Which place is cheaper, Barcelona or Krakow?
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 Krakow or Barcelona?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Krakow or Barcelona? 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: Krakow or Barcelona?
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.
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain with a population of over 1.5 million people. It's also the capital of Catalonia and is located on the northeastern part of the Mediterranean coast. Barcelona is one of the country's most popular travel destinations because of its rich history, interesting architecture, and vibrant culture. Barcelona hosted the 1992 Summer Olympic games and that had a strong influence over tourism in the area. Many different neighborhoods were renovated and rebuilt. Modern design became the norm in many parts of the city, although there is still an old city feel and many efforts at preservation.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Poland, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Krakow, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Spain, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Spain.
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Krakow Prices
Poland PricesBarcelona Prices
Spain Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKrakow $82Barcelona $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Krakow is $82, while the average daily cost in Barcelona is $218. 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 Krakow and Barcelona in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKrakow $46Barcelona $115
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKrakow $92Barcelona $230
Compare Hotels in Krakow and Barcelona
Looking for a hotel in Krakow or Barcelona? 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: Krakow Hotel Prices and Barcelona Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Krakow $7.10Barcelona $22
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Barcelona are as follows:
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10 Trip Metro Ticket$9.15
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Airport Bus$5.87
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Metro$2.46
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Barcelona
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Barcelona:
- Barcelona City to Cruise Port Private Transfer: $35
- Barcelona city, Hotel to Airport, cruise Port private Transfer: $44
- Barcelona private van transfer cruise port to airport Barcelona : $143
- Private Transfer From Hotel to Barcelona Airport Departure: $27
- Airport Transfer: $179
- Arrival Private Transfer by Sedan from BCN airport to Barcelona: $86
- Arrival Transfer El Prat Airport BCN to Barcelona by Luxury Van: $100
- Arrival Transfer by Luxury Van from Barcelona Port to Barcelona: $93
- Arrival Transfer from Barcelona Airport BCN to Barcelona in Private Car/Van: $88
- Barcelona Airport (BCN) to Barcelona - Arrival Private Transfer: $33
- Barcelona Airport (BNC) to Port Aventura/Salou Arrival Transfer: $211
- Barcelona Airport (BNC) to Sitges - Arrival Private Transfer: $118
Is it cheaper to fly into Krakow or Barcelona?
Prices for flights to both Barcelona and Krakow 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 dayKrakow $25Barcelona $68
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
Typical Food Prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of dining costs in Barcelona are as follows:
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Hot Cocoa & Churro$4.87
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Sandwich$1.99
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Baguette & Horchata$4.46
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Tapas on the beach$9.72
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Gelatto$2.93
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Barcelona
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Barcelona.
- Hard Rock Cafe Barcelona with Set Lunch or Dinner: $34
- Barcelona Guided Street Food Tour and Gothic Quarter Visit: $42
- Flamenco Casa Sors & Guitar Museum with Optional Drink or Dinner: $44
- Tasty Barcelona Street Food Tour With Local Market Visit : $54
- Barcelona Food Tour: Market & Gothic Quarter with Expert Guide: $54
- Barcelona Street Food Tour with Local Market & City Center Visit: $54
- Tablao Flamenco Cordobes on Rambla Barcelona with Dinner Option: $57
- Barcelona Morning Tapas Crawl by Food Tour: $71
- Wine Tasting and 5 Course Tapas Pairing Dinner: $71
- Barcelona Interactive Spanish Cooking Experience: $78
- Seafood Paella and Mediterranean Tapas Cooking Class: $81
- A vegan/vegetarian food tour in Barcelona: $90
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Krakow $22Barcelona $39
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Barcelona are as follows:
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Picasso Walking Tour and Museum Pass$49
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Souvenir Gaudi Book$10
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Admission to Museo Picasso$7.04
Tours and Activities in Barcelona
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Barcelona are as follows:
- Barcelona Segway Tour: $3.57
- Barcelona Guided Tour on Segway: $3.57
- Sagrada Familia Exterior Tour: $3.57
- Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Barcelona: $3.57
- Barcelona Electric Scooter Tour: $3.57
- Costa Brava Luxury Tour Boat and Lunch from Barcelona: $3.58
- Gaudi & Sagrada Familia Donation-Based Tour in English : $3.58
