Is Karlovy Vary expensive to visit?
Karlovy Vary is a smaller spot that entices a mix of tourists, showcasing various travel styles, financial habits, and budget considerations. Affordable hotel choices are available, but luxury hotels also cater to the more affluent clientele, along with mid-range accommodations that are perfect for families and couples.
If you're not cautious, Karlovy Vary can become costly, but you can save with strategies like looking for discounts and coupons.
On average, budget travelers spend $45 (Kč1,040) per day, mid-range travelers spend $103 (Kč2,378) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $197 (Kč4,543) per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to Karlovy Vary.
Within Europe, which is known to be an expensive region, Karlovy Vary is a reasonably affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in Europe for its affordability. You can find more affordable cities such as Novi Sad, but there are also more expensive cities, such as Avignon.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Karlovy Vary Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Karlovy Vary?
The average Karlovy Vary trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Karlovy Vary travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Karlovy Vary cost?
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
It's essential to keep realistic expectations for your travel budget. Many people think they can visit Karlovy Vary cheaply, but most travelers aren't comfortable with an extreme "shoestring" budget. Consider what you truly enjoy on vacation. Do you prefer resorts, vacation homes, or hostels? Is experiencing attractions and dining important to you? Your budget and itinerary will depend on your answers to these questions.
Karlovy Vary on a Shoestring Budget?
You might consider yourself a budget traveler, but if you're not ready to give up some comforts, prepare to spend a lot more than the $45 per day that younger budget travelers manage.
Backpackers will usually stick to this shoestring budget by staying in hostel dorms, dining at the cheapest spots such as fast food places, using public transit, and mostly visiting free attractions.
Do You Fit the Profile of an Average Traveler?
If you're a couple or family taking a fun trip, you'll probably prefer a mid-range hotel, enjoy meals at favorite restaurants, and visit the main museums and attractions that require entry fees. A significant number of visitors to Karlovy Vary will want to tour the main attractions, museums, and landmarks. Most activities have costs involved. Thus, it's realistic to expect your daily budget to be closer to $103 per person, per day.
Karlovy Vary offers a fantastic variety of hotels and vacation rentals. When traveling with others, you can share your hotel with a partner, friend, or your children, which can help save money. Families should focus on hotels and restaurants that cater to kids. Hotel Dvorana is an excellent choice, while Hotel Ontario is also a great option. To find more accommodations that are family and couple-friendly, check our hotel guide for Karlovy Vary.
Want to Experience a Luxurious Trip?
If you're looking for a luxurious getaway that offers top-notch amenities and exceptional service, you should budget around $197 per day. To enjoy a nicer hotel, dine at renowned restaurants, indulge in extravagant activities, and use taxis or private drivers to explore the destination, prepare for a luxury price tag. Many high-end visitors also prefer unique experiences such as Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague: Private daytrip with 2h for sightseeing - offered by Viator.
Accommodation Budget in Karlovy Vary
Prices for hotels in Karlovy Vary vary widely, with luxury hotels charging more due to higher amenities. In the off-season, expect to pay around $63, but during peak season, average prices climb to $118. With options ranging from $43 to $196, there's something for every budget. Hostels are usually cheaper, especially dorm rooms. To save, book during the off-season or keep an eye out for special deals.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Karlovy Vary for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $84 (Kč1,841). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $42 (Kč921) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Karlovy Vary? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in Karlovy Vary include:
- Rezidence Sadova starting at $59
- Hotel La Bohemia starting at $39
- Hotel Dvorana starting at $59
- Hotel Embassy Karlovy Vary starting at $108
- Promenada Romantic Hotel starting at $91
If you plan to avoid and visit during the low or shoulder season, you'll find cheaper accommodation rates and fewer tourists.
Transportation Budget in Karlovy Vary
Calculated from travelers like you
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On average, past travelers have spent $28 (Kč617) per person, per day, on local transportation in Karlovy Vary. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Karlovy Vary is significantly more than public transportation.
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Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$28
Kč617
By plane, the nearest major airport is in the Czech capital of Prague which offers international flights and serves as the hub for Czech Airlines. From Prague, Karlovy Vary can be reached by train or bus. By bus, routes run hourly to and from Prague's Florenc and Dejvicka stations between 5:00am and 8:00pm for a journey taking about 2 hours. By train, routes from Prague leave Prague Main Station every 2 hours and arrive at Horni nadrazi in Karlovy Vary just over 3 hours later.
When driving, it's important to check that your hotel has good parking options.
