Which place is cheaper, Karlovy Vary or Vienna?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Vienna or Karlovy Vary?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vienna or Karlovy Vary, 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: Vienna or Karlovy Vary?
Vienna
Vienna is the largest city and capital of Austria. It has a population of over 1.7 million and is a cultural, political and economic center for the country. The historical center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and some complain that it feels more like a museum than a real city. Outside of the historical center though, is a young and vibrant city with a huge music scene, many street performers, and eclectic and fun restaurants and nightclubs.
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 Austria, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Austria, The Best Cultural Tours in Czech Republic, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Czech Republic.
-
Vienna Prices
Austria PricesKarlovy Vary Prices
Czech Republic Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVienna €176Karlovy Vary €98
The average daily cost (per person) in Vienna is €176, while the average daily cost in Karlovy Vary is €98. 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 Vienna and Karlovy Vary in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVienna €94Karlovy Vary €38
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVienna €188Karlovy Vary €76
Compare Hotels in Vienna and Karlovy Vary
Looking for a hotel in Vienna 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: Vienna Hotel Prices and Karlovy Vary Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vienna €19Karlovy Vary €25
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vienna
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Vienna:
-
Bus to Airport€30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vienna
Also for Vienna, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Munich: Private transfer to Vienna with stop in Hallstatt: $899
- Private transfer to Milan or Milan to Vienna: $741
- Private transfer Warsaw to Vienna: $558
- Transfer by Car to/from Vienna & Budapest: $552
- Hallstatt daytrip: Private transfer to Hallstatt and back: $490
- Private transfer to Nuremberg or Nuremberg to Vienna: $469
- Hallstatt: Private transfer Bratislava to Hallstatt: $396
- Vienna daytrip: Private transfer from Budapest and back: $388
- Private transfer from Bratislava to Vienna: $293
- Private Transfer from Vienna to Prague : $287
- Private transfer from Vienna to Budapest with 2h of sightseeing: $283
- Vienna to Budapest - Private transfer with 2h of Sightseeing: $283
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: $141
- Private Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague, English-speaking driver: $131
- Karlovy Vary to Prague Airport (PRG) - Departure Private Transfer: $167
Is it cheaper to fly into Vienna or Karlovy Vary?
Prices for flights to both Karlovy Vary and Vienna 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 dayVienna €58Karlovy Vary €44
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vienna
For Vienna, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Skip the Line: Austrian Dinner Show Ticket in Vienna: $102
- Burlesque Spectacular Dinner Show: $119
- Strauss Dinner Show: $119
- Taste A Full Meal Walking Food Tour by Do Eat Better: $126
- Schnitzel and Strudel: Shared Cooking Class : $144
- Nuit des Lumières - The Candlelight Dinner Concert in Vienna: $155
- Authentic Vienna Food Tour inc. lunch, street food, 3 drinks: $171
- Exclusive Evening at Schönbrunn Palace: After-Hours Audiotour, Dinner, Concert: $171
- Nabiel's Vienna Cooking Class: $180
- Classic Food Tour of Vienna: $180
- The Most Delicious Private Food Tour of 6 or 10 Tastings: $188
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vienna €38Karlovy Vary €11
Tours and Activities in Vienna
For Vienna, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Exclusive Guided Wine and Hiking Experience in Austria : $73
- ( Night Tour ) With Private Guide + wine or prosecco: $238
- 2 Hour Private Alpine Hiking, Gosing Mountain Vienna Tour: $185
- 2-Hour Alpine Private Hiking Tour along Luckerte Wand Mountain from Vienna: $185
- 2-Hour Guided Tour in the Footsteps of Princess Sissi in Vienna: $63
- 2-Hour Private Hiking Tour on Kalenderberg Mountain to Meet History from Vienna: $185
- 2-Hour Private Hiking Tour to Experience Nature and Culture at Goettweig Abbey: $185
- 2-Hour Private Hiking Tour to Meet History at Braunsberg Mountain from Vienna: $185
- 2.5 Hours Viennese Coffee House Culture Tour with Tastings: $83
- 4-Hour Private Alpine Hiking Tour 'Matterhorn of the Prealps': $231
- A Self-Guided Tour of Vienna the Home of Classical Music: $20
- A day in the life of Vienna - Private tour with a local: $247
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: $245
- Karlovy Vary Hot Springs Tasting Tour: $42
- Karlovy Vary Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $273
