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

Should you visit Krakow or Florence?

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

Should I visit Krakow or Florence? 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 Florence?

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.

Florence

Florence is the capital of Tuscany and one of the most well known cities in Italy for its art and cultural scenes. The city is rooted in history and you can see this in the architecture, statues, gardens, and art that are everywhere around town. This city truly is a living museum. You should allow yourself at least a couple of days to explore Florence and if you can afford more, it is well worth the time. In particular, if art history is your passion then you will need a week or more to satisfy your interest as the museums and architecturally impressive buildings throughout the city are endless.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Poland, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Poland, The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Florence 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 Florence is $167. 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 Florence in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Krakow $42
    Florence $94
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Krakow $84
    Florence $188
Compare Hotels in Krakow and Florence

Looking for a hotel in Krakow or Florence? 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 Florence


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 Florence Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Krakow $6.40
    Florence $24

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Krakow

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Krakow:

  • Private Transfer to or from Berlin: $929
  • Private Transfer to or from Budapest: $867
  • Warsaw to Luxury Private Transfer: $747
  • From Gdansk or One-Way Private Transfer: $669
  • Private Transfer to or from Bratislava: $619
  • Private transfer! Warsaw Chopin Airport - Krakow City Center: $470
  • Private transfer from Krakow to Budapest or from Budapest to Krakow: $299
  • Private door-to-door transfer from Krakow to Budapest: $291
  • Warsaw - Premium-Class Private Airport Transfer: $288
  • Transfer from Krakow (Balice airport) to Krynica Zdroj : $283
  • Private Transfer Airport to Warszawa OkÄ™cie: $278
  • Private transfer from Katowice AirPort to Krakow City: $272

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Florence

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Florence:


  • Taxi Ride Within City
    $8.67
  • Taxi from Airport
    $27
  • In City Parking (Full Day)
    $32
  • Bus Pass (Full Day)
    $5.42
  • Bus From Airport
    $5.42

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Florence

Also for Florence, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Florence to Pisa Airport (PSA) - Departure Private Transfer: $74
  • Private One-way Airport Transfer (Florence Airport To/From Florence Hotels): $65
  • Private Transfer from Florence to Milan: $216
  • Arrival Private Transfer Florence Station SMN to Florence City by Sedan or Van: $60
  • Chianti Wine Tastings and Visit to 3 Cellars with Lunch&Transfer: $234
  • Departure Private Transfer Florence City to Florence Station SMN by Sedan or Van: $60
  • Florence Airport (FLR) to Siena or Sovicille - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $209
  • Florence Airport (FLR): One-Way/Roundtrip Private Transfer: $314
  • Florence Airport Private Departure Transfer: $48
  • Florence Airport Transfers : Airport FLR to Florence City in Luxury Van: $202
  • Florence Airport Transfers : Florence City to Airport FLR in Business Car: $177
  • Florence Airport to Chianciano Arrival Private Transfer: $146

Is it cheaper to fly into Krakow or Florence?

Prices for flights to both Florence 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
    Florence $39

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

Typical Food Prices in Florence

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Florence:


  • Panini Sandwich
    $7.04
  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    $18

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Florence

For Florence, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Florence Street Food Tour: Market & City Center: $23
  • Hard Rock Cafe Florence with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $27
  • Virtual Live Cooking Class What Do You Have in Your Pantry: $35
  • Virtual Cooking Class: Bruschetta & Tiramisù: $35
  • Italian Fresh Pasta Private Virtual Cooking Class: $40
  • Street Food Tour with Local Expert Guide: $41
  • Street Food Tour and Sightseeing with Local Expert Guide in 2.5 hours : $41
  • Florence Food Tour: Home-Made Pasta, Truffle, Cantucci, Olive Oil, Gelato: $41
  • Food Tour in Santo Spirito: $47
  • Walking Food Tour at Sunset with Tastings: $47
  • Pasta and Tiramisu Cooking Class with Wine: $61
  • Pasta and Dessert Cooking Class with Drinks: $62

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Krakow $20
    Florence $32

Tours and Activities in Krakow

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

  • Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum Guided Tour from Krakow: $64
  • Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Wieliczka Salt Mine 1-Day Tour: $141
  • Rynek Underground Museum Guided Tour: $25
  • Rynek Underground Museum, Old Town and St. Mary's Basilica Tour: $50
  • 1 Day Auschwitz Birkenau Museum Guided Tour Hotel Pick up: $44
  • 1 Day Trip Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum Guided Tour from Krakow: $34
  • 1-Hour Tour to Krakow's Old Town by Electric Golf Cart: $21
  • 120 min Old Town Segway Tour in Krakow: $49
  • 2 Days Tour in Wawel Hill, Jewish Quarter and Wieliczka with Guide and Lunch: $187
  • 2 Hour Private Pinball and Arcade Museum Tour from Krakow: $273
  • 2 Hours Old Town Guided Bike Tour in Krakow: $27
  • 2-Hour Guided Walking Tour in The Old Town of Krakow: $25

Typical Entertainment Prices in Florence

For Florence, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Admission to Uffizi
    $12
  • Phone Booking Fee for Uffizi
    $4.33
  • Firenze Card (for Two)
    $108
  • Audioguides at Uffizi (for Two)
    $22
  • Giotto's Tower Entrance Fee
    $6.50
  • Boboli Gardens Entrance Fee
    $7.58

Tours and Activities in Florence

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Florence.

