A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tartu vs. Krakow for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Tartu or Krakow?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Tartu and Krakow 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: Tartu or Krakow?

Tartu

Tartu is a university town that is also the second largest city in Estonia. It has a population of about 100,000 and dates back to 1030, making it the oldest city in the country. The Emajogi River passes through town and it has a lovely old town that's pleasant to explore. The city is a great place to see day to day life in Estonia. It is a very real town with people going about their daily lives. If you find yourself here when the weather is nice, you'll be greeted by crowds of happy locals out enjoying the weather. They make full use of the warm, sunny weather with festivals, events, and concerts during the summer. This is easily the most fun and eventful time to visit the city.

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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Estonia, The Best Budget Tours to Estonia, The Best 10-Day Tours in Poland, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Poland.


Which place is cheaper, Krakow or Tartu?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Tartu is €105, 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 Tartu and Krakow in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tartu 47
    Krakow 39
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tartu 94
    Krakow 78
Compare Hotels in Tartu and Krakow

Looking for a hotel in Tartu 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.

Hotels in Tartu


Hotels in Krakow


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: Tartu Hotel Prices and Krakow Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tartu 27
    Krakow 6.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Krakow

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Krakow:

  • Private Transfer to or from Berlin: $929
  • Private Transfer to or from Budapest: $867
  • Warsaw to Luxury Private Transfer: $747
  • From Gdansk or One-Way Private Transfer: $669
  • Private Transfer to or from Bratislava: $619
  • Private transfer! Warsaw Chopin Airport - Krakow City Center: $470
  • Private transfer from Krakow to Budapest or from Budapest to Krakow: $299
  • Private door-to-door transfer from Krakow to Budapest: $291
  • Warsaw - Premium-Class Private Airport Transfer: $288
  • Transfer from Krakow (Balice airport) to Krynica Zdroj : $283
  • Private Transfer Airport to Warszawa OkÄ™cie: $278
  • Private transfer from Katowice AirPort to Krakow City: $272

Is it cheaper to fly into Tartu or Krakow?

Prices for flights to both Krakow and Tartu 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Tartu 37
    Krakow 12
Typical Food Prices in Tartu

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tartu:


  • Danishes
    0.76
  • Lunch for Two
    4.93
  • Ice Cream
    1.27
  • Cookies
    0.51
  • Coffee & Cake
    3.47

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tartu 16
    Krakow 19
Typical Entertainment Prices in Tartu

For Tartu, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Art Museum ticket
    0.95
  • Movie Ticket
    3.47

Tours and Activities in Tartu

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tartu.

  • European Capital of Culture 2024 - Cycling Tour: $14
  • Around Viljandi bike tour: $27
  • TARTU COUNTRY: SLED DOG TOUR & KENNEL VISIT: $75
  • Magical Tartu Romantic Walking Tour: $127
  • Charming Viljandi Walking Tour for Couples: $142
  • Spectacular Christmas Walking Tour in Viljandi: $199
  • Traditional Christmas Walking Tour in Tartu: $234

Tours and Activities in Krakow

Here are a few actual costs in Krakow for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum Guided Tour from Krakow: $64
  • Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Wieliczka Salt Mine 1-Day Tour: $141
  • Rynek Underground Museum Guided Tour: $25
  • Rynek Underground Museum, Old Town and St. Mary's Basilica Tour: $50
  • 1 Day Auschwitz Birkenau Museum Guided Tour Hotel Pick up: $44
  • 1 Day Trip Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum Guided Tour from Krakow: $34
  • 1-Hour Tour to Krakow's Old Town by Electric Golf Cart: $21
  • 120 min Old Town Segway Tour in Krakow: $49
  • 2 Days Tour in Wawel Hill, Jewish Quarter and Wieliczka with Guide and Lunch: $187
  • 2 Hour Private Pinball and Arcade Museum Tour from Krakow: $273
  • 2 Hours Old Town Guided Bike Tour in Krakow: $27
  • 2-Hour Guided Walking Tour in The Old Town of Krakow: $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tartu 16
    Krakow 6.32

Typical Alcohol Prices in Krakow

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Krakow:


  • 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 Tartu and Krakow, we can see that Tartu 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 Tartu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tartu 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 Tartu Expensive? and Is Krakow Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Tartu or Krakow?

Krakow has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Tartu. When comparing the sizes of Tartu 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 Tartu or Krakow?

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 Tartu or Krakow in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Tartu as well as Krakow. Many travelers come to Tartu for the family-friendly experiences.

Tartu is cooler than Krakow in the summer. The daily temperature in Tartu averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Krakow fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Krakow. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tartu this time of the year. In the summer, Tartu often gets more sunshine than Krakow. Tartu gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Krakow receives 201 hours of full sun.

Tartu usually gets less rain in July than Krakow. Tartu gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Tartu 17°C (62°F) 
    Krakow 19°C (67°F)

Should I visit Tartu or Krakow in the Autumn?

Both Krakow and Tartu are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Tartu in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Tartu is much colder than Krakow. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tartu in October average around 6°C (43°F), and Krakow averages at about 11°C (51°F).

Tartu usually receives less sunshine than Krakow during autumn. Tartu gets 86 hours of sunny skies, while Krakow receives 97 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Tartu usually receives more rain than Krakow. Tartu gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Tartu 6°C (43°F) 
    Krakow 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Tartu or Krakow in the Winter?

Both Krakow and Tartu during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Tartu for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

The weather in Krakow can be very cold. Tartu can be very cold during winter. In January, Tartu is generally much colder than Krakow. Daily temperatures in Tartu average around -7°C (19°F), and Krakow fluctuates around -2°C (29°F).

In the winter, Tartu often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Krakow. Tartu gets 36 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Krakow receives 38 hours of full sun.

Tartu usually gets less rain in January than Krakow. Tartu gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Tartu -7°C (19°F) 
    Krakow -2°C (29°F)

Should I visit Tartu or Krakow in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tartu and Krakow. The spring months attract visitors to Tartu because of the natural beauty.

The weather in Tartu can be very cold. Tartu is much colder than Krakow in the spring. The daily temperature in Tartu averages around 5°C (41°F) in April, and Krakow fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Tartu usually receives more sunshine than Krakow during spring. Tartu gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Krakow receives 132 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Tartu usually receives less rain than Krakow. Tartu gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Tartu 5°C (41°F) 
    Krakow 10°C (50°F)

Typical Weather for Krakow and Tartu

Tartu Krakow
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -7°C (19°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) -2°C (29°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Feb -6°C (20°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 0°C (32°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Mar -2°C (29°F) 26 mm (1 in) 5°C (40°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Apr 5°C (41°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 10°C (50°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
May 11°C (53°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 15°C (59°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 18°C (64°F) 96 mm (3.8 in)
Jul 17°C (62°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 19°C (67°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Aug 16°C (61°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 19°C (66°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Sep 11°C (52°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 15°C (60°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Oct 6°C (43°F) 52 mm (2 in) 11°C (51°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Nov 1°C (33°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 5°C (41°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Dec -4°C (25°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 1°C (33°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)