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

Should you visit Krakow or Pisa?

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

Should I visit Krakow or Pisa? 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 Pisa?

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.

Pisa

Located in Tuscany, Pisa is most famous for its Leaning Tower. The city has a population of about 100,000 people and there are a surprising number of impressive sights that you might miss if you simply pass through to see the tower. There are many architectural and artistic sights that make the city noteworthy as well. The atmosphere of Pisa is also influenced by its university. Of the 100,000 person population, about 60,000 are students. The students bring the city to life with many parties, shows, and interesting cultural events. They stay active into the night and entertainment options are not limited. The student presence is most obvious once you're outside of the touristy Campo dei Miracoli.

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 Italy, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Pisa 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 Pisa is $128. 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 Pisa in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Krakow $42
    Pisa $64
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Krakow $84
    Pisa $128
Compare Hotels in Krakow and Pisa

Looking for a hotel in Krakow or Pisa? 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 Pisa


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 Pisa Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Krakow $6.40
    Pisa $12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Krakow

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Krakow:

  • Private Transfer to or from Berlin: $929
  • Private Transfer to or from Budapest: $867
  • Warsaw to Luxury Private Transfer: $747
  • From Gdansk or One-Way Private Transfer: $669
  • Private Transfer to or from Bratislava: $619
  • Private transfer! Warsaw Chopin Airport - Krakow City Center: $470
  • Private transfer from Krakow to Budapest or from Budapest to Krakow: $299
  • Private door-to-door transfer from Krakow to Budapest: $291
  • Warsaw - Premium-Class Private Airport Transfer: $288
  • Transfer from Krakow (Balice airport) to Krynica Zdroj : $283
  • Private Transfer Airport to Warszawa OkÄ™cie: $278
  • Private transfer from Katowice AirPort to Krakow City: $272

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pisa

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

  • Departure Private Transfer from Pisa to La Spezia by car or van: $203
  • Florence: Private Transfer from Pisa Airport (PSA): $396
  • From Florence: Round-trip Transfer to Pisa & Cinque Terre: $1,230
  • PRIVATE TRANSFER: from Pisa to Florence with private chauffeur: $120
  • Pisa Airport (PSA) to Florence - Arrival Private Transfer: $74
  • Pisa Airport (PSA) to Florence - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $148
  • Pisa Airport (PSA) to La Spezia Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $92
  • Pisa Airport (PSA)to Montecatini Terme Resorts-RoundTrip Transfer: $127
  • Pisa Private Transfer from Pisa city centre to Pisa Airport: $87
  • Private Sightseeing Transfer from Pisa to Florence: $245
  • Private Transfer From Pisa To Florence, English Speaking Driver: $209
  • Private Transfer from Calambrone to Pisa (PSA) Airport: $79

Is it cheaper to fly into Krakow or Pisa?

Prices for flights to both Pisa 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
    Pisa $53

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 Pisa

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Pisa:


  • Dinner
    $80

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pisa

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

  • Chianni: wine and oil tasting with lunch or dinner: $39
  • Home-made Pasta Cooking Class: $75
  • Private Home-Made Pasta Cooking Class in Pisa.: $93
  • Dining experience at a local's home in Pontedera with cooking demo: $93
  • Pisa Food Tour: $95
  • Pisa Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $101
  • Hands-On Cooking Class at a Local's Home: $155
  • Private Cooking Class at a Cesarina's Home in Pisa: $158
  • Authentic Italian Food Tour in Pisa: $521

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Krakow $20
    Pisa $21

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
  • Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Wieliczka Salt Mine 1-Day Tour: $141
  • Rynek Underground Museum Guided Tour: $25
  • Rynek Underground Museum, Old Town and St. Mary's Basilica Tour: $50
  • 1 Day Auschwitz Birkenau Museum Guided Tour Hotel Pick up: $44
  • 1 Day Trip Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum Guided Tour from Krakow: $34
  • 1-Hour Tour to Krakow's Old Town by Electric Golf Cart: $21
  • 120 min Old Town Segway Tour in Krakow: $49
  • 2 Days Tour in Wawel Hill, Jewish Quarter and Wieliczka with Guide and Lunch: $187
  • 2 Hour Private Pinball and Arcade Museum Tour from Krakow: $273
  • 2 Hours Old Town Guided Bike Tour in Krakow: $27
  • 2-Hour Guided Walking Tour in The Old Town of Krakow: $25

Tours and Activities in Pisa

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Pisa.

