Which place is cheaper, Karlovy Vary or Munich?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Munich or Karlovy Vary?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Munich or Karlovy Vary, 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: Munich or Karlovy Vary?
Munich
Munich is the capital city of Bavaria and a top travel destination within Germany. It has stunning architecture and a cultural scene that rivals Berlin. It has some of the country's top museums, festivals, and concerts. Munich is most famous for its Oktoberfest, which is easily the busiest time of year in the city. The architecture is what surprises most travelers. It's quite impressive and truly adds to the character of the city. Although much of Munich was destroyed during World War II, the city has successfully rebuilt most of the buildings in their previous style. Much of the city remains as it was in the 1800s. There are two major research universities in Munich, helping to make it a center for engineering, business, and the sciences.
Karlovy Vary
Founded in 1370, Karlovy Vary translates to "Charles' Bath" for its founder Charles IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor, as well as its famous hot springs. It is located in Bohemia in the western Czech Republic and is also known as Karlsbad (German) or Carlsbad (English). Another highlight is the International Film Festival in July with draws celebrities and other film enthusiasts worldwide.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Germany, The Best Walking Tours in Germany, The Best Cultural Tours in Czech Republic, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Czech Republic.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMunich €148Karlovy Vary €76
The average daily cost (per person) in Munich is €148, while the average daily cost in Karlovy Vary 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Munich and Karlovy Vary in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMunich €89Karlovy Vary €36
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMunich €178Karlovy Vary €72
Compare Hotels in Munich and Karlovy Vary
Looking for a hotel in Munich or Karlovy Vary? 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: Munich Hotel Prices and Karlovy Vary Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Munich €19Karlovy Vary €24
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Munich
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Munich:
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Single Zone Trip on Subway€2.30
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Inner District Subway Day Pass€5.20
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City transport day ticket€11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Munich
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Munich:
- Private transfer from Munich to Vienna: $930
- Private transfer from Munich to Prague: $706
- Private arrival OR departure transfer from/to Munich airport: $292
- Private Transfer from Munich to Salzburg with 3h on Eagle's Nest: $284
- Private Car from Munich to Prague: Transfer with 2h Sightseeing: $284
- Private Transfer from Munich to Prague with 2h of Sightseeing with Local Driver: $279
- Private Scenic Transfer from Munich to Salzburg with 4h of Sightseeing: $272
- Private Scenic Transfer from Munich to Nuremberg with 4h of Sightseeing: $268
- Salzburg to Munich Transfer: $267
- Transfer Munich to Kaprun,Zell am See,Flachau,Stubai,Kitzbuhel,Innsbruck & Other: $259
- Private Transfer from Munich to Salzburg with 2 hours for sightseeing: $257
- Private Transfer from Munich to Passau, 2 Hour Stop in Dachau: $257
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Karlovy Vary
Also for Karlovy Vary, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Karlovy Vary to Prague Vaclav Havel Airport : $66
- Private Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague, English-speaking driver: $120
- Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague: Private daytrip with 2h for sightseeing: $128
Is it cheaper to fly into Munich or Karlovy Vary?
Prices for flights to both Karlovy Vary and Munich 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 dayMunich €27Karlovy Vary €25
Typical Food Prices in Munich
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Munich:
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Bratwurst€5.00
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Leberkässemmeln (Veal & Pork Sandwich)€1.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Munich
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Munich.
- Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $27
- Viktualienmarkt Gourmet Food Tour: $46
- Private Salzburg History & Food Tour with Munich train add-on: $55
- Food Tour Beer- 3 small beers & "Brotzeit" in GERMAN: $79
- 6 gears dinner show menu: $99
- Original Munich Christmas Market Food Tour - all tastings included: $136
- Lunch Like a Local: Munich's ORIGINAL Viktualienmarkt Food Tour: $141
- Private Full Day Bavarian Beer and Food Tour in Munich: $209
- Private - Viktualienmarkt Food Tour and Beyond - best Munich tastings: $229
- Munich Food Tour & Food Market with German Delicacies: $265
- Salzburg Semi-Private Guided Day Tour from Munich with Dinner : $273
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Munich €29Karlovy Vary €11
Typical Entertainment Prices in Munich
Here are a few typical costs in Munich for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Schack Gallery Entrance€4.00
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Munich Zoo Entrance€9.00
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Pub Crawl Munich Tour€14
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Neuschwanstein Castle (2)€24
Tours and Activities in Munich
Here are a few actual costs in Munich for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Hours VIP Private Segway Tour: $91
- 2-hour Private Walking Tour in Munich: $214
- 2-hour city tour by bike in Munich to the hotspots of the Isar metropolis: $35
- 5 Top Churches in Munich Private Walking Tour : $210
- 5 Top Churches in Munich Private Walking Tour : $211
- A Tour inside Munich's Justizpalast: $24
- Albert Einstein Private Walking Tour in Old Town Munich: $202
- Albert Einstein Private Walking Tour in Old Town Munich: $207
- Andechs Monastery Beer Hike Food Experience Private Tour (departs Munich): $208
- Art & Heritage: Private Walking Tour of Bavarian National Museum: $202
- Art & Heritage: Walking Tour of Bavarian National Museum: $395
- Bad Tölz Private Guided Walking Tour: $220
Tours and Activities in Karlovy Vary
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Karlovy Vary.
