Which place is cheaper, Rome or Krakow?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Krakow or Rome?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Krakow or Rome? 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 Rome?
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.
Rome
Rome is the kind of city that refuses to stay in the past, even though history is everywhere you look. Ancient ruins rise beside buzzing cafes, scooters zip past Renaissance palaces, and quiet cobblestone lanes suddenly open onto grand piazzas filled with fountains, churches, and street performers. It is a city of layers: the Colosseum and Roman Forum, the Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica, neighborhood trattorias, stylish boutiques, and late-night gelato walks all woven together into one unforgettable experience. Whether you come for the art, the food, the history, or the simple pleasure of wandering without a plan, Rome has a way of making every day feel like a discovery.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Poland, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Krakow, The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.
-
Krakow Prices
Poland PricesRome Prices
Italy Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKrakow $79Rome $237
The average daily cost (per person) in Krakow is $79, while the average daily cost in Rome is $237. 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 Rome in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKrakow $44Rome $103
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKrakow $88Rome $206
Compare Hotels in Krakow and Rome
Looking for a hotel in Krakow or Rome? 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 Rome Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Krakow $6.80Rome $24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Krakow
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Krakow:
- 1 Day Trip Auschwitz Birkenau and Salt Mines with Hotel Transfer: $113
- Airport to Cracow transfer by Luxurious VIP limo: $59
- Arrival Private Transfer from Krakow Airport KRK to Krakow City in Luxury Van: $64
- Arrival Private Transfers from Krakow Airport KRK to Krakow City: $51
- Auschwitz - Birkenau Museum Private Transfer - Round Trip: $210
- Auschwitz Birkenau Guided Tour Tickets and Transfer from Krakow: $28
- Auschwitz Birkenau Guided Tour with Private Transfer and Tickets: $251
- Auschwitz Birkenau Memorial Tour from Krakow Transfer and Ticket: $28
- Auschwitz Birkenau Museum Tour from Krakow with Ticket & Transfer: $35
- Auschwitz Birkenau Tour from Private Transfer + Ticket: $201
- Auschwitz Birkenau Tour with Transfer and Tickets From Krakow: $51
- Auschwitz Birkenau Transfer and Guide with Salt Mine Combo Option: $80
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rome
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rome:
-
Metro Ride (for Two)$2.29
-
Train to the Airport$17
-
Taxi to Airport$51
-
Bicycle Rental (Full Day)$11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rome
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rome:
- Airport Transfer: Ciampino Airport CIA to Rome by Business Car: $101
- Airport Transfer: Fiumicino Airport FCO to Rome by Business Car: $122
- Airport Transfer: Fiumicino Airport FCO to Rome by Luxury Van: $139
- Airport Transfer: Rome to Ciampino Airport CIA by Luxury Van: $109
- Airport Transfer: Rome to Fiumicino Airport FCO by Business Car: $122
- Airport Transfer: Rome to Fiumicino Airport FCO by Luxury Van: $134
- Airport to Hotel in Rome Private Transfer: $245
- Ancient Ostia Private Guided Tour for Kids with Optional Transfer: $197
- Appian Catacombs Guided Tour with Transfere: $74
- Arrival Private Transfer from Rome Train Station to Rome City: $57
- Arrival Transfer: Fiumicino Airport FCO to Rome by Business Car: $122
- Arrival Transfer: Fiumicino Airport FCO to Rome by Luxury Van: $134
Is it cheaper to fly into Krakow or Rome?
Prices for flights to both Rome 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 dayKrakow $24Rome $96
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Krakow
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Krakow.
