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

Should you visit Krakow or Sarajevo?

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

Should I visit Krakow or Sarajevo? 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 Sarajevo?

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.

Sarajevo

Sarajevo is the capital city of Bosnia and is one of the most culturally and historically interesting cities to visit in Europe. The city was at the crossroads where the Eastern and Western Roman Empires divided, and the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches divided. Today it is most associated with the Civil War that occurred here between 1992 and 1995. There are still many remnants of the war left, from the cemeteries that dot the countryside to the leftover damage done by bombs. Despite its brutal history, Sarajevo has begun to thrive again, both economically and as a tourist destination.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Poland, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Poland, The Best Cultural Tours in Bosnia and Herzegowina, and The Best Budget Tours to Bosnia and Herzegowina.


Which place is cheaper, Sarajevo 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 Sarajevo is $70. 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 Sarajevo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Krakow $42
    Sarajevo $27
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Krakow $84
    Sarajevo $54
Compare Hotels in Krakow and Sarajevo

Looking for a hotel in Krakow or Sarajevo? 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 Sarajevo


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 Sarajevo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Krakow $6.40
    Sarajevo $7.02

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Krakow

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Krakow:

  • Zakopane to Chocholow Thermal Pools 3h Ticket with Hotel Transfer: $93
  • Zakopane and Sleigh Ride with Transfers and Lunch Option: $186
  • Zakopane Tour from Krakow with Transfers and Lunch Option: $65
  • Zakopane Private Transfer from to Krakow or Krakow Airport: $253
  • Wroclaw: Private Transfer from/to Krakow: $248
  • Wooden Architecture Museum Private Transfer Round Trip: $153
  • Wieliczka Salt Mine Guided Tour with Hotel Transfers: $65
  • Wieliczka Salt Mine Guided Tour from Krakow with Hotel Transfer: $77
  • Warsaw to Luxury Private Transfer: $747
  • Warsaw - Premium-Class Private Airport Transfer: $288
  • VAN Private transfer: Krakow Airport - Krakow City: $43
  • Two Krakow Airport Transfers, Auschwitz-Birkenau & Salt Mine: $161

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sarajevo

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Sarajevo:


  • Tram Tickets (for 2)
    $1.64

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sarajevo

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

  • Airport Transfer in Sarajevo: $27
  • Airport Transfers & Private Tours with Luxury minibus Bosnia: $27
  • Airport Transfers Sarajevo Chauffeur for Individual Clients: $27
  • Airport Transfers Sarajevo for Individual Clients: $27
  • Airport transfer Sarajevo - Bosnia: $16
  • One-way Private Airport Transfer to Sarajevo: $15
  • Private Sarajevo Airport Transfer: $55
  • Private Transfer From Sarajevo To Beograd : $142
  • Private Transfer from Hrasnica to Sarajevo Airport (SJJ): $68
  • Private Transfer from Konjic to Mostar Airport (OMO): $174
  • Private Transfer from Konjic to Sarajevo Airport (SJJ): $155
  • Private Transfer from Sarajevo Airport (SJJ) to Bojnik : $68

Is it cheaper to fly into Krakow or Sarajevo?

Prices for flights to both Sarajevo 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
    Sarajevo $31

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 Sarajevo

For Sarajevo, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Restaurant Dinner (for 2)
    $12

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sarajevo

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

  • Sarajevo Local Food Tour: $27
  • Walking Food Tour with Local Craft Experience: $43
  • Traditional Bosnian Dinner with your Host Family: $44
  • Traditional Bosnian Dinner with Host Family: $53
  • Bosnian Cooking Lessons: $80

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Krakow $20
    Sarajevo $12

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

Typical Entertainment Prices in Sarajevo

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Sarajevo's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • National Museum (for 2)
    $7.64

