Which place is cheaper, Siena or Krakow?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Krakow or Siena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Krakow or Siena? 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 Siena?
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.
Siena
Located in Tuscany, Siena is a medieval city that is about 70 kilometers south of Florence. One of its most famous events is the horse race, Il Palio, which occurs twice a year during the summer. The race puts a lot of emphasis on neighborhood pride and competition. It is a local tradition that is of great importance to the residence, so it is not an event that is held specifically for tourists. It dates back to the Medieval times and is associated with the area's religion, pageantry and rivalry. In addition to the city's strong neighborhood pride, rich history, and impressive architecture, Siena was also the home of many famous artists including Duccio, Simone Martini, and Ambrogio and Pietro Lorenzetti.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Poland, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Poland, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Italy, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKrakow $64Siena $142
The average daily cost (per person) in Krakow is $64, while the average daily cost in Siena is $142. 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 Siena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKrakow $42Siena $74
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKrakow $84Siena $148
Compare Hotels in Krakow and Siena
Looking for a hotel in Krakow or Siena? 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 Siena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Krakow $6.40Siena $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Krakow
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Krakow:
- Kraków: Kraków Airport to Central Bus Station Bus Transfer: $5.31
- From Auschwitz-Birkenau Roundtrip Bus Transfer: $6.19
- Balice Airport Luxury Vehicle Private Transfer: $9.91
- Private Transfer to or from Krakow Airport: $10
- Private Transfer to/from Krakow Airport (KRK): $11
- Auschwitz-Birkenau Guided Tour & Transfer from Krakow: $12
- Krakow Airport Transfer Balice: $14
- Krakow Airport Private Transfers: $15
- Electric Car Transfer between Krakow and the Airport: $15
- Kraków: Airport Private Transfer by Luxury Car: $16
- Auschwitz - Birkenau Roundtrip Transfer with assistance: $17
- Kraków Airport Private Transfer - Kraków City Center: $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Siena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Siena:
- Arrival transfer Siena Airport SAY to Siena City by van or car: $148
- From Florence: Private Siena Day Trip with Transfers: $348
- Luxury Private Transfer Between Siena and Genoa: $1,118
- Private transfer from Siena to Florence: $202
- Rome Fiumicino Airport: Shared Transfer to/from Siena by Bus: $11
- Siena - Rome Transfer Tour with Orvieto & Montepulciano: $1,059
- Siena to Milan Linate Airport 1-Way Private Transfer: $1,305
- Siena to Milan Malpensa airport private transfer: $1,433
- Transfer Siena-Florence with visit to Chianti and wine tasting: $218
- Transfer Siena-Pisa with stop in San Gimignano & Lunch: $245
Is it cheaper to fly into Krakow or Siena?
Prices for flights to both Siena 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 $13Siena $54
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Siena
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Siena.
- Siena food tour and Chianti wine: $60
- Walking Food Tour with Tastings: $95
- Tuscan Dinner in a Villa in an Ancient Siena Olive Grove: $98
- Siena Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience : $99
- From Siena/Chianti: Dinner & Drinks in the Chianti Vineyards: $102
- Siena countryside: cooking class in a real Tuscan farmhouse: $123
- Cooking Class in a historical villa in Siena Provence: $130
- Tuscan Cooking Class in Central Siena: $131
- 4 Hour Private Cooking Class Unique Tuscan Experience in Siena: $131
- Family Cooking Class: Pizza and Tiramisù from Siena: $138
- Small Group Cooking Class in Chianti Farmhouse: $138
- Small group Cooking Class in Chianti Farmhouse: $141
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Krakow $20Siena $4.02
Tours and Activities in Krakow
Here are a few actual costs in Krakow for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Kraków in a nutshell - walking tour: $1.24
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Old Town Audio-Guided Walking Tour with Headset: $3.72
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $4.28
- Old Town Audioguided walking Tour: $4.46
- Tadeusz Kościuszko Mound Entry Tickets: $4.71
- From Wieliczka Salt Mine Guided Tour: $4.95
- Wawel Hill Tour with Audio Guide: $5.57
- Tadeusz Kościuszko Mound Entrance Tickets: $5.62
- From Kraków: Wieliczka Salt Mine Trip & Guided Tour: $6.19
- Skip the Line Ticket for Kościuszko Mound in Krakow: $6.59
- Wawel Hill Audioguide Tour: $6.69
Tours and Activities in Siena
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Siena are as follows:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Palazzo Pubblico Entry Ticket: $6.42
- Escape Game and Tour: $6.95
- Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and City Tour: $6.95
- City Highlights Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $6.99
- Siena Cathedral and Piccolomini Library Entry Ticket: $8.56
- Siena Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.75