- Krakow Vineyard Tour with Wine Tasting and Dinner: $34
- Brewery Dinner -center of Krakow: $52
- Polish Folk Show and Dinner From Krakow: $54
- City Centre Folk Fun Live Music, Dance and Dinner: $57
- Live Polish Folk Show and Dinner in Kraków’s Heart: $57
- Krakow Tipsy Polish Food Tour with History Pierogi and Shots: $66
- Half-Day Krakow Food Tour in Old Town and Kazimierz: $82
- Pierogi Cooking Class: Mastering the Art of Polish Dumplings: $89
- Food Tour of 10 Tastings with Pierogi, Vodka & More: $101
- Krakow Pierogi Cooking Class with Market Visit & Home-Cooked Meal: $111
- The 10 Tastings of Krakow With Locals: Private Food Tour: $163
- Katowice Private Traditional Polish Food Tour: $189
Typical Food Prices in Rome
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rome:
-
Casual Lunch (for Two)$16
-
4 Ice Cream Sandwiches$3.42
-
Cafe e doce$4.57
-
Pizza (Fast Food)$3.03
-
Sitdown Lunch (for Two)$36
-
Cheese and bread$11
-
Espresso$2.29
-
Dinner$66
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rome
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rome.
- Pasta Making & Wine Tasting with Dinner in Frascati from Rome: $34
- Hard Rock Cafe Rome with Set Lunch or Dinner: $34
- Rome Cooking: Pasta & Tiramisu Making, Free-Flowing Fine Wine: $38
- Rome Testaccio Market Food Tour - Eat Like a Local: $40
- Rome Food Tour for Breakfast Lovers: $41
- Pizza & Tiramisu or Gelato Class with Flowing Fine Wine: $41
- Rome Food Tour: Tastings in the Jewish Ghetto & Campo de' Fiori: $42
- Pizza Cooking Class in Rome - Near Piazza Navona: $45
- Milan Street Food Tour and City Guided Sightseeing: $45
- Pasta and Tiramisu Cooking Class with Prosecco in Rome: $45
- Rome Ultimate Food Tour Trastevere Tiber Island & Campo de' Fiori: $45
- Pasta Cooking Class in Rome - Fettuccine Class in Piazza Navona: $47
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Krakow $21Rome $41
Tours and Activities in Krakow
Here are a few actual costs in Krakow for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Historic Krakow : Old Town & Wawel Castle Walking tour: $3.49
- Krakow Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $4.66
- Herstory Walking Tour of Wawel Women Impact: $5.83
- Wawel Hill Audio-Guided Tour: $8.02
- Krakow Jewish Ghetto and Quarter Audio Guided Walking Tour: $9.99
- Krakow Jewish Metamorphosis Tour GPS App Walking Tour Mobile Game: $10
- Robotic Show Legends of Krakow - Entry Ticket: $11
- Krakow Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $12
- GOair! The Air City Park Kraków Sikorki - 1 hour ticket: $12
- GOjump MEGAPARK Kraków-Sikorki - 1 hour Trampoline Park ticket: $13
- Communism City Sightseeing Buggy Eco Golf Cart Tour: $13
- Jewish Museum Galicja - Skip the line Ticket: $14
Typical Entertainment Prices in Rome
Here are a few typical costs in Rome for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Rome Museum Vaticano (for 2)$79
-
Coliseum Tickets (for Two)$38
-
Roma Pass$34
-
Hop on Hop Off Bus (All Day)$23
-
Segway Tour$86
Tours and Activities in Rome
Here are a few actual costs in Rome for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Rome Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $3.49
- Rome Best Kept Secrets: Self-Guided City Tour: $3.49
- Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Rome: $4.65
- Colosseum and Roman Forum Sightseeing Area Walking Tour: $4.66
- Experience Rome Trevi Fountain with Ticket: $4.66
- Rome Walking Tour: Self-Guided City Game: $5.23
- Rome Timeless Trail Self Guided Walking Tour with App: $5.50
- Pantheon Admission Ticket : Audio Guide or Guided Tour: $5.82
- Rome Essential : Self-Guided Tour created by local Official Guide: $5.83
- Pantheon Entry Experience with Digital Audio Guide: $5.83
- St. Peter's Basilica Rome Audio Tour Experience: $5.99
- Testaccio: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Rome's Food Traditions: $6.10
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayKrakow $7.17Rome $21
Typical Alcohol Prices in Krakow
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Krakow:
-
Vodka$14
Sample the Local Flavors in Krakow
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Krakow:
- Private Pub Crawl with a Shot in Krakow: $23
- Halloween Pub Crawl - Krawl Through Krakow: $26
- Pub Crawl Krawl Through Krakow: $31
- Pub Crawl Unlimited Drinks then 5 Best Clubs in Krakow with VIP: $34
- Krakow Pub Crawl with 1 Hr of unlimited alcohol & 4 clubs/pubs: $35
- Krakow Evening Pub Crawl: $47
- Krakow New Year's Eve Pub Crawl VIP Open Bar: $54
- Wieliczka Vineyard: Wine tasting with local snacks: $58
Typical Alcohol Prices in Rome
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Rome:
-
Bottle of Wine$7.43
-
Pint of Beer$7.25
-
Beer$11
Sample the Local Flavors in Rome
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rome:
- Wine Tasting and Food Pairing with gelato in Trastevere: $41
- Winery Tour, Wine Tasting near Rome with Optional Lunch: $45
- Rome Premium Wine Tasting: 3, 4, 5 or 6 Wines with Expert Guide: $52