- Happiness Walking Tour in Barcelona : $3.58
- Life of Gaudi and Architectural Walking Tour: $5.97
- Barcelona Panoramic Escooter or E-Bike Tour : $5.97
- Walking Tour in Barcelona with Arabic Guide: $5.97
- Gaudí's Sagrada Familia a Digital Audio Guided Tour in Barcelona: $8.36
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKrakow $7.49Barcelona $20
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Barcelona
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Barcelona:
- Barcelona Bar Crawl Old Town Treasure Tramp Adventure: $15
- Estrella Damm Brewery in El Prat de Llobregat tour with Tasting: $18
- Barcelona Halloween Bar Crawl: $18
- Pub Crawl in Barcelona: $18
- Pub Crawl Barcelona by EVOLVE The BEST night experience: $24
- Estrella Damm Old Brewery Barcelona Guided Tour with Beer Tasting: $24
- Nightlife Tour - Barcelona Bar Crawl with Flamingos: $25
- Original Pub Crawl & Tapas Tour: $30
- Wine tasting next to the Sagrada Familia: $30
- Barcelona Markets Tour With Optional Food & Wine Tasting Upgrade: $35
- Winery tour & wine tasting in Penedès region 40min from Barcelona: $38
- Wine Tasting Experience in Barcelona: $42
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Krakow and Barcelona, we can see that Barcelona 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 Barcelona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Barcelona 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 Krakow Expensive? and Is Barcelona Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Krakow or Barcelona?
Barcelona has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Krakow. When comparing the sizes of Krakow and Barcelona, 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 Krakow or Barcelona?
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 Krakow or Barcelona in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Krakow and Barcelona. Furthermore, most visitors come to Barcelona for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Krakow is cooler than Barcelona. Typically, the summer temperatures in Krakow in July average around 19°C (67°F), and Barcelona averages at about 23°C (73°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Barcelona this time of the year. In Krakow, it's very sunny this time of the year. Krakow usually receives less sunshine than Barcelona during summer. Krakow gets 201 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 308 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Krakow usually receives more rain than Barcelona. Krakow gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKrakow 19°C (67°F)Barcelona 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Krakow or Barcelona in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Krakow as well as Barcelona. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Barcelona because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Krakow is generally much colder than Barcelona. Daily temperatures in Krakow average around 11°C (51°F), and Barcelona fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
In the autumn, Krakow often gets less sunshine than Barcelona. Krakow gets 97 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 181 hours of full sun.
Krakow usually gets less rain in October than Barcelona. Krakow gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKrakow 11°C (51°F)Barcelona 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Krakow or Barcelona in the Winter?
Both Barcelona and Krakow are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Barcelona this time of year.
The weather in Krakow can be very cold. Krakow is much colder than Barcelona in the winter. The daily temperature in Krakow averages around -2°C (29°F) in January, and Barcelona fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
Krakow usually receives less sunshine than Barcelona during winter. Krakow gets 38 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 146 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Krakow usually receives less rain than Barcelona. Krakow gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKrakow -2°C (29°F)Barcelona 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Krakow or Barcelona in the Spring?
Both Barcelona and Krakow during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Barcelona for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Krakow is cooler than Barcelona. Typically, the spring temperatures in Krakow in April average around 10°C (50°F), and Barcelona averages at about 13°C (55°F).
In Barcelona, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Krakow often gets less sunshine than Barcelona. Krakow gets 132 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 204 hours of full sun.
Krakow usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Barcelona. Krakow gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKrakow 10°C (50°F)Barcelona 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Barcelona and Krakow
| Krakow | Barcelona | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (29°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 0°C (32°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Mar | 5°C (40°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (50°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (67°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (66°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Sep | 15°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 5°C (41°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Dec | 1°C (33°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 50 mm (2 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.