A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tampere vs. Karlovy Vary for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Tampere or Karlovy Vary?

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 Tampere and Karlovy Vary can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Tampere or Karlovy Vary?

Tampere

Tampere is a city in southern Finland. It sits between Nasijarvi Lake and Pyhajarvi Lake, with the Tammerkoski rapids in between. It is one of the larger Finnish cities, with more than 200,000 inhabitants, but Tampere has managed to keep the small town feel. The city center is compact in size, and the atmosphere is friendly and casual. The city is located on a scenic spot on a narrow isthmus. The Tammerkoski rapids and their riverbanks form the backdrop for the old industrial buildings, and ridges formed thousands of years ago by ancient seas and retreating ice offer fantastic views over the two lakes. Original architecture and innovative urban development blend together to please both viewers and users of the built environment. Enjoy the surrounding lakes on peaceful rowboat trips or on cruises on larger vessels, or concentrate on the urban sights from a sightseeing bus. Regenerated industrial buildings now house quirky museums, enticing shops, pubs, cinemas and cafes. Tampere has a down-to-earth vitality that makes it a favorite for many visitors.

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 10-Day Tours from Helsinki, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Finland, The Best Cultural Tours in Czech Republic, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Czech Republic.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tampere and Karlovy Vary, we can see that Tampere 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 Tampere would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tampere 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 Tampere Expensive? and Is Karlovy Vary Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Tampere or Karlovy Vary?

Tampere has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Karlovy Vary. When comparing the sizes of Tampere 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 Tampere 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 Tampere or Karlovy Vary in the Summer?

Both Karlovy Vary and Tampere are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.

In July, Tampere is generally cooler than Karlovy Vary. Daily temperatures in Tampere average around 16°C (61°F), and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

It's quite sunny in Karlovy Vary. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tampere. Tampere usually receives more sunshine than Karlovy Vary during summer. Tampere gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 217 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Tampere usually receives more rain than Karlovy Vary. Tampere gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Tampere or Karlovy Vary in the Autumn?

Both Karlovy Vary and Tampere during the autumn are popular places to visit.

Tampere is much colder than Karlovy Vary in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tampere averages around 5°C (42°F) in October, and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Tampere often gets less sunshine than Karlovy Vary. Tampere gets 81 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 127 hours of full sun.

Tampere usually gets more rain in October than Karlovy Vary. Tampere gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tampere or Karlovy Vary in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Tampere and Karlovy Vary.

Karlovy Vary can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Tampere. In the winter, Tampere is much colder than Karlovy Vary. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tampere in January average around -7°C (19°F), and Karlovy Vary averages at about 1°C (33°F).

Tampere usually receives less sunshine than Karlovy Vary during winter. Tampere gets 37 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 58 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Tampere usually receives around the same amount of rain as Karlovy Vary. Tampere gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Tampere or Karlovy Vary in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Tampere as well as Karlovy Vary.

Tampere can get quite cold in the spring. In April, Tampere is generally much colder than Karlovy Vary. Daily temperatures in Tampere average around 3°C (38°F), and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Tampere often gets more sunshine than Karlovy Vary. Tampere gets 174 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 151 hours of full sun.

Tampere usually gets less rain in April than Karlovy Vary. Tampere gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Karlovy Vary and Tampere