Is Krakow expensive to visit?
Krakow is a quaint locale that appeals to a variety of visitors, each with different travel styles, spending patterns, and budget needs. Visitors can find a range of options for accommodation from high-end luxury hotels to mid-range places to budget-friendly hostels.
If you're not cautious, Krakow can become costly, but you can save with strategies like looking for discounts and coupons.
On average, budget travelers spend $30 (zł118) per day, mid-range travelers spend $76 (zł298) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $191 (zł746) per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to Krakow.
Within Europe, which is known to be an expensive region, Krakow is a very affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 10% of cities in Europe for its affordability. Very few cities in the region are as affordable as Krakow.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Krakow Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Krakow?
The average Krakow trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Krakow travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Krakow cost?
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
Having realistic expectations for your travel expenses is important. While many assume they can visit Krakow on a tight budget, the truth is that most people don't enjoy traveling that way. Think about what you prioritize on vacation. Do you prefer staying in resorts or hostels? Do you love exploring sights and attractions, or dining out? Your preferences will directly impact your budget and travel plans.
What Defines a Budget Traveler?
You may believe you're traveling on a budget, but unless you're ready to give up some conveniences, you'll likely spend much more than the $30 daily average that backpackers get away with.
Younger budget travelers often stick to this low budget by staying in dorms, eating inexpensive meals, taking public transportation, and focusing on free activities and sights.
Krakow is home to plenty of hostels, including Greg & Tom Hostel, Let's Rock Party Hostel, and The Little Havana Party Hostel. In hostels like these, you can snag budget-friendly dorm beds and enjoy a social environment, but be prepared for basic amenities.
So, are you average?
For couples or families traveling for enjoyment, opting for a mid-range hotel, dining at popular restaurants, and exploring major museums and attractions with entry fees is likely. When visiting Krakow, most people will want to check out the major attractions, museums, and iconic landmarks. Remember, many activities do come with costs. So, you should realistically expect your daily budget to be around $76 per person, per day.
The range of hotels and vacation rentals in Krakow is impressive. If you're traveling with others, sharing your hotel with a partner, friend, or kids allows you to split the costs and save money. Families will want to find hotels and restaurants that accommodate children. Hotel Pugetow is a solid choice for families, while Hotel Wentzl also offers great options. For additional family and couple-friendly hotels, refer to our hotel guide for Krakow here.
Seeking a Stylish Getaway from the Daily Routine?
If a complete vacation with all amenities and a higher level of service is what you want, expect to allocate around $191 per day. To stay in nicer hotels, dine at award-winning establishments, treat yourself to extravagant excursions, and hire taxis or private drivers to navigate the destination, a luxury budget will be necessary. Many luxury travelers also enjoy unique experiences such as Auschwitz-Birkenau Guided Tour with Private Transport from Kraków - offered by Viator.
Accommodation Budget in Krakow
The cost of hotels in Krakow can be surprisingly wide-ranging. Some hotels charge a lot more because they offer extra luxury and amenities. Prices are also much higher during peak season. Off-season rooms average $45, but the demand in peak season pushes that average to around $84. Budget hotels range from $30 to $123, and hostels provide a cheaper option, especially in dorms. Booking early, traveling off-season, or finding special deals can help save money.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Krakow for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $86 (zł336). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $43 (zł168) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Krakow? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in Krakow include:
- Hotel Wentzl starting at $89
- Queen Boutique Hotel starting at $72
- Hotel Francuski starting at $64
- Metropolitan Boutique Hotel starting at $63
- Hotel Pod Roza starting at $103
If you plan your trip for the shoulder or low season and avoid , you'll enjoy reduced accommodation costs and fewer tourists.
Transportation Budget in Krakow
Calculated from travelers like you
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On average, past travelers have spent $6.61 (zł26) per person, per day, on local transportation in Krakow. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Krakow is significantly more than public transportation.
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Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$6.61
zł26
It's possible to walk around the entire city center of Krakow, but if you're short on time or energy, it may be helpful to take some public transit. There are some nice walking routes such as the Royal Way or the Planty Park that is outside of the old city between Florian's Gate and Wawel Castle. The public transportation system in Krakow includes both buses and trams. It's an affordable system that offers decent coverage of the city. Taxis in the city are best organized in advance to ensure that you get a fair price. All taxis are marked with a "taxi" sign on the roof and a sticker on the rear passenger window that shows prices.
In 2008 Krakow established its municipal bike system. There are 15 stations where you can rent a bike and return it to a different station. The stations are spread throughout the city center. You must register for the system in advance.
Make sure your hotel provides easy parking options if you're driving.
