Which place is cheaper, Karlovy Vary or Salzburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salzburg 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.
Most people know of Salzburg from its roll in the infamous movie "The Sound of Music." Every child who fell in love with this movie knows the gazebo scene in the rain, or could sing "My Favorite Things" as they skip down the Salzach River, but once you get past the obvious cliches, you can see that Salzburg is a city with a lot of depth and culture aside from the movie.
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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Austria, The Best 10-Day Tours in Austria, The Best Cultural Tours in Czech Republic, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Czech Republic.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Salzburg is €155, 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 Salzburg and Karlovy Vary in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Salzburg 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.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salzburg:
Also for Karlovy Vary, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Karlovy Vary and Salzburg 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.
Some typical examples of dining costs in Salzburg are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Salzburg.
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Salzburg are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Karlovy Vary.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Salzburg:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Salzburg:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Salzburg and Karlovy Vary, we can see that Salzburg 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 Salzburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Salzburg 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 Salzburg Expensive? and Is Karlovy Vary Expensive?.
Salzburg has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Karlovy Vary. When comparing the sizes of Salzburg 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.
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.
The summer brings many poeple to Salzburg as well as Karlovy Vary. Most visitors come to Salzburg for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Salzburg is around the same temperature as Karlovy Vary. Typically, the summer temperatures in Salzburg in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Karlovy Vary averages at about 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 Salzburg this time of the year. In the summer, Salzburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Karlovy Vary. Salzburg gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 217 hours of full sun.
Salzburg usually gets more rain in July than Karlovy Vary. Salzburg gets 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Karlovy Vary and Salzburg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Salzburg because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Salzburg is generally around the same temperature as Karlovy Vary. Daily temperatures in Salzburg average around 11°C (52°F), and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Salzburg usually receives less sunshine than Karlovy Vary during autumn. Salzburg gets 108 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Salzburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Karlovy Vary. Salzburg gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both Karlovy Vary and Salzburg during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Salzburg this time of year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Karlovy Vary. It's quite cold in Salzburg in the winter. Salzburg is much colder than Karlovy Vary in the winter. The daily temperature in Salzburg averages around -0°C (31°F) in January, and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).
In the winter, Salzburg often gets less sunshine than Karlovy Vary. Salzburg gets 44 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 58 hours of full sun.
Salzburg usually gets more rain in January than Karlovy Vary. Salzburg gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Salzburg and Karlovy Vary. Many travelers come to Salzburg for the natural beauty.
In the spring, Salzburg is around the same temperature as Karlovy Vary. Typically, the spring temperatures in Salzburg in April average around 11°C (51°F), and Karlovy Vary averages at about 10°C (50°F).
Salzburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Karlovy Vary during spring. Salzburg gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 151 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Salzburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Karlovy Vary. Salzburg gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Salzburg | Karlovy Vary | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | -0°C (31°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
Feb | 2°C (36°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
Apr | 11°C (51°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
May | 15°C (59°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
Jun | 18°C (65°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
Jul | 20°C (68°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
Aug | 19°C (67°F) | 93 mm (3.6 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
Sep | 16°C (61°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
Oct | 11°C (52°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
Nov | 5°C (42°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
Dec | 1°C (35°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |