A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Krakow vs. Mont-Saint-Michel for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Krakow or Mont-Saint-Michel?

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

Should I visit Krakow or Mont-Saint-Michel? 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

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.

Mont-Saint-Michel

Mont Saint-Michel is an island community in Normandy, France. It is located about a half of a mile (or one kilometer) off of the country's northwest coast, at the mouth of the Couesnon River near Avranches. The population of the island, at last count, was just under 50 people. The island has been a strategic fortifications since ancient times and since the 8th century AD has been the seat of the monastery from which it was named. The structural composition of the town exemplifies the feudal society that constructed it: on top, God, the abbey and monastery; below, the great halls; then stores and housing; and at the bottom, outside the walls, houses for fishermen and farmers. One of France's most recognizable landmarks, visited by more than 3 million people each year, Mont Saint-Michel and its bay are on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Over 60 buildings within the commune are protected in France as historical monuments.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Poland, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Poland, The Best River Cruises in France, and The Best Bicycle Tours in France.


Which place is cheaper, Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel is $168. 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 Mont-Saint-Michel in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Krakow $42
    Mont-Saint-Michel $75
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Krakow $84
    Mont-Saint-Michel $150
Compare Hotels in Krakow and Mont-Saint-Michel

Looking for a hotel in Krakow or Mont-Saint-Michel? 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 Mont-Saint-Michel


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 Mont-Saint-Michel Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Krakow $6.40
    Mont-Saint-Michel $75

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Krakow

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Krakow:

  • 1945-1989 Communism Tour of Krakow Nowa Huta with Transfers: $160
  • 1945-1989 Communism Tour of Krakow Nowa Huta with Transfers: $171
  • Airport Transfer (Krakow - Katowice): $100
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Krakow Airport KRK to Krakow City by Business Car: $39
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Krakow Airport KRK to Krakow City by Luxury Van: $54
  • Auschwitz - Birkenau Roundtrip Transfer with assistance: $17
  • Auschwitz Birkenau Transfer Service- Private Driver from Krakow: $109
  • Auschwitz-Birkenau Guided Tour & Transfer from Krakow: $12
  • Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum with Private Transfers from Krakow: $217
  • Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum Guided Tour with Ticket and Transfer: $35
  • Auschwitz-Birkenau Tour with Transfer, eBook and Optional Guide: $32
  • Balice KRK airport OneWay PRIVATE TRANSFER to/from Krakow’s hotel: $29

Is it cheaper to fly into Krakow or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Prices for flights to both Mont-Saint-Michel 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
    Mont-Saint-Michel $47

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Krakow $20
    Mont-Saint-Michel $32

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 Mont-Saint-Michel

Here are a few actual costs in Mont-Saint-Michel for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Self Guided Audio Tour around Mont Saint-Michele island: $5.45
  • Mont Saint-Michel Abbey in the Middle Ages: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
  • Airborne Museum Admission Ticket: $11
  • Entrance ticket to the Battle of the Hedges Museum: $11
  • Normandy Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey Entrance Ticket: $14
  • Abbey du Mont Saint-Michel Priority Entrance Tickets: $16
  • Walking Tour in the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel: $16
  • 2-Hour Guided Walking tour of the Mont Saint Michel : $33
  • Cherbourg Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $44
  • Mont-St-Michel: Shared Tour (10 max) "Abbey Ticket Included": $162
  • Private walking tour of Mont Saint Michel with a licensed guide: $215
  • Mont-St-Michel: Private Walking Tour "Abbey Ticket Included": $261

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Krakow $6.75
    Mont-Saint-Michel $8.42
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


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


Which is Bigger, Krakow or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Krakow has a larger population, and is about 9440 times larger than the population of Mont-Saint-Michel. When comparing the sizes of Krakow and Mont-Saint-Michel, 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

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 Mont-Saint-Michel in the Summer?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Krakow are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Krakow is generally around the same temperature as Mont-Saint-Michel. Daily temperatures in Krakow average around 19°C (67°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

It's quite sunny in Mont-Saint-Michel. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Krakow. Krakow usually receives less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during summer. Krakow gets 201 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 246 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Krakow usually receives more rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Krakow gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Krakow 19°C (67°F) 
    Mont-Saint-Michel 19°C (65°F)

Should I visit Krakow or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Autumn?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Krakow during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

Krakow is cooler than Mont-Saint-Michel in the autumn. The daily temperature in Krakow averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the autumn, Krakow often gets less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Krakow gets 97 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 134 hours of full sun.

Krakow usually gets less rain in October than Mont-Saint-Michel. Krakow gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Krakow 11°C (51°F) 
    Mont-Saint-Michel 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Krakow or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Krakow and Mont-Saint-Michel. Furthermore, most visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Krakow can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Krakow is much colder than Mont-Saint-Michel. Typically, the winter temperatures in Krakow in January average around -2°C (29°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel averages at about 5°C (41°F).

Krakow usually receives less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during winter. Krakow gets 38 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 70 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Krakow usually receives less rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Krakow gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Krakow -2°C (29°F) 
    Mont-Saint-Michel 5°C (41°F)

Should I visit Krakow or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Krakow as well as Mont-Saint-Michel. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Mont-Saint-Michel because of the natural beauty.

In April, Krakow is generally around the same temperature as Mont-Saint-Michel. Daily temperatures in Krakow average around 10°C (50°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Krakow often gets less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Krakow gets 132 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 180 hours of full sun.

Krakow usually gets more rain in April than Mont-Saint-Michel. Krakow gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Krakow 10°C (50°F) 
    Mont-Saint-Michel 10°C (50°F)

Typical Weather for Mont-Saint-Michel and Krakow

Krakow Mont-Saint-Michel
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -2°C (29°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 5°C (41°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Feb 0°C (32°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 6°C (43°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Mar 5°C (40°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 8°C (46°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Apr 10°C (50°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 10°C (50°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
May 15°C (59°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 13°C (56°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Jun 18°C (64°F) 96 mm (3.8 in) 16°C (62°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Jul 19°C (67°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 19°C (65°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Aug 19°C (66°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 18°C (65°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Sep 15°C (60°F) 52 mm (2 in) 16°C (61°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Oct 11°C (51°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 13°C (55°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Nov 5°C (41°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 8°C (47°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Dec 1°C (33°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 6°C (43°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)