  • Tower of Pisa & Square of Miracles self guided audio tour: $4.27
  • From Italy eSIM Tourist Roaming Data Plan: $4.81
  • City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.41
  • Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Pisa: $8.72
  • Pisa Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.75
  • Pisa Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.95
  • The Best of Pisa Self Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
  • Pisa Cathedral Guided Tour and Optional Leaning Tower Ticket: $16
  • Square of Miracles guided tour with Leaning Tower ticket (option): $17
  • Baptistery and Cathedral Ticket with Audio Guide: $19
  • Camposanto and Cathedral Entry Tickets and Audio Guide: $19
  • Guided Walking Tour with Optional Leaning Tower Ticket: $19

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Krakow $6.75
    Pisa -
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 Pisa

Also in Pisa, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Cathedral Guided Tour & Wine Tasting & Optional Tower: $48
  • Pisa guided tour and Wine tasting with Leaning Tower ticket (option): $50
  • Winery Tour and Wine Tasting with Local Food Pairing: $75
  • From Pisa or Lucca: Half-Day Tuscany Chianti Wine Tasting: $90
  • Chianti Half-day Wine Tour in the Tuscan's Hills from Pisa: $97
  • Guided tour in San Miniato and wine tasting!: $99
  • Tuscan Wine Tour in Pisa by shuttle: $163
  • Pisa & Lucca with wine Tasting and Lunch from Livorno: $663


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


Which is Bigger, Krakow or Pisa?

Krakow has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Pisa. When comparing the sizes of Krakow and Pisa, 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 Pisa?

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 Pisa in the Summer?

Both Pisa and Krakow during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Pisa this time of year.

In July, Krakow is generally cooler than Pisa. Daily temperatures in Krakow average around 19°C (67°F), and Pisa fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In Pisa, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Krakow. In the summer, Krakow often gets less sunshine than Pisa. Krakow gets 201 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 316 hours of full sun.

Krakow usually gets more rain in July than Pisa. Krakow gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Krakow 19°C (67°F) 
    Pisa 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Krakow or Pisa in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Krakow and Pisa. Furthermore, many travelers come to Pisa for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Krakow is much colder than Pisa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Krakow averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Pisa fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Krakow usually receives less sunshine than Pisa during autumn. Krakow gets 97 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Pisa receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Krakow usually receives less rain than Pisa. Krakow gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Krakow 11°C (51°F) 
    Pisa 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Krakow or Pisa in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Krakow as well as Pisa. Additionally, many visitors come to Pisa 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 Pisa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Krakow in January average around -2°C (29°F), and Pisa averages at about 7°C (45°F).

In the winter, Krakow often gets less sunshine than Pisa. Krakow gets 38 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 105 hours of full sun.

Krakow usually gets less rain in January than Pisa. Krakow gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Krakow -2°C (29°F) 
    Pisa 7°C (45°F)

Should I visit Krakow or Pisa in the Spring?

Both Pisa and Krakow are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Pisa for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Krakow is generally cooler than Pisa. Daily temperatures in Krakow average around 10°C (50°F), and Pisa fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Krakow usually receives less sunshine than Pisa during spring. Krakow gets 132 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pisa. In April, Krakow usually receives less rain than Pisa. Krakow gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Krakow 10°C (50°F) 
    Pisa 13°C (55°F)

Typical Weather for Pisa and Krakow

Krakow Pisa
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -2°C (29°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 7°C (45°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Feb 0°C (32°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 8°C (46°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Mar 5°C (40°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 11°C (52°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Apr 10°C (50°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 13°C (55°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
May 15°C (59°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 16°C (61°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Jun 18°C (64°F) 96 mm (3.8 in) 20°C (68°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Jul 19°C (67°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 23°C (73°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Aug 19°C (66°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 23°C (73°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Sep 15°C (60°F) 52 mm (2 in) 21°C (70°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Oct 11°C (51°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 17°C (63°F) 150 mm (5.9 in)
Nov 5°C (41°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 11°C (52°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Dec 1°C (33°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 8°C (46°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)