- Italian Opera in Siena Experience: $27
- Escape Tour - Self-Guided Citygame: $32
- Guided tour of Siena INCLUDING the Cathedral or Museum: $33
- Chianti: Wine and Olive Oil Tasting with Cellar Tour: $36
- Wine Experience in an Organic Chianti Winery: $36
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKrakow $6.75Siena $2.34
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
- 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 Siena
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Siena:
- Wine Tasting at the Winery in the Panoramic Terrance: $27
- Montalcino: Brunello Wine Tasting Experience: $35
- Total Immersion Wine Tour in Chianti: $43
- Lapi&Tour Guided tour of the cellars with wine tasting: $52
- From Florence: San Gimignano, Siena, and Chianti Wine Tour: $55
- Tuscany Hiking Tour from Siena Including Wine Tasting: $60
- Siena Underground Wine tasting in a Medieval Cave: $61
- Siena Underground Wine tasting in a Medieval Cave: $63
- Tuscan Classics Wine Tasting Class with Aperitivo: $64
- Montalcino: Brunello Wine Tasting & Lunch in a Tuscan Castle: $64
- Wine and Food Pairing Class with Tuscan Wine Tastings: $75
- Organic Winery Tour and Wine Tasting in Siena: $80
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Krakow and Siena, we can see that Siena 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 Siena would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Siena 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 Siena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Krakow or Siena?
Krakow has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Siena. When comparing the sizes of Krakow and Siena, 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 Siena?
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 Siena in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Krakow and Siena. Also, many travelers come to Siena for the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Krakow is cooler than Siena. Typically, the summer temperatures in Krakow in July average around 19°C (67°F), and Siena averages at about 23°C (73°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Siena this time of the year. In Krakow, it's very sunny this time of the year. Krakow usually receives less sunshine than Siena during summer. Krakow gets 201 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Krakow usually receives more rain than Siena. Krakow gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Siena receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKrakow 19°C (67°F)Siena 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Krakow or Siena in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Krakow as well as Siena. Also, many visitors come to Siena in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Krakow is generally much colder than Siena. Daily temperatures in Krakow average around 11°C (51°F), and Siena fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
In the autumn, Krakow often gets less sunshine than Siena. Krakow gets 97 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 177 hours of full sun.
Krakow usually gets less rain in October than Siena. Krakow gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Siena receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKrakow 11°C (51°F)Siena 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Krakow or Siena in the Winter?
Both Siena and Krakow are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Siena for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Krakow can get quite cold in the winter. Krakow is much colder than Siena in the winter. The daily temperature in Krakow averages around -2°C (29°F) in January, and Siena fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).
Krakow usually receives less sunshine than Siena during winter. Krakow gets 38 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Krakow usually receives less rain than Siena. Krakow gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Siena receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKrakow -2°C (29°F)Siena 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Krakow or Siena in the Spring?
Both Siena and Krakow during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Siena because of the natural beauty.
In the spring, Krakow is cooler than Siena. Typically, the spring temperatures in Krakow in April average around 10°C (50°F), and Siena averages at about 12°C (54°F).
In the spring, Krakow often gets less sunshine than Siena. Krakow gets 132 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 192 hours of full sun.
Krakow usually gets less rain in April than Siena. Krakow gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Siena receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKrakow 10°C (50°F)Siena 12°C (54°F)
Typical Weather for Siena and Krakow
| Krakow | Siena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (29°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Feb | 0°C (32°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 5°C (40°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (50°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (67°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (66°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Sep | 15°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 5°C (41°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Dec | 1°C (33°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 69 mm (2.7 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.