A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lucerne vs. Katowice for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Lucerne or Katowice?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Lucerne and Katowice. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Lucerne or Katowice?

Lucerne

Lucerne is a relatively small city in the center of Switzerland. It is located across the lake from Altdorf and it has a thriving tourism industry. It's close proximity to many of the major sights in the country make it a great base for exploration. Many people use it as a jumping off point for exploring Mount Rigi and the Rutli Meadow.

Katowice

Katowice is a city east of Krakow, in the Silesian province of southern Poland. A large dome crowns the Cathedral of Christ the King, built between 1927 and 1955. The adjacent Archdiocesan Museum exhibits Silesian sacred art. The ultramodern Silesian Museum features several glass structures on the site of a former coal mine. It exhibits Polish art and chronicles the history of Upper Silesia. Historically, Katowice is a product of the 19th-century industrial boom, but it only became a city in the interwar period. After WWII, at the height of the Stalinist cult craze, the city was renamed Stalinogrod, but reverted to its old name soon after Comrade Joe died in 1953. Katowice has few significant historical monuments, but it's a major commercial and cultural center and holds sufficient attractions to make it worth a stop.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Switzerland, The Best 2-Week Tours in Switzerland, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Krakow, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Warsaw.


Which place is cheaper, Katowice or Lucerne?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Lucerne is $214, while the average daily cost in Katowice is $46. 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 Lucerne and Katowice in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Lucerne $137
    Katowice $19
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Lucerne $274
    Katowice $38
Compare Hotels in Lucerne and Katowice

Looking for a hotel in Lucerne or Katowice? 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 Lucerne


Hotels in Katowice


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: Lucerne Hotel Prices and Katowice Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Lucerne $13
    Katowice $12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lucerne

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

  • Bad Ragaz Resorts to Zurich Airport ZRH - Departure Transfer: $126
  • Private Transfer from Lucerne to Zurich English Speaking Driver: $134
  • Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Bad Ragaz Resorts - Round-Trip Transfer: $251
  • From Canyoning in Interlaken w/ Return Transfer: $257
  • Rafting in Interlaken with Return Transfer from Lucerne: $257
  • Private Transfer from Lucerne to Zurich Airport: $284
  • Lucerne City to Zurich City One-Way Private Transfer : $300
  • Private transfer from Zurich airport to Lucerne: $547
  • LAUTERBRUNNEN Private Transfer from Zurich Airport: $722
  • INTERLAKEN Private Transfer from Zurich Airport: $744

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Katowice

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Katowice:

  • Auschwitz-Birkenau Tour from Katowice with Private Transfers: $199
  • Katowice Airport: Private Transfer to or from Krakow: $186
  • Katowice Pyrzowice KTW to Krakow City Private Transfer: $129
  • Auschwitz-Birkenau: Fast-Track Ticket & Guided Tour No Transfers: $32

Is it cheaper to fly into Lucerne or Katowice?

Prices for flights to both Katowice and Lucerne 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
    Lucerne $62
    Katowice $19

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lucerne

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

  • Swiss Alps: Traditional Swiss Fondue Cooking Class: $82
  • Lake Candlelight Dinner Cruise: $141
  • From Zurich: 2-Day Mt.Titlis including 4-course dinner: $547

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Katowice

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Katowice.

  • Private Traditional Polish Food Tour: $179

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Lucerne $34
    Katowice $6.40
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lucerne

For Lucerne, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • 1 Day Bicycle Rental
    $34
  • The Swiss Transport Museum Entrance Fee
    $35

Tours and Activities in Lucerne

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Lucerne.

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • Revealing Self-Guided Reading City Tour: $5.47
  • Smartphone walking tour - cool Lucerne old town: $5.47
  • Walking Tour - Around the Old Town Lucerne: $5.60
  • The Lives and Legends of A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • Lucerne Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $6.42
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.42
  • Revealing Self-Guided Audio City Tour: $11
  • Porrentruy Secret Tour: $13
  • Scavenger Hunt and Self-guided Walking Tour: $15
  • Swiss Chocolate Adventure Experience: $20
  • Guided Walking Tour with an Official Guide: $27

Tours and Activities in Katowice

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Katowice are as follows:

