Which place is cheaper, Karlovy Vary or Thessaloniki?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Thessaloniki or Karlovy Vary?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Thessaloniki or Karlovy Vary? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Thessaloniki or Karlovy Vary?
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece and serves as the capital city of the Central Macedonia region. It also has a rich history dating back more than 3,000 years. As a visitor, you'll find that the city has been touched by the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires, all of which left their mark. In particular, the many Byzantine churches are quite impressive, with some of them listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
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 Tours for Seniors to Greece, The Best Contiki Tours to Greece, The Best Cultural Tours in Czech Republic, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Czech Republic.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayThessaloniki €134Karlovy Vary €76
The average daily cost (per person) in Thessaloniki is €134, 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 Thessaloniki and Karlovy Vary in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personThessaloniki €79Karlovy Vary €36
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomThessaloniki €158Karlovy Vary €72
Compare Hotels in Thessaloniki and Karlovy Vary
Looking for a hotel in Thessaloniki 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Thessaloniki Hotel Prices and Karlovy Vary Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Thessaloniki €13Karlovy Vary €24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Thessaloniki
Also for Thessaloniki, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Private Day Trip to Meteora with Transfer: $428
- Private Transfer from Thessaloniki to Sofia (SOF) Airport: $254
- Private Transfer from Kavala to Sofia (SOF) Airport: $237
- Transfer from Thessaloniki to Ikos Oceania: $153
- Thessaloniki Airport (SKG): Transfer to Thessaloniki city: $142
- Thessaloniki Airport (SKG): Transfer to Thessaloniki Port: $142
- Thessaloniki Cruise Port: Transfer to Thessaloniki city: $142
- Thessaloniki Airport to Alia Palace Hotel Private Transfer: $131
- Private Transfer to Thessaloniki Airport from Thessaloniki City: $120
- Thessaloniki Airport to Afitis Boutique Hotel Private Transfer: $109
- Private Transfer from Thessaloniki Airport to Ammon Zeus Hotel : $109
- Private Transfer from Thessaloniki Airport to Sani Resort: $109
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Karlovy Vary
Also for Karlovy Vary, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague: Private daytrip with 2h for sightseeing: $128
- Private Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague, English-speaking driver: $120
- Private Transfer Karlovy Vary to Prague Vaclav Havel Airport : $66
Is it cheaper to fly into Thessaloniki or Karlovy Vary?
Prices for flights to both Karlovy Vary and Thessaloniki 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 dayThessaloniki €42Karlovy Vary €25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Thessaloniki
For Thessaloniki, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Open Market Food Tour with Tasting: $48
- Walking Open Market Food Tour and Tasting: $49
- Cooking & Dining Experience with Greek Family: $63
- Guided Food Tour: $70
- Food Tour in Thessaloniki: $71
- Private Walking Tour Gastronomic Food Tour in Thessaloniki: $87
- Traditional Greek Food Tour With A Local: $95
- Greek Ouzo and Meze Food Tour: $95
- Greek Cooking Class, Market Visit and Lunch: $95
- Traditional Greek Food Tour With A Local: $97
- Greek Ouzo and Meze Food Tour: $97
- Greek Cooking Class, Market visit and Lunch: $97
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Thessaloniki €26Karlovy Vary €11
Tours and Activities in Thessaloniki
For Thessaloniki, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 4-Hour Thessaloniki Jewish Heritage Private Guided Tour: $207
- Archery Odyssey Traditional Archery Experience: $65
- Best of Private Guided Tour: $218
- Best of Private Guided Tour: $192
- Charming pearls of Thessaloniki – Romantic Tour: $153
- City Sightseeing Thessaloniki Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $17
- Daily Cruise:Discover Thessaloniki in a different way: $1,069
- Daily Sailing Cruise Olympus Riviera Highlights: $122
- Day Tour at Royal Tombs of Aigai and Museum of Pella with pickup: $93
- Dion and Palaios Panteleimon Myth and History Tour: $153
- Dion-Olympus Private Tour from Thessaloniki: $96
- Discover Olympus from Paralia in Jeep Safari Shared Tour: $76
Tours and Activities in Karlovy Vary
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Karlovy Vary.
- A day in the life of Karlovy Vary - Private tour with a local: $224
- Full-Day Private Karlovy Vary Tour from Prague: $298
- Karlovy Vary & Marianske Lazne Tour from Prague with Lunch: $112
- Karlovy Vary Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $209
- Hot Springs Tasting Tour: $35
- Hot Springs Tasting Tour: $32
- Private Walking Tour: $227
- LOCATION: Karlovy Vary City Tour: $255
- Prague: Karlovy Vary Tour with Lunch and Moser Museum Visit: $77
- Private Tour to Karlovy Vary: $353
- Private tour of best of Karlovy Vary - Sightseeing, Food & Culture with a local: $168
- Touristic highlights of Karlovy Vary on a Private half day tour with a local: $168
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayThessaloniki €15Karlovy Vary €6.13
Sample the Local Flavors in Thessaloniki
Also in Thessaloniki, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Friday Night Bar Crawl in Thessaloniki: $25
- From Pella-Edessa wine tasting: $64
- Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour with Appetizers: $81
- Thessaloniki Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour with Appetizers: $83
- Winery Visit with Wine Tasting Experience: $91
- Wine Tasting Experience from Thessaloniki: $93
- Thessaloniki to Naoussa, Wine Tasting Tour – Private Day Trip: $207
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Thessaloniki and Karlovy Vary, we can see that Thessaloniki 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 Thessaloniki would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Thessaloniki 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 Thessaloniki Expensive? and Is Karlovy Vary Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Thessaloniki or Karlovy Vary?
Thessaloniki has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Karlovy Vary. When comparing the sizes of Thessaloniki 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 Thessaloniki 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 Thessaloniki or Karlovy Vary in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Thessaloniki and Karlovy Vary. The beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Thessaloniki this time of year.
In July, Thessaloniki is generally a little warmer than Karlovy Vary. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 25°C (77°F), and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Karlovy Vary this time of the year. In Thessaloniki, it's very sunny this time of the year. Thessaloniki usually receives more sunshine than Karlovy Vary during summer. Thessaloniki gets 327 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 217 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Karlovy Vary. Thessaloniki gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyThessaloniki 25°C (77°F)Karlovy Vary 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Thessaloniki or Karlovy Vary in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Thessaloniki as well as Karlovy Vary. Many travelers come to Thessaloniki for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
Thessaloniki is a little warmer than Karlovy Vary in the autumn. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
In the autumn, Thessaloniki often gets more sunshine than Karlovy Vary. Thessaloniki gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 127 hours of full sun.
Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in October than Karlovy Vary. Thessaloniki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberThessaloniki 16°C (61°F)Karlovy Vary 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Thessaloniki or Karlovy Vary in the Winter?
Both Karlovy Vary and Thessaloniki are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Thessaloniki in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Karlovy Vary can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Thessaloniki is much warmer than Karlovy Vary. Typically, the winter temperatures in Thessaloniki in January average around 5°C (41°F), and Karlovy Vary averages at about 1°C (33°F).
Thessaloniki usually receives more sunshine than Karlovy Vary during winter. Thessaloniki gets 101 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 58 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Thessaloniki usually receives around the same amount of rain as Karlovy Vary. Thessaloniki gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryThessaloniki 5°C (41°F)Karlovy Vary 1°C (33°F)
Should I visit Thessaloniki or Karlovy Vary in the Spring?
Both Karlovy Vary and Thessaloniki during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Thessaloniki for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.
In April, Thessaloniki is generally a little warmer than Karlovy Vary. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 13°C (56°F), and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
In the spring, Thessaloniki often gets more sunshine than Karlovy Vary. Thessaloniki gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 151 hours of full sun.
Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in April than Karlovy Vary. Thessaloniki gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilThessaloniki 13°C (56°F)Karlovy Vary 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Karlovy Vary and Thessaloniki
| Thessaloniki | Karlovy Vary | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (41°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 7°C (44°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (49°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (56°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| May | 18°C (65°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (76°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 11°C (52°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (44°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 46 mm (1.8 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.