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

Should you visit Krakow or Madrid?

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

Should I visit Krakow or Madrid? 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 Madrid?

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.

Madrid

Madrid, the capital of Spain, overs visitors countless opportunities to experience Spain's culture, art, cuisine, and nightlife. It is the largest city in Spain, and as such has much to explore. The city is situated on the Iberian Peninsula on the Spanish central Castillian plateau. If you're flying into Spain, you'll likely fly into the Madrid airport as it's one of the largest airports in Europe. Madrid is well connected to the rest of Spain with planes, trains and buses, making it a popular place to visit for many travelers doing a European tour.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Poland, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Krakow, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid.


Which place is cheaper, Madrid 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 Madrid is $189. 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 Madrid in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Krakow $46
    Madrid $91
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Krakow $92
    Madrid $182
Compare Hotels in Krakow and Madrid

Looking for a hotel in Krakow or Madrid? 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 Madrid


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 Madrid Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Krakow $7.10
    Madrid $22

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 Madrid

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Madrid are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $31

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Madrid

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

  • Madrid Airport MAD Round-Trip Transfer in Private Van: $190
  • Alcobendas Private Transfer To Madrid Barajas Airport: $29
  • Arrival Private Transfer Madrid Airport MAD to Madrid City by Van: $82
  • Arrival Transfer from Bologna Airport BLQ to Bologna City by Van: $89
  • Arrival Transfer from Madrid Airport MAD to Madrid in Private Car: $88
  • Departure Private Transfer Madrid to MAD Airport in a Minibus: $158
  • Departure Private Transfer from Madrid to MAD Airport by Van: $79
  • Departure Transfer: Madrid to Madrid Airport MAD in Luxury Van: $96
  • Hotel Madrid City Private Transfer To Madrid Barajas Airport: $29
  • Madrid Airport (MAD) to Madrid - Arrival Private Transfer: $43
  • Madrid Airport (MAD) to Madrid - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $86
  • Madrid Airport Departure Private Transfer: $51

Is it cheaper to fly into Krakow or Madrid?

Prices for flights to both Madrid 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
    Madrid $69

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 Madrid

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


  • Coffee
    $2.35
  • Ice Cream
    $3.52
  • Kebabs (for 2)
    $19
  • Croissant
    $1.76
  • Lunch at Airport (for 2)
    $18

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Madrid

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

  • Madrid Old Town Tour & Flamenco Show with Optional Dinner: $71
  • Chocolate & Churros Cooking Class in Madrid : $72
  • Murder Mystery Dinner Experience: $76
  • Spanish Tapas Experience and Sangría Showcooking in Madrid: $78
  • Paella and Tapas Cooking Workshop in Madrid: $84
  • Madrid Spanish Omelet Cooking Class and Bottomless Wine brunch: $90
  • Spanish Cooking Class Paella Tapas and Sangria in Madrid: $102
  • Tapas & Paella Cooking Class in Madrid with a Professional Chef: $106
  • Tapas, Drinks & Stories: Madrid by Night Food Tour: $124
  • Paella Cooking Class in Madrid with Bottomless Wine Pairing: $142
  • Taste of Spain: Tapas Cooking Class with Bottomless Wine Pairing: $142
  • Afternoon Tapas Cooking Class in a Secret Venue in Madrid: $160

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Krakow $22
    Madrid $39

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

Tours and Activities in Madrid

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

  • Self Guided Walking City Tour in Madrid: $1.17
  • Tour "Barrio de las Letras" Spanish Golden Age: $2.86
  • Tour "Madrid of the Austrias" | Old Town ❤️: $2.86
  • Malasaña and Chueca A Tour That Shouts Freedom: $3.57
  • Madrid Walking Tour from Puerta del Sol to Retiro Park: $3.57
  • Self Guided Tours Madrid With 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.57
  • Madrid - Medieval to Modern Walking Tour (English): $3.58
  • Madrid Mountains Free Walking Tour: $3.58
  • Walking Tour of Madrid Moderno, Madrid de los Bourbons : $3.58
  • Tuk Tuk Tour of the Best of Madrid (booking only) : $5.97
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour - Cervantes Literary Experience in Madrid: $6.99
  • Ghosts of Exploration Game and Tour: $7.16

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Krakow $7.49
    Madrid $23
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

Typical Alcohol Prices in Madrid

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Madrid are as follows:


  • Beer
    $5.87
  • Drinks and Tapas (for 2)
    $15

Sample the Local Flavors in Madrid

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Madrid:

  • Top Pub Crawl Madrid & Party: $11
  • Madrid Pub Crawl with VIP Club Entrance: $12
  • Visit to the Winery with Wine Tasting and Appetizers in Navarra: $12
  • Pub Crawl Madrid by Mad Party Crew: $20
  • Pub Crawl Madrid-The Original since 2005-Shots-Fun-Clubs-Dance: $30
  • Wine Tasting near Plaza Mayor in Madrid : $30
  • Wine Tour with tasting in the Natural Park of La Mata: $38
  • Wine Tasting in Madrid Experience: $55
  • Toledo Tour with Tapas, Wine Tasting and Optional 3 Monuments: $57
  • Hypno Tasting Wine Tasting under Hypnosis in Madrid: $59
  • Madrid Royal Palace Small Group Guided Tour with Wine Tasting: $71
  • New Year Eve Madrid Pub Crawl: $82


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


Which is Bigger, Krakow or Madrid?

Madrid has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Krakow. When comparing the sizes of Krakow and Madrid, 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.