Which place is cheaper, Karlovy Vary or Lisbon?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Lisbon or Karlovy Vary?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Lisbon or Karlovy Vary? 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: Lisbon or Karlovy Vary?
Lisbon
Portugal's capital city of Lisbon continues to grow in popularity as a travel destination. The cultural scene has come to life in recent years and the city itself is stunningly beautiful. It sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and is made up of hills that create a dramatic and scenic layout. The city has many white-bleached limestone buildings, narrow alleyways, and a laidback charm that appeals to visitors.
Karlovy Vary
Founded in 1370, Karlovy Vary translates to "Charles' Bath" for its founder Charles IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor, as well as its famous hot springs. It is located in Bohemia in the western Czech Republic and is also known as Karlsbad (German) or Carlsbad (English). Another highlight is the International Film Festival in July with draws celebrities and other film enthusiasts worldwide.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Portugal, The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal, The Best Cultural Tours in Czech Republic, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Czech Republic.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLisbon €131Karlovy Vary €76
The average daily cost (per person) in Lisbon is €131, while the average daily cost in Karlovy Vary is €76. 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 Lisbon and Karlovy Vary in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLisbon €58Karlovy Vary €36
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLisbon €116Karlovy Vary €72
Compare Hotels in Lisbon and Karlovy Vary
Looking for a hotel in Lisbon or Karlovy Vary? 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: Lisbon Hotel Prices and Karlovy Vary Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lisbon €24Karlovy Vary €24
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lisbon
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Lisbon:
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Taxi Ride€6.50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lisbon
Also for Lisbon, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Lisbon to Seville private transfer one way max 6 persons: $738
- Full Day Tour - Transfer to Porto from Lisbon with Stops: $722
- Full Day Tour - Transfer to Algarve from Lisbon with Stops: $668
- From Private Transfer to Six Senses Douro Valley: $642
- Lisboa - Porto Private Transfer, with 2 visits on the way: $631
- One-way Private Transfer to/from Lisbon Airport - Lagos: $588
- One-way Private Transfer to/from Lisbon Airport - Faro: $588
- From the Algarve to Lisbon; Guided transfer with extra Wow!: $556
- To/From the Lisbon Airport: Faro Private Transfer: $535
- One-way Private Transfer to/from Lisbon Airport - Albufeira: $535
- One-way Private Transfer to/from Lisbon Airport and Portimão: $535
- Private Transfer Porto > Lisbon with stop Nazaré & Óbidos: $535
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Karlovy Vary
Also for Karlovy Vary, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague: Private daytrip with 2h for sightseeing: $128
- Private Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague, English-speaking driver: $120
- Private Transfer Karlovy Vary to Prague Vaclav Havel Airport : $65
Is it cheaper to fly into Lisbon or Karlovy Vary?
Prices for flights to both Karlovy Vary and Lisbon 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 dayLisbon €42Karlovy Vary €25
Typical Food Prices in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Coffee€2.50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Soirée Rivage - Sunset cruise with dinner and Party: $25
- Hard Rock Cafe Lisbon with Set Lunch or Dinner : $28
- Tapas Food Tour: $42
- Fado Show and Portuguese Dinner: $48
- Lisbon Food Tour: $53
- Alfama Tour and Live Fado with Traditional Dinner: $53
- 2-Hour Pastel de Nata Cooking Class: $53
- Legendary Beer Dinner: $53
- No Diet Club - Unique food tour in Lisbon with many Tastings: $62
- Original Morning Food Tour: $63
- Lisbon Tipsy Food Tour with Drinks and Food inlcuded: $70
- Tipsy Food Crawl Walking Tour with Dinner: $70
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lisbon €24Karlovy Vary €11
Tours and Activities in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Óbidos - Nazaré - Mafra (National Palace of Mafra)Private tour from Lisbon: $217
- 2-Hour Night Sailing Tour in Lisbon with a Drink: $49
- Divine Journey : Fatima Full Day Private Tour: $164
- Lisbon Full Day Small Group City Tour: $71
- Lisbon by Heart Private Walking Tour: $65
- Saint George Castle Guided Tour from Lisbon: $34
- Sintra or Cascais Half-day Private Tour - The real portuguese essence!: $120
- Street Art Walking Tour in Lisbon - Parque das Nações: $16
- Évora Private Tour - Cork Factory and Wine Estate Included: $245
- Évora Tour - Évora Town and Surroundings Private Tour: $243
- Évora Tour - The heart of Alentejo region: $104
- Évora Unveiled: A Half-Day Discovery| Premium Private Experience : $109
Tours and Activities in Karlovy Vary
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Karlovy Vary.
