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

Should you visit Krakow or Milan?

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

Should I visit Krakow or Milan? 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 Milan?

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.

Milan

Milan, known to most of the world as the capital of fashion and style, is also the heart of Italian industry and economics. Between the stock exchange, cathedrals and boutiques, this metropolis is a city-lover's dream come true. It is an escape from the stresses of the real world, and provides a playground for all the world's most lavish luxuries.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Poland, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Krakow, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Milan 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 Milan is $229. 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 Milan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Krakow $46
    Milan $113
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Krakow $92
    Milan $226
Compare Hotels in Krakow and Milan

Looking for a hotel in Krakow or Milan? 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 Milan


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 Milan Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Krakow $7.10
    Milan $41

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 Milan

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


  • Train to Airport
    $8.21
  • Malpensa Airport Train (for Two)
    $26
  • Taxi From Airport
    $106
  • Public Transit Day Pass
    $5.28
  • Short Taxi Ride
    $8.36

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Milan

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

  • Airport Transfer: Malpensa Airport MXP to Milan by Luxury Van: $161
  • Airport Transfer: Milan to Linate Airport LIN by Luxury Car: $159
  • Airport Transfer: Milan to Malpensa Airport MXP by Luxury Van: $161
  • Arrival Private Transfer Luxury Van LIN airport to Milan: $96
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Malpensa Airport MXP to Milan in Luxury Van: $161
  • Cervinia: Private Transfer to/from Malpensa Airport: $552
  • Champoluc: Private Transfer to/from Malpensa Airport: $529
  • From Linate airport : Private 1-Way Transfer to Bellagio: $400
  • From Linate airport : Private 1-Way Transfer to Milan: $111
  • From Milan : Private 1-Way Transfer to Malpensa airport: $222
  • From Private 1-Way Transfer to Linate airport: $93
  • Lake Como: Train Transfer to/from Milan with Scenic Views: $7.00

Is it cheaper to fly into Krakow or Milan?

Prices for flights to both Milan 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
    Milan $79

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 Milan

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


  • Snack at Train Station
    $10
  • Restaurant Pizza
    $7.74
  • Casual Cafe Lunch (for Two)
    $32
  • Three Course Dinner (for Two)
    $75
  • Cappuccino
    $1.91

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Milan

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

  • Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $32
  • Milan Street Food Tour and City Sightseeing with Local Guide: $42
  • Delicious Food Tour and City Center Sightseeing: $46
  • International aperitif + cooking class in Italian: $48
  • Street Food Tour with Tastings and Local Guide: $49
  • Gourmet Street Food Tour with Sightseeing and Tasting: $49
  • only in ITALIAN - International aperitif + cooking class in Italian: $49
  • Tasty Milan Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $50
  • Pasta and Tiramisu Small Group Cooking Class with Wine: $66
  • Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $66
  • Pasta and Tiramisu Cooking Class with Wine: $67
  • Food Tour with Wine Tasting in Milan: $68

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Krakow $22
    Milan $36

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 Milan

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


  • Stairs to Duomo Rooftop
    $8.21

Tours and Activities in Milan

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

  • Milan's Best-Kept Secrets: A Self-Guided Walking Tour: $1.17
  • Self Guided Tours In Milan With 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.57
  • The Empire and Art Tour of Milan with Self Guided Mobile App: $4.62
  • Milan Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $4.78
  • Milan Catch the Unicorn: Exploration Game and Tour: $5.96
  • Milan Highlights Self guided scavenger hunt and Walking Tour: $5.96
  • Stories of the Fashion Capital: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Milan: $6.99
  • Branca Tower Entrance Ticket: $7.00
  • Royal Self-Guided Story Puzzle Adventure: $7.16
  • Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Milan: $7.16
  • Milano Walking Tour with Audio and Written Guide by a Local: $7.17
  • Duomo Milan Cathedral Walking Tour with Audioguide (no ticket): $8.35

