Which place is cheaper, Krakow or Lodz?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Lodz or Krakow?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Lodz and Krakow can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Lodz or Krakow?
Lodz
Located in central Poland, Lodz is a city perhaps best-known as a former textile-manufacturing hub. There are plenty of attractions and museums dedicated to showcasing that history, as well as a drive to promote it as a center for creative industries like art, design, fashion, and film.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Poland, The Best 10-Day Tours in Poland, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Poland, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Krakow.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLodz $32Krakow $64
The average daily cost (per person) in Lodz is $32, while the average daily cost in Krakow is $64. 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 Lodz and Krakow in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLodz $14Krakow $42
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLodz $28Krakow $84
Compare Hotels in Lodz and Krakow
Looking for a hotel in Lodz or Krakow? 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: Lodz Hotel Prices and Krakow Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lodz $6.80Krakow $6.40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lodz
Also for Lodz, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Luxury airport transfer from Lodz to Warszawa Chopin Airport: $101
- Poland Lodz city private transfer-Krakow Balice Airport: $137
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Lodz or Krakow?
Prices for flights to both Krakow and Lodz 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 dayLodz $11Krakow $13
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lodz
For Lodz, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Lodz Private Traditional Polish Food Tour: $183
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
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lodz $5.79Krakow $20
Tours and Activities in Lodz
For Lodz, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Unique Gems of Lodz - Walking Tour : $96
- Romantic tour in Lodz: $96
- Lodz Old Town Highlights Private Walking Tour: $102
- Half-Day Chelmno Kulmhof Concentration Camp Private Tour: $136
- Magic Christmas tour in Lodz: $150
- Lodz Private Vodka Tasting Tour: $163
- Lodz Private Polish Beer Tasting Tour: $164
- Private Walking City Tour in Lodz: $206
- Frederic Chopin and Masovian Country Small Group Tour from Lodz with Lunch: $232
- Jasna Gora & Black Madonna Private Tour from Lodz with Lunch : $244
- Torun Private Tour from Lodz with Lunch: $266
- Warsaw Private Tour from Lodz with Lunch: $268
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
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayLodz $5.71Krakow $6.75
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lodz and Krakow, we can see that Krakow is more expensive. And not only is Lodz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lodz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lodz 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 Krakow would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Krakow than you might in Lodz.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lodz Expensive? and Is Krakow Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lodz or Krakow?
Lodz has a larger population, and is about 2% larger than the population of Krakow. When comparing the sizes of Lodz and Krakow, 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 Lodz or Krakow?
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 Lodz or Krakow in the Summer?
Both Krakow and Lodz during the summer are popular places to visit.
In the summer, Lodz is around the same temperature as Krakow. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lodz in July average around 19°C (65°F), and Krakow averages at about 19°C (67°F).
In Krakow, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Lodz. In the summer, Lodz often gets more sunshine than Krakow. Lodz gets 353 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Krakow receives 201 hours of full sun.
Lodz usually gets less rain in July than Krakow. Lodz gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyLodz 19°C (65°F)Krakow 19°C (67°F)
Should I visit Lodz or Krakow in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lodz and Krakow.
In October, Lodz is generally cooler than Krakow. Daily temperatures in Lodz average around 9°C (49°F), and Krakow fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Lodz usually receives more sunshine than Krakow during autumn. Lodz gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while Krakow receives 97 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Lodz usually receives less rain than Krakow. Lodz gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLodz 9°C (49°F)Krakow 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Lodz or Krakow in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Lodz as well as Krakow.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Krakow. It's quite cold in Lodz in the winter. Lodz is much colder than Krakow in the winter. The daily temperature in Lodz averages around -3°C (27°F) in January, and Krakow fluctuates around -2°C (29°F).
In the winter, Lodz often gets less sunshine than Krakow. Lodz gets 35 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Krakow receives 38 hours of full sun.
Lodz usually gets less rain in January than Krakow. Lodz gets 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLodz -3°C (27°F)Krakow -2°C (29°F)
Should I visit Lodz or Krakow in the Spring?
Both Krakow and Lodz are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
In the spring, Lodz is cooler than Krakow. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lodz in April average around 9°C (47°F), and Krakow averages at about 10°C (50°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lodz. Lodz usually receives more sunshine than Krakow during spring. Lodz gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Krakow receives 132 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Lodz usually receives less rain than Krakow. Lodz gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilLodz 9°C (47°F)Krakow 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Krakow and Lodz
| Lodz | Krakow | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -3°C (27°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | -2°C (29°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Feb | -1°C (30°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Mar | 3°C (37°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Apr | 9°C (47°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (63°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (65°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (65°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (58°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Oct | 9°C (49°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Nov | 4°C (39°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Dec | -0°C (31°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 40 mm (1.6 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.