Which place is cheaper, Karlovy Vary or Plzen?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Plzen 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 Plzen 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: Plzen or Karlovy Vary?
Plzen
Renowned as the home of the pilsner beer, Plzen is a city located in the West Bohemia region of the Czech Republic. Beyond beer, it also features a number of impressive landmarks some of which include St. Bartholomew's Cathedral and the Great Synagogue.
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 Sightseeing Tours in Czech Republic, The Best Cultural Tours in Czech Republic, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Czech Republic, and The Best Luxury Tours to Czech Republic.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPlzen $101Karlovy Vary $81
The average daily cost (per person) in Plzen is $101, 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 Plzen and Karlovy Vary in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPlzen $61Karlovy Vary $39
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPlzen $122Karlovy Vary $78
Compare Hotels in Plzen and Karlovy Vary
Looking for a hotel in Plzen 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: Plzen Hotel Prices and Karlovy Vary Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Plzen $8.27Karlovy Vary $26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Plzen
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Plzen:
- Private Transfer from Pilsen(Plzen) to Prague: $269
- Private Transfer from Pilsen to Prague with 2 hours for sightseeing: $115
- Private Transfer from Pilsen to Prague: $87
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 : $65
- Private Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague, English-speaking driver: $119
- Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague: Private daytrip with 2h for sightseeing: $128
Is it cheaper to fly into Plzen or Karlovy Vary?
Prices for flights to both Karlovy Vary and Plzen 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 dayPlzen $31Karlovy Vary $26
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Plzen $21Karlovy Vary $12
Tours and Activities in Plzen
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Plzen are as follows:
- Experience Best Prague Tandem Skydiving : $248
- Pilsen Historic Underground Tour with a Glass of Beer: $8.68
- Pilsen Private Walking Tour: $199
- Pilsen: Historic Underground Tour with a Glass of Beer: $8.51
- Pilsen: Old Town Gastronomy Tour: $32
- Private Tour to Pilsner Urquell from Prague: $269
Tours and Activities in Karlovy Vary
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Karlovy Vary.
- Hot Springs Tasting Tour: $62
- Prague: Karlovy Vary Tour with Lunch and Moser Museum Visit: $90
- Karlovy Vary & Marianske Lazne Tour from Prague with Lunch: $112
- Private tour of best of Karlovy Vary - Sightseeing, Food & Culture with a local: $167
- Touristic highlights of Karlovy Vary on a Private half day tour with a local: $167
- Karlovy Vary Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $208
- A day in the life of Karlovy Vary - Private tour with a local: $222
- Private Walking Tour: $226
- LOCATION: Karlovy Vary City Tour: $252
- Full-Day Private Karlovy Vary Tour from Prague: $294
- Private Tour to Karlovy Vary: $351
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPlzen $23Karlovy Vary $6.54
Sample the Local Flavors in Plzen
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Plzen:
- Brewery Museum Entrance including a Glass of Beer: $6.51
- Pilsen: Brewery Museum Entrance with a Glass of Beer: $6.92
- Pilsen: Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting: $17
- Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting: $17
- Pilsen Highlights Small-Group Tour and Pilsner Brewery Tour including Lunch and Beer Tasting: $107
- Pilsner brewery tour incl beer tasting & Czech town Pilsen: $139
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Plzen and Karlovy Vary, we can see that Plzen 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 Plzen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Plzen 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 Plzen Expensive? and Is Karlovy Vary Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Plzen or Karlovy Vary?
Plzen has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Karlovy Vary. When comparing the sizes of Plzen 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 Plzen 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 Plzen or Karlovy Vary in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Plzen as well as Karlovy Vary.
Plzen is around the same temperature as Karlovy Vary in the summer. The daily temperature in Plzen averages around 20°C (67°F) in July, and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Karlovy Vary. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Plzen this time of the year. In the summer, Plzen often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Karlovy Vary. Plzen gets 212 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 217 hours of full sun.
Plzen usually gets more rain in July than Karlovy Vary. Plzen gets 81 mm (3.2 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 JulyPlzen 20°C (67°F)Karlovy Vary 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Plzen or Karlovy Vary in the Autumn?
Both Karlovy Vary and Plzen are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.
In the autumn, Plzen is around the same temperature as Karlovy Vary. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Plzen in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Karlovy Vary averages at about 11°C (51°F).
Plzen usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Karlovy Vary during autumn. Plzen gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Plzen usually receives less rain than Karlovy Vary. Plzen gets 30 mm (1.2 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 OctoberPlzen 11°C (51°F)Karlovy Vary 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Plzen or Karlovy Vary in the Winter?
Both Karlovy Vary and Plzen during the winter are popular places to visit.
It's quite cold in Karlovy Vary in the winter. The weather in Plzen can be very cold. In January, Plzen is generally much colder than Karlovy Vary. Daily temperatures in Plzen average around -1°C (31°F), and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).
In the winter, Plzen often gets less sunshine than Karlovy Vary. Plzen gets 45 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 58 hours of full sun.
Plzen usually gets less rain in January than Karlovy Vary. Plzen gets 25 mm (1 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 JanuaryPlzen -1°C (31°F)Karlovy Vary 1°C (33°F)
Should I visit Plzen or Karlovy Vary in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Plzen and Karlovy Vary.
Plzen is around the same temperature as Karlovy Vary in the spring. The daily temperature in Plzen averages around 11°C (51°F) in April, and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
Plzen usually receives more sunshine than Karlovy Vary during spring. Plzen gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 151 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Plzen usually receives less rain than Karlovy Vary. Plzen gets 35 mm (1.4 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 AprilPlzen 11°C (51°F)Karlovy Vary 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Karlovy Vary and Plzen
| Plzen | Karlovy Vary | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -1°C (31°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 2°C (35°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (42°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (51°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 20°C (67°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (67°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (61°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 5°C (41°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Dec | 1°C (34°F) | 23 mm (0.9 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.