Should you visit Moscow or Warsaw?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the prices of travel for Moscow and Warsaw. 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. So, let's dig into it.
Moscow
Moscow is the capital of Russia and is notable for its important role in history. It's a very sprawling city with many museums and fascinating buildings. Ten percent of Russia's population lives in this capital city and it's a financial and political center for the country. The Moskva River weaves its way through the city and you will find most of the city's sights and attractions on the northern side of the river.
Warsaw
Warsaw is the capital city of Poland. It has a population of 1.7 million, making it the country's largest city. Located on the Vistula River, it is a popular tourist destination for its interesting architecture and culture. The right bank of the river was the first area to become populated in the 9th or 10 century. Today, however, the city's central district is on the left bank of the river. The Old Town, where you will find many sights and attractions, is fully contained within the city center.
Which city is cheaper, Warsaw or Moscow?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Moscow is $63, while the average daily cost in Warsaw 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Moscow and Warsaw in more detail.
Accommodation
For a normal double-occupancy room in Moscow, $80 is the average cost for a hotel room. Also in Moscow, the typical price for a place to stay for one person is $40, such as in a hostel.
Travelers usually pay around $92 for a double occupancy room in Warsaw If you want to be in a premiere location or have high end amenities, you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
On average, meal and food prices in Moscow cost around $14 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $5.60.
In Warsaw travelers spend around $18 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
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Food
Meals for one day
Moscow $14
Warsaw $18
Typical Food prices in Moscow
For Moscow, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Moscow
For Moscow, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Virtual Home Cooking with Russian Family:
$22
-
Moscow Food Tour:
$67
-
An evening at the monastery with dinner:
$80
-
Traditional Russian Cooking Class and Meal in Moscow with a Friendly Local:
$91
-
Private Market Tour and Traditional Russian Cooking Class in Moscow:
$101
-
Food Tour:
$102
-
Traditional Russian Cooking Class and Meal in a Local Home in Moscow:
$117
-
Moscow Metro and Russian Dinner Private tour:
$127
-
Moscow River Cruise with Dinner and Lively Firework with a Private Guide:
$133
-
Private food tour: Russian culinary culture:
$144
-
Moscow Yummy Food tour:
$160
-
Red Square and River Cruise with Dinner Private Tour:
$167
Typical Food prices in Warsaw
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Warsaw:
-
Dinner for Two
$14
-
Lunch for Two
$11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Warsaw
For Warsaw, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Lunch or Dinner at Hard Rock Cafe with Skip-the-Line:
$22
-
Traditional Polish Cooking Class in Warsaw:
$64
-
Warsaw Food Tour small group tour by retro minibus:
$91
-
Warsaw 6h Private Tour + Traditional Polish Dinner:
$118
-
Nicolaus Copernicus Legacy: Private Tour from Warsaw to Torun + Polish Dinner:
$274
Local Transportation
To get around in Moscow, the average visitor spends $6.19 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
To get around in Warsaw, the average visitor spends $3.91 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Moscow
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Moscow are as follows:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Moscow
Also for Moscow, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Private Tour to Russia's Largest Aviation Museum (with roundtrip train transfer):
$398
-
The Kremlin & Cathedrals Private Tour (with roundtrip transfer):
$299
-
Transfer from Moscow to the Golden Ring (Ideal for Backpackers On a Shoestring!):
$167
-
Yellow Drive - Vnukovo - Moscow - Vnukovo Transfers:
$157
-
Sergiev Posad private tour with transfer from Moscow:
$143
-
Yellow Drive - Domodedovo Airport Transfers:
$135
-
Moscow Airport Transfers : Moscow City to Domodedovo Airport DME in Luxury Car:
$134
-
