A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Krakow vs. Dubrovnik for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Krakow or Dubrovnik?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Krakow or Dubrovnik? 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 Dubrovnik?

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.

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik, the "Pearl of the Adriatic", is a beautiful walled city in southern Croatia that sits on the edge of the Adriatic Sea. It's a small city, with only about 40,000 residents, but it's become one of the most significant tourist destinations in the Mediterranean. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The city was historically built on maritime trade, which is not surprising given its location near major Italian and Greek ports such as Venice, Bari, Corfu, and Trieste. It was a center of language and literature and was the home of many important poets, playwrights, painters, and scientists during the 15th and 16th centuries. Today its economy is dependent on tourism and it is one of the most popular destinations in the region. People visit the city for its impressive history, beautiful setting, great weather, and interesting architecture.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Poland, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Krakow, The Best 2-Week Tours from Split, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Croatia.


Which place is cheaper, Dubrovnik or Krakow?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Krakow is $82, while the average daily cost in Dubrovnik is $142. 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 Dubrovnik in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Krakow $46
    Dubrovnik $59
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Krakow $92
    Dubrovnik $118
Compare Hotels in Krakow and Dubrovnik

Looking for a hotel in Krakow or Dubrovnik? 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.

Hotels in Krakow


Hotels in Dubrovnik


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 Dubrovnik Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Krakow $7.10
    Dubrovnik $15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Krakow

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Krakow:

  • Budapest: Private transfer to Krakow or Krakow to Budapest: $482
  • Private Transfer to/from Budapest: $441
  • Private transfer from Krakow to Warsaw private driver service: $299
  • Krakow - Berlin private transfer with cleansed vehicle : $292
  • Private transfer: Krakow Airport - Zakopane: $286
  • Luxury Private Transfer from Krakow to Vienna: $281
  • The Jewish History of Krakow with Guide, Tickets & Transfers: $276
  • Zakopane Private Transfer from to Krakow or Krakow Airport: $274
  • Luxury Private Transfer from Krakow to Budapest: $269
  • Private Transfer to/from Warsaw: $261
  • Wieliczka Salt Mine Private Transfer : $239
  • Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum with Private Transfers from Krakow: $238

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dubrovnik

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dubrovnik:


  • Bus Around Town
    $1.67

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dubrovnik

Also for Dubrovnik, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Airport Transfer Dubrovnik Town to Herceg Novi / Portonovi: $275
  • Arrival Private Transfer Dubrovnik Airport DBV to Dubrovnik City by Business Car: $45
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Dubrovnik Airport DBV to Dubrovnik City by Minivan: $65
  • Arrival Transfer: Airport DBV to Dubrovnik by Luxury Van: $59
  • Budva to Dubrovnik one way transfer: $222
  • Bus transfer between Dubrovnik and Herceg Novi: $34
  • Departure Private Transfer from Dubrovnik City to Dubrovnik Airport by Minivan: $60
  • Departure Private Transfer: Dubrovnik City to Dubrovnik Airport by Business Car: $40
  • Departure Transfer: Dubrovnik to Airport DBV by Sedan Car: $59
  • Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) to Dubrovnik Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $84
  • Dubrovnik Airport Private Transfer - Mercedes-Benz Van: $92
  • Dubrovnik Airport Private Transfer to Dubrovnik Hotels: $68

Is it cheaper to fly into Krakow or Dubrovnik?

Prices for flights to both Dubrovnik 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Krakow $25
    Dubrovnik $67

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 Dubrovnik

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Dubrovnik:


  • Seafood Dinner (for 2)
    $34

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dubrovnik

For Dubrovnik, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Sunset Dinner Cruise around the Old Town: $82
  • Dinner in the Sky Dubrovnik - Dine 50m above ground: $101
  • Dinner in the Sky Dubrovnik: $114
  • Secret Food Tours in Dubrovnik: $118
  • Croatian Traditional Cuisine: Peka Cooking Lesson: $143
  • Old Town Food Tour: $157
  • Dubrovnik Old Town Food Tour: Small-Group Experience: $167
  • Konavle Wine& History&food Tour: $226
  • Traditional Dalmatian Cooking Class from Dubrovnik: $234
  • Pelješac Full-Day Wine and Food Tour from Dubrovnik: $246
  • Dubrovnik Food Tour with Friendly Local Guide: $279
  • Dubrovnik Scenic Tour & Lunch/Dinner at Country Estate: $410

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Krakow $22
    Dubrovnik $22

Tours and Activities in Krakow

Here are a few actual costs in Krakow for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Wieliczka Salt Mine 1-Day Tour: $185
  • Energylandia Theme Park Ticket and Transportation From Krakow: $82
  • Magic Christmas tour in Wieliczka: $167
  • The Footsteps of John Paul II & Divine Mercy Private Tour: $161
  • Wawel Castle and Wieliczka Salt Mine Tour in Krakow with Lunch: $154
  • 1 DAY Tours - Auschwitz and Salt Mine - Shared transport+tickets: $155
  • 1 Hour Tour in Kraków Old Town: $94
  • 1,5-Hour Jewish Quarter Kazimierz Walking Guided Tour in Krakow: $24
  • 1-Hour Tour to Krakow's Old Town by Electric Golf Cart: $19
  • 2 Hour Bottomless Brunch Experience with 3 Course Meal And Drinks: $71
  • 2 Hour Private Pinball and Arcade Museum Tour from Krakow: $299
  • 3-Day Krakow Guided Tour: Jewish Heritage with Wieliczka and Auschwitz: $262

Typical Entertainment Prices in Dubrovnik

For Dubrovnik, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Boat to Lokrum Island (for 2)
    $16
  • Dubrovnik City Wall Tour (for 2)
    $62
  • Dubrovnik Cable Car (for 2)
    $53

Tours and Activities in Dubrovnik

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dubrovnik.

