Which place is cheaper, Pamplona or Krakow?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Krakow or Pamplona?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Krakow or Pamplona? 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 Pamplona?
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.
Pamplona
Pamplona is a city in northern Spain located on the snow-capped foothills of the Pyrenees Range. With the backdrop of mountains, the city is surrounded by a setting ideal for skiing, mountaineering, hiking, wildlife and breathtaking scenery. Yet Pamplona itself is a place full of lively culture and stunning architecture. With a long history, the place is embedded in tradition and perhaps most famous for its annual "running of the bulls" celebrated in July, also known as the San Fermin festival.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Poland, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Poland, The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKrakow $64Pamplona $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Krakow is $64, while the average daily cost in Pamplona is $141. 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 Pamplona in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKrakow $42Pamplona $72
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKrakow $84Pamplona $144
Compare Hotels in Krakow and Pamplona
Looking for a hotel in Krakow or Pamplona? 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 Pamplona Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Krakow $6.40Pamplona $26
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 Pamplona
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pamplona:
- Private Transfer from Pamplona Airport to Laguardia town: $282
- Private Transfer from Pamplona city to San Sebastian: $244
- Private Transfer from Pamplona city to San Sebastian Airport: $244
Is it cheaper to fly into Krakow or Pamplona?
Prices for flights to both Pamplona 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 $13Pamplona $44
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
Typical Food Prices in Pamplona
Some typical examples of dining costs in Pamplona are as follows:
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Lunch for 2$11
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Ice Cream$4.82
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Coffee$1.39
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Krakow $20Pamplona $36
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 Pamplona
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Pamplona are as follows:
- Logroño historic&cultural guided walking tour: $32
- Pamplona pintxo tasting paired with Spanish wines small group tour: $72
- From San Sebastian: Pamplona City Tour: $91
- Private City Tour Pamplona: $174
- Private tour of Getaria, Zumaia, Zarautz and Orio. : $204
- Bilbao and Guggenheim Museum small group tour: $218
- Tour of the Bardenas " The great desert of Europe" and Tudela. : $234
- San Sebastian & Basque Coast Tour From Pamplona: $235
- Pamplona Private Tour with Castle of Javier : $240
- Private tour of Lourdes and the three sacred temples: $240
- San Sebastian And Basque Coast Tour From Pamplona: $240
- Private tour of the jewels of Bilbao, with Guggenheim and pintxos tasting. : $251
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKrakow $6.75Pamplona $33
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 Pamplona
Also in Pamplona, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Half Day Rioja Wine Tour: $218
- Wine tour of La Rioja, with two winery visits, and La Guardia. : $221
- Wine Tour: 2 Wineries From Logroño: $240
- Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries From Pamplona: $240
- Wine Tour: Winery & Traditional Lunch From Logroño: $251
- Rioja Wine Tour: Winery & Traditional Lunch From Pamplona: $251
- Rioja Wine Tour: $283
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Krakow and Pamplona, we can see that Pamplona 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 Pamplona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pamplona 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 Pamplona Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Krakow or Pamplona?
Krakow has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Pamplona. When comparing the sizes of Krakow and Pamplona, 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 Pamplona?
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 Pamplona in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Krakow and Pamplona. Furthermore, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Pamplona this time of year.
In July, Krakow is generally around the same temperature as Pamplona. Daily temperatures in Krakow average around 19°C (67°F), and Pamplona fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pamplona this time of the year. In Krakow, it's very sunny this time of the year. Krakow usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Pamplona during summer. Krakow gets 201 hours of sunny skies, while Pamplona receives 209 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Krakow usually receives around the same amount of rain as Pamplona. Krakow gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKrakow 19°C (67°F)Pamplona 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Krakow or Pamplona in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Krakow as well as Pamplona. Additionally, many travelers come to Pamplona for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.
Krakow is cooler than Pamplona in the autumn. The daily temperature in Krakow averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Pamplona fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
In the autumn, Krakow often gets less sunshine than Pamplona. Krakow gets 97 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pamplona receives 144 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Pamplona. Krakow usually gets less rain in October than Pamplona. Krakow gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKrakow 11°C (51°F)Pamplona 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Krakow or Pamplona in the Winter?
Both Pamplona and Krakow are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Pamplona in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Krakow. In the winter, Krakow is much colder than Pamplona. Typically, the winter temperatures in Krakow in January average around -2°C (29°F), and Pamplona averages at about 8°C (47°F).
Krakow usually receives less sunshine than Pamplona during winter. Krakow gets 38 hours of sunny skies, while Pamplona receives 85 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Pamplona. In January, Krakow usually receives less rain than Pamplona. Krakow gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKrakow -2°C (29°F)Pamplona 8°C (47°F)
Should I visit Krakow or Pamplona in the Spring?
Both Pamplona and Krakow during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Pamplona for the activities around the city during these months.
In April, Krakow is generally cooler than Pamplona. Daily temperatures in Krakow average around 10°C (50°F), and Pamplona fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
In the spring, Krakow often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Pamplona. Krakow gets 132 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pamplona receives 141 hours of full sun.
Pamplona gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Krakow usually gets less rain in April than Pamplona. Krakow gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKrakow 10°C (50°F)Pamplona 12°C (54°F)
Typical Weather for Pamplona and Krakow
| Krakow | Pamplona | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (29°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) |
| Feb | 0°C (32°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) |
| Mar | 5°C (40°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (50°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (67°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (66°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) |
| Sep | 15°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 155 mm (6.1 in) |
| Nov | 5°C (41°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Dec | 1°C (33°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 184 mm (7.2 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.