Which place is cheaper, Krakow or Salzburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Salzburg or Krakow?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salzburg or Krakow, 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: Salzburg or Krakow?
Salzburg
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.
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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Austria, The Best 10-Day Tours in Austria, The Best 10-Day Tours in Poland, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Poland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySalzburg €155Krakow €60
The average daily cost (per person) in Salzburg is €155, 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 Salzburg and Krakow in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSalzburg €91Krakow €39
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSalzburg €182Krakow €78
Compare Hotels in Salzburg and Krakow
Looking for a hotel in Salzburg 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: Salzburg Hotel Prices and Krakow Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Salzburg €19Krakow €6.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salzburg
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salzburg:
- Airport Transfer: Salzburg Airport SZG to Salzburg by Luxury Car: $103
- Arrival Private Transfers: Salzburg Airport SZG to Salzburg in Business Car: $91
- Arrival Private Transfers: Salzburg Airport SZG to Salzburg in Luxury Van: $93
- Cesky Krumlov: Private One-Way Transfer to Salzburg: $629
- Departure Private Transfers: Salzburg to Salzburg Airport SZG in Business Car: $91
- Departure Private Transfers: Salzburg to Salzburg Airport SZG in Luxury Van: $93
- From Salzburg to Munich Airport- Private Transfer - punctual & friendly Driver: $213
- From Salzburg to Prague, Private Transfer with 2h of Sightseeing: $283
- Kitzbuhel, Flachau, Transfer From Salzburg & Airport SZG: $288
- Private Salzburg Airport luxury transfers to Salzburg city&Hotels: $65
- Private Scenic Transfer from Salzburg to Munich with 4h of Sightseeing: $278
- Private Transfer From Salzburg To Innsbruck, English Speaking Driver : $262
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Krakow
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Krakow:
- Kraków: Kraków Airport to Central Bus Station Bus Transfer: $5.31
- From Auschwitz-Birkenau Roundtrip Bus Transfer: $6.19
- Balice Airport Luxury Vehicle Private Transfer: $9.91
- Private Transfer to or from Krakow Airport: $10
- Private Transfer to/from Krakow Airport (KRK): $11
- Auschwitz-Birkenau Guided Tour & Transfer from Krakow: $12
- Krakow Airport Transfer Balice: $14
- Krakow Airport Private Transfers: $15
- Electric Car Transfer between Krakow and the Airport: $15
- Kraków: Airport Private Transfer by Luxury Car: $16
- Auschwitz - Birkenau Roundtrip Transfer with assistance: $17
- Kraków Airport Private Transfer - Kraków City Center: $17
Is it cheaper to fly into Salzburg or Krakow?
Prices for flights to both Krakow 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.
Food
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Food Meals for one daySalzburg €41Krakow €12
Typical Food Prices in Salzburg
Some typical examples of dining costs in Salzburg are as follows:
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Lunch Salad€9.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Salzburg
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Salzburg.
- Cookies and Apple Strudel Cooking Class Including Lunch: $59
- Austrian Apple Strudel Cooking Class including Lunch in Salzburg: $60
- Best of Mozart Fortress Concert and Dinner: $81
- Best of Mozart Concert and Dinner or VIP Dinner at Fortress Hohensalzburg: $83
- Mozart Concert with Dinner: $83
- Dinner Cooking Class and Music: $84
- Mozart Dinner Concert in Salzburg: $85
- Dinner Cooking Class - Prezels, Dumplings, Apple Strudel & Music: $86
- Dinner and Classical Concert at Mirabell Palace: $94
- Cruise, Dinner & Fortress Concert: $106
- Mozart Concert and Dinner or VIP Dinner at Fortress Salzburg with River Cruise: $111
- Best of Mozart Concert and GOLDEN VIP Dinner at Fortress Hohensalzburg: $133
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.Salzburg €30Krakow €19
Tours and Activities in Salzburg
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Salzburg are as follows:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Cathedral Entry Ticket with Audio Guide Option: $5.35
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.41
- Salzburg Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.54
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $6.95
- Sound of Music Sightseeing Walk with Audio Guide: $6.99
- A taste of An audio tour through the birthplace of Mozart: $7.47
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $8.02
- Mirabell Palace and Surroundings Audio Tour: $8.52
- Salzburg Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Salzburg Cathedral: Guided Tour with Entry Ticket: $9.62
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
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 daySalzburg €26Krakow €6.32
Typical Alcohol Prices in Salzburg
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Salzburg:
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Beer€3.70
Sample the Local Flavors in Salzburg
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Salzburg:
- Stiegl Brewery Museum Entry Ticket & Beer Tasting: $16
- Stiegl Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting: $24
- Guided Wine Tasting in a Hidden Wine Bar: $36
- Private Austrian Wine Tasting with a Pro-Sommelière: $185
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 Salzburg and Krakow, we can see that Salzburg 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 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 Krakow.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Salzburg Expensive? and Is Krakow Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Salzburg or Krakow?
Krakow has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Salzburg. When comparing the sizes of Salzburg 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 Salzburg 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 Salzburg or Krakow in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Salzburg and Krakow. Many visitors come to Salzburg in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.
Salzburg is around the same temperature as Krakow in the summer. The daily temperature in Salzburg averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Krakow fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Krakow this time of the year. In Salzburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Salzburg usually receives more sunshine than Krakow during summer. Salzburg gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Krakow receives 201 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Salzburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Krakow. Salzburg gets 91 mm (3.6 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 JulySalzburg 20°C (68°F)Krakow 19°C (67°F)
Should I visit Salzburg or Krakow in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Salzburg as well as Krakow. Most visitors come to Salzburg for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Salzburg is around the same temperature as Krakow. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Salzburg in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Krakow averages at about 11°C (51°F).
In the autumn, Salzburg often gets more sunshine than Krakow. Salzburg gets 108 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Krakow receives 97 hours of full sun.
Salzburg usually gets more rain in October than Krakow. Salzburg gets 51 mm (2 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 OctoberSalzburg 11°C (52°F)Krakow 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Salzburg or Krakow in the Winter?
Both Krakow and Salzburg are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Salzburg because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Krakow in the winter. The weather in Salzburg can be very cold. In January, Salzburg is generally much warmer than Krakow. Daily temperatures in Salzburg average around -0°C (31°F), and Krakow fluctuates around -2°C (29°F).
Salzburg usually receives more sunshine than Krakow during winter. Salzburg gets 44 hours of sunny skies, while Krakow receives 38 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Salzburg usually receives more rain than Krakow. Salzburg gets 56 mm (2.2 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 JanuarySalzburg -0°C (31°F)Krakow -2°C (29°F)
Should I visit Salzburg or Krakow in the Spring?
Both Krakow and Salzburg during the spring are popular places to visit. The natural beauty are the main draw to Salzburg this time of year.
Salzburg is around the same temperature as Krakow in the spring. The daily temperature in Salzburg averages around 11°C (51°F) in April, and Krakow fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
In the spring, Salzburg often gets more sunshine than Krakow. Salzburg gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Krakow receives 132 hours of full sun.
Salzburg usually gets more rain in April than Krakow. Salzburg gets 55 mm (2.2 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 AprilSalzburg 11°C (51°F)Krakow 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Krakow and Salzburg
| Salzburg | Krakow | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -0°C (31°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | -2°C (29°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Feb | 2°C (36°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (51°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (65°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Jul | 20°C (68°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (67°F) | 93 mm (3.6 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (61°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (52°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Nov | 5°C (42°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Dec | 1°C (35°F) | 64 mm (2.5 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.