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

Should you visit Krakow or Austin?

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

Should I visit Krakow or Austin? 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 Austin?

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.

Austin

Located in the Texas Hill Country, Austin is the capital city of the state. It is a relatively small city with a compact downtown area and many sprawling suburbs stretching out along the interstate. Austin prides itself on its eclectic culture and alternative vibe which is epitomized by the city's unofficial slogan "Keep Austin Weird." The University of Texas at Austin is also located downtown. The school's large student population helps give the city a youthful feel with a lively nightlife and no shortage of activities on weekends. The city is also the self proclaimed live music capital of the country. As such, it has many music venues and bars, most of which are clustered around the 6th Street area downtown. There are also many free outdoor concerts, particularly during the summer months.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Poland, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Poland, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Austin 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 Austin is $142. 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 Austin in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Krakow $42
    Austin $56
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Krakow $84
    Austin $112
Compare Hotels in Krakow and Austin

Looking for a hotel in Krakow or Austin? 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 Austin


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 Austin Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Krakow $6.41
    Austin $47

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
  • Airport to Cracow transfer by Luxurious VIP limo: $56
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Krakow Airport KRK to Krakow City by Business Car: $39
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Krakow Airport KRK to Krakow City in Luxury Van: $49
  • Arrival Private Transfers from Krakow Airport KRK to Krakow City: $38
  • Auschwitz Birkenau Transfer Service- Private Driver from Krakow: $109
  • Auschwitz and Birkenau Round-Trip Transfer Premium from Krakow: $273
  • Auschwitz-Birkenau Guided Tour & Transfer from Krakow: $12
  • Auschwitz-Birkenau Live Guided Tour and Transfer from Krakow: $32
  • Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum with Private Transfers from Krakow: $217
  • Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum Guided Tour with Ticket and Transfer: $35
  • Auschwitz-Birkenau Self-Guided Visit from Krakow with Private Transfers: $131

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Austin

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Austin:

  • Austin Airport Group Pickup / Transfer up to 1 hour away.: $150
  • Austin-Bergstrom Airport (AUS) to Austin City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $96
  • Private Transfer Between Airport and Hotels: $80

Is it cheaper to fly into Krakow or Austin?

Prices for flights to both Austin 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
    Austin $35

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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Austin

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

  • Famous Texas BBQ & Food Tour in Austin: $89
  • Famous Texas BBQ & Food Tour in Austin: $89
  • Austin South Congress Walking Food Tour for Small Groups: $95
  • Secret Food Tour: $98
  • Austin Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $99
  • Secret Food Tour of South Congress: $108
  • The Brunch Bus: Food Tour with a Live Band on Board the Bus!: $125
  • Private Guided Food Tour of Austin Neighborhoods: $150

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Krakow $20
    Austin $28

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 Austin

Here are a few typical costs in Austin for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Austin Duck Tour
    $31

Tours and Activities in Austin

Here are a few actual costs in Austin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Round Rock by Operation City Quest: $10
  • Austin,TX: Murder Mystery Detective Experience: $15
  • Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $15
  • Austin Trails Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
  • Downtown Austin Haunted History Tour: $24
  • Family-Friendly Ghosts of Austin Tour: $25
  • The Ghosts of Austin Walking Tour: $25
  • Ha Ha Haunted Austin Walking Ghost Tour: $26
  • Private 1 Hour Axe Throwing Experience in Texas: $27
  • Haunted Austin Walking History Tour: $28
  • City and Hill Country Non-Stop Tour in a Mercedes: $30
  • Forest Mindfulness and Embodiment Experience: $30

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Krakow $6.76
    Austin $28
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 Austin

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Austin:

  • Austin Bar Hunt: Sixth Street Spree: Austin Bar Crawl: $12
  • Austin Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $30
  • Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $30
  • Downtown Austin Live Music Pub Crawl: $35
  • Downtown Live Music Pub Crawl: $35
  • Austin Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $44
  • From Texas Hill Country Brewery & Distillery Shuttle: $65
  • Private Austin Brewery Tour by Pedicab with All-Inclusive Beer Flight Option: $70
  • 4-Hour Austin Signature Brewery Tour: $100
  • The Brew Bus: Austin Brewery Tour with Live Band: $125
  • Half-Day Private Texas Hill Country Wine Tour from Austin: $143
  • Brewery 5K Fun Run, BBQ, and Texas History Museum in Austin : $175


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


Which is Bigger, Krakow or Austin?

Krakow has a larger population, and is about 11% larger than the population of Austin. When comparing the sizes of Krakow and Austin, 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 Austin?

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 Austin in the Summer?

Both Austin and Krakow are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Austin in the summer for the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Krakow is much colder than Austin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Krakow in July average around 19°C (67°F), and Austin averages at about 87°F (30°C).

It's quite sunny in Austin. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Krakow. Krakow usually receives less sunshine than Austin during summer. Krakow gets 201 hours of sunny skies, while Austin receives 318 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Krakow usually receives more rain than Austin. Krakow gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Austin receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Krakow 19°C (67°F) 
    Austin 87°F (30°C)

Should I visit Krakow or Austin in the Autumn?

Both Austin and Krakow during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Austin for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Krakow is generally much colder than Austin. Daily temperatures in Krakow average around 11°C (51°F), and Austin fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

In Austin, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Krakow often gets less sunshine than Austin. Krakow gets 97 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Austin receives 214 hours of full sun.

Krakow usually gets less rain in October than Austin. Krakow gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Austin receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Krakow 11°C (51°F) 
    Austin 73°F (23°C)

Should I visit Krakow or Austin in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Krakow and Austin. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Austin because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Krakow can be very cold during winter. Krakow is much colder than Austin in the winter. The daily temperature in Krakow averages around -2°C (29°F) in January, and Austin fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

Krakow usually receives less sunshine than Austin during winter. Krakow gets 38 hours of sunny skies, while Austin receives 163 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Krakow usually receives less rain than Austin. Krakow gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Austin receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Krakow -2°C (29°F) 
    Austin 51°F (11°C)

Should I visit Krakow or Austin in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Krakow as well as Austin. Additionally, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Austin this time of year.

In the spring, Krakow is much colder than Austin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Krakow in April average around 10°C (50°F), and Austin averages at about 71°F (22°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Austin. In the spring, Krakow often gets less sunshine than Austin. Krakow gets 132 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Austin receives 209 hours of full sun.

Krakow usually gets less rain in April than Austin. Krakow gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Austin receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Krakow 10°C (50°F) 
    Austin 71°F (22°C)

Typical Weather for Austin and Krakow

Krakow Austin
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -2°C (29°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 51°F (11°C) 1.9 inches (48 mm)
Feb 0°C (32°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 55°F (13°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm)
Mar 5°C (40°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 63°F (17°C) 1.9 inches (48 mm)
Apr 10°C (50°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 71°F (22°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
May 15°C (59°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 77°F (25°C) 4 inches (101 mm)
Jun 18°C (64°F) 96 mm (3.8 in) 83°F (29°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm)
Jul 19°C (67°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 87°F (30°C) 1.9 inches (48 mm)
Aug 19°C (66°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 87°F (31°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm)
Sep 15°C (60°F) 52 mm (2 in) 82°F (28°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm)
Oct 11°C (51°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 73°F (23°C) 3 inches (77 mm)
Nov 5°C (41°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 62°F (17°C) 2 inches (52 mm)
Dec 1°C (33°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 54°F (12°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm)