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

Should you visit Krakow or Novi Sad?

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

Should I visit Krakow or Novi Sad? 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 Novi Sad?

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.

Novi Sad

Novi Sad is the capital city of Vojvodina, the northern Autonomous Province of Serbia. Novi Sad has a population of about 400,000 people and is located on the Danube River near Budapest and Belgrade.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Poland, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Poland, The Best Budget Tours to Serbia, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Belgrade.


Which place is cheaper, Novi Sad 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 Novi Sad is $20. 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 Novi Sad in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Krakow $42
    Novi Sad $11
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Krakow $84
    Novi Sad $22
Compare Hotels in Krakow and Novi Sad

Looking for a hotel in Krakow or Novi Sad? 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 Novi Sad


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 Novi Sad Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Krakow $6.40
    Novi Sad -

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 Novi Sad

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Novi Sad:

  • Airport transfer from/to Novi Sad: $107
  • Belgrade airport transfers: $30
  • Belgrade to Sarajevo via Novi Sad Private Transfer Tour: $287

Is it cheaper to fly into Krakow or Novi Sad?

Prices for flights to both Novi Sad 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
    Novi Sad $8.20

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
    Novi Sad -

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 Novi Sad

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Novi Sad are as follows:

  • The city center and fortress Private Walking Tour: $29
  • Novi Sad & Sremski Karlovci shared tour: $64
  • Novi Sad city center and Petrovaradin fortress tour: $80
  • Fruska Gora and Novi Sad Heritage & Gastro Private Tour: $171
  • Private Customized Tour with a car: $209
  • Novi Sad Private Walking Tour: $254
  • From Belgrade: Novi Sad and Fruska Gora National Park Tour: $321
  • City Highlights Walking Tour with Local Guide: $512
  • Private Romantic Tour: $513
  • 2-Hour Christmas Walking Tour: $770

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Krakow $6.75
    Novi Sad -
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

Sample the Local Flavors in Novi Sad

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

  • From Belgrade: Sremski Karlovci & Novi Sad with Wine Tasting: $80
  • From Belgrade or Private Wine Tour in Fruska Gora: $185


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Krakow and Novi Sad, we can see that Krakow is more expensive. And not only is Novi Sad much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Novi Sad would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Novi Sad 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 Novi Sad.

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


Which is Bigger, Krakow or Novi Sad?

Krakow has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Novi Sad. When comparing the sizes of Krakow and Novi Sad, 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 Novi Sad?

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 Novi Sad in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Krakow and Novi Sad.

Krakow is cooler than Novi Sad in the summer. The daily temperature in Krakow averages around 19°C (67°F) in July, and Novi Sad fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Novi Sad this time of the year. In Krakow, it's very sunny this time of the year. Krakow usually receives less sunshine than Novi Sad during summer. Krakow gets 201 hours of sunny skies, while Novi Sad receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Krakow usually receives more rain than Novi Sad. Krakow gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Novi Sad receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Krakow 19°C (67°F) 
    Novi Sad 22°C (71°F)

Should I visit Krakow or Novi Sad in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Krakow as well as Novi Sad.

In the autumn, Krakow is cooler than Novi Sad. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Krakow in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Novi Sad averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the autumn, Krakow often gets less sunshine than Novi Sad. Krakow gets 97 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Novi Sad receives 168 hours of full sun.

Krakow usually gets more rain in October than Novi Sad. Krakow gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Novi Sad receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Krakow 11°C (51°F) 
    Novi Sad 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Krakow or Novi Sad in the Winter?

Both Novi Sad and Krakow are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

It's quite cold in Novi Sad in the winter. The weather in Krakow can be very cold. In January, Krakow is generally much colder than Novi Sad. Daily temperatures in Krakow average around -2°C (29°F), and Novi Sad fluctuates around -0°C (31°F).

Krakow usually receives less sunshine than Novi Sad during winter. Krakow gets 38 hours of sunny skies, while Novi Sad receives 71 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Krakow usually receives less rain than Novi Sad. Krakow gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Novi Sad receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Krakow -2°C (29°F) 
    Novi Sad -0°C (31°F)

Should I visit Krakow or Novi Sad in the Spring?

Both Novi Sad and Krakow during the spring are popular places to visit.

Krakow is cooler than Novi Sad in the spring. The daily temperature in Krakow averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Novi Sad fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Krakow often gets less sunshine than Novi Sad. Krakow gets 132 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Novi Sad receives 178 hours of full sun.

Krakow usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Novi Sad. Krakow gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Novi Sad receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Krakow 10°C (50°F) 
    Novi Sad 12°C (54°F)

Typical Weather for Novi Sad and Krakow

Krakow Novi Sad
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -2°C (29°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) -0°C (31°F) 37 mm (1.5 in)
Feb 0°C (32°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 2°C (36°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Mar 5°C (40°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 7°C (45°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Apr 10°C (50°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 12°C (54°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
May 15°C (59°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 17°C (63°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Jun 18°C (64°F) 96 mm (3.8 in) 20°C (68°F) 83 mm (3.2 in)
Jul 19°C (67°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 22°C (71°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 19°C (66°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 21°C (70°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Sep 15°C (60°F) 52 mm (2 in) 18°C (64°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Oct 11°C (51°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 13°C (55°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Nov 5°C (41°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 7°C (44°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Dec 1°C (33°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 2°C (35°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)