Which place is cheaper, Trieste or Krakow?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Krakow or Trieste?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Krakow or Trieste? 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 Trieste?
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.
Trieste
Located on the northeast Italian coast next to the Adriatic Sea, Trieste is a city characterized by its European charm, ancient architecture, and striking sea views. Its art, music, history, and culture also take some influence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, boasting many Slavic traditions and empire-era architecture.
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 Italy, and The Best Contiki Tours to Italy.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKrakow $64Trieste $108
The average daily cost (per person) in Krakow is $64, while the average daily cost in Trieste is $108. 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 Trieste in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKrakow $42Trieste $59
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKrakow $84Trieste $118
Compare Hotels in Krakow and Trieste
Looking for a hotel in Krakow or Trieste? 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 Trieste Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Krakow $6.40Trieste $19
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Trieste
Also for Trieste, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Direct Transfer From Trieste to Venice: $284
- Private Transfer from Izola to Ljubljana Airport (LJU): $243
- Private Transfer from Koper Cruise Port to Ljubljana city hotels: $68
- Private Transfer from Koper Port to Ljubljana Airport (LJU): $68
- Private Transfer from Koper to Ljubljana Airport (LJU): $292
- Private Transfer from Trieste Airport to Rovinj: $342
- Private Transfer from Trieste Cruise Port to Milan hotels: $263
- Private Transfer from Trieste Port to Malpensa Milan Airport(MXP): $293
- Private Transfer from Trieste city or Port to Venice + water taxi: $145
- Private direct transfer with local driver from Trieste to Zagreb: $175
- Private transfer Seven Seas Splendor, Venice cruise terminal, Marco Polo airport: $221
- Private transfer Trieste Airport from & to Bled: $251
Is it cheaper to fly into Krakow or Trieste?
Prices for flights to both Trieste 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 $13Trieste $33
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 Trieste
For Trieste, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cesarine: Small group Street food tour in Trieste: $97
- Dining experience at a local's home in Trieste with show cooking: $115
- Istria - Truffles: Hunting & Cooking & Tasting, Slovenia: $141
- Trieste Private Home Cooking Class: $155
- Private Cooking Class at a Cesarina's Home in Trieste: $158
- Private Mediterranean Fish Cooking Workshop with Irena: $180
- 5-Course Food Tour with Electric Bikes: $235
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Krakow $20Trieste $23
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 Trieste
For Trieste, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Train ticket connecting airport and city: $5.64
- Trieste Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.75
- Trieste Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self Guided Tour: $8.95
- Trieste Bus Tour with Audio Guide: $17
- Trieste Bus Tour with Audio Guide: $17
- Miramare Castle Entrance Ticket: $20
- 60-minute Small Group Guided Walking Tour in Piran: $22
- HO HO Scenic Tour to Piran with Sweet Surprise: $34
- Piran Walking Tour with Local Wine and Food Tasting: $38
- Wine Fountain Tasting Day Tour from Portoroz: $44
- 2.5-Hour Prosecco Origins Tour and Tastings: $48
- Prosecco Origins Wine Experience: $49
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayKrakow $6.75Trieste $8.57
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 Trieste
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Trieste:
- Wine Tasting from Istria, Carso and Friuli terroirs: $37
- Trip to Stanjel castle wine tasting and gourmet lunch 4 courses from Piran: $131
- Castles & Wine Tour: $140
- Collio: Cividale Del Friuli and Wine Tastings from Trieste: $148
- Experience Slovenian Coast line with Wine Tasting from Trieste: $164
- Koper & Wine tasting: $186
- Wine Tour on the Coast: $268
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Krakow and Trieste, we can see that Trieste 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 Trieste would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Trieste 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 Trieste Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Krakow or Trieste?
Krakow has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Trieste. When comparing the sizes of Krakow and Trieste, 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 Trieste?
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 Trieste in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Krakow as well as Trieste. Additionally, most visitors come to Trieste for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Krakow is cooler than Trieste in the summer. The daily temperature in Krakow averages around 19°C (67°F) in July, and Trieste fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Trieste. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Krakow this time of the year. In the summer, Krakow often gets less sunshine than Trieste. Krakow gets 201 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Trieste receives 288 hours of full sun.
Krakow usually gets more rain in July than Trieste. Krakow gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Trieste receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyKrakow 19°C (67°F)Trieste 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Krakow or Trieste in the Autumn?
Both Trieste and Krakow are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Trieste because of the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Krakow is cooler than Trieste. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Krakow in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Trieste averages at about 16°C (60°F).
Krakow usually receives less sunshine than Trieste during autumn. Krakow gets 97 hours of sunny skies, while Trieste receives 167 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Krakow usually receives less rain than Trieste. Krakow gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Trieste receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKrakow 11°C (51°F)Trieste 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Krakow or Trieste in the Winter?
Both Trieste and Krakow during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, the museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Trieste this time of year.
The weather in Krakow can be very cold. In January, Krakow is generally much colder than Trieste. Daily temperatures in Krakow average around -2°C (29°F), and Trieste fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).
In the winter, Krakow often gets less sunshine than Trieste. Krakow gets 38 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Trieste receives 96 hours of full sun.
Krakow usually gets less rain in January than Trieste. Krakow gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Trieste receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKrakow -2°C (29°F)Trieste 5°C (41°F)
Should I visit Krakow or Trieste in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Krakow and Trieste. Also, many travelers come to Trieste for the beaches and the natural beauty.
Krakow is cooler than Trieste in the spring. The daily temperature in Krakow averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Trieste fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).
Krakow usually receives less sunshine than Trieste during spring. Krakow gets 132 hours of sunny skies, while Trieste receives 177 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Krakow usually receives less rain than Trieste. Krakow gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Trieste receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilKrakow 10°C (50°F)Trieste 13°C (56°F)
Typical Weather for Trieste and Krakow
| Krakow | Trieste | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (29°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Feb | 0°C (32°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Mar | 5°C (40°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (50°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (67°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (66°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 15°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 5°C (41°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Dec | 1°C (33°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 92 mm (3.6 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.