Which place is cheaper, San Diego or Krakow?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Krakow or San Diego?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Krakow or San Diego? 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 San Diego?
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.
San Diego
For many visitors and locals alike, San Diego is a paradise. Located in southern California, not far from Los Angeles, it has the perfect climate, wonderful beaches, and a culturally rich environment. It's surrounded by beautiful landscape and has a strong focus on wildlife conservation and eco-friendly living. Home to about 1.3 million residents, it is California's second largest city. It also has many universities, a large tech industry, and a thriving economy. Despite its size, many people perceive San Diego as a slower, more relaxed city with a pleasant vibe away from the chaos of a large city.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Poland, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Poland, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKrakow $65San Diego $202
The average daily cost (per person) in Krakow is $65, while the average daily cost in San Diego is $202. 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 San Diego in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKrakow $42San Diego $115
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKrakow $84San Diego $230
Compare Hotels in Krakow and San Diego
Looking for a hotel in Krakow or San Diego? 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 San Diego Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Krakow $6.41San Diego $24
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 San Diego
Also for San Diego, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arrival Private Transfer San Diego Airport SAN to San Diego City by Business Car: $111
- Arrival Private Transfer San Diego Airport SAN to San Diego by Executive SUV: $134
- Arrival Private Transfer: San Diego Airport SAN to San Diego in Business Car: $103
- Arrival Private Transfer: San Diego Airport SAN to San Diego in Luxury SUV: $115
- Departure Private Transfer San Diego to San Diego Airport SAN in Business Car: $92
- Departure Private Transfer: San Diego to San Diego Airport SAN in Business Car: $103
- Departure Private Transfer: San Diego to San Diego Airport SAN in Luxury SUV: $115
- Private Arrival Transfer - from San Diego Airport (SAN) by SUV: $82
- Private Arrival Transfer from San Diego Airport SAN: $56
- Private Departure Transfer to San Diego Airport SAN: $50
- Private Transfer Airport Tijuana/Valle de Guadalupe (Ensenada) or back.: $178
- Private Transfer from San Diego Airport (SAN) to San Diego Port : $74
Is it cheaper to fly into Krakow or San Diego?
Prices for flights to both San Diego 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 $13San Diego $45
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 San Diego
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to San Diego:
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Mexican Lunch for Two$27
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Breakfast at Starbucks$20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Diego
For San Diego, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Pizza and Gelato Tour in San Diego: $80
- San Diego Vegan Food Tour: $85
- Old Town Tequila and Tacos Walking Food Tour: $85
- Gaslamp Quarter Food Tour: $89
- Gaslamp Quarter Downtown San Diego Food Tour: $89
- San Diego Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $95
- San Diego, Seaport Village: Waterfront Walking Food Tour: $99
- Seaport Village Food Tour in San Diego : $99
- Guided Secret Food Tour: $103
- Scenic Buffet Dinner Cruise: $108
- San Diego Dinner Cruise: $116
- Gourmet Dinner Cruise: $118
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Krakow $20San Diego $48
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Diego
For San Diego, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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San Diego Zoo$15
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Sea World Parking$12
Tours and Activities in San Diego
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Diego.
- Pies & Pickaxes: A Historic Walking Tour of Julian, CA: $4.49
- Waterfront Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $7.31
- A Seaside Stroll: La Jolla's Hidden Treasures Self-Guided Tour: $9.99
- Historical Walking Tour of San Diego: $10
- Beaches & Bluffs San Diego's Ultimate Coastal Driving Tour: $12
- San Diego Natural History Museum Ticket: $12
- Haunted Historic Whaley House - Self-Guided Tour: $14
- Apple Pies & Desert Skies: A Self-Guided Driving Tour: $15
- Private Walking Tour and Gaslamp Adventure in San Diego: $20
- Explore Balboa in a Private Tour of San Diego Hidden Gems: $20
- San Diego's Historic Treasures and Old Town Tour: $20
- San Diego Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKrakow $6.76San Diego $21
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 San Diego
Also in San Diego, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- San Diego Bar Hunt: Slammin' San Diego Bar Crawl: $13
- History Tour Pub Crawl of Famous Gaslamp Quarter: $30
- Brewery Tour with Tastings and Food Pairings: $85
- Vino! Vino! Little Italy Wine Tasting Walking Tour: $125
- Little Italy Wine Tasting Walking Tour: $125
- Private Wine Tasting Tour in Valle de Guadalupe: $133
- Cruise & Booze Brewery tours : $149
- Baja Tour Guide wine tour: $169
- Sidecar Wine Tasting Tour: $199
- Brewery and Tap Room Sidecar Tour: $199
- California Sunset Brewery Tour: $199
- Brewery and Beer Tasting Tour in San Diego: $215
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Krakow and San Diego, we can see that San Diego 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 San Diego 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 San Diego would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Diego 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 San Diego Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Krakow or San Diego?
San Diego has a larger population, and is about 62% larger than the population of Krakow. When comparing the sizes of Krakow and San Diego, 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 San Diego?
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 San Diego in the Summer?
Both San Diego and Krakow during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the summer months attract visitors to San Diego because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Krakow is generally cooler than San Diego. Daily temperatures in Krakow average around 19°C (67°F), and San Diego fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).
In San Diego, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Krakow. In the summer, Krakow often gets less sunshine than San Diego. Krakow gets 201 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 306 hours of full sun.
Krakow usually gets more rain in July than San Diego. Krakow gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKrakow 19°C (67°F)San Diego 71°F (22°C)
Should I visit Krakow or San Diego in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Krakow and San Diego. Also, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to San Diego this time of year.
Krakow is much colder than San Diego in the autumn. The daily temperature in Krakow averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and San Diego fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Diego this time of the year. Krakow usually receives less sunshine than San Diego during autumn. Krakow gets 97 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 244 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Krakow usually receives more rain than San Diego. Krakow gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKrakow 11°C (51°F)San Diego 68°F (20°C)
Should I visit Krakow or San Diego in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Krakow as well as San Diego. Also, many travelers come to San Diego for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Krakow in the winter. In the winter, Krakow is much colder than San Diego. Typically, the winter temperatures in Krakow in January average around -2°C (29°F), and San Diego averages at about 57°F (14°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Diego. In the winter, Krakow often gets less sunshine than San Diego. Krakow gets 38 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 239 hours of full sun.
Krakow usually gets less rain in January than San Diego. Krakow gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 1.8 inches (46 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKrakow -2°C (29°F)San Diego 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit Krakow or San Diego in the Spring?
Both San Diego and Krakow are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to San Diego in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In April, Krakow is generally much colder than San Diego. Daily temperatures in Krakow average around 10°C (50°F), and San Diego fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).
It's quite sunny in San Diego. Krakow usually receives less sunshine than San Diego during spring. Krakow gets 132 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 277 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Krakow usually receives more rain than San Diego. Krakow gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.8 inches (20 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKrakow 10°C (50°F)San Diego 62°F (17°C)
Typical Weather for San Diego and Krakow
| Krakow | San Diego | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (29°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.8 inches (46 mm) |
| Feb | 0°C (32°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 1.5 inches (39 mm) |
| Mar | 5°C (40°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
| Apr | 10°C (50°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.8 inches (20 mm) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.2 inches (5 mm) |
| Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Jul | 19°C (67°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 19°C (66°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Sep | 15°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 0.4 inches (9 mm) |
| Nov | 5°C (41°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 1.5 inches (37 mm) |
| Dec | 1°C (33°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.6 inches (40 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.