Which place is cheaper, Katowice or Krakow?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Krakow or Katowice?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Krakow or Katowice? 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 Katowice?
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.
Katowice
Katowice is a city east of Krakow, in the Silesian province of southern Poland. A large dome crowns the Cathedral of Christ the King, built between 1927 and 1955. The adjacent Archdiocesan Museum exhibits Silesian sacred art. The ultramodern Silesian Museum features several glass structures on the site of a former coal mine. It exhibits Polish art and chronicles the history of Upper Silesia. Historically, Katowice is a product of the 19th-century industrial boom, but it only became a city in the interwar period. After WWII, at the height of the Stalinist cult craze, the city was renamed Stalinogrod, but reverted to its old name soon after Comrade Joe died in 1953. Katowice has few significant historical monuments, but it's a major commercial and cultural center and holds sufficient attractions to make it worth a stop.
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.
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Krakow Prices
Poland PricesKatowice Prices
Poland Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKrakow $82Katowice $67
The average daily cost (per person) in Krakow is $82, while the average daily cost in Katowice is $67. 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 Katowice in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKrakow $46Katowice $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKrakow $92Katowice $42
Compare Hotels in Krakow and Katowice
Looking for a hotel in Krakow or Katowice? 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 Katowice Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Krakow $7.11Katowice $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Krakow
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Krakow:
- Wieliczka Salt mine private transfer-Krakow Balice Airport: $11
- Krakow Airport Private Transfer: $23
- From Wieliczka Salt Mine Group Transfer and Tour Options: $24
- Wieliczka Salt Mine Guided Tour with Hotel Transfers: $24
- From Zakopane Snowmobile Ride with Bonfire and Transfer: $28
- Auschwitz Birkenau Guided Tour Tickets and Transfer from Krakow: $28
- Private Transfer from Kraków City to Kraków John Paul II (KRK) Airport: $29
- Transfer Krakow Balice Airport - Krakow City: $30
- Krakow Airport Departure Transfer: $30
- Krakow Airport Transfer: $31
- Krakow John Paul II Airport (KRK) to Krakow hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $32
- Krakow hotels to Krakow John Paul II Airport (KRK) - Departure Private Transfer: $32
Is it cheaper to fly into Krakow or Katowice?
Prices for flights to both Katowice 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 $25Katowice $37
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Krakow
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Krakow.
- Polish Folk Show with 3 course dinner in Krakow legendary restaurant: $49
- Brewery Dinner -center of Krakow: $53
- Food Tour of 10 Tastings with Pierogi, Vodka & More: $103
- Krakow Vineyard Tour with Wine Tasting and Dinner: $104
- Krakow Pierogi Cooking Class with Market Visit & Home-Cooked Meal: $112
- Deluxe Polish Food Tour Experience in Krakow: $121
- The 10 Tastings of Krakow With Locals: Private Food Tour: $166
- Katowice Private Traditional Polish Food Tour: $192
- Krakow Private Traditional Polish Food Tour: $192
- Private Food Tour in Krakow Poland: $197
- Zakopane: Private Traditional Polish Food Tour: $237
- Krakow Evening Folk Show with Dinner and Drinks: $296
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Katowice
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Katowice.
