A Travel Price Comparison for Poland Krakow vs. Gdansk for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Krakow or Gdansk?

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

Should I visit Krakow or Gdansk? 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 Gdansk?

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.

Gdansk

Gdansk is the capital and largest city of the Pomeranian Voivodeship in northern Poland. The port dates back a thousand years and was an influential city in the Hanseatic League during the Middle Ages. The city was essentially destroyed during World War II but has rebuilt into one of Europe's most beautiful port cities. The city now has a population of around 460,000 and is a popular tourist destination for visitors from around the globe. It is known for its impressive city center, its great museums, and its beaches that line the coast of the Gulf of Gdansk. In particular, it is a popular summer destination.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Poland, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Krakow, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Warsaw, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Poland.


Which place is cheaper, Gdansk or Krakow?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Krakow is $79, while the average daily cost in Gdansk is $74. 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 Gdansk in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Krakow $45
    Gdansk $29
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Krakow $90
    Gdansk $58
Compare Hotels in Krakow and Gdansk

Looking for a hotel in Krakow or Gdansk? 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 Gdansk


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 Gdansk Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Krakow $6.86
    Gdansk $9.14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Krakow

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Krakow:

  • Krakow to Auschwitz Birkenau Guided Tour with Private Transfer: $173
  • 1 Day Trip Auschwitz Birkenau and Salt Mines with Hotel Transfer: $113
  • 1945-1989 Communism Tour of Krakow Nowa Huta with Transfers: $167
  • 1945-1989 Communism Tour of Krakow Nowa Huta with Transfers: $164
  • Airport Transfer (Krakow ⇄ Zakopane): $104
  • Airport to Cracow transfer by Luxurious VIP limo: $59
  • Airport to Cracow transfer by Minivan: $59
  • Auschwitz - Birkenau Museum Private Transfer - Round Trip: $209
  • Auschwitz Birkenau Transfer and Guide with Salt Mine Combo Option: $80
  • Auschwitz-Birkenau Guided Tour & Transfer from Krakow: $79
  • Auschwitz-Birkenau Guided Tour from Krakow with Transfer & Ticket: $30
  • Auschwitz-Birkenau Tour from Katowice with Private Transfers: $221

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gdansk

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Gdansk:

  • Aiport Gdansk Transfer to Malbork Castle or Stutthof : $289
  • From Gdansk, Sopot, Gdynia: Private Transfers to Olivia Star: $57
  • From Stutthof Concentration Camp Tour with Transfer: $205
  • Luxurious Limousine Airport Transfer to City Centre: $173
  • Gdansk Airport (GDN) Private Transfer to City Center Gdansk: $53
  • Gdansk Airport - Sopot Private Transfer: $53
  • Gdansk Airport transfer: $52
  • Gdansk Airport: Private Transfer to Gdansk, Sopot, or Gdynia: $59
  • Gdansk to Torun Private Transfer : $145
  • Extreme Gun Shooting Experience with Transfers: $69
  • Private Transfer from Airport (GDN) to City Center: $45
  • Private Transfer from Airport (GDN) to Sopot City: $50

Is it cheaper to fly into Krakow or Gdansk?

Prices for flights to both Gdansk 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 $24
    Gdansk $38

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Krakow

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

  • Small-Group Online Cooking Class Polish Pierogi : $29
  • Discovering Cracow's Local Flavour: Food Tour: $35
  • From Polish Folk Show with All-You-Can-Eat Dinner: $42
  • Folk Show & 3-Course Dinner at Jama Michalika Café: $47
  • Polish Folk Show with 3 course dinner in Krakow legendary restaurant: $48
  • Traditional Polish Dinner with Live Folk Music: $54
  • Polish Folk Night with Dinner and Unlimited Drinks: $56
  • Polish Folk Dinner with Vistula River Cruise: $64
  • Full Traditional Polish Dinner & Folk Show: $66
  • 6-Course Full Polish Food Tour with Vodka Tasting: $70
  • Romantic Dinner with a Cruise on the Vistula River: $72
  • Pierogi Cooking Class: $79

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Gdansk

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

  • Traditional Pierogi Dinner with Beer: $40
  • Gdańsk: Olivia Star Sky-High Views, Dinner, and Cocktails: $43
  • Luxury Dinner Cruise in the Old Town: $68
  • Dinner with a View – 7th Floor, Gdańsk Old Town: $80
  • Authentic Polish Food Tour: Gdańsk Edition: $90
  • Delicious Gdańsk Food Tour: $97
  • Delicious Gdańsk Food Tour in Poland: $98
  • 4-Hour Polish Food Tour: $115
  • Private Food-Pairing Dinner Experience: $146
  • Gdansk Traditional Food Tour with Old Town Sightseeing: $182
  • Gdansk Private Traditional Polish Food Tour: $188
  • Sopot: Private Traditional Polish Food Tour: $188

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Krakow $21
    Gdansk $8.71

Tours and Activities in Krakow

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

  • Krakow highlights: Old Town and Wawel Castle Walking Tour: $1.33
  • Kraków in a nutshell - walking tour: $1.33
  • World War Two in Jewish Quarter and Ghetto Tour: $1.33
  • Archdiocesan Museum - Skip The Line Ticket : $3.40
  • Krakow Unveiled: Self-Guided Heritage Tour: $3.47
  • Archeological Museum Ticket & City Pass Option: $4.36
  • Old Town Audioguided walking Tour: $4.39
  • Old Town Audio-Guided Walking Tour with Headset: $5.58
  • Wawel Hill Tour with Audio Guide: $5.98
  • Krakow Old Town Guided Walking Tour: $6.97
  • Wawel Hill Audioguide Tour: $7.18
  • The Ethnographic Museum - Skip The Line Ticket: $7.19