  • Auschwitz & Birkenau Live Guide Tour Entrance Ticket: $55
  • Auschwitz-Birkenau - Skip the Line Tickets : $32
  • Auschwitz-Birkenau: Entry Ticket with Guided Tour: $32
  • Entrance Ticket to Auschwitz Birkenau with Guide and FREE ebook: $32
  • From Auschwitz-Birkenau Skip-the-Line Guided Tour: $95
  • Jasna Gora and Czestochowa Private Tour from Katowice by Car: $349
  • Katowice Old Town Highlights Private Walking Tour: $99
  • Katowice Private Polish Beer Tasting Tour: $160
  • Katowice Private Vodka Tasting Tour: $159
  • Katowice and Nikiszowiec: bicycle tour with guide: $42
  • Private City Tour with Stories & Viewing Points: $154
  • Private Tour to Auschwitz Birkenau: $156

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Lucerne $22
    Katowice $5.69

Sample the Local Flavors in Lucerne

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lucerne:

  • 3 Hour Unique Wine Tour - Half Day in Swiss Alps: $166
  • Lake Lucerne Region Wine Tasting: $273

Sample the Local Flavors in Katowice

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

  • Tyskie Brewery Tour: $111


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lucerne and Katowice, we can see that Lucerne is more expensive. And not only is Katowice much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Katowice would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Katowice 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 Lucerne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lucerne than you might in Katowice.

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


Which is Bigger, Lucerne or Katowice?

Katowice has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Lucerne. When comparing the sizes of Lucerne and Katowice, 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 Lucerne or Katowice?

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 Lucerne or Katowice in the Summer?

Both Katowice and Lucerne during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Lucerne this time of year.

In July, Lucerne is generally a little warmer than Katowice. Daily temperatures in Lucerne average around 21°C (70°F), and Katowice fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In Katowice, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Lucerne. In the summer, Lucerne often gets more sunshine than Katowice. Lucerne gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Katowice receives 219 hours of full sun.

Lucerne usually gets more rain in July than Katowice. Lucerne gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Katowice receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Lucerne 21°C (70°F) 
    Katowice 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Lucerne or Katowice in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lucerne and Katowice. Many travelers come to Lucerne for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Lucerne is a little warmer than Katowice in the autumn. The daily temperature in Lucerne averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Katowice fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Lucerne usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Katowice during autumn. Lucerne gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Katowice receives 128 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Lucerne usually receives more rain than Katowice. Lucerne gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Katowice receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Lucerne 13°C (56°F) 
    Katowice 10°C (50°F)

Should I visit Lucerne or Katowice in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Lucerne as well as Katowice. Many visitors come to Lucerne in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Katowice can be very cold during winter. Lucerne can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Lucerne is much warmer than Katowice. Typically, the winter temperatures in Lucerne in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Katowice averages at about -2°C (28°F).

In the winter, Lucerne often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Katowice. Lucerne gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Katowice receives 51 hours of full sun.

Lucerne usually gets more rain in January than Katowice. Lucerne gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Katowice receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Lucerne 3°C (37°F) 
    Katowice -2°C (28°F)

Should I visit Lucerne or Katowice in the Spring?

Both Katowice and Lucerne are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Lucerne for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Lucerne is generally a little warmer than Katowice. Daily temperatures in Lucerne average around 12°C (53°F), and Katowice fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

Lucerne usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Katowice during spring. Lucerne gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Katowice receives 152 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Lucerne usually receives more rain than Katowice. Lucerne gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Katowice receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Lucerne 12°C (53°F) 
    Katowice 8°C (46°F)

Typical Weather for Katowice and Lucerne

Lucerne Katowice
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (37°F) 77 mm (3 in) -2°C (28°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Feb 5°C (40°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) -2°C (28°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Mar 8°C (46°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 4°C (39°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Apr 12°C (53°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 8°C (46°F) 50 mm (2 in)
May 16°C (60°F) 101 mm (4 in) 13°C (55°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jun 19°C (66°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 16°C (61°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Jul 21°C (70°F) 89 mm (3.5 in) 18°C (64°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Aug 21°C (69°F) 104 mm (4.1 in) 17°C (63°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Sep 18°C (64°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 14°C (57°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 13°C (56°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 10°C (50°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Nov 7°C (45°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 4°C (39°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Dec 4°C (39°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 0°C (32°F) 50 mm (2 in)