- Hot Springs Tasting Tour: $32
- Hot Springs Tasting Tour: $35
- Prague: Karlovy Vary Tour with Lunch and Moser Museum Visit: $77
- Karlovy Vary & Marianske Lazne Tour from Prague with Lunch: $112
- Private tour of best of Karlovy Vary - Sightseeing, Food & Culture with a local: $168
- Touristic highlights of Karlovy Vary on a Private half day tour with a local: $168
- Karlovy Vary Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $209
- A day in the life of Karlovy Vary - Private tour with a local: $224
- Private Walking Tour: $227
- LOCATION: Karlovy Vary City Tour: $255
- Full-Day Private Karlovy Vary Tour from Prague: $298
- Private Tour to Karlovy Vary: $353
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMunich €37Karlovy Vary €6.13
Typical Alcohol Prices in Munich
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Munich:
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Hofbrauhaus€12
Sample the Local Flavors in Munich
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Munich:
- Exclusive Brewery Tour & Tasting of 4 Organic Beers: $28
- Munich's Original Pub Crawl: $31
- English Guided Brewery Tour in Munich beertasting 4 beers: $37
- Max & Moritz: Interactive Wine Tasting Experience: $37
- Cheese & Wine tasting: $95
- The ORIGINAL Munich Christmas Market Festive Wine Tour -with food: $141
- Private Wine Tasting Tour in Munich with a Wine Expert: $288
- Private Wine Tasting Tour in Munich with a Wine Expert: $294
- Bachelor(ette) Party with Pub Crawl: $401
- Bachelor(ette) Party with Pub Crawl: $401
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Munich and Karlovy Vary, we can see that Munich is more expensive. And not only is Karlovy Vary much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Karlovy Vary would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Karlovy Vary 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 Munich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Munich than you might in Karlovy Vary.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Munich Expensive? and Is Karlovy Vary Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Munich or Karlovy Vary?
Munich has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Karlovy Vary. When comparing the sizes of Munich and Karlovy Vary, 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 Munich or Karlovy Vary?
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 Munich or Karlovy Vary in the Summer?
Both Karlovy Vary and Munich during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Munich for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Munich is around the same temperature as Karlovy Vary. Typically, the summer temperatures in Munich in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Karlovy Vary averages at about 20°C (68°F).
In Karlovy Vary, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Munich. In the summer, Munich often gets more sunshine than Karlovy Vary. Munich gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 217 hours of full sun.
Munich usually gets more rain in July than Karlovy Vary. Munich gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMunich 20°C (68°F)Karlovy Vary 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Munich or Karlovy Vary in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Munich and Karlovy Vary. The autumn months attract visitors to Munich because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.
In October, Munich is generally around the same temperature as Karlovy Vary. Daily temperatures in Munich average around 11°C (52°F), and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Munich usually receives less sunshine than Karlovy Vary during autumn. Munich gets 115 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Munich usually receives around the same amount of rain as Karlovy Vary. Munich gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMunich 11°C (52°F)Karlovy Vary 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Munich or Karlovy Vary in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Munich as well as Karlovy Vary. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Munich this time of year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Karlovy Vary. It's quite cold in Munich in the winter. Munich is much colder than Karlovy Vary in the winter. The daily temperature in Munich averages around -1°C (31°F) in January, and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).
In the winter, Munich often gets less sunshine than Karlovy Vary. Munich gets 30 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 58 hours of full sun.
Munich usually gets more rain in January than Karlovy Vary. Munich gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMunich -1°C (31°F)Karlovy Vary 1°C (33°F)
Should I visit Munich or Karlovy Vary in the Spring?
Both Karlovy Vary and Munich are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Munich for the activities around the city.
In the spring, Munich is a little warmer than Karlovy Vary. Typically, the spring temperatures in Munich in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Karlovy Vary averages at about 10°C (50°F).
Munich usually receives more sunshine than Karlovy Vary during spring. Munich gets 172 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 151 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Munich usually receives less rain than Karlovy Vary. Munich gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMunich 11°C (53°F)Karlovy Vary 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Karlovy Vary and Munich
| Munich | Karlovy Vary | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -1°C (31°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (37°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (53°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| May | 15°C (60°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (65°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 20°C (68°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 20°C (68°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 17°C (62°F) | 60 mm (2.3 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (52°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (42°F) | 52 mm (2.1 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Dec | 1°C (33°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 46 mm (1.8 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.