- Private Traditional Polish Food Tour: $196
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Krakow $22Katowice $7.11
Tours and Activities in Krakow
Here are a few actual costs in Krakow for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Historic Krakow : Old Town & Wawel Castle Walking tour: $3.54
- Trumpets and Towers Self Guided Tour of Krakow Old Town: $5.20
- Herstory Walking Tour of Wawel Women Impact: $5.92
- Krakow Walking tour 1h50 and 17 audio reviews: $7.02
- Krakow Jewish Quarter: Exploration Game and Tour: $7.09
- Wawel Hill Audio Guided Tour: $8.31
- Wawel Hill Audio-Guided Tour: $8.32
- Krakow Jewish Ghetto and Quarter Audio Guided Walking Tour: $9.99
- Krakow Jewish Metamorphosis Tour GPS App Walking Tour Mobile Game: $10
- Robotic Show Legends of Krakow - Entry Ticket: $12
- Krakow Nightlife Ticket: $12
- GOjump MEGAPARK Kraków-Sikorki - 1 hour Trampoline Park ticket: $13
Tours and Activities in Katowice
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Katowice are as follows:
- Katowice:Visit a world of fairy tales and adventures -family: $18
- Auschwitz Birkenau Guaranteed Entrance Tickets: $69
- Auschwitz I and Birkenau Tickets: $76
- Guided Bike Tour of the City Center: $87
- Auschwitz-Birkenau Guided Tour with Private Transport from Krakow: $104
- city center walking tour: $104
- From Auschwitz-Birkenau Skip-the-Line Guided Tour: $115
- City Tour by Historic Bus: $169
- Katowice Private Vodka Tasting Tour: $174
- Katowice Private Polish Beer Tasting Tour: $175
- trip to Krakow with sightseeing: $253
- Auschwitz-Birkenau Private Tour from Katowice & Transport: $290
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKrakow $7.49Katowice $6.32
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$15
Sample the Local Flavors in Krakow
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Krakow:
- Ultimate Katowice Pub Crawl & VIPClub Entry by Fun Explorers: $8.29
- Halloween Pub Crawl - Krawl Through Krakow: $27
- Pub Crawl Krawl Through Krakow: $32
- Pub Crawl Unlimited Drinks then 5 Best Clubs in Krakow with VIP: $35
- Krakow Pub Crawl with Free Alcohol & Karoake +4 Clubs/Bars: $35
- Krakow Evening Pub Crawl: $48
- Krakow New Year's Eve Pub Crawl VIP Open Bar: $56
- Wieliczka Vineyard: Wine tasting with local snacks: $59
- Tyskie Brewery Tour from Katowice: $130
- Krakow Wine Tasting Private Tour with Wine Expert: $177
Sample the Local Flavors in Katowice
Also in Katowice, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl 1hr Unlimited Beer + Vodka then Clubs in Katowice: $31
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Krakow and Katowice, we can see that Krakow is more expensive. And not only is Katowice much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Katowice would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Katowice 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 Krakow would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Krakow than you might in Katowice.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Krakow Expensive? and Is Katowice Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Krakow or Katowice?
Krakow has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Katowice. When comparing the sizes of Krakow and Katowice, 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 Katowice?
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 Katowice in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Krakow and Katowice.
In July, Krakow is generally around the same temperature as Katowice. Daily temperatures in Krakow average around 19°C (67°F), and Katowice fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Katowice this time of the year. In Krakow, it's very sunny this time of the year. Krakow usually receives less sunshine than Katowice during summer. Krakow gets 201 hours of sunny skies, while Katowice receives 219 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Krakow usually receives around the same amount of rain as Katowice. Krakow gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Katowice receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKrakow 19°C (67°F)Katowice 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Krakow or Katowice in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Krakow as well as Katowice.
Krakow is around the same temperature as Katowice in the autumn. The daily temperature in Krakow averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Katowice fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
In the autumn, Krakow often gets less sunshine than Katowice. Krakow gets 97 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Katowice receives 128 hours of full sun.
Krakow usually gets more rain in October than Katowice. Krakow gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Katowice receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKrakow 11°C (51°F)Katowice 10°C (50°F)
Should I visit Krakow or Katowice in the Winter?
Both Katowice and Krakow are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
Katowice can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Krakow. In the winter, Krakow is a little warmer than Katowice. Typically, the winter temperatures in Krakow in January average around -2°C (29°F), and Katowice averages at about -2°C (28°F).
Krakow usually receives less sunshine than Katowice during winter. Krakow gets 38 hours of sunny skies, while Katowice receives 51 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Krakow usually receives less rain than Katowice. Krakow gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Katowice receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKrakow -2°C (29°F)Katowice -2°C (28°F)
Should I visit Krakow or Katowice in the Spring?
Both Katowice and Krakow during the spring are popular places to visit.
In April, Krakow is generally a little warmer than Katowice. Daily temperatures in Krakow average around 10°C (50°F), and Katowice fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).
In the spring, Krakow often gets less sunshine than Katowice. Krakow gets 132 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Katowice receives 152 hours of full sun.
Krakow usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Katowice. Krakow gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Katowice receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKrakow 10°C (50°F)Katowice 8°C (46°F)
Typical Weather for Katowice and Krakow
| Krakow | Katowice | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (29°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 0°C (32°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 5°C (40°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (50°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (67°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (66°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 15°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Nov | 5°C (41°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Dec | 1°C (33°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 50 mm (2 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.