Which place is cheaper, Karlovy Vary or Zurich?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Zurich and Karlovy Vary. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Zurich has the biggest connection for trains in Switzerland. It also has the country's biggest and busiest airport. Because of its importance as a transportation center, it is likely to be the first place you visit in Switzerland. It is the financial capital of the country (although, contrary to what you may have thought, not the political capital). It has many international companies, and is home to the country's stock exchange.
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 Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland, The Best Budget Tours to Czech Republic, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Czech Republic.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Zurich is $273, while the average daily cost in Karlovy Vary is $82. 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 Zurich and Karlovy Vary in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Zurich 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Zurich:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zurich:
Also for Karlovy Vary, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Karlovy Vary and Zurich 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.
Some typical examples of dining costs in Zurich are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zurich.
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zurich are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Karlovy Vary.
Also in Zurich, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zurich and Karlovy Vary, we can see that Zurich 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 Zurich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zurich 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 Zurich Expensive? and Is Karlovy Vary Expensive?.
Zurich has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Karlovy Vary. When comparing the sizes of Zurich 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.
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.
The summer brings many poeple to Zurich as well as Karlovy Vary. Many travelers come to Zurich for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Zurich is generally around the same temperature as Karlovy Vary. Daily temperatures in Zurich average around 21°C (70°F), and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Karlovy Vary. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zurich this time of the year. In the summer, Zurich often gets more sunshine than Karlovy Vary. Zurich gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 217 hours of full sun.
Zurich usually gets more rain in July than Karlovy Vary. Zurich gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Karlovy Vary and Zurich are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Zurich in the autumn for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Zurich is a little warmer than Karlovy Vary in the autumn. The daily temperature in Zurich averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Zurich usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Karlovy Vary during autumn. Zurich gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Zurich usually receives more rain than Karlovy Vary. Zurich gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both Karlovy Vary and Zurich during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Zurich for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
The weather in Karlovy Vary can be very cold. Zurich can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Zurich is much warmer than Karlovy Vary. Typically, the winter temperatures in Zurich in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Karlovy Vary averages at about 1°C (33°F).
In the winter, Zurich often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Karlovy Vary. Zurich gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 58 hours of full sun.
Zurich usually gets more rain in January than Karlovy Vary. Zurich gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Zurich and Karlovy Vary. The spring months attract visitors to Zurich because of the natural beauty.
In April, Zurich is generally a little warmer than Karlovy Vary. Daily temperatures in Zurich average around 12°C (53°F), and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
Zurich usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Karlovy Vary during spring. Zurich gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 151 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Zurich usually receives more rain than Karlovy Vary. Zurich gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Zurich | Karlovy Vary | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
Feb | 5°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
Mar | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
May | 16°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
Aug | 21°C (69°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
Oct | 13°C (56°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
Dec | 4°C (39°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |