Which place is cheaper, Phoenix or Krakow?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Krakow or Phoenix?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Krakow or Phoenix? 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 Phoenix?
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.
Phoenix
The most populous city in the American Southwest, Phoenix is the capital city of Arizona and busiest hub of activity in the general area. Geographically it is located in the Sonoran Desert, making for long hot summers and mild winters. This climate has ensured a thriving tourism industry with plenty of attractions both in and around Phoenix.
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 from Anchorage, and The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKrakow $65Phoenix $238
The average daily cost (per person) in Krakow is $65, while the average daily cost in Phoenix is $238. 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 Phoenix in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKrakow $42Phoenix $144
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKrakow $84Phoenix $288
Compare Hotels in Krakow and Phoenix
Looking for a hotel in Krakow or Phoenix? 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 Phoenix Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Krakow $6.41Phoenix $39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Krakow
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Krakow:
- Private Transfer to or from Budapest: $871
- Warsaw to Luxury Private Transfer: $750
- Private Transfer to or from Prague: $747
- From Gdansk or One-Way Private Transfer: $672
- Private Transfer to or from Bratislava: $622
- Private transfer! Warsaw Chopin Airport - Krakow City Center: $425
- Private transfer from Krakow to Budapest or from Budapest to Krakow: $299
- Private door-to-door transfer from Krakow to Budapest: $292
- From Krakow to Wroclaw Airport Private Transfer: $291
- Warsaw - Premium-Class Private Airport Transfer: $288
- Private Transfer from Krakow to Warsaw with 2h of Sightseeing: $287
- Private Transfer Airport to Warszawa Okęcie: $279
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phoenix
Also for Phoenix, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arrival Private Transfer Phoenix Airport PHX to Phoenix City : $117
- Arrival Private Transfer: Sky Harbor Airport PHX to Phoenix in Business Car: $91
- Arrival Private Transfer: Sky Harbor Airport PHX to Phoenix in Luxury SUV: $104
- Arrival Private Transfer: Sky Harbor Airport PHX to Phoenix in Luxury Van: $140
- Departure Private Transfer Phoenix City to Phoenix Airport PHX : $109
- Departure Private Transfer: Phoenix to Sky Harbor Airport PHX in Business Car: $90
- Departure Private Transfer: Phoenix to Sky Harbor Airport PHX in Luxury SUV: $104
- Departure Private Transfer: Phoenix to Sky Harbor Airport PHX in Luxury Van: $140
- Phoenix International Airport (PHX) - Private transfer From/to Hotels: $118
- Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX) Private Transfer: $80
- Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX) to Phoenix - Arrival Private Transfer: $58
- Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX) to Phoenix - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $116
Is it cheaper to fly into Krakow or Phoenix?
Prices for flights to both Phoenix 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 $13Phoenix $52
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 Phoenix
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Phoenix:
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Nice Lunch (for 2)$36
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Indian Food Dinner (for 2)$32
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phoenix
For Phoenix, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Awesome French Crêpes Cooking Class: $75
- Old Town Scottsdale Food Tour: $92
- Downtown Phoenix Food Tour: $92
- Scottsdale Waterfront Food Tour: $95
- Quiche Lorraine French Cooking Class in Scottsdale: $129
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Krakow $20Phoenix $40
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 Phoenix
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Phoenix.
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Surprise by Operation City Quest: $10
- Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting Entry Ticket: $17
- SEA LIFE Aquarium Arizona Admission Ticket: $19
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Mesa by Zombie Scavengers: $20
- Phoenix Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
- Treasure Island Escape Room Experience in Avondale : $24
- Asylum Escape Room Experience in Avondale: $24
- Private Speakeasy Escape Room Experience in Avondale: $24
- The Scottsdale Selfie Experience: $25
- Ghosts & Poltergeists Guided Haunted Walking Tour: $26
- LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Arizona Admission Ticket: $26
- RoRo Street Art Tour in Phoenix: $27
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKrakow $6.76Phoenix $17
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
- 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 Phoenix
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Phoenix:
- Scottsdale Bar Hunt: Scorching Scottsdale Bar Crawl: $12
- Pedal Bar Crawl of Old Town Scottsdale: $55
- Stretch Limo Party Cart - Custom Bar Crawls, Wine Tastings, Night Clubs & More: $155
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Krakow and Phoenix, we can see that Phoenix 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 Phoenix 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 Phoenix would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Phoenix 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 Phoenix Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Krakow or Phoenix?
Phoenix has a larger population, and is about 75% larger than the population of Krakow. When comparing the sizes of Krakow and Phoenix, 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 Phoenix?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Krakow or Phoenix in the Summer?
Both Phoenix and Krakow during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Phoenix for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
The heat can be very extreme in Phoenix. Krakow is much colder than Phoenix in the summer. The daily temperature in Krakow averages around 19°C (67°F) in July, and Phoenix fluctuates around 98°F (36°C).
In Phoenix, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Krakow. In the summer, Krakow often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Krakow gets 201 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 380 hours of full sun.
Krakow usually gets more rain in July than Phoenix. Krakow gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKrakow 19°C (67°F)Phoenix 98°F (36°C)
Should I visit Krakow or Phoenix in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Krakow and Phoenix. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Phoenix because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Krakow is much colder than Phoenix. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Krakow in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Phoenix averages at about 79°F (26°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phoenix this time of the year. Krakow usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during autumn. Krakow gets 97 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 305 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Krakow usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Krakow gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKrakow 11°C (51°F)Phoenix 79°F (26°C)
Should I visit Krakow or Phoenix in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Krakow as well as Phoenix. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Phoenix this time of year.
The weather in Krakow can be very cold. In January, Krakow is generally much colder than Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Krakow average around -2°C (29°F), and Phoenix fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phoenix. In the winter, Krakow often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Krakow gets 38 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 254 hours of full sun.
Krakow usually gets more rain in January than Phoenix. Krakow gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKrakow -2°C (29°F)Phoenix 58°F (14°C)
Should I visit Krakow or Phoenix in the Spring?
Both Phoenix and Krakow are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
Krakow is much colder than Phoenix in the spring. The daily temperature in Krakow averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Phoenix fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).
It's quite sunny in Phoenix. Krakow usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during spring. Krakow gets 132 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 355 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Krakow usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Krakow gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKrakow 10°C (50°F)Phoenix 74°F (23°C)
Typical Weather for Phoenix and Krakow
| Krakow | Phoenix | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (29°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 58°F (14°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) |
| Feb | 0°C (32°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) |
| Mar | 5°C (40°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 66°F (19°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) |
| Apr | 10°C (50°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 74°F (23°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 83°F (28°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 92°F (34°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Jul | 19°C (67°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 98°F (36°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) |
| Aug | 19°C (66°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 96°F (35°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) |
| Sep | 15°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 90°F (32°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 79°F (26°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) |
| Nov | 5°C (41°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 66°F (19°C) | 0.7 inches (18 mm) |
| Dec | 1°C (33°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 58°F (15°C) | 1 inches (25 mm) |
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.