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Krakow $7.49
    Milan $28
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 Milan

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


  • Cocktail at a Bar
    $9.85
  • Beer
    $3.93

Sample the Local Flavors in Milan

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

  • Milan Pub Crawl Party with Free Shots and Drink Deals by Riviera: $30
  • Guided Riviera Bar Crawl with Free Shots: $37
  • Wine Tasting Experience with Platter at Winelovers: $44
  • Wine Tasting Experience: $48
  • Wine Tasting Experience in the City Centre: $52
  • Wine Tasting Experience in Milan City Center: $54
  • Milan Wine Tasting Experience: $57
  • Italian Wine Tasting in Milan: $59
  • Wine Tasting Experience - Urban Cellar: $60
  • Fun Wine Tasting with an Italian Sommelier: $76
  • Private Food and Wine Tasting Experience in the Center of Milan: $96
  • Milan Oltrepo Pavese Vineyards Grape Stomping and Wine Tasting: $96


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


Which is Bigger, Krakow or Milan?

Milan has a larger population, and is about 73% larger than the population of Krakow. When comparing the sizes of Krakow and Milan, 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 Milan?

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 Milan in the Summer?

Both Milan and Krakow during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Milan for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Krakow is cooler than Milan in the summer. The daily temperature in Krakow averages around 19°C (67°F) in July, and Milan fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In Milan, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Krakow. In the summer, Krakow often gets less sunshine than Milan. Krakow gets 201 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milan receives 250 hours of full sun.

Krakow usually gets more rain in July than Milan. Krakow gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Milan receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Krakow 19°C (67°F) 
    Milan 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Krakow or Milan in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Krakow and Milan. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Milan because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Krakow is cooler than Milan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Krakow in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Milan averages at about 15°C (58°F).

Krakow usually receives less sunshine than Milan during autumn. Krakow gets 97 hours of sunny skies, while Milan receives 152 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Milan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Krakow usually receives less rain than Milan. Krakow gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Milan receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Krakow 11°C (51°F) 
    Milan 15°C (58°F)

Should I visit Krakow or Milan in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Krakow as well as Milan. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Milan this time of year.

It's quite cold in Milan in the winter. The weather in Krakow can be very cold. In January, Krakow is generally much colder than Milan. Daily temperatures in Krakow average around -2°C (29°F), and Milan fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Krakow often gets less sunshine than Milan. Krakow gets 38 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milan receives 119 hours of full sun.

Krakow usually gets less rain in January than Milan. Krakow gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Milan receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Krakow -2°C (29°F) 
    Milan 5°C (41°F)

Should I visit Krakow or Milan in the Spring?

Both Milan and Krakow are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Milan for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Krakow is cooler than Milan in the spring. The daily temperature in Krakow averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Milan fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Krakow usually receives less sunshine than Milan during spring. Krakow gets 132 hours of sunny skies, while Milan receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Krakow usually receives less rain than Milan. Krakow gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Milan receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Krakow 10°C (50°F) 
    Milan 13°C (55°F)

Typical Weather for Milan and Krakow

Krakow Milan
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -2°C (29°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 5°C (41°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Feb 0°C (32°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 6°C (44°F) 60 mm (2.3 in)
Mar 5°C (40°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 10°C (49°F) 85 mm (3.4 in)
Apr 10°C (50°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 13°C (55°F) 76 mm (3 in)
May 15°C (59°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 17°C (62°F) 102 mm (4 in)
Jun 18°C (64°F) 96 mm (3.8 in) 20°C (69°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Jul 19°C (67°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 23°C (73°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 19°C (66°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 22°C (72°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Sep 15°C (60°F) 52 mm (2 in) 19°C (67°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Oct 11°C (51°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 15°C (58°F) 103 mm (4 in)
Nov 5°C (41°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 9°C (49°F) 102 mm (4 in)
Dec 1°C (33°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 6°C (42°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)