Which place is cheaper, Krakow or Bern?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Bern or Krakow?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Bern or Krakow? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Bern or Krakow?
Bern
The capital city of Switzerland, Bern, is a surprisingly small city with a population of only about 130,000. It's located on a peninsula that is created by the turns of the River Aare. The city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it has a wonderfully preserved old town area. There are about four miles worth of quaint walkways that are lined with clock towers and fountains.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Switzerland, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Switzerland, The Best Budget Tours to Poland, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Krakow.
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Bern Prices
Switzerland PricesKrakow Prices
Poland Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBern $341Krakow $82
The average daily cost (per person) in Bern is $341, while the average daily cost in Krakow 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 Bern and Krakow in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBern $187Krakow $46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBern $374Krakow $92
Compare Hotels in Bern and Krakow
Looking for a hotel in Bern 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: Bern Hotel Prices and Krakow Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bern $39Krakow $7.10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bern
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bern:
- Private Direct Transfer From Bern to Basel: $251
- Private direct transfer from Bern to Lucerne: $262
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Krakow
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Krakow:
- Wieliczka Salt mine private transfer-Krakow Balice Airport: $11
- Krakow Balice Airport -Wieliczka Salt mine private transfer: $12
- Transfer Krakow Balice Airport - Krakow City: $20
- Krakow Airport Transfer: $22
- Private transfer | Krakow City - Krakow Airport Balice: $23
- Private Airport Transfer: $25
- Wieliczka Salt Mine Guided Tour from Ticket & Transfer: $27
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Kraków HTL-APT (KRK): $28
- Private Transfer from Kraków City to Kraków John Paul II (KRK) Airport: $29
- Krakow Airport Arrival Transfer: $30
- Transfer Krakow Balice Airport - Krakow City: $30
- Krakow Airport Private Transfer: $31
Is it cheaper to fly into Bern or Krakow?
Prices for flights to both Krakow and Bern 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 dayBern $120Krakow $25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bern
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bern.
- Bern Bites Food Tour Culinary Exploration of Bern's Old Town: $154
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Krakow
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Krakow.
- Small-Group Online Cooking Class Polish Pierogi : $30
- Krakow Tipsy Polish Food Tour with History Pierogi and Shots: $39
- Pierogi Cooking Class with Market Shopping and Local Snacks: $82
- Eat Like a Local in Krakow - Food Tour with BeMyGuest: $99
- Krakow Vineyard Tour with Wine Tasting and Dinner: $105
- Krakow Bites and Sights Food Tour: $114
- Polish Pierogi Cooking Class with Farmer's Market Shopping: $114
- Deluxe Polish Food Tour Experience in Krakow: $121
- Private Food Tour in Krakow Poland: $198
- Go Karting Experience with Pizza and Drinks in Krakow: $299
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bern $39Krakow $22
Tours and Activities in Bern
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bern are as follows:
- Self-Guided Audio City Tour in Bern: $6.29
- Self-Guided Reading City Tour in Bern: $6.29
- Self-Guided Audio City Tour in Bern: $6.40
- Bern Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $8.34
- Thun Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.96
- Bern Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.96
- Bern Self-Guided Audio Experience: $9.00
- Bern Exploration Game and City Tour on your Phone: $11
- Zytglogge - Tour through the Clock Tower: $25
- Guided Walking Tour in Bern: $39
- Must-See 2-Hour Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $42
- Bern Food Market: Tour w/o Brunch: $44
Tours and Activities in Krakow
Here are a few actual costs in Krakow for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Krakow Unveiled: Self-Guided Heritage Tour: $3.57
- Krakow Stories: Self Guided Audio Guide Tour: $3.57
- A Walk With the Dead Krakow Ghost Tour: $3.57
- Archdiocesan Museum in Krakow – Entry Ticket: $3.95
- Archeological Museum - Skip The Line Ticket : $4.52
- The Best of A Walking Tour Through the Heart of the City: $4.78
- Krakow Old Town Mysteries: Exploration Game and Tour: $5.96
- Home Army Museum in Krakow - Skip The Line Ticket: $6.67
- Wawel Hill Audio-Guided Tour: $8.36
- Krakow Self Guided Audio Experience: $9.00
- Krakow Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self Guided Tour: $9.55
- Art Documentation Centre CRICOTEKA in Krakow - Entrance Ticket: $11
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBern $31Krakow $7.49
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$15
Sample the Local Flavors in Krakow
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Krakow:
- 1 Hour of Open Bar Pub Crawl + Karaoke + VIP Entry to Best Clubs : $28
- Pub Crawl Krawl Through Krakow: $28
- Krakow Pub Crawl with 1 Hr of unlimited alcohol & 4 clubs/pubs: $29
- Pub Crawl 1hr Unlimited Beer + Vodka then Clubs in Katowice: $31
- Tyskie Brewery Tour from Katowice: $131
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bern and Krakow, we can see that Bern 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 Bern would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bern 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 Bern Expensive? and Is Krakow Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bern or Krakow?
Krakow has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Bern. When comparing the sizes of Bern 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 Bern 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 Bern or Krakow in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Krakow. The summer months attract visitors to Bern because of the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Bern is generally around the same temperature as Krakow. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 21°C (70°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 Bern, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bern usually receives more sunshine than Krakow during summer. Bern gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while Krakow receives 201 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Bern usually receives less rain than Krakow. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 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 JulyBern 21°C (70°F)Krakow 19°C (67°F)
Should I visit Bern or Krakow in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Bern as well as Krakow. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Bern this time of year.
Bern is a little warmer than Krakow in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and Krakow fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
In the autumn, Bern often gets more sunshine than Krakow. Bern gets 126 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Krakow receives 97 hours of full sun.
Bern usually gets more rain in October than Krakow. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 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 OctoberBern 13°C (55°F)Krakow 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Bern or Krakow in the Winter?
Both Krakow and Bern are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Krakow can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Bern. In the winter, Bern is much warmer than Krakow. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bern in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Krakow averages at about -2°C (29°F).
Bern usually receives more sunshine than Krakow during winter. Bern gets 65 hours of sunny skies, while Krakow receives 38 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Bern usually receives more rain than Krakow. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 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 JanuaryBern 3°C (37°F)Krakow -2°C (29°F)
Should I visit Bern or Krakow in the Spring?
Both Krakow and Bern during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Bern in the spring for the natural beauty.
In April, Bern is generally a little warmer than Krakow. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 11°C (52°F), and Krakow fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
In the spring, Bern often gets more sunshine than Krakow. Bern gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Krakow receives 132 hours of full sun.
Bern usually gets more rain in April than Krakow. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 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 AprilBern 11°C (52°F)Krakow 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Krakow and Bern
| Bern | Krakow | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | -2°C (29°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (40°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (46°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (52°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 15°C (60°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (65°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 20°C (69°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (55°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (38°F) | 55 mm (2.2 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.