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

Should you visit Krakow or Calgary?

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

Should I visit Krakow or Calgary? 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 Calgary?

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.

Calgary

Calgary is the largest city in Alberta and, located at the edge of the prairie and foothills, it is a gateway to the Rocky Mountains. If you're headed to Banff or Jasper, this is likely to be your first stop. It's also Canada's fourth largest city and worth a few days visit. Calgary's economy is diverse, but includes energy, financial services, film and television, transportation, technology, manufacturing, and much more.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Poland, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Poland, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Calgary 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 Calgary is $156. 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 Calgary in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Krakow $42
    Calgary $74
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Krakow $84
    Calgary $148
Compare Hotels in Krakow and Calgary

Looking for a hotel in Krakow or Calgary? 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 Calgary


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 Calgary Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Krakow $6.41
    Calgary $13

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 Calgary

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Calgary:

  • Alberta Transfer: Banff, Jasper, Lake Louise, Calgary: $67
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Calgary Airport YYC to Calgary in Business Car: $108
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Calgary Airport YYC to Calgary in Luxury Van: $128
  • Banff To Calgary Airport - Private Transfer: $365
  • Banff to Calgary Airport | Private Transfer: $190
  • Calgary Air to Fairmont/Radium Hot Springs Round-Trip Transfer: $295
  • Calgary Airport (YYC) to Banff | Private Transfer: $185
  • Calgary Airport (YYC) to Lake Louise | Private Transfer: $235
  • Calgary Airport to Banff Thermal Resorts Private Arrival Transfer: $139
  • Calgary Airport to Banff | Private Transfer: $190
  • Calgary Airport to Canmore | Private Transfer: $177
  • Calgary Airport to Fairmont/Radium Hot Springs Arrival Transfer: $147

Is it cheaper to fly into Krakow or Calgary?

Prices for flights to both Calgary 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
    Calgary $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
  • 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 Calgary

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Calgary:


  • Bread, Chips, Cheese
    $8.16

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Calgary

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

  • Light Brunch & Food Tour at Calgary Farmers' Market WEST: $81

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Krakow $20
    Calgary $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: $3.23
  • 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 Calgary

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


  • Stampede Admission (for 2)
    $22

Tours and Activities in Calgary

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

  • Downtown Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.11
  • Bow River Trail Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.11
  • Downtown Calgary a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.19
  • 3-Hour Tips Based Walking Tour of Calgary: $5.46
  • 3-hour Tips-Based City Walking Tour: $6.58
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Rocky Mountains: Smartphone Driving and Walking Audio Tours: $15
  • Calgary Downtown: 2-Hour Introductory Walking Tour: $22
  • Heritage Park Historical Village Admission Ticket: $26
  • Calgary self-guided walking tour and scavenger hunt: $38
  • Sheep & Spirits: Diamond Valley Hiking Experience: $39
  • 3-Hour Sightseeing Bus Tour: $45

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Krakow $6.76
    Calgary $11
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 Calgary

Also in Calgary, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Calgary Brewery and Wine Tours at Award Winning Venues: $83
  • Calgary Brewery Tour: $89


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


Which is Bigger, Krakow or Calgary?

Calgary has a larger population, and is about 35% larger than the population of Krakow. When comparing the sizes of Krakow and Calgary, 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.