A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Utrecht vs. Plzen for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Utrecht or Plzen?

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

Should I visit Utrecht or Plzen? 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: Utrecht or Plzen?

Utrecht

Utrecht is both a province and a city in the Netherlands. The city is a unique university city with a lively atmosphere. Imagine Amsterdam but smaller, and with fewer tourists. Utrecht has the same underlying historical/magical feel as Amsterdam, but is full of locals rather than crowds of tourists. It has a population of about 300,000 making it the fourth largest city in the Netherlands.

Plzen

Renowned as the home of the pilsner beer, Plzen is a city located in the West Bohemia region of the Czech Republic. Beyond beer, it also features a number of impressive landmarks some of which include St. Bartholomew's Cathedral and the Great Synagogue.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Netherlands, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Netherlands, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Czech Republic, and The Best Cultural Tours in Czech Republic.


Which place is cheaper, Plzen or Utrecht?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Utrecht is €189, while the average daily cost in Plzen is €95. 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 Utrecht and Plzen in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Utrecht 106
    Plzen 57
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Utrecht 212
    Plzen 114
Compare Hotels in Utrecht and Plzen

Looking for a hotel in Utrecht or Plzen? 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 Utrecht


Hotels in Plzen


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: Utrecht Hotel Prices and Plzen Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Utrecht 23
    Plzen 7.75

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Utrecht

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Utrecht:

  • Train Transfer Utrecht from/to Rotterdam: $15
  • Private taxi transfer from Utrecht to Amsterdam: $101
  • Private transfer from Utrecht to AMS Schiphol Airport: $119

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Plzen

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Plzen:

  • Private Transfer from Pilsen to Prague: $87
  • Private Transfer from Pilsen to Prague with 2 hours for sightseeing: $115
  • Private Transfer from Pilsen(Plzen) to Prague: $269

Is it cheaper to fly into Utrecht or Plzen?

Prices for flights to both Plzen and Utrecht 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
    Utrecht 58
    Plzen 29

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Utrecht

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Utrecht.

  • City Boat Tour & Balkan Restaurant Lunch OR Dinner: $31
  • Vegan Food Tour like a local. Eat, walk, enjoy.: $69
  • Vegan Food Tour by bike in get of the beaten track! : $70
  • Vegan Food Tour like a Local: eat, walk, enjoy Utrecht: $70
  • Guided Food Tour: $79

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Utrecht 44
    Plzen 20

Tours and Activities in Utrecht

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Utrecht are as follows:

  • Hoge Woerd Museum Entry Ticket with Audio Tour: $4.26
  • Utrecht Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $5.42
  • Highlights walking Tour in Utrecht with Audio and GPS Guide: $6.03
  • Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $6.39
  • De Haar Castle Gardens Entrance Ticket: $7.46
  • Castles, Canals and Good Folk: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Utrecht: $8.99
  • Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $9.32
  • Cultural and Historical Audio Guided Walking Tour of Utrecht: $11
  • Lofen Palace Time Travel with Entry Ticket & Guide: $12
  • Guided Highlights Walking Tour: $13
  • Cultural and Historical Audio Guided Walking Tour of Utrecht: $13
  • Dom Tower Entry Ticket and Guided Tour: $14

Tours and Activities in Plzen

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Plzen are as follows:

  • Pilsen: Historic Underground Tour with a Glass of Beer: $8.51
  • Pilsen Historic Underground Tour with a Glass of Beer: $8.69
  • Pilsen: Old Town Gastronomy Tour: $32
  • Pilsen Private Walking Tour: $200
  • Experience Best Prague Tandem Skydiving : $249
  • Private Tour to Pilsner Urquell from Prague: $269

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Utrecht 24
    Plzen 22

Sample the Local Flavors in Utrecht

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Utrecht:

  • Utrecht Pub Trail: Pub crawl with interactive online game: $12
  • Utrecht Private Self-Guided Pub Crawl Pub Quiz: $21

Sample the Local Flavors in Plzen

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Plzen:

  • Brewery Museum Entrance including a Glass of Beer: $6.52
  • Pilsen: Brewery Museum Entrance with a Glass of Beer: $6.92
  • Pilsen: Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting: $17
  • Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting: $17
  • Pilsen Highlights Small-Group Tour and Pilsner Brewery Tour including Lunch and Beer Tasting: $108
  • Pilsner brewery tour incl beer tasting & Czech town Pilsen: $139


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Utrecht and Plzen, we can see that Utrecht is more expensive. And not only is Plzen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Plzen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Plzen 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 Utrecht would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Utrecht than you might in Plzen.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Utrecht Expensive? and Is Plzen Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Utrecht or Plzen?

Utrecht has a larger population, and is about 77% larger than the population of Plzen. When comparing the sizes of Utrecht and Plzen, 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 Utrecht or Plzen?

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 Utrecht or Plzen in the Summer?

Both Plzen and Utrecht are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Utrecht in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Utrecht is cooler than Plzen in the summer. The daily temperature in Utrecht averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Plzen fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).

It's quite sunny in Plzen. Utrecht usually receives less sunshine than Plzen during summer. Utrecht gets 194 hours of sunny skies, while Plzen receives 212 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Utrecht usually receives less rain than Plzen. Utrecht gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Plzen receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Utrecht 17°C (62°F) 
    Plzen 20°C (67°F)

Should I visit Utrecht or Plzen in the Autumn?

Both Plzen and Utrecht during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Utrecht for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Utrecht is around the same temperature as Plzen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Utrecht in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Plzen averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Utrecht often gets less sunshine than Plzen. Utrecht gets 100 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Plzen receives 120 hours of full sun.

Utrecht usually gets more rain in October than Plzen. Utrecht gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Plzen receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Utrecht 11°C (51°F) 
    Plzen 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Utrecht or Plzen in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Utrecht and Plzen. The winter months attract visitors to Utrecht because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Plzen in the winter. The weather in Utrecht can be very cold. In January, Utrecht is generally much warmer than Plzen. Daily temperatures in Utrecht average around 2°C (36°F), and Plzen fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).

Utrecht usually receives less sunshine than Plzen during winter. Utrecht gets 38 hours of sunny skies, while Plzen receives 45 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Utrecht usually receives more rain than Plzen. Utrecht gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Plzen receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Utrecht 2°C (36°F) 
    Plzen -1°C (31°F)

Should I visit Utrecht or Plzen in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Utrecht as well as Plzen. The natural beauty are the main draw to Utrecht this time of year.

Utrecht is cooler than Plzen in the spring. The daily temperature in Utrecht averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Plzen fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the spring, Utrecht often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Plzen. Utrecht gets 156 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Plzen receives 164 hours of full sun.

Utrecht usually gets more rain in April than Plzen. Utrecht gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Plzen receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Utrecht 8°C (46°F) 
    Plzen 11°C (51°F)

Typical Weather for Plzen and Utrecht

Utrecht Plzen
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 2°C (36°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) -1°C (31°F) 25 mm (1 in)
Feb 3°C (37°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 2°C (35°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Mar 5°C (41°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 6°C (42°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)
Apr 8°C (46°F) 52 mm (2 in) 11°C (51°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
May 12°C (54°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 15°C (59°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 18°C (64°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Jul 17°C (62°F) 75 mm (3 in) 20°C (67°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Aug 17°C (62°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 19°C (67°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Sep 14°C (57°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 16°C (61°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Oct 11°C (51°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 11°C (51°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Nov 6°C (43°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 5°C (41°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Dec 3°C (38°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 1°C (34°F) 23 mm (0.9 in)