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

Should you visit Krakow or Mexico City?

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

Should I visit Krakow or Mexico City? 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 Mexico City?

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.

Mexico City

Mexico City is one of the largest and most populated cities in the world. There are an estimated 26 million people living in the greater Mexico City metropolitan area. The area is about 60 kilometers by 40 kilometers and is surrounded by tall mountains and volcanoes on three sides. Mexico City proper has about 8.8 million people and is the capital of the country. More than a third of the country's economy is based here, making it the wealthiest city in all of Latin America.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Poland, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Poland, The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico.


Which place is cheaper, Mexico City 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 Mexico City is $210. 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 Mexico City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Krakow $42
    Mexico City $41
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Krakow $84
    Mexico City $82
Compare Hotels in Krakow and Mexico City

Looking for a hotel in Krakow or Mexico City? 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 Mexico City


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 Mexico City Hotel Prices.

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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Krakow

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Krakow:

  • Zakopane: Private Transfer to Krakow: $139
  • Zakopane and Sleigh Ride with Transfers and Lunch Option: $187
  • Zakopane Tour & Thermal Baths with Private Transfers from Krakow: $164
  • Zakopane Private Transfer from to Krakow or Krakow Airport: $254
  • Zakopane Private Transfer: $148
  • Zakopane Extreme Shooting Range with Hotel Transfer: $76
  • Wroclaw: Private Transfer from/to Krakow: $249
  • Wieliczka Salt mine private transfer-Krakow Balice Airport: $10
  • Wieliczka Salt Mine Guided Tour with Hotel Transfers: $66
  • Warsaw to Luxury Private Transfer: $750
  • Warsaw - Premium-Class Private Airport Transfer: $288
  • VAN Private transfer: Krakow City - Krakow Airport: $43

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Mexico City

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Mexico City:


  • Metro
    $1.18
  • Uber Ride
    $4.12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mexico City

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

  • Aguascalientes Airport (AGU) Aguascalientes - RoundTrip Transfer: $48
  • Aguascalientes to Silao Del Bajio Airport BJX: Departure Transfer: $38
  • Airport Transfer: Mexico Airport MEX to Mexico by Business Car: $86
  • Airport Transfer: Mexico Airport MEX to Mexico by Luxury SUV: $91
  • Airport Transfer: Mexico Airport MEX to Mexico by Luxury SUV/Van: $91
  • Airport Transfer: Mexico to Mexico Airport MEX by Business Car: $86
  • Airport Transfer: Mexico to Mexico Airport MEX by Luxury SUV: $91
  • Airport Transfer: Mexico to Mexico Airport MEX by Luxury SUV/Van: $91
  • Arrival Transfer: Mexico Airport MEX to Mexico by Business Car: $86
  • Arrival Transfer: Mexico Airport MEX to Mexico by Luxury SUV: $91
  • Departure Transfer: Mexico to Mexico Airport MEX by Business Car: $86
  • Departure Transfer: Mexico to Mexico Airport MEX by Luxury SUV: $91

Is it cheaper to fly into Krakow or Mexico City?

Prices for flights to both Mexico City 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
    Mexico City $27

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 Mexico City

For Mexico City, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Lunch for Two
    $13
  • Coffee and Snacks
    $4.60
  • Dinner for 2
    $27

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mexico City

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

  • Traveling Spoon Mexican Tacos and Tortillas Private Online Cooking Class: $40
  • Virtual Mexican Cooking Class (private and personalized): $50
  • Veracruz and Boca del Rio Food Tour with Mangroves Boat Trip: $50
  • Local Markets & Food Tour in Mexico City: $50
  • Tortilla Crawl: Food Tour in Mexico City: $55
  • Uruapan Food Tour: $60
  • 3 Hours Food Tour Best Vegan Tacos in Mexico City: $67
  • Muchos moles: Multi-variety mole cooking class and feast: $71
  • Mexico City Vegan & Veggie Market Explorer plus Cooking Lesson: $73
  • Street Food Tour with Friends: $75
  • La Roma Authentic Downtown Food Tour: Tacos and Local Flavors: $78
  • Food Tour with Ride an Electric Bike in Mexico: $80

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Krakow $20
    Mexico City $15

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
  • Krakow Jewish Quarter Tour in a Small Group. : $49
  • Rynek Underground Museum Guided Tour: $25
  • Magic Christmas tour in Wieliczka: $153
  • 1 Day Auschwitz Birkenau Museum Guided Tour Hotel Pick up: $51
  • 1 Day Trip Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum Guided Tour from Krakow: $34
  • 1 Hour Traditional Gondola Sightseeing Vistula River Cruise: $16
  • 1-Hour Tour to Krakow's Old Town by Electric Golf Cart: $21
  • 2 Day Private Krakow City Tour, Old Town and Jewish Quarter: $153
  • 2 Hour Private Pinball and Arcade Museum Tour from Krakow: $273
  • 2 Hours Old Town Guided Bike Tour in Krakow: $27
  • 2-Hour Guided Tour in Kraków-Płaszów Concentration Camp : $22

Tours and Activities in Mexico City

For Mexico City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • MUCHO Museum of Chocolate Entrance Ticket: $4.71
  • Franz Mayer Museum Admission Ticket: $5.89
  • Double Decker Bus Night Tour: $5.89
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour-Moctezuma and the Zocalo:The Aztec Empire : $6.99
  • Night Bus Tour Knowing Mexico City: $7.26
  • Memory and Tolerance Museum Entry Ticket: $8.25
  • Mexico City (Historic Centre) City Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.84
  • Mexico City (Coyoacan) City Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.84
  • Mexico City (Historic Centre) Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour: $8.96
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Night Tour in a Double Decker Bus: $12
  • Teotihuacan Archaeological Site Skip-the-Line Ticket: $12

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Krakow $6.76
    Mexico City $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
  • 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 Mexico City

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

  • Mexico City Pub Crawl: $24
  • CDMX Pub Crawl: Mexico City Bar Crawl: $25
  • Nightly Historic Center From Above© Rooftop Bar Crawl +Taco Snack: $129
  • 2 Hours Private Mexican Wine Tasting in Polanco: $155
  • Third Largest Monolith in the World:Bernal with wine tasting: $235
  • Cavas Freixenet Wine Tour from Mexico City: $255


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


Which is Bigger, Krakow or Mexico City?

Mexico City has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Krakow. When comparing the sizes of Krakow and Mexico City, 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.