  • Time Traveler’s Trail: Self-Guided Puzzle Adventure in Dubrovnik: $5.97
  • Cavtat Old Town: Exploration Game and Tour: $5.97
  • Dubrovnik Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $6.68
  • Dubrovnik Game Of Thrones self-guided tour with mobile app: $7.51
  • Dubrovnik Old Town Walking Tour with Audioguide: $8.35
  • Old Town Highlights Tour with Audio Guide: $9.36
  • Private Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour in Dubrovnik Old Town: $9.56
  • Love Stories Museum Skip-the-Line Entrance Ticket: $11
  • Red History Museum Regular Ticket: $11
  • Skip the Line: Love Stories Museum Admission Ticket: $11
  • A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Dubrovnik's Old Town: $12
  • Walls of Liberty: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Dubrovnik: $12

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Krakow $7.49
    Dubrovnik $16
Typical Alcohol Prices in Krakow

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Krakow:


  • 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 Dubrovnik

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dubrovnik:

  • Dubrovnik Sunset Tour with Wine Tasting : $42
  • Panoramic Dubrovnik Tour Golden Hour Sunset and Wine Tasting: $46
  • Sunset and Wine / Dubrovnik Sunset Tour and Premium Wine Tasting : $59
  • Columbo Pub Crawl Dubrovnik: $70
  • Sunset Wine Tasting At Panorama Point: $74
  • Pub Crawl Nightlife Xperience: $80
  • Day Tour of Korcula Island from Dubrovnik with Wine Tasting: $82
  • Ston and Korcula Island Day Trip from Dubrovnik with Wine Tasting: $82
  • Wine Tour - Get to know local grapes: $84
  • Luxury Sunset Tour with Wine Tasting: $84
  • From Korcula Island Tour with Wine Tasting: $88
  • Sunset wine tasting in vineyard: $92


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Krakow and Dubrovnik, we can see that Dubrovnik 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 Dubrovnik would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dubrovnik 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 Dubrovnik Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Krakow or Dubrovnik?

Krakow has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Dubrovnik. When comparing the sizes of Krakow and Dubrovnik, 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 Dubrovnik?

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.

Should I visit Krakow or Dubrovnik in the Summer?

Both Dubrovnik and Krakow during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Dubrovnik this time of year.

Krakow is cooler than Dubrovnik in the summer. The daily temperature in Krakow averages around 19°C (67°F) in July, and Dubrovnik fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

Krakow usually gets more rain in July than Dubrovnik. Krakow gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Dubrovnik receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Krakow 19°C (67°F) 
    Dubrovnik 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Krakow or Dubrovnik in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Krakow and Dubrovnik. Furthermore, many travelers come to Dubrovnik for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Krakow is much colder than Dubrovnik. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Krakow in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Dubrovnik averages at about 18°C (64°F).

Dubrovnik receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Krakow usually receives less rain than Dubrovnik. Krakow gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Dubrovnik receives 162 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Krakow 11°C (51°F) 
    Dubrovnik 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Krakow or Dubrovnik in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Krakow as well as Dubrovnik. Additionally, many visitors come to Dubrovnik in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Krakow. In January, Krakow is generally much colder than Dubrovnik. Daily temperatures in Krakow average around -2°C (29°F), and Dubrovnik fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

It's quite rainy in Dubrovnik. Krakow usually gets less rain in January than Dubrovnik. Krakow gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Dubrovnik receives 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Krakow -2°C (29°F) 
    Dubrovnik 9°C (48°F)

Should I visit Krakow or Dubrovnik in the Spring?

Both Dubrovnik and Krakow are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Dubrovnik for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Krakow is cooler than Dubrovnik in the spring. The daily temperature in Krakow averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Dubrovnik fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Dubrovnik. In April, Krakow usually receives less rain than Dubrovnik. Krakow gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Dubrovnik receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Krakow 10°C (50°F) 
    Dubrovnik 14°C (57°F)

Typical Weather for Dubrovnik and Krakow

Krakow Dubrovnik
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -2°C (29°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 9°C (48°F) 139 mm (5.5 in)
Feb 0°C (32°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 10°C (50°F) 125 mm (4.9 in)
Mar 5°C (40°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 11°C (52°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
Apr 10°C (50°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 14°C (57°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
May 15°C (59°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 18°C (64°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Jun 18°C (64°F) 96 mm (3.8 in) 22°C (72°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Jul 19°C (67°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 26 mm (1 in)
Aug 19°C (66°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 25°C (77°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Sep 15°C (60°F) 52 mm (2 in) 22°C (72°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Oct 11°C (51°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 18°C (64°F) 162 mm (6.4 in)
Nov 5°C (41°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 14°C (57°F) 198 mm (7.8 in)
Dec 1°C (33°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 11°C (52°F) 178 mm (7 in)