Moscow Airport Transfers : Moscow City to Sheremetyevo Airport SVO in Luxury Car:
$133
-
Moscow Airport Transfers : Vnukovo Airport VKO to Moscow City in Luxury Car:
$133
-
Moscow Airport Transfers : Moscow City to Vnukovo Airport VKO in Luxury Car:
$126
-
Moscow Airport Transfers : Moscow City to Domodedovo Airport DME in Business Car:
$125
-
Arrival Private Transfer Moscow Domodedovo DME to Moscow City by Luxury Car:
$124
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Warsaw
Also for Warsaw, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Warsaw to Krakow VIP private transfer. Luxury car with driver & iPad.:
$255
-
Warsaw Private Transfer from Warsaw city centre to Warsaw Modlin Airport (WMI):
$85
-
Warsaw Private Transfer from Warsaw city centre to Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW):
$46
-
Warsaw Modlin Airport Private Transfer 1-4:
$53
-
Warsaw City / Warsaw Airports private Transfer-Krakow Balice Airport:
$192
-
Warsaw Chopin Airport one way private transfer 5-8 PAX:
$41
-
Warsaw Chopin Airport VIP transfer:
$46
-
Warsaw Chopin Airport One Way Private Transfer:
$28
-
Warsaw Chopin Airport Departure Transfer (Warsaw Hotels to Warsaw Airport):
$31
-
Warsaw Chopin Airport Arrival Transfer (Airport to Warsaw Hotels or address):
$31
-
Warsaw Chopin Airport - Ilawa City - Private Airport Transfer:
$166
-
Warsaw Airport Transfers : Warsaw City to Warsaw Airport WAW in Luxury Van:
$63
Is it cheaper to fly into Moscow or Warsaw?
Prices for flights to both Warsaw and Moscow 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.
Entertainment
In Moscow, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $16 per person, per day.
In Warsaw, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $5.87 per person, per day.
Typical Entertainment prices in Moscow
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Moscow's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Theater Tickets
$16
-
Kremlin Entry (2)
$14
Tours and Activities in Moscow
For Moscow, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
-
"Moscow Versailles" Kuskovo estate Private Tour:
$249
-
'Communist Moscow' walking tour:
$240
-
1 Day City Tour in Moscow city:
$300
-
1-day Moscow Tour (Top sights: Kremlin, Red Square, Arbat street, etc.):
$357
-
1-day Tour to Saint-Petersburg from Moscow (Hermitage Museum and Peterhof):
$709
-
1-day Tour to Saint-Petersburg from Moscow (Hermitage Museum and sights tour):
$840
-
1-hour scenic Moscow River Cruise:
$18
-
10-Day Climbing Tour to Elbrus Mountain the Highest in Europe:
$1,649
-
12-Day River Cruise on a 3-Star Ship from Moscow:
$2,373
-
14-Day River Cruise along the Volga from Moscow to Astrakhan:
$3,029
-
15-Day Altai Mountains Horse Riding Tour from Moscow:
$2,201
-
15-day Trekking Tour in Siberia Altai Mountains:
$1,511
Tours and Activities in Warsaw
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Warsaw.
-
1-day tour from Warsaw to Kazimierz Dolny:
$179
-
12 Day Private Tour of Poland with Hotels:
$3,390
-
12-day tour around Poland by private car:
$4,591
-
12-day tour around Poland by train:
$2,279
-
13-Day Highlights of Poland Tour with Accommodation:
$2,190
-
3 Day Rail Tour - Kraków, Poznań & Wrocław (Warsaw Return):
$710
-
3 Hour VIP Warsaw Guided City Tour:
$348
-
5 Day Rail Tour - Kraków, Wrocław & Poznań (Warsaw Return):
$840
-
5 Hour Guided Warsaw Tour by Bike:
$88
-
6 Day Private Tour in Poland with Hotels:
$1,950
-
7 Day Rail Tour - Warsaw, Kraków, Wrocław & Poznań:
$970
-
8-Day Highlights of Poland Tour with Accommodation:
$1,490
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Moscow spend on average $7.95 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Warsaw, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $8.73.
Sample the Local Flavors in Moscow
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Moscow:
-
Pub Crawl Moscow Guided Tour in Classic Soviet Van:
$79
-
Private Wine Tour in Moscow with History, Architecture and Friendly Local Guide:
$121
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Moscow and Warsaw, we can see that Warsaw is more expensive. And not only is Moscow much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Moscow would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Moscow 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 Warsaw would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Warsaw than you might in Moscow.
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