- Touristic highlights of Karlovy Vary on a Private half day tour with a local: $184
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayVienna €17Karlovy Vary €6.41
Sample the Local Flavors in Vienna
Also in Vienna, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Vienna Nights Pub Crawl: $14
- Friday Night Pub Crawl for Professionals in Vienna, Austria: $28
- Saturday Night Pub Crawl for Professionals in Vienna, Austria: $28
- Local Pub Crawl Vienna: $30
- Wine Tasting at Schönbrunn Palace with optional Palace Ticket: $54
- Small-group Vienna Wine Tour: $143
- Austrian Wine Tasting: $144
- Countryside Half Day Wine Tour near Vienna: $144
- Wine Tasting Tour: $162
- Wachau Valley Wine Tasting Bike Tour from Vienna: $162
- In Vienna Veritas - An Exclusive historical Wine tasting tour: $167
- Austrian Private Wine Tasting Evening: $180
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vienna and Karlovy Vary, we can see that Vienna 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 Vienna would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Vienna 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 Vienna Expensive? and Is Karlovy Vary Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vienna or Karlovy Vary?
Vienna has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Karlovy Vary. When comparing the sizes of Vienna 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 Vienna 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 Vienna or Karlovy Vary in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Vienna and Karlovy Vary. Most visitors come to Vienna for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Vienna is generally a little warmer than Karlovy Vary. Daily temperatures in Vienna average around 23°C (73°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 Vienna, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vienna usually receives more sunshine than Karlovy Vary during summer. Vienna gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 217 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Vienna usually receives around the same amount of rain as Karlovy Vary. Vienna gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyVienna 23°C (73°F)Karlovy Vary 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Vienna or Karlovy Vary in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Vienna as well as Karlovy Vary. The autumn months attract visitors to Vienna because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Vienna is a little warmer than Karlovy Vary in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vienna averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
In the autumn, Vienna often gets more sunshine than Karlovy Vary. Vienna gets 140 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 127 hours of full sun.
Vienna usually gets less rain in October than Karlovy Vary. Vienna gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVienna 12°C (54°F)Karlovy Vary 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Vienna or Karlovy Vary in the Winter?
Both Karlovy Vary and Vienna are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Vienna this time of year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Karlovy Vary. It's quite cold in Vienna in the winter. In the winter, Vienna is much warmer than Karlovy Vary. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vienna in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Karlovy Vary averages at about 1°C (33°F).
Vienna usually receives more sunshine than Karlovy Vary during winter. Vienna gets 65 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 58 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Vienna usually receives around the same amount of rain as Karlovy Vary. Vienna gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVienna 2°C (36°F)Karlovy Vary 1°C (33°F)
Should I visit Vienna or Karlovy Vary in the Spring?
Both Karlovy Vary and Vienna during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Vienna for the natural beauty.
In April, Vienna is generally a little warmer than Karlovy Vary. Daily temperatures in Vienna average around 13°C (55°F), and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
It's quite sunny in Vienna. In the spring, Vienna often gets more sunshine than Karlovy Vary. Vienna gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 151 hours of full sun.
Vienna usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Karlovy Vary. Vienna gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilVienna 13°C (55°F)Karlovy Vary 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Karlovy Vary and Vienna
| Vienna | Karlovy Vary | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 2°C (36°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (38°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (46°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 20°C (69°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (37°F) | 43 mm (1.7 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.