Which place is cheaper, Hvar or Krakow?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Krakow or Hvar?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Krakow or Hvar? 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 Hvar?
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.
Hvar
Hvar is a Croatian island full of mountains, vegetation, beaches, vineyards, shops, restaurants, and also people! Hvar Town is the main city on the island, but there are many other small villages throughout. The best time to visit Hvar is between May and September, although keep in mind it can get busy during this period.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Poland, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Poland, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Croatia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Croatia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKrakow $64Hvar $109
The average daily cost (per person) in Krakow is $64, while the average daily cost in Hvar is $109. 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 Hvar in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKrakow $42Hvar $40
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKrakow $84Hvar $80
Compare Hotels in Krakow and Hvar
Looking for a hotel in Krakow or Hvar? 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 Hvar Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Krakow $6.40Hvar $50
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 Hvar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hvar:
- Speedboat Transfer from Hvar Town to Split Airport: $535
Is it cheaper to fly into Krakow or Hvar?
Prices for flights to both Hvar 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 $13Hvar $41
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 Hvar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hvar.
- Hvar Charming Abandoned Village Small Group Tour and Local Dinner: $180
- Hvar Hidden Gems Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $187
- Hvar Hidden Gems Small Group Half Day Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $202
- Hvar Abandoned Village Tour with Local Dinner: $214
- Private Hvar Wine Tasting Tour with Traditional Dinner: $234
- Food Tour: Traditional Flavours and Food Sampling on Hvar: $262
- The Best of Hvar in a Day with Wine tasting and Local Dinner: $273
- Hvar Small Group Wine Tour and Authentic Dalmatian Dinner: $273
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Krakow $20Hvar $7.99
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
Tours and Activities in Hvar
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hvar are as follows:
- 1-Hour Battle Archery Game in Hvar Adventure Park: $22
- 1-Hour Private Paintball Adventure in Park Hvar Jelsa: $23
- Private Multi-Activity Experience in Adventure Park Hvar Jelsa: $25
- Walking tour of Hvar with your local guide: $32
- Pakleni Islands Self-Guided Kayaking Tour: $48
- Private Half-Day Kayak Experience in Hvar and Pakleni Islands: $49
- Half-day kayak tour from Hvar town: $65
- Hvar Island Self-Guided E-Bike Tour: $65
- Private Hvar Island E-Bike Tour: $68
- Romantic Sunset Sailing Experience On A Comfort Yacht: $70
- Experience Romantic Sunset Sailing on a modern 36ft (11m) sail yacht | Hvar: $71
- Private Hvar Walking Tour: $71
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKrakow $6.75Hvar $9.80
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
- 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 Hvar
Also in Hvar, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Hvar Wine Tasting Experience: $118
- Hvar Wine tasting small group experience: $131
- Private Hvar Wine Tasting Tour : $142
- Wine Tasting Tour: $157
- Chocolate and Wine Tasting Small Group Tour from Hvar: $175
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Krakow and Hvar, we can see that Hvar 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 Hvar would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hvar 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 Hvar Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Krakow or Hvar?
Krakow has a larger population, and is about 200 times larger than the population of Hvar. When comparing the sizes of Krakow and Hvar, 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 Hvar?
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 Hvar in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Krakow and Hvar. Also, most visitors come to Hvar for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Krakow is generally cooler than Hvar. Daily temperatures in Krakow average around 19°C (67°F), and Hvar fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hvar this time of the year. In Krakow, it's very sunny this time of the year. Krakow usually receives less sunshine than Hvar during summer. Krakow gets 201 hours of sunny skies, while Hvar receives 345 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Krakow usually receives more rain than Hvar. Krakow gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Hvar receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKrakow 19°C (67°F)Hvar 26°C (80°F)
Should I visit Krakow or Hvar in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Krakow as well as Hvar. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Hvar because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Krakow is much colder than Hvar in the autumn. The daily temperature in Krakow averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Hvar fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hvar. In the autumn, Krakow often gets less sunshine than Hvar. Krakow gets 97 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hvar receives 200 hours of full sun.
Krakow usually gets less rain in October than Hvar. Krakow gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Hvar receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKrakow 11°C (51°F)Hvar 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Krakow or Hvar in the Winter?
Both Hvar and Krakow are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Hvar this time of year.
The weather in Krakow can be very cold. In the winter, Krakow is much colder than Hvar. Typically, the winter temperatures in Krakow in January average around -2°C (29°F), and Hvar averages at about 8°C (47°F).
Krakow usually receives less sunshine than Hvar during winter. Krakow gets 38 hours of sunny skies, while Hvar receives 128 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Krakow usually receives less rain than Hvar. Krakow gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Hvar receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKrakow -2°C (29°F)Hvar 8°C (47°F)
Should I visit Krakow or Hvar in the Spring?
Both Hvar and Krakow during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Hvar for the beaches and the natural beauty.
In April, Krakow is generally much colder than Hvar. Daily temperatures in Krakow average around 10°C (50°F), and Hvar fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
In Hvar, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Krakow often gets less sunshine than Hvar. Krakow gets 132 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hvar receives 212 hours of full sun.
Krakow usually gets less rain in April than Hvar. Krakow gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Hvar receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKrakow 10°C (50°F)Hvar 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Hvar and Krakow
| Krakow | Hvar | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (29°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Feb | 0°C (32°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Mar | 5°C (40°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (50°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (67°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (66°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 15°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 5°C (41°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | 1°C (33°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 100 mm (3.9 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.