A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Minsk vs. Krakow for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Minsk or Krakow?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Minsk or Krakow, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Minsk or Krakow?

Minsk

Minsk is the capital city of Belarus, centrally located. Situated on the Svislac and Niamiha rivers, it is also capital of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and was the capital of the former Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic from 1919-1991. It is a modern city dominated by monumental Stalinist architecture with many of its museums, theaters, and other cultural attractions.

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 10-Day Tours in Poland, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Poland.


Which place is cheaper, Krakow or Minsk?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Minsk is $64, 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 Minsk and Krakow in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Minsk $32
    Krakow $42
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Minsk $64
    Krakow $84
Compare Hotels in Minsk and Krakow

Looking for a hotel in Minsk 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.

Hotels in Minsk


Hotels in Krakow


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Minsk $12
    Krakow $6.40

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 Minsk or Krakow?

Prices for flights to both Krakow and Minsk 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
    Minsk $21
    Krakow $13

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.
    Minsk $20
    Krakow $20

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Minsk $14
    Krakow $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 comparing the travel costs between Minsk and Krakow, we can see that Krakow is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Minsk or Krakow?

Minsk has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Krakow. When comparing the sizes of Minsk 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 Minsk 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 Minsk or Krakow in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Minsk and Krakow.

In the summer, Minsk is around the same temperature as Krakow. Typically, the summer temperatures in Minsk in July average around 19°C (66°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 Minsk, it's very sunny this time of the year. Minsk usually receives more sunshine than Krakow during summer. Minsk gets 258 hours of sunny skies, while Krakow receives 201 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Minsk usually receives around the same amount of rain as Krakow. Minsk gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Minsk 19°C (66°F) 
    Krakow 19°C (67°F)

Should I visit Minsk or Krakow in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Minsk as well as Krakow.

In October, Minsk is generally cooler than Krakow. Daily temperatures in Minsk average around 8°C (47°F), and Krakow fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Minsk often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Krakow. Minsk gets 99 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Krakow receives 97 hours of full sun.

Minsk usually gets more rain in October than Krakow. Minsk gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Minsk 8°C (47°F) 
    Krakow 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Minsk or Krakow in the Winter?

Both Krakow and Minsk are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

It's quite cold in Krakow in the winter. The weather in Minsk can be very cold. Minsk is much colder than Krakow in the winter. The daily temperature in Minsk averages around -5°C (22°F) in January, and Krakow fluctuates around -2°C (29°F).

Minsk usually receives more sunshine than Krakow during winter. Minsk gets 46 hours of sunny skies, while Krakow receives 38 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Minsk usually receives more rain than Krakow. Minsk gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Minsk -5°C (22°F) 
    Krakow -2°C (29°F)

Should I visit Minsk or Krakow in the Spring?

Both Krakow and Minsk during the spring are popular places to visit.

In the spring, Minsk is cooler than Krakow. Typically, the spring temperatures in Minsk in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Krakow averages at about 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Minsk often gets more sunshine than Krakow. Minsk gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Krakow receives 132 hours of full sun.

Minsk usually gets less rain in April than Krakow. Minsk gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Minsk 8°C (46°F) 
    Krakow 10°C (50°F)

Typical Weather for Krakow and Minsk

Minsk Krakow
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -5°C (22°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) -2°C (29°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Feb -4°C (25°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 0°C (32°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Mar 0°C (33°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 5°C (40°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Apr 8°C (46°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 10°C (50°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
May 15°C (58°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 15°C (59°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Jun 18°C (64°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 18°C (64°F) 96 mm (3.8 in)
Jul 19°C (66°F) 88 mm (3.5 in) 19°C (67°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Aug 18°C (65°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 19°C (66°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Sep 14°C (57°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 15°C (60°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Oct 8°C (47°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 11°C (51°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Nov 3°C (37°F) 52 mm (2 in) 5°C (41°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Dec -2°C (28°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 1°C (33°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)