Some of the standard hotel transfers and transport options include:
- Private Airport Transfer from/to Krakow Balice Airport for $46 details
- Private Transfer from/to the Krakow Airport for $35 details
- Private Transfer from/to Krakow Airport for $37 details
How much does it cost to go to Krakow? 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 Krakow 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 Krakow
Tasting the local cuisine is a key reason for travel, so be sure to sample the unique dishes offered in the area.
Calculated from travelers like you
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While restaurant and meal prices in Krakow can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Krakow is $24 (zł92) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
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Food2
Meals for one day
$24
zł92
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Krakow is around $24 (zł92) per person, with previous travelers spending from $10 to $51. 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 Krakow are as follows:
- Breakfast: $2 to $7
- Lunch: $4 to $9
- Dinner: $7 to $16
- Coffee: $2
- Fast Food or Street Food: $4
Meal time in Poland includes a large breakfast, a large meal between 3pm and 4 pm that is considered dinner, and a small supper between 7pm and 8pm. Lunch is available, but less common. Dishes are heavily influenced by the cultures around central Europe. One of the most common dishes is the obwarzanek, or bagel. It's available in street stalls around town and is a great snack. A good budget option for a filling meal at a cheap price is to go to a "Bar Mleczny" or milk bar. This is similar to a cafeteria and was established during the Communist period. They sell typical Polish food including "kroketka". The decor is basic and the service is decent, although you likely won't find much English.
Street food is common and affordable in Krakow. One of the most popular options is zapiekanka, which is a large open faced baguette that is served hot with toppings such as cheese, mushrooms, or garlic sauce. Another affordable option is to try one of the several Chinese-Vietnamese restaurants. They are cheap, but far from authentic, and usually not very good. Other international options include Italian, Greek, French, Argentinian or Georgian. Fast food restaurants are common as well.
Many accommodations feature breakfast in their rates, while some may charge additional fees for it. The cost and quality can vary significantly from one hotel to another. Knowing this information ahead of time helps you decide if you need to spend extra money. A tasty hotel buffet could be worth the expense, or a nearby bakery or cafe might offer a more affordable choice.
Fill up a water bottle rather than buying drinks every chance you get. It's also kinder to the earth.
When planning a tour, don't forget to look into which meals are covered. You may be responsible for some of your own food, which could impact your budget significantly.
Taking a food tour or cooking class is a great way to experience the culture in Krakow. After all, cuisine is one of the reasons why so many people visit. A few of the best culinary activities here include:
- Eat Like a Local - Polish Food Tour for $87 details
- EVERYDAY Traditional Food Tour with Old Town Sightseeing for $170 details
- Polish Pierogi Cooking Class with Farmer's Market Shopping for $110 details
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Krakow
Calculated from travelers like you
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Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Krakow typically cost an average of $21 (zł80) 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.
$21
zł80
You'll find most of Krakow's sights in the Old Town. These include Wawel Castle, Sukiennice, Town Hall Tower, Barbakan and Florian Gate. Interesting squares include Rynek Glowny, Maly Rynek, Plac Mariacki, Plac Wszystkich Swietych amoung others.
The district of Kazimierz is interesting for its Jewish heritage and the district of Nowa Huta has some socialist style architecture. A Nazi concentration camp is located in Podgorze where you will also find Schindler's Factory.
Popular activities in Krakow include walking tours such as the Royal Way, cruises down the river, shopping at flea markets, and taking a dorozka horse carriage. Events and festivals include the Jewish Culture Festival during the summer, Bajit Chadasz in November, the Krakow Film Festival, and Coke Live Festival among others.
It's also quite easy to get to Auschwitz, the infamous World War II concentration camp. If you're interested, read How to get to Auschwitz from Krakow.
Local tours that last a few hours can be a great way to explore Krakow. 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:
- Private Bike Tour in Krakow for $145 details
- Private Day Tour to Zakopane and Tatra Mountains from Krakow for $150 details
- Extreme Off-Road Quad Bike Tour with BBQ Lunch for $134 details
Nightlife Budget in Krakow
Calculated from travelers like you
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The average person spends about $6.97 (zł27) on nightlife and alcoholic beverages in Krakow per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
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Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$6.97
zł27
While nightlife is a key part of many trips, scaling back on drinks can help free up some extra cash in your budget.
Tasting tours and nightlife activities are very popular in Krakow. A few of the favorites from previous visitors include:
- Hoppy tours - Krakow brewery tour for $60 details
- New Year's Eve Pub Crawl With 2 Hour Unlimited Alcohol + VIP Entry To Best Clubs for $69 details
- Krakow Animals Pub Crawl with Free Alcohol +4 Clubs/Bars for $27 details
Below are some common prices for alcohol and nightlife in Krakow, based on actual traveler experiences. While these numbers offer an idea of what you might spend, your costs will vary depending on how often you drink and the amount you order. If you're aiming to save money, cutting back on alcohol is a great way to lower your travel expenses.
Krakow, Poland
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.