Which place is cheaper, Krakow or Potsdam?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Potsdam or Krakow?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Potsdam and Krakow can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Potsdam or Krakow?
Potsdam
Before you lays a treasure chest of historic beauties. From the glimmering Renaissance Orangery Palace that overlooks its sumptuous fountains to the neoclassical Charlottenhof Castle that is surrounded by lush England gardens, you find yourself in none other than Potsdam, Germany. The capital and largest city of the German federal state of Brandenburg, Potsdam borders the German capital Berlin and is located right on the bay of the River Havel. A home for Prussian kings until 1918 and a brainchild of the Enlightenment, Potsdam was constructed thoughtfully and carefully by its architects to create what many to believe as "a picturesque, pastoral dream" and a "balance between both nature and reason." From interconnected lakes to historic landmarks, Potsdam is a city that is bursting with life all year around. With its rich history, it was no wonder various parts of the city were named a World Heritage Site. With its landscape and cityscape rivaling in beauty, Potsdam is simply a breathtaking city that must be explored!
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 Coach Bus Tours in Germany, The Best Adventure Tours to Germany, The Best 10-Day Tours in Poland, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Poland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPotsdam €111Krakow €60
The average daily cost (per person) in Potsdam is €111, while the average daily cost in Krakow is €60. 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 Potsdam and Krakow in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPotsdam €60Krakow €39
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPotsdam €120Krakow €78
Compare Hotels in Potsdam and Krakow
Looking for a hotel in Potsdam 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.
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: Potsdam Hotel Prices and Krakow Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Potsdam €28Krakow €6.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Potsdam
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Potsdam:
- Berlin Airport Departure Transfer from Potsdam Hotels: $174
- Departure Airport Transfer from Potsdam Hotels to Berlin BER Airport: $174
- Private Transfer from Potsdam to Berlin Tegel Airport: $160
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Krakow
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Krakow:
- 1945-1989 Communism Tour of Krakow Nowa Huta with Transfers: $160
- 1945-1989 Communism Tour of Krakow Nowa Huta with Transfers: $171
- Airport Transfer (Krakow - Katowice): $100
- Arrival Private Transfer from Krakow Airport KRK to Krakow City by Business Car: $39
- Arrival Private Transfer from Krakow Airport KRK to Krakow City by Luxury Van: $54
- Auschwitz - Birkenau Roundtrip Transfer with assistance: $17
- Auschwitz Birkenau Transfer Service- Private Driver from Krakow: $109
- Auschwitz-Birkenau Guided Tour & Transfer from Krakow: $12
- Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum with Private Transfers from Krakow: $217
- Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum Guided Tour with Ticket and Transfer: $35
- Auschwitz-Birkenau Tour with Transfer, eBook and Optional Guide: $32
- Balice KRK airport OneWay PRIVATE TRANSFER to/from Krakow’s hotel: $29
Is it cheaper to fly into Potsdam or Krakow?
Prices for flights to both Krakow and Potsdam 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 dayPotsdam €31Krakow €12
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Potsdam €25Krakow €19
Tours and Activities in Potsdam
Here are a few actual costs in Potsdam for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Beautiful Baroque A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Sanssouci Park Self-Guided Gardens Audio Tour: $5.99
- Baroque Buildings Self-Guided Mobile Audio Tour: $5.99
- Sanssouci Park: A Self-Guide Audio Tour of the Garden's Landmarks: $5.99
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.41
- Self-Guided Walking Tour of City Center: $8.45
- Museum Barberini Entrance Ticket: $11
- Brandenburg Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $11
- Cecilienhof Castle Entrance Ticket: $13
- Biosphäre Potsdam Entry Ticket: $16
- In the Forbidden City - Potsdam Walking Tour: $20
- City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $21
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPotsdam €6.70Krakow €6.32
Typical Alcohol Prices in Krakow
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Krakow:
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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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Potsdam and Krakow, we can see that Potsdam is more expensive. And not only is Krakow much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Krakow would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Krakow 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 Potsdam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Potsdam than you might in Krakow.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Potsdam Expensive? and Is Krakow Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Potsdam or Krakow?
Krakow has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Potsdam. When comparing the sizes of Potsdam 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 Potsdam 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 Potsdam or Krakow in the Summer?
Both Krakow and Potsdam are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Potsdam for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Potsdam is around the same temperature as Krakow. Typically, the summer temperatures in Potsdam in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Krakow averages at about 19°C (67°F).
It's quite sunny in Krakow. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Potsdam. Potsdam usually receives more sunshine than Krakow during summer. Potsdam gets 232 hours of sunny skies, while Krakow receives 201 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Potsdam usually receives less rain than Krakow. Potsdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPotsdam 19°C (66°F)Krakow 19°C (67°F)
Should I visit Potsdam or Krakow in the Autumn?
Both Krakow and Potsdam during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Potsdam because of the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Potsdam is generally around the same temperature as Krakow. Daily temperatures in Potsdam average around 10°C (51°F), and Krakow fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
In the autumn, Potsdam often gets more sunshine than Krakow. Potsdam gets 114 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Krakow receives 97 hours of full sun.
Potsdam usually gets less rain in October than Krakow. Potsdam gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPotsdam 10°C (51°F)Krakow 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Potsdam or Krakow in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Potsdam and Krakow. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Potsdam this time of year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Krakow. It's quite cold in Potsdam in the winter. Potsdam is much warmer than Krakow in the winter. The daily temperature in Potsdam averages around -0°C (31°F) in January, and Krakow fluctuates around -2°C (29°F).
Potsdam usually receives more sunshine than Krakow during winter. Potsdam gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while Krakow receives 38 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Potsdam usually receives more rain than Krakow. Potsdam gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPotsdam -0°C (31°F)Krakow -2°C (29°F)
Should I visit Potsdam or Krakow in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Potsdam as well as Krakow. Many travelers come to Potsdam for the small town charm and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Potsdam is around the same temperature as Krakow. Typically, the spring temperatures in Potsdam in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Krakow averages at about 10°C (50°F).
In the spring, Potsdam often gets more sunshine than Krakow. Potsdam gets 168 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Krakow receives 132 hours of full sun.
Potsdam usually gets less rain in April than Krakow. Potsdam gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPotsdam 9°C (48°F)Krakow 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Krakow and Potsdam
| Potsdam | Krakow | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -0°C (31°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | -2°C (29°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Feb | 1°C (34°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Mar | 5°C (40°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Apr | 9°C (48°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (63°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (65°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Sep | 15°C (59°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Oct | 10°C (51°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Nov | 5°C (41°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Dec | 1°C (34°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 40 mm (1.6 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.