Which place is cheaper, Krakow or Zermatt?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Zermatt or Krakow?
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 Zermatt and Krakow can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Zermatt or Krakow?
Zermatt
Located at the foot of the Matterhorn, Zermatt is a Swiss village best known for its skiing, climbing, and hiking opportunities. It has become a popular mountain resort town due to its location and also features a number of boutique shops, hotels, and restaurants that cater to the vacationers who come to enjoy the many winter activities of the Alps.
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 Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland, The Best 10-Day Tours in Poland, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Poland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZermatt $223Krakow $64
The average daily cost (per person) in Zermatt is $223, while the average daily cost in Krakow is $64. 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 Zermatt and Krakow in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZermatt $126Krakow $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZermatt $252Krakow $84
Compare Hotels in Zermatt and Krakow
Looking for a hotel in Zermatt 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.
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: Zermatt Hotel Prices and Krakow Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zermatt $53Krakow $6.40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zermatt
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zermatt:
- 3-Hour Private Transfer from Zermatt and Saa to Geneva Airport: $235
- Breuil-Cervinia to Milan Malpensa Airport MXP-Departure Transfer: $118
- Cervinia, Italy to Malpensa Airport (MXP) - Departure Private Transfer: $127
- Private Transfer Zurich Airport to Zermatt Tasch Station: $1,087
- Zermatt to Malpensa Airport (MXP) - Departure Private Transfer: $141
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Krakow
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Krakow:
- Kraków: Kraków Airport to Central Bus Station Bus Transfer: $5.31
- From Auschwitz-Birkenau Roundtrip Bus Transfer: $6.19
- Balice Airport Luxury Vehicle Private Transfer: $9.91
- Private Transfer to or from Krakow Airport: $10
- Private Transfer to/from Krakow Airport (KRK): $11
- Auschwitz-Birkenau Guided Tour & Transfer from Krakow: $12
- Krakow Airport Transfer Balice: $14
- Krakow Airport Private Transfers: $15
- Electric Car Transfer between Krakow and the Airport: $15
- Kraków: Airport Private Transfer by Luxury Car: $16
- Auschwitz - Birkenau Roundtrip Transfer with assistance: $17
- Kraków Airport Private Transfer - Kraków City Center: $17
Is it cheaper to fly into Zermatt or Krakow?
Prices for flights to both Krakow and Zermatt 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 dayZermatt $57Krakow $13
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zermatt
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zermatt.
- Evening Tapas Tour with Dinner and Drinks: $119
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zermatt $56Krakow $20
Tours and Activities in Zermatt
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zermatt are as follows:
- Sion Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $16
- Sunnegga Funicular Ticket for Iconic Matterhorn Viewpoint: $51
- Sunnegga Funicular Ticket for Iconic Matterhorn Viewpoint: $63
- Matterhorn Glacier Paradise Cable Car Ticket: $104
- Gornergrat Bahn Cogwheel Train Ticket: $108
- Tapas tour in Zermatt: $111
- Alpine Village Tour 2 hours: $126
- Mount Gornergrat: Zermatt's Spectacular Summit Ticket: $152
- Ticket for Zermatt Matterhorn Glacier Paradise: $154
- Majestic Matterhorn: Zermatt to Glacier Paradise Cableway Ticket: $181
- Mount Gornergrat Spectacular Summit Train Ticket: $183
- Romance and Charms of Zermatt – Walking Tour: $221
Tours and Activities in Krakow
Here are a few actual costs in Krakow for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Kraków in a nutshell - walking tour: $1.24
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Old Town Audio-Guided Walking Tour with Headset: $3.72
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $4.28
- Old Town Audioguided walking Tour: $4.46
- Tadeusz Kościuszko Mound Entry Tickets: $4.71
- From Wieliczka Salt Mine Guided Tour: $4.95
- Wawel Hill Tour with Audio Guide: $5.57
- Tadeusz Kościuszko Mound Entrance Tickets: $5.62
- From Kraków: Wieliczka Salt Mine Trip & Guided Tour: $6.19
- Skip the Line Ticket for Kościuszko Mound in Krakow: $6.59
- Wawel Hill Audioguide Tour: $6.69
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZermatt $28Krakow $6.75
Sample the Local Flavors in Zermatt
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Zermatt:
- Wine Tasting in Valais: $84
Typical Alcohol Prices in Krakow
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Krakow:
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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 Zermatt and Krakow, we can see that Zermatt 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 Zermatt would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zermatt 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 Zermatt Expensive? and Is Krakow Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zermatt or Krakow?
Krakow has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of Zermatt. When comparing the sizes of Zermatt 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 Zermatt or Krakow?
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 Zermatt or Krakow in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Zermatt and Krakow. Most visitors come to Zermatt for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Zermatt is generally a little warmer than Krakow. Daily temperatures in Zermatt average around 23°C (73°F), and Krakow fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Krakow this time of the year. In Zermatt, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zermatt usually receives more sunshine than Krakow during summer. Zermatt gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while Krakow receives 201 hours of full sun in the summer.
Zermatt gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Zermatt usually receives more rain than Krakow. Zermatt gets 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyZermatt 23°C (73°F)Krakow 19°C (67°F)
Should I visit Zermatt or Krakow in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Zermatt as well as Krakow. The autumn months attract visitors to Zermatt because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
Zermatt is a little warmer than Krakow in the autumn. The daily temperature in Zermatt averages around 15°C (58°F) in October, and Krakow fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
In the autumn, Zermatt often gets more sunshine than Krakow. Zermatt gets 152 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Krakow receives 97 hours of full sun.
Zermatt receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Zermatt usually gets more rain in October than Krakow. Zermatt gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberZermatt 15°C (58°F)Krakow 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Zermatt or Krakow in the Winter?
Both Krakow and Zermatt are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Zermatt this time of year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Krakow. It's quite cold in Zermatt in the winter. In the winter, Zermatt is much warmer than Krakow. Typically, the winter temperatures in Zermatt in January average around 5°C (41°F), and Krakow averages at about -2°C (29°F).
Zermatt usually receives more sunshine than Krakow during winter. Zermatt gets 119 hours of sunny skies, while Krakow receives 38 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Zermatt usually receives more rain than Krakow. Zermatt gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryZermatt 5°C (41°F)Krakow -2°C (29°F)
Should I visit Zermatt or Krakow in the Spring?
Both Krakow and Zermatt during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Zermatt for the small town charm and the natural beauty.
In April, Zermatt is generally a little warmer than Krakow. Daily temperatures in Zermatt average around 13°C (55°F), and Krakow fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
In the spring, Zermatt often gets more sunshine than Krakow. Zermatt gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Krakow receives 132 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Zermatt. Zermatt usually gets more rain in April than Krakow. Zermatt gets 152 mm (6 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilZermatt 13°C (55°F)Krakow 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Krakow and Zermatt
| Zermatt | Krakow | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (41°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | -2°C (29°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (44°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (49°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 17°C (62°F) | 194 mm (7.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jun | 20°C (69°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Sep | 19°C (67°F) | 153 mm (6 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (58°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Nov | 9°C (49°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Dec | 6°C (42°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 40 mm (1.6 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.