Which place is cheaper, Krakow or Malaga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Malaga or Krakow?
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 Malaga and Krakow. 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: Malaga or Krakow?
Malaga
Malaga is a port city in the southern part of Spain. It is the 6th largest city in Spain and the southernmost large city in Europe. Malaga lies on the Mediterranean on the Costa del Sol, only 62 miles east of the Strait of Gibraltar, and 80 miles north of Africa. Malaga's history dates back about 2,800 years, which makes it one of the oldest cities in the world. The archaeological remains and monuments from the Phoenician, Roman, Arabic and Christian eras make the historic center of the city an "open museum", displaying its history of more than 3,000 years. Because of its important cultural infrastructure and the artistic heritage, Malaga has been nominated for the European Capital of Culture. Malaga's most important economic contributors include tourism, technology, and construction, but transportation and logistics are becoming increasingly important factors as well.
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 Budget Tours to Spain, The Best Tours for Seniors to Spain, The Best 10-Day Tours in Poland, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Poland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMalaga €140Krakow €60
The average daily cost (per person) in Malaga is €140, while the average daily cost in Krakow is €60. 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 Malaga and Krakow in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMalaga €75Krakow €39
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMalaga €150Krakow €78
Compare Hotels in Malaga and Krakow
Looking for a hotel in Malaga 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: Malaga Hotel Prices and Krakow Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Malaga €31Krakow €6.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Malaga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Malaga:
- Malaga Airport (AGP) to Marbella - Arrival Private Transfer: $44
- Airport Transfer: Malaga Airport AGP to Malaga by Luxury Van: $57
- Airport Transfer: Malaga to Malaga Airport AGP by Business Car: $51
- Airport Transfer: Malaga to Malaga Airport AGP by Luxury Car: $73
- Airport Transfer: Malaga to Malaga Airport AGP by Luxury Van: $53
- Departure Transfer: Malaga to Malaga Airport AGP by Business Car: $51
- Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP) to Malaga Port - Arrival private Transfer: $19
- Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP) to Malaga Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $37
- Malaga Airport (AGP) to Granada - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $98
- Malaga Airport (AGP) to Malaga - Arrival Private Transfer: $36
- Malaga Airport (AGP) to Marbella - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $87
- Malaga Airport (Costa del Sol) Private Arrival Transfer: $44
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Malaga or Krakow?
Prices for flights to both Krakow and Malaga 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 dayMalaga €35Krakow €12
Typical Food Prices in Malaga
Some typical examples of dining costs in Malaga are as follows:
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Dinner for 2€30
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Dinner for 2€44
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Breakfast for 2€8.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Malaga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Malaga.
- Dinner and Show at Alegría Flamenco & Restaurant in Malaga: $65
- Malaga Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $86
- Malaga Tapas Cooking Class: $89
- Sardines On Skewers Show Cooking in Malaga beach: $147
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Malaga €31Krakow €19
Typical Entertainment Prices in Malaga
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Malaga are as follows:
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Entrance to Castillos€7.10
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Concert€31
Tours and Activities in Malaga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Malaga are as follows:
- Skip the Line: Picasso's Birthplace Museum Entrance Ticket: $4.36
- Guided Walking Tour of the Old Town of Frigiliana: $5.45
- Sightseeing Outdoor Escape Game in Malaga: $7.08
- Ronda Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.95
- Malaga Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Skip the Line: Centre Pompidou in Malaga Ticket: $9.82
- Museo Carmen Thyssen de Malaga Entrance Ticket: $12
- Skip the Line: Malaga Automobile and Fashion Museum Entrance Ticket: $13
- Guided tour in Ronda: $13
- Andalucia's City Of Dreams: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Ronda: $15
- Essential Malaga City Tour: $16
- Tour around the Central Market of Malaga: $16
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMalaga €22Krakow €6.32
Sample the Local Flavors in Malaga
Also in Malaga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Malaga Nightlife Pub Crawl Tour with Drinks and Clubs Entry: $17
- Guided Cellar Tour and wine tasting: $35
- Frigiliana Small-Group Hike and Wine Tasting Tour from Malaga: $60
- Sun and Wine Route - Small group, wine tasting and lunch included: $76
- Malaga Food Walking Tour with Tapas & Wine Tasting: $98
- Ronda Tour & Winery Experience with Wine Tasting from Malaga: $109
- Malaga Tapas and Wine Tour: $136
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Malaga and Krakow, we can see that Malaga 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 Malaga would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Malaga 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 Malaga Expensive? and Is Krakow Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Malaga or Krakow?
Krakow has a larger population, and is about 37% larger than the population of Malaga. When comparing the sizes of Malaga 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 Malaga or Krakow?
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 Malaga or Krakow in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Malaga and Krakow. The beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Malaga this time of year.
In the summer, Malaga is a little warmer than Krakow. Typically, the summer temperatures in Malaga in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Krakow averages at about 19°C (67°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Krakow this time of the year. In Malaga, it's very sunny this time of the year. Malaga usually receives more sunshine than Krakow during summer. Malaga gets 348 hours of sunny skies, while Krakow receives 201 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Malaga usually receives less rain than Krakow. Malaga gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMalaga 25°C (77°F)Krakow 19°C (67°F)
Should I visit Malaga or Krakow in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Malaga as well as Krakow. Many travelers come to Malaga for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Malaga is generally much warmer than Krakow. Daily temperatures in Malaga average around 19°C (67°F), and Krakow fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Malaga this time of the year. In the autumn, Malaga often gets more sunshine than Krakow. Malaga gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Krakow receives 97 hours of full sun.
Malaga usually gets more rain in October than Krakow. Malaga gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMalaga 19°C (67°F)Krakow 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Malaga or Krakow in the Winter?
Both Krakow and Malaga are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Malaga in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.
Krakow can be very cold during winter. Malaga is much warmer than Krakow in the winter. The daily temperature in Malaga averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Krakow fluctuates around -2°C (29°F).
Malaga usually receives more sunshine than Krakow during winter. Malaga gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Krakow receives 38 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Malaga usually receives more rain than Krakow. Malaga gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMalaga 12°C (54°F)Krakow -2°C (29°F)
Should I visit Malaga or Krakow in the Spring?
Both Krakow and Malaga during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Malaga for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Malaga is much warmer than Krakow. Typically, the spring temperatures in Malaga in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Krakow averages at about 10°C (50°F).
It's quite sunny in Malaga. In the spring, Malaga often gets more sunshine than Krakow. Malaga gets 220 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Krakow receives 132 hours of full sun.
Malaga usually gets less rain in April than Krakow. Malaga gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMalaga 16°C (60°F)Krakow 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Krakow and Malaga
| Malaga | Krakow | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (54°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | -2°C (29°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (57°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (78°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (60°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Dec | 13°C (55°F) | 102 mm (4 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.