A few of the typical transportation options and hotel transfers include:
- Private Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague, English-speaking driver for $126 details
- Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague: Private daytrip with 2h for sightseeing for $134 details
- Karlovy Vary to Prague Airport (PRG) - Departure Private Transfer for $160 details
How much does it cost to go to Karlovy Vary? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Karlovy Vary will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Karlovy Vary
For many, the local food is a significant part of the travel experience, so don't miss the chance to enjoy it.
Calculated from travelers like you
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While restaurant and meal prices in Karlovy Vary can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Karlovy Vary is $49 (Kč1,079) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
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Food2
Meals for one day
$49
Kč1,079
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Karlovy Vary is around $47 (Kč1079) per person, with previous travelers spending from $20 to $89. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Karlovy Vary are as follows:
- Breakfast: $5 to $14
- Lunch: $7 to $19
- Dinner: $14 to $33
- Coffee: $4
- Fast Food or Street Food: $7
Czech cuisine makes up the traditional fare of the general area. A Czech meal will typically consist of two or more main courses, with the first being soup and the second being the main dish. Thick soups and many kinds of sauces are especially popular. These are both based on stewed or cooked vegetables and meats, often with cream, as well as baked meats with natural gravies. A third course might sometimes consist of dessert or fruit compote. A mainstay of Czech side dishes is the dumpling - usually sliced, potato-based, filled with smoked meat, and served with spinach or sour cabbage. Other side dishes include noodles, boiled or risotto rice sometimes made into a kind of pudding, boiled potatoes, mashed potatoes, and French fries or croquettes. As far as the main course goes, pork is the most common meat though beef, veal, and chicken are also found. These can be cooked into stews, marinated, stuffed into dumplings, minced and baked, or smoked. One particular specialty of Karlovy Vary is the spa wafer, which is best served warm and comes in a variety of flavors. The wafers are sold at street stands in the city and in grocery stores all over the Czech Republic.
Many establishments feature breakfast in their pricing, although some tack it on as an added expense. The price and quality can fluctuate depending on the hotel. Being aware of this beforehand helps you gauge if you'll need extra cash. The hotel buffet might be a delicious choice, or you could save some cash by heading to a nearby bakery or cafe.
Bring your own water bottle instead of grabbing drinks on the fly. It's better for the environment as well.
Planning a tour? Be sure to confirm in advance which meals are provided. You could find yourself footing the bill for some meals, which can affect your budget.
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Karlovy Vary
Calculated from travelers like you
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Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Karlovy Vary typically cost an average of $13 (Kč278) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
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Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$13
Kč278
Karlovy Vary is the largest and most famous spa town in the Czech Republic. Its many thermal springs have made it a popular resort since the 19th century where visitors come to experience natural spa treatments and drinking remedies from the mineral waters of the springs. This riverside spa district is also home to several colonnades with columned walkways. The more recent Hot Spring Colonnade, built in the lates 1960s, houses the Pramen Vridlo geyser which spouts up to 12 meters high, yielding an average of 2000 liters of mineral water per minute for the surrounding spas. Other colonnades include the Mill Colonnade which protects a number of hot springs including Rusalka Spring, the Park Colonnade which adorns Dvorak Park and dates from the year 1800, and the Market Colonnade which has been preserved and reconstructed for more than one hundred years.
The city is also home to a number of churches as well as sites of cultural and historical significance. Churches include the baroque Church of St. Mary Magdalene from 1757 which was built on the site of a former Gothic church, and the St. Peter and St. Paul Orthodox Church from 1898 which is richly decorated and modeled after a church near Moscow. Other important sites include the Elizabeth Spa (the largest in the Czech Republic), The Municipal Theatre which was designed by Viennese architects Fellner and Helmer, and the Diana Observation Tower which offers striking views of Karlovy Vary, the peaks of Krusne (Ore) Mountains, Doupovske Mountains, and the Slavkov Forest.
Beyond spa treatments and other natural remedies, Karlovy Vary is also renowned for its International Film Festival held annually in the month of July. Each year, celebrities and film enthusiasts flock to the city to engage in a festival atmosphere of concerts, parties, ceremonies, press conferences, and more than 200 film showings from all over the world.
Aside from this one week in July, Karlovy Vary is a very peaceful escape. There are also a number of museums and galleries, as well as tours available to see nearby historic sites like Becov Castle and Chateau or the Jachymov Spa.
Local tours that last a few hours can be a great way to explore Karlovy Vary. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- Karlovy Vary Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide for $261 details
- Karlovy Vary Hot Springs Tasting Tour for $40 details
- Touristic highlights of Karlovy Vary on a Private half day tour with a local for $176 details
Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic
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.