- EAT AND DRINK LIKE A LOCAL - Wine Tasting in Trastevere w/ Gelato: $52
- Frascati Wine Tasting Experience with Food Pairing: $52
- Dolce Vita Burlesque show: $58
- Wine Tasting and Food Pairing in Underground Cellar in Rome: $63
- Small-Group Exclusive Winery and Wine Tasting Tour in Frascati: $64
- Rome Nightlife Party Tour Monti Bar Crawl and Local Drinks: $66
- Private Wine Tasting in Trastevere: $76
- Art, Wine & Food Experience–The Ultimate Roman Wine Tasting: $80
- Italy in a Glass - Wine Tasting and Food Pairing Tour in Rome: $82
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Krakow and Rome, we can see that Rome 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 Rome would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rome 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 Rome Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Krakow or Rome?
Rome has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Krakow. When comparing the sizes of Krakow and Rome, 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 Rome?
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 Rome in the Summer?
Both Rome and Krakow are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Rome for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Krakow is cooler than Rome in the summer. The daily temperature in Krakow averages around 19°C (67°F) in July, and Rome fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
It's quite sunny in Rome. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Krakow. Krakow usually receives less sunshine than Rome during summer. Krakow gets 201 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 338 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Krakow usually receives more rain than Rome. Krakow gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Rome receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyKrakow 19°C (67°F)Rome 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Krakow or Rome in the Autumn?
Both Rome and Krakow during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Rome because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Krakow is much colder than Rome. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Krakow in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Rome averages at about 17°C (63°F).
In the autumn, Krakow often gets less sunshine than Rome. Krakow gets 97 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 198 hours of full sun.
Krakow usually gets less rain in October than Rome. Krakow gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Rome receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKrakow 11°C (51°F)Rome 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Krakow or Rome in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Krakow and Rome. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Rome this time of year.
The weather in Krakow can be very cold. In January, Krakow is generally much colder than Rome. Daily temperatures in Krakow average around -2°C (29°F), and Rome fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).
Krakow usually receives less sunshine than Rome during winter. Krakow gets 38 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 127 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Krakow usually receives less rain than Rome. Krakow gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Rome receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKrakow -2°C (29°F)Rome 8°C (47°F)
Should I visit Krakow or Rome in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Krakow as well as Rome. Additionally, many travelers come to Rome for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Krakow is cooler than Rome in the spring. The daily temperature in Krakow averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Rome fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rome. In the spring, Krakow often gets less sunshine than Rome. Krakow gets 132 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 204 hours of full sun.
Krakow usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Rome. Krakow gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Rome receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilKrakow 10°C (50°F)Rome 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for Rome and Krakow
| Krakow | Rome | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (29°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Feb | 0°C (32°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Mar | 5°C (40°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (50°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 42 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (67°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (66°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Sep | 15°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 5°C (41°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Dec | 1°C (33°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 94 mm (3.7 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.