Tours and Activities in Sarajevo

For Sarajevo, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Sarajevo Walking Tour In Small Group: $11
  • Sarajevo Talkie-Walkie Tour: $13
  • Grand Walking Tour: $16
  • Sarajevo Grand Walking Tour: $16
  • HISTORY OF ISLAM IN SARAJEVO TOUR: $16
  • SARAJEVO CITY TOUR - Learn something in an interesting way.: $17
  • Discover Sarajevo Walking Tour with Local Guide: $17
  • Sarajevo genuine walking tour: Steps through history: $19
  • Sarajevo Old Town: Bosnian Ethnic Food & Coffee Walking Tour: $19
  • Tunnel of Hope Siege Tour: $20
  • Uncovering Islam Tour: $20
  • Old Town Walking Tour with Local Guide: $20

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Krakow $6.75
    Sarajevo $7.34
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 Sarajevo

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

  • Small-group Wine Tasting Expiriance, with lunch in vineyard: $70


When comparing the travel costs between Krakow and Sarajevo, we can see that Sarajevo is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Krakow Expensive? and Is Sarajevo Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Krakow or Sarajevo?

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

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 Sarajevo in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Krakow as well as Sarajevo. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Sarajevo because of the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Krakow is generally cooler than Sarajevo. Daily temperatures in Krakow average around 19°C (67°F), and Sarajevo fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sarajevo. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Krakow this time of the year. In the summer, Krakow often gets less sunshine than Sarajevo. Krakow gets 201 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sarajevo receives 323 hours of full sun.

Krakow usually gets more rain in July than Sarajevo. Krakow gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Sarajevo receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Krakow 19°C (67°F) 
    Sarajevo 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Krakow or Sarajevo in the Autumn?

Both Sarajevo and Krakow are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Sarajevo this time of year.

Krakow is much colder than Sarajevo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Krakow averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Sarajevo fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

Krakow usually receives less sunshine than Sarajevo during autumn. Krakow gets 97 hours of sunny skies, while Sarajevo receives 178 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sarajevo. In October, Krakow usually receives less rain than Sarajevo. Krakow gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Sarajevo receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Krakow 11°C (51°F) 
    Sarajevo 17°C (62°F)

Should I visit Krakow or Sarajevo in the Winter?

Both Sarajevo and Krakow during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Sarajevo 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 Sarajevo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Krakow in January average around -2°C (29°F), and Sarajevo averages at about 6°C (42°F).

In the winter, Krakow often gets less sunshine than Sarajevo. Krakow gets 38 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sarajevo receives 113 hours of full sun.

Sarajevo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Krakow usually gets less rain in January than Sarajevo. Krakow gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Sarajevo receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Krakow -2°C (29°F) 
    Sarajevo 6°C (42°F)

Should I visit Krakow or Sarajevo in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Krakow and Sarajevo. Also, many visitors come to Sarajevo in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Krakow is generally cooler than Sarajevo. Daily temperatures in Krakow average around 10°C (50°F), and Sarajevo fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

Krakow usually receives less sunshine than Sarajevo during spring. Krakow gets 132 hours of sunny skies, while Sarajevo receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

Sarajevo receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Krakow usually receives less rain than Sarajevo. Krakow gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Sarajevo receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Krakow 10°C (50°F) 
    Sarajevo 14°C (58°F)

Typical Weather for Sarajevo and Krakow

Krakow Sarajevo
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -2°C (29°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 6°C (42°F) 148 mm (5.8 in)
Feb 0°C (32°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 8°C (46°F) 134 mm (5.3 in)
Mar 5°C (40°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 11°C (51°F) 124 mm (4.9 in)
Apr 10°C (50°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 14°C (58°F) 127 mm (5 in)
May 15°C (59°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 19°C (66°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 18°C (64°F) 96 mm (3.8 in) 22°C (72°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Jul 19°C (67°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 26°C (78°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Aug 19°C (66°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 26°C (78°F) 65 mm (2.5 in)
Sep 15°C (60°F) 52 mm (2 in) 22°C (71°F) 109 mm (4.3 in)
Oct 11°C (51°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 17°C (62°F) 153 mm (6 in)
Nov 5°C (41°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 11°C (52°F) 203 mm (8 in)
Dec 1°C (33°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 7°C (45°F) 196 mm (7.7 in)