Which place is cheaper, Karlovy Vary or Nizhny Novgorod?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Nizhny Novgorod or Karlovy Vary?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Nizhny Novgorod and Karlovy Vary can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Nizhny Novgorod or Karlovy Vary?
Nizhny Novgorod
Nizhny Novgorod, commonly referred to as simply Nizhny, is the fifth largest city in Russia. It has a population of over 1.2 million and it is the primary economic and cultural center for the Volga region. The city dates back to 1221 and it sits at the intersection of the Volga and Oka Rivers. It became popular with tourists back in 1817 when the Makaryev Monastery Fair was moved to the city. The city continued to grow in popularity and by the middle of the 19th century it was a major trade center for the country. During the Soviet Union times the city became an industrial center as trade connections were abandoned.
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 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 dayNizhny Novgorod $30Karlovy Vary $81
The average daily cost (per person) in Nizhny Novgorod is $30, while the average daily cost in Karlovy Vary is $81. 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 Nizhny Novgorod and Karlovy Vary in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNizhny Novgorod $20Karlovy Vary $39
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNizhny Novgorod $40Karlovy Vary $78
Compare Hotels in Nizhny Novgorod and Karlovy Vary
Looking for a hotel in Nizhny Novgorod 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: Karlovy Vary Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nizhny Novgorod $1.19Karlovy Vary $26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Karlovy Vary
Also for Karlovy Vary, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague: Private daytrip with 2h for sightseeing: $128
- Private Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague, English-speaking driver: $120
- Private Transfer Karlovy Vary to Prague Vaclav Havel Airport : $66
Is it cheaper to fly into Nizhny Novgorod or Karlovy Vary?
Prices for flights to both Karlovy Vary and Nizhny Novgorod 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 dayNizhny Novgorod $9.51Karlovy Vary $26
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nizhny Novgorod $1.69Karlovy Vary $12
Tours and Activities in Karlovy Vary
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Karlovy Vary.
- A day in the life of Karlovy Vary - Private tour with a local: $224
- Full-Day Private Karlovy Vary Tour from Prague: $298
- Karlovy Vary & Marianske Lazne Tour from Prague with Lunch: $112
- Karlovy Vary Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $209
- Hot Springs Tasting Tour: $35
- Hot Springs Tasting Tour: $32
- Private Walking Tour: $227
- LOCATION: Karlovy Vary City Tour: $255
- Prague: Karlovy Vary Tour with Lunch and Moser Museum Visit: $77
- Private Tour to Karlovy Vary: $353
- 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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNizhny Novgorod $2.35Karlovy Vary $6.54
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nizhny Novgorod and Karlovy Vary, we can see that Karlovy Vary is more expensive. And not only is Nizhny Novgorod much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nizhny Novgorod would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nizhny Novgorod 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 Karlovy Vary would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Karlovy Vary than you might in Nizhny Novgorod.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nizhny Novgorod Expensive? and Is Karlovy Vary Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nizhny Novgorod or Karlovy Vary?
Nizhny Novgorod has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Karlovy Vary. When comparing the sizes of Nizhny Novgorod 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 Nizhny Novgorod or Karlovy Vary?
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 Nizhny Novgorod or Karlovy Vary in the Summer?
Both Karlovy Vary and Nizhny Novgorod are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
In July, Nizhny Novgorod is generally around the same temperature as Karlovy Vary. Daily temperatures in Nizhny Novgorod average around 20°C (68°F), and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
In July, Nizhny Novgorod usually receives more rain than Karlovy Vary. Nizhny Novgorod gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyNizhny Novgorod 20°C (68°F)Karlovy Vary 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Nizhny Novgorod or Karlovy Vary in the Autumn?
Both Karlovy Vary and Nizhny Novgorod during the autumn are popular places to visit.
Nizhny Novgorod is much colder than Karlovy Vary in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nizhny Novgorod averages around 5°C (41°F) in October, and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Nizhny Novgorod usually gets more rain in October than Karlovy Vary. Nizhny Novgorod gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNizhny Novgorod 5°C (41°F)Karlovy Vary 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Nizhny Novgorod or Karlovy Vary in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Nizhny Novgorod and Karlovy Vary.
It's quite cold in Karlovy Vary in the winter. The weather in Nizhny Novgorod can be very cold. In the winter, Nizhny Novgorod is much colder than Karlovy Vary. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nizhny Novgorod in January average around -10°C (13°F), and Karlovy Vary averages at about 1°C (33°F).
In January, Nizhny Novgorod usually receives around the same amount of rain as Karlovy Vary. Nizhny Novgorod gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNizhny Novgorod -10°C (13°F)Karlovy Vary 1°C (33°F)
Should I visit Nizhny Novgorod or Karlovy Vary in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Nizhny Novgorod as well as Karlovy Vary.
In April, Nizhny Novgorod is generally cooler than Karlovy Vary. Daily temperatures in Nizhny Novgorod average around 7°C (44°F), and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
Nizhny Novgorod usually gets less rain in April than Karlovy Vary. Nizhny Novgorod gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilNizhny Novgorod 7°C (44°F)Karlovy Vary 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Karlovy Vary and Nizhny Novgorod
| Nizhny Novgorod | Karlovy Vary | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -10°C (13°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | -8°C (17°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | -2°C (28°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Apr | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| May | 14°C (58°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 20°C (68°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (64°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Oct | 5°C (41°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | -2°C (29°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Dec | -7°C (19°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.