  • The Best tour in Renaissance and Medici Tales: $0.02
  • Renaissance and Medici Tales Guided Walking Tour: $2.67
  • Dark Mysteries and Legends Guided Walking Tour: $2.67
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • The Best tour in Renaissance & Medici Tales - guided by a STORYTELLER: $3.26
  • Private Tour to the Laboratory of Artistic Ceramics in Tuscany: $3.27
  • Sunset Walking Tour: $3.27
  • Smartphone self guided Tour: $4.27
  • Florence Self-Guided Audio Tour: $4.50
  • The Towers of Florence Self-Guided Tour: $4.60
  • Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Florence: $5.44
  • Uffizi Gallery Highlights Audio Guide (Ticket NOT included): $5.99

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Krakow $6.75
    Florence $20
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

Typical Alcohol Prices in Florence

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Florence from other travelers:


  • Glass of Chianti
    $4.55
  • Bottle of Wine
    $8.12

Sample the Local Flavors in Florence

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

  • Wine Tasting by CarusVini in San Casciano in val di Pesa: $16
  • Great wine tasting at Tenuta Moriano: $25
  • Biodynamic Wine Tasting with Producer in Vinci: $28
  • 3 Types Tuscany Wine Tasting with Local Appetizers: $29
  • From Florence to Chianti Rufina: Wine Tasting Experience: $32
  • Classic Wine Tasting in Montalcino: $33
  • Discover Artimino wine tasting, a few steps from Florence: $33
  • Three Types of Tuscany Wine Tasting with Local Appetizers: $37
  • Wine Tasting and Paring Class Guided Tour in Florence: $42
  • Chianti Wine Tour: Tuscan Reds : $43
  • Wine Tasting and Pairing Class Guided Tour in Florence: $43
  • Wine Tasting and Pairing Class Guided Tour in Florence: $43


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


Which is Bigger, Krakow or Florence?

Krakow has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Florence. When comparing the sizes of Krakow and Florence, 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 Florence?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Krakow or Florence in the Summer?

Both Florence and Krakow during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Florence in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Krakow is generally cooler than Florence. Daily temperatures in Krakow average around 19°C (67°F), and Florence fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

In Florence, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Krakow. In the summer, Krakow often gets less sunshine than Florence. Krakow gets 201 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Florence receives 316 hours of full sun.

Krakow usually gets more rain in July than Florence. Krakow gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Florence receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Krakow 19°C (67°F) 
    Florence 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Krakow or Florence in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Krakow and Florence. Furthermore, most visitors come to Florence for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Krakow is much colder than Florence in the autumn. The daily temperature in Krakow averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Florence fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Krakow usually receives less sunshine than Florence during autumn. Krakow gets 97 hours of sunny skies, while Florence receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Krakow usually receives less rain than Florence. Krakow gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Florence receives 96 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Krakow 11°C (51°F) 
    Florence 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Krakow or Florence in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Krakow as well as Florence. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Florence because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Krakow can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Krakow is much colder than Florence. Typically, the winter temperatures in Krakow in January average around -2°C (29°F), and Florence averages at about 7°C (45°F).

In the winter, Krakow often gets less sunshine than Florence. Krakow gets 38 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Florence receives 105 hours of full sun.

Krakow usually gets less rain in January than Florence. Krakow gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Florence receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Krakow -2°C (29°F) 
    Florence 7°C (45°F)

Should I visit Krakow or Florence in the Spring?

Both Florence and Krakow are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Florence this time of year.

In April, Krakow is generally cooler than Florence. Daily temperatures in Krakow average around 10°C (50°F), and Florence fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

Krakow usually receives less sunshine than Florence during spring. Krakow gets 132 hours of sunny skies, while Florence receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Krakow usually receives less rain than Florence. Krakow gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Florence receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Krakow 10°C (50°F) 
    Florence 14°C (57°F)

Typical Weather for Florence and Krakow

Krakow Florence
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -2°C (29°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 7°C (45°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Feb 0°C (32°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 8°C (46°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Mar 5°C (40°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 10°C (50°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Apr 10°C (50°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 14°C (57°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
May 15°C (59°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 18°C (64°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
Jun 18°C (64°F) 96 mm (3.8 in) 22°C (72°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jul 19°C (67°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
Aug 19°C (66°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 24°C (75°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Sep 15°C (60°F) 52 mm (2 in) 21°C (70°F) 76 mm (3 in)
Oct 11°C (51°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 16°C (61°F) 96 mm (3.8 in)
Nov 5°C (41°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 11°C (52°F) 102 mm (4 in)
Dec 1°C (33°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 8°C (46°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)