 11°C (51°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 35°F (2°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm)
Nov 5°C (41°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 22°F (-6°C) 1.1 inches (27 mm)
Dec 1°C (33°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 17°F (-8°C) 1.1 inches (28 mm)