- A day in the life of Karlovy Vary - Private tour with a local: $223
- Full-Day Private Karlovy Vary Tour from Prague: $298
- Karlovy Vary & Marianske Lazne Tour from Prague with Lunch: $112
- Karlovy Vary Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $209
- Hot Springs Tasting Tour: $35
- Hot Springs Tasting Tour: $32
- Private Walking Tour: $227
- LOCATION: Karlovy Vary City Tour: $255
- Prague: Karlovy Vary Tour with Lunch and Moser Museum Visit: $77
- Private Tour to Karlovy Vary: $353
- Private tour of best of Karlovy Vary - Sightseeing, Food & Culture with a local: $167
- Touristic highlights of Karlovy Vary on a Private half day tour with a local: $168
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLisbon €18Karlovy Vary €6.13
Sample the Local Flavors in Lisbon
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lisbon:
- Pub Crawl with Unlimited Drinks and VIP Club Entry: $18
- 1-Hour Portuguese Wine Tasting Session: $20
- Lisbon Pub Crawl: $21
- Pub Crawl with Open Bar and VIP Club Entry: $21
- Pub Crawl with Open Bar, Shots, & VIP Club Entry: $21
- Lisbon Wild Pub Crawl : $22
- Private Bar Crawl in Lisbon: $22
- Beer Tasting in a Classic Brewery: $27
- Pub Crawl Lisbon: $27
- Wine Tasting at Quinta das Murgas: $38
- Tipsy Tour Fun Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $42
- Tipsy Tour Fun Bar Crawl in Lisbon with Local Guide: $43
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lisbon and Karlovy Vary, we can see that Lisbon is more expensive. And not only is Karlovy Vary much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Karlovy Vary would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Karlovy Vary 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 Lisbon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lisbon than you might in Karlovy Vary.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lisbon Expensive? and Is Karlovy Vary Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lisbon or Karlovy Vary?
Lisbon has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Karlovy Vary. When comparing the sizes of Lisbon and Karlovy Vary, 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 Lisbon or Karlovy Vary?
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 Lisbon or Karlovy Vary in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Lisbon and Karlovy Vary. The beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Lisbon this time of year.
In the summer, Lisbon is a little warmer than Karlovy Vary. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lisbon in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Karlovy Vary averages at about 20°C (68°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Karlovy Vary this time of the year. In Lisbon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Lisbon usually receives more sunshine than Karlovy Vary during summer. Lisbon gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 217 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Lisbon usually receives less rain than Karlovy Vary. Lisbon gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLisbon 23°C (73°F)Karlovy Vary 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Lisbon or Karlovy Vary in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Lisbon as well as Karlovy Vary. Many travelers come to Lisbon for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Lisbon is generally much warmer than Karlovy Vary. Daily temperatures in Lisbon average around 19°C (66°F), and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lisbon this time of the year. In the autumn, Lisbon often gets more sunshine than Karlovy Vary. Lisbon gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 127 hours of full sun.
Lisbon usually gets more rain in October than Karlovy Vary. Lisbon gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLisbon 19°C (66°F)Karlovy Vary 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Lisbon or Karlovy Vary in the Winter?
Both Karlovy Vary and Lisbon are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Lisbon in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Karlovy Vary can be very cold during winter. Lisbon is much warmer than Karlovy Vary in the winter. The daily temperature in Lisbon averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).
Lisbon usually receives more sunshine than Karlovy Vary during winter. Lisbon gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 58 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Lisbon. In January, Lisbon usually receives more rain than Karlovy Vary. Lisbon gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLisbon 12°C (53°F)Karlovy Vary 1°C (33°F)
Should I visit Lisbon or Karlovy Vary in the Spring?
Both Karlovy Vary and Lisbon during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Lisbon for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Lisbon is much warmer than Karlovy Vary. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lisbon in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Karlovy Vary averages at about 10°C (50°F).
It's quite sunny in Lisbon. In the spring, Lisbon often gets more sunshine than Karlovy Vary. Lisbon gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 151 hours of full sun.
Lisbon usually gets more rain in April than Karlovy Vary. Lisbon gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLisbon 16°C (60°F)Karlovy Vary 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Karlovy Vary and Lisbon
| Lisbon | Karlovy Vary | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 46 mm (1.8 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.