Which place is cheaper, Bologna or Krakow?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Krakow or Bologna?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Krakow or Bologna? 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 Bologna?
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.
Bologna
Bologna is the capital city of the northern region of Italy, Emilia-Romagna, with a population of 380,000. It is a historical city known well by Italians, however, not as well known among foreigners. The locals of Bologna speak little to no English. The city is most known for having the oldest university in the West. Another reason many visit this city is because of its exquisite cuisine. Many Italians would consider it one of the most beautiful cities in the entire country because of its impeccably preserved historic centers. The best time to visit Bologna is usually between March and October, although bare in mind that July and August can get quite hot.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Poland, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Poland, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKrakow $64Bologna $170
The average daily cost (per person) in Krakow is $64, while the average daily cost in Bologna is $170. 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 Bologna in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKrakow $42Bologna $93
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKrakow $84Bologna $186
Compare Hotels in Krakow and Bologna
Looking for a hotel in Krakow or Bologna? 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 and Bologna Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Krakow $6.40Bologna $22
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 Bologna
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bologna:
- Arrival Private Transfer Bologna Airport BLQ to Modena or Verona by Business Van: $162
- Arrival Private Transfers: Bologna Airport BLQ to Bologna City in Business Car: $121
- Arrival Private Transfers: Bologna Airport BLQ to Bologna City in Luxury Van: $135
- Arrival Transfer Bologna Airport BLQ to Bologna City by Sedan: $56
- Arrival Transfer from Ravenna/Cruise Port to Venice Piazzale Roma: $120
- Balsamic Vinegar Experience with Private Transfer: $163
- Bologna Airport (BLQ) to Bologna - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $92
- Bologna Airport (BLQ) to Florence - Arrival Private Transfer: $86
- Bologna Airport (BLQ) to Florence - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $172
- Bologna Airport (BLQ) to Ravenna city or Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $113
- Bologna Airport (BLQ) to Venice - Arrival Private Transfer: $117
- Bologna Airport (BLQ) to Venice - Arrival Private Transfer: $100
Is it cheaper to fly into Krakow or Bologna?
Prices for flights to both Bologna 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 dayKrakow $13Bologna $42
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 Bologna
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bologna.
- Virtual Cooking Class: Ravioli variations with classic tomato sauce: $35
- Bologna Food Tour including Tagliatelle, Mortadella, Wine: $57
- Bologna Traditional Home Cooking Class with Lunch or Dinner: $73
- Exclusive Cooking Class - Pasta Tagliatelle Ragu & Spritz: $74
- Exclusive Bologna Cooking Class - Pasta Tagliatelle Ragu & Spritz: $75
- Traditional Bolognese Cooking Class with a Meal: $80
- Traditional Recipes Cooking Class with Local Wines: $82
- Hands on Home Cooking Class: $84
- Walking Food Tour with a Local Guide: $84
- Tastes and Traditions Food Tour with Market Visit: $84
- Tastes & Traditions of Food Tour with Market Visit: $86
- Bologna traditional food tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $92
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Krakow $20Bologna $41
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bologna
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Bologna are as follows:
-
Food Tour (for 2)$34
-
Wine Tasting Tour (for 2)$123
-
Hop-on-Hop-off Bus Tour (for 2)$72
-
National Gallery Museum Bologna (for 2)$13
-
Archaeology Museum of Bologna (for 2)$13
Tours and Activities in Bologna
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bologna are as follows:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Bologna Walking Tour with Audio and Written Guide: $4.36
- From Italy eSIM Tourist Roaming Data Plan: $4.81
- A Self-Guided Audio Tour from Porta Galliera to Le Tre Frecce: $5.99
- Self-Guided Historical Audio Tour: $5.99
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.41
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.42
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $6.42
- Bologna Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.54
- Digital Guide made by a Local for your walking tour: $7.49
- Bologna's Ancient and Recent History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Ancient and Recent History Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayKrakow $6.75Bologna $30
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Bologna
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Bologna:
- Modena area: Lambrusco Wine Tasting Experience: $38
- From Wine Tasting and Vineyard Tour with the winemaker: $53
- Monte San Pietro: Montevecchio Isolani Tour & Wine Tasting: $53
- Bologna Food & Wine tour with a local Chef: $69
- Wine Tasting Tour in One of the Oldest Inns: $70
- Bologna Wine Tasting in One of the Oldest Inns: $71
- Small-Group Half-Day Wine Tour with Tasting in Dozza Village: $102
- Taste the real Bologna Food and Wine tour: $107
- Wine Tasting Experience with a Local Guide: $118
- Exclusive Italian Wine Tasting: $131
- Food and Wine Tasting Tour in Bologna with a local guide : $138
- Italian Wine Tasting on the Panoramic Terrace in Bologna: $163
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Krakow and Bologna, we can see that Bologna 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 Bologna would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bologna 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 Bologna Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Krakow or Bologna?
Krakow has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Bologna. When comparing the sizes of Krakow and Bologna, 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 Bologna?
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 Bologna in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Krakow and Bologna. Furthermore, many travelers come to Bologna for the family-friendly experiences.
Krakow is cooler than Bologna in the summer. The daily temperature in Krakow averages around 19°C (67°F) in July, and Bologna fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bologna this time of the year. In Krakow, it's very sunny this time of the year. Krakow usually receives less sunshine than Bologna during summer. Krakow gets 201 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Krakow usually receives more rain than Bologna. Krakow gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyKrakow 19°C (67°F)Bologna 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Krakow or Bologna in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Krakow as well as Bologna. Additionally, many visitors come to Bologna in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Krakow is much colder than Bologna. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Krakow in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Bologna averages at about 16°C (61°F).
In the autumn, Krakow often gets less sunshine than Bologna. Krakow gets 97 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 177 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Bologna. Krakow usually gets less rain in October than Bologna. Krakow gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKrakow 11°C (51°F)Bologna 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Krakow or Bologna in the Winter?
Both Bologna and Krakow are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Bologna for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Bologna can be very cold during winter. Krakow can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Krakow is generally much colder than Bologna. Daily temperatures in Krakow average around -2°C (29°F), and Bologna fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).
Krakow usually receives less sunshine than Bologna during winter. Krakow gets 38 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Krakow usually receives less rain than Bologna. Krakow gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKrakow -2°C (29°F)Bologna 2°C (36°F)
Should I visit Krakow or Bologna in the Spring?
Both Bologna and Krakow during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Bologna because of the natural beauty.
Krakow is cooler than Bologna in the spring. The daily temperature in Krakow averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Bologna fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
In the spring, Krakow often gets less sunshine than Bologna. Krakow gets 132 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 192 hours of full sun.
Krakow usually gets less rain in April than Bologna. Krakow gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilKrakow 10°C (50°F)Bologna 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Bologna and Krakow
| Krakow | Bologna | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (29°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | 0°C (32°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | 5°C (40°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (50°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (67°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (66°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Sep | 15°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) |
| Nov | 5°C (41°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 1°C (33°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 85 mm (3.3 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.