Which place is cheaper, Boston or Krakow?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Krakow or Boston?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Krakow or Boston? 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 Boston?
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.
Boston
Boston is one of the oldest and most historic cities in New England. It is also the capital of the state of Massachusetts and the largest city in the region. The city proper covers 48 square miles and has a population of more than 600,000. The Greater Boston area has 4.5 million people and is the tenth largest metropolitan area in the country.
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 United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKrakow $65Boston $255
The average daily cost (per person) in Krakow is $65, while the average daily cost in Boston is $255. 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 Boston in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKrakow $42Boston $166
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKrakow $84Boston $332
Compare Hotels in Krakow and Boston
Looking for a hotel in Krakow or Boston? 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 Boston Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Krakow $6.41Boston $37
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Boston
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Boston are as follows:
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Taxi$35
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Subway Daily Pass$9.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boston:
- Boston hotels to Flynn Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $116
- Arrival Private Transfer: Boston Airport BOS to Boston City in Luxury SUV: $130
- Boston Airport (BOS): Transfer to Flynn Cruise Port Boston: $169
- Boston Airport(BOS) to Flynn Cruiseport Boston - Arrival Transfer: $38
- Boston Logan Airport (BOS) to Boston - Arrival Private Transfer: $79
- Boston Logan Airport (BOS) to Boston - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $158
- Boston Logan Airport (BOS): Private Transfer to Boston city: $244
- Boston Logan Airport Transfer Limo & Shuttle Service: $140
- Boston Logan Intl Airport (BOS) to Flynn Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
- Boston to Boston Logan Airport (BOS) - Departure Private Transfer: $79
- Boston’s Logan International Airport to Providence – Arrival Private Transfer : $170
- Luxor Limo Private Transfer and City Tour: $1,195
Is it cheaper to fly into Krakow or Boston?
Prices for flights to both Boston 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 $13Boston $49
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 Boston
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Boston.
- AM Coffee Walks with Salem Food Tours: $34
- Boston's North End Pizza & History Walking Food Tour: $49
- North End Pizza Tour with 3 Slices and Cannoli: $55
- Boston Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $70
- North End Food Experience with Pizza, Meats & Cheese: $75
- Buffet Lunch or Dinner Cruise on Boston Harbor: $77
- Boston's North End Small Group Food Tour : $81
- Ultimate Boston Food Tour: North End & Boston Public Market: $89
- Ultimate Food Tour of North End & Public Market: $89
- Union Square, Somerville Neighborhood Food Tour: $90
- Boston Harbor: Gourmet Brunch or Dinner Cruise: $108
- Local Gems of the South End Neighborhood Food Tour: $110
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Krakow $20Boston $33
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 Boston
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Boston are as follows:
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Two Tickets to Celtics Game$101
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Duck Tour$32
Tours and Activities in Boston
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Boston are as follows:
- Self Guided Audio Tour 'Hawthorne's Haunts' Haunted Walking Tour Salem: $5.00
- Underground Railroad Audio App Self-Guided Tour: $5.00
- Self Guided "Historic Boston Downtown Freedom Trail" Audio/GPS Walking Tour: $5.00
- Self-Guided Smartphone Ghost Walking Tour in Boston: $5.95
- Self-Guided Smartphone Ghost Walking Tour in Salem: $5.99
- Self-Guided Freedom Trail Walking Audio Tour w/ App: $5.99
- App Self-guided tours with Audioguide Boston: $6.46
- Self Guided Classic Freedom Trail Location Aware (GPS) Walking Audio Tour: $7.75
- Self-Guided Boston's Beacon Hill Underground Railroad Audio Tour Walking Tour: $7.75
- Boston History and Highlights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Boston's History and Highlights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- City History and Highlights Audio App Walking Tour: $7.99
For more ideas for your next trip, check out Free Things to Do in Boston, Must-See Monuments and Memorials In Boston, and The Best Things To Do in Boston with Kids.
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKrakow $6.76Boston $27
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
- 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 Boston
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Boston:
- Boston Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Haunted Pub Crawl of Historic Pubs and Taverns: $30
- Boston Ghosts Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl : $34
- Salem Booze and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl by US Ghost Adventures: $35
- History Pub Crawl Tour Along the Freedom Trail: $59
- Boston Small-Group Freedom Trail History Tour Pub Crawl: $60
- Boston Signature Guided Brewery Tour: $105
- Guided Craft Brewery Tour with a Snack: $105
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Krakow and Boston, we can see that Boston 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 Boston 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 Boston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Boston 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 Boston Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Krakow or Boston?
Krakow has a larger population, and is about 28% larger than the population of Boston. When comparing the sizes of Krakow and Boston, 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 Boston?
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 Boston in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Krakow and Boston. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Boston because of the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Krakow is cooler than Boston. Typically, the summer temperatures in Krakow in July average around 19°C (67°F), and Boston averages at about 73°F (23°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Boston this time of the year. In Krakow, it's very sunny this time of the year. Krakow usually receives less sunshine than Boston during summer. Krakow gets 201 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 304 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Krakow usually receives more rain than Boston. Krakow gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Boston receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKrakow 19°C (67°F)Boston 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit Krakow or Boston in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Krakow as well as Boston. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Boston this time of year.
In October, Krakow is generally cooler than Boston. Daily temperatures in Krakow average around 11°C (51°F), and Boston fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).
In the autumn, Krakow often gets less sunshine than Boston. Krakow gets 97 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 194 hours of full sun.
Krakow usually gets less rain in October than Boston. Krakow gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKrakow 11°C (51°F)Boston 54°F (12°C)
Should I visit Krakow or Boston in the Winter?
Both Boston and Krakow are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Boston for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Boston. It's quite cold in Krakow in the winter. Krakow is around the same temperature as Boston in the winter. The daily temperature in Krakow averages around -2°C (29°F) in January, and Boston fluctuates around 29°F (-2°C).
Krakow usually receives less sunshine than Boston during winter. Krakow gets 38 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 153 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Krakow usually receives less rain than Boston. Krakow gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKrakow -2°C (29°F)Boston 29°F (-2°C)
Should I visit Krakow or Boston in the Spring?
Both Boston and Krakow during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Boston in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Krakow is a little warmer than Boston. Typically, the spring temperatures in Krakow in April average around 10°C (50°F), and Boston averages at about 48°F (9°C).
In Boston, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Krakow often gets less sunshine than Boston. Krakow gets 132 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 225 hours of full sun.
Krakow usually gets less rain in April than Boston. Krakow gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKrakow 10°C (50°F)Boston 48°F (9°C)
Typical Weather for Boston and Krakow
| Krakow | Boston | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (29°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 29°F (-2°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
| Feb | 0°C (32°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 30°F (-1°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) |
| Mar | 5°C (40°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 38°F (4°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) |
| Apr | 10°C (50°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 48°F (9°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 58°F (15°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Jul | 19°C (67°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) |
| Aug | 19°C (66°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Sep | 15°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Nov | 5°C (41°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 45°F (7°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) |
| Dec | 1°C (33°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 33°F (1°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
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.