Tours and Activities in Gdansk

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

  • Discover Gdansk Walking Tour: $5.81
  • City Game Tour Gdańsk: $6.21
  • Gdańsk: City Tour by Electric Golf Cart: $13
  • Shared or Private City Tour Sightseeing By Golf Cart: $16
  • Gdańsk: Sightseeing EcoCruise around the Old Town of Gdansk: $18
  • Gdańsk: Motlawa River Yacht Cruise: $18
  • 45 min cruise on the Motlawa River - Gdansk: $18
  • Cruises on the Motlawa River by a luxury catamaran - Gdańsk from the water side: $19
  • Cruises on the Motlawa River: $19
  • City Tour Sightseeing Golf Cart Main City District: $21
  • Basic Bike Tour: $21
  • Sightseeing Cruise around the Old Town of Gdansk: $22

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Krakow $7.23
    Gdansk $5.08
Typical Alcohol Prices in Krakow

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Krakow:


  • Vodka
    $14

Sample the Local Flavors in Krakow

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Krakow:

  • Fun explorers pub Crawl with 1 hour open bar and 3 VIP clubs: $24
  • Pub Crawl with 1 Hour of Unlimited Alcoholic Drinks: $25
  • Krakow Pub Crawl with Free Alcohol & Karoake +4 Clubs/Bars : $27
  • Krakow Pub Crawl with 1 Hr of unlimited alcohol & 4 clubs/pubs: $28
  • Pub Crawl - 1-hour Open Bar then Vip to 5 Clubs - Krakow: $29
  • Pub Crawl with Shots, Drinks & Skip-the-Line Entry: $29
  • Pub Crawl + Unlimited Drinks + VIP entry + Drinking Games & Photographer : $29
  • Pub Crawl 1hr Unlimited Beer + Vodka then Clubs in Katowice: $30
  • Wieliczka Vineyard: Wine tasting with local snacks: $46
  • Krakow Evening Pub Crawl: $47
  • New Year's Eve Pub Crawl with 2-Hour Open Bar: $50
  • Hoppy tours - Krakow brewery tour : $60

Sample the Local Flavors in Gdansk

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Gdansk:

  • Self Guided Pub Crawl: $8.51
  • Pub Crawl with Free Drinks: $23
  • Stag Night Pub Crawl with Female Guide: $32
  • Pub Crawl with Complimentary Drinks: $32
  • #1 Pub Crawl in Sopot: $43
  • Brewery Tour & Beer Tasting: $50
  • Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting: $54


When comparing the travel costs between Krakow and Gdansk, we can see that Krakow is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Krakow Expensive? and Is Gdansk Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Krakow or Gdansk?

Krakow has a larger population, and is about 63% larger than the population of Gdansk. When comparing the sizes of Krakow and Gdansk, 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 Gdansk?

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 Gdansk in the Summer?

Both Gdansk and Krakow are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.

Krakow is a little warmer than Gdansk in the summer. The daily temperature in Krakow averages around 19°C (67°F) in July, and Gdansk fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

It's quite sunny in Gdansk. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Krakow. Krakow usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Gdansk during summer. Krakow gets 201 hours of sunny skies, while Gdansk receives 204 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Krakow usually receives more rain than Gdansk. Krakow gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Gdansk receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Krakow 19°C (67°F) 
    Gdansk 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Krakow or Gdansk in the Autumn?

Both Gdansk and Krakow during the autumn are popular places to visit.

In the autumn, Krakow is a little warmer than Gdansk. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Krakow in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Gdansk averages at about 8°C (46°F).

In the autumn, Krakow often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Gdansk. Krakow gets 97 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gdansk receives 97 hours of full sun.

Krakow usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Gdansk. Krakow gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Gdansk receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Krakow 11°C (51°F) 
    Gdansk 8°C (46°F)

Should I visit Krakow or Gdansk in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Krakow and Gdansk.

The weather in Gdansk can be very cold. Krakow can be very cold during winter. In January, Krakow is generally a little warmer than Gdansk. Daily temperatures in Krakow average around -2°C (29°F), and Gdansk fluctuates around -2°C (28°F).

Krakow usually receives more sunshine than Gdansk during winter. Krakow gets 38 hours of sunny skies, while Gdansk receives 33 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Krakow usually receives more rain than Gdansk. Krakow gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Gdansk receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Krakow -2°C (29°F) 
    Gdansk -2°C (28°F)

Should I visit Krakow or Gdansk in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Krakow as well as Gdansk.

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

In the spring, Krakow often gets less sunshine than Gdansk. Krakow gets 132 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gdansk receives 162 hours of full sun.

Krakow usually gets more rain in April than Gdansk. Krakow gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Gdansk receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


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

Typical Weather for Gdansk and Krakow

Krakow Gdansk
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -2°C (29°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) -2°C (28°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
Feb 0°C (32°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) -2°C (28°F) 25 mm (1 in)
Mar 5°C (40°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 1°C (34°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Apr 10°C (50°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 6°C (43°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
May 15°C (59°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 11°C (52°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Jun 18°C (64°F) 96 mm (3.8 in) 14°C (57°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Jul 19°C (67°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 17°C (63°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Aug 19°C (66°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 17°C (63°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Sep 15°C (60°F) 52 mm (2 in) 12°C (54°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Oct 11°C (51°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 8°C (46°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Nov 5°C (41°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 2°C (36°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Dec 1°C (33°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) -2°C (28°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)