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

Should you visit Krakow or Bergen?

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

Should I visit Krakow or Bergen? 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 Bergen?

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.

Bergen

Bergen is the second largest city in Norway, and a major tourist destination due to its proximity and easy access to the fjords in West Norway. The nature that surrounds the city is stunning, and you can easily hop into the nearby countryside for some incredible hikes and outdoor adventures. The city itself is well known for its music and art scenes, making it a cultural haven in the country. There are many reasons to visit Bergen, not the least of which is the people that live there. Bergen is the most hilly city within Norway. It is surrounded by the Seven Mountains, which restrict development and keep the city contained. Situated in the far west of Norway, Bergen can be reached by a very scenic seven hour train ride from Oslo.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Poland, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Poland, The Best 10-Day Tours in Norway, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Norway.


Which place is cheaper, Bergen or Krakow?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Krakow is $64, while the average daily cost in Bergen is $108. 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 Bergen in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Krakow $42
    Bergen $67
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Krakow $84
    Bergen $134
Compare Hotels in Krakow and Bergen

Looking for a hotel in Krakow or Bergen? 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 Bergen


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 Bergen Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Krakow $6.40
    Bergen $9.65

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 Bergen

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bergen:

  • Arrival Private Transfer from Bergen Airport BGO to Bergen City by Minibus: $198
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Bergen Airport BGO to Bergen by business sedan: $98
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Bergen Airport BGO to Bergen by luxury minivan: $112
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Bergen Cruise Port to Bergen City by Minibus: $143
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Bergen Cruise Port to Bergen City by Sedan: $80
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Bergen Cruise Port to Bergen city by luxury van: $92
  • Bergen International Airport: Private One Way Transfer: $100
  • Bergen Private Transfer from Bergen (BGO) Airport to City centre: $131
  • Bergen Private Transfer from Bergen city centre to Bergen airport: $131
  • Private Transfer from Bergen Airport to City Center: $83
  • Private Transfer to Airport, City or Cruise Port: $153
  • Private Transfer to/from Bergen Airport (BGO): $104

Is it cheaper to fly into Krakow or Bergen?

Prices for flights to both Bergen 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
    Bergen $31

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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bergen

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

  • Guided Fishing Tour with Outdoor Cooking: $180

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Krakow $20
    Bergen $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 Bergen

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

  • Explore Bergen with Passionate Tour Guides: $3.21
  • Visita a pie Bergen NORDIC FREEDOM TOURS: $4.96
  • Guided Walking Tour: $4.96
  • Bergen Golden Circle Fjortour by Minibus: $5.00
  • Off the Beaten Track in A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Bergen University District: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Walk with a witch: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Walk with a Witch in 16th Century A Self-Guided Fictional Tour: $6.99
  • Walking Tour of Central Bergen: $7.63
  • Pocket Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
  • Pocket Bryggen: A Self-Guided Audio tour in Bergen: $8.99
  • Bergen 3-Hour Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Krakow $6.75
    Bergen $6.87
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
  • 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 Bergen, we can see that Bergen 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 Bergen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bergen 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 Bergen Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Krakow or Bergen?

Krakow has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Bergen. When comparing the sizes of Krakow and Bergen, 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 Bergen?

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 Bergen in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Krakow and Bergen. Also, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bergen this time of year.

Krakow is a little warmer than Bergen in the summer. The daily temperature in Krakow averages around 19°C (67°F) in July, and Bergen fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

Bergen receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Krakow usually receives less rain than Bergen. Krakow gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Krakow 19°C (67°F) 
    Bergen 15°C (58°F)

Should I visit Krakow or Bergen in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Krakow as well as Bergen. Also, many travelers come to Bergen for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

In the autumn, Krakow is a little warmer than Bergen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Krakow in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Bergen averages at about 9°C (48°F).

It's quite rainy in Bergen. Krakow usually gets less rain in October than Bergen. Krakow gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Krakow 11°C (51°F) 
    Bergen 9°C (48°F)

Should I visit Krakow or Bergen in the Winter?

Both Bergen and Krakow are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Bergen in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Bergen can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Krakow. In January, Krakow is generally much colder than Bergen. Daily temperatures in Krakow average around -2°C (29°F), and Bergen fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bergen. In January, Krakow usually receives less rain than Bergen. Krakow gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Krakow -2°C (29°F) 
    Bergen 2°C (35°F)

Should I visit Krakow or Bergen in the Spring?

Both Bergen and Krakow during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bergen for the small town charm during these months.

Krakow is much warmer than Bergen in the spring. The daily temperature in Krakow averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Bergen fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

Bergen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Krakow usually gets less rain in April than Bergen. Krakow gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Krakow 10°C (50°F) 
    Bergen 6°C (43°F)

Typical Weather for Bergen and Krakow

Krakow Bergen
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -2°C (29°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 2°C (35°F) 190 mm (7.5 in)
Feb 0°C (32°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 2°C (35°F) 152 mm (6 in)
Mar 5°C (40°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 4°C (38°F) 170 mm (6.7 in)
Apr 10°C (50°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 6°C (43°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
May 15°C (59°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 11°C (51°F) 106 mm (4.2 in)
Jun 18°C (64°F) 96 mm (3.8 in) 14°C (56°F) 132 mm (5.2 in)
Jul 19°C (67°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 15°C (58°F) 148 mm (5.8 in)
Aug 19°C (66°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 15°C (58°F) 190 mm (7.5 in)
Sep 15°C (60°F) 52 mm (2 in) 12°C (53°F) 283 mm (11.1 in)
Oct 11°C (51°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 9°C (48°F) 271 mm (10.7 in)
Nov 5°C (41°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 5°C (41°F) 259 mm (10.2 in)
Dec 1°C (33°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 3°C (37°F) 235 mm (9.3 in)