Which place is cheaper, Siena 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 Siena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Krakow or Siena? 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 Siena?
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.
Siena
Located in Tuscany, Siena is a medieval city that is about 70 kilometers south of Florence. One of its most famous events is the horse race, Il Palio, which occurs twice a year during the summer. The race puts a lot of emphasis on neighborhood pride and competition. It is a local tradition that is of great importance to the residence, so it is not an event that is held specifically for tourists. It dates back to the Medieval times and is associated with the area's religion, pageantry and rivalry. In addition to the city's strong neighborhood pride, rich history, and impressive architecture, Siena was also the home of many famous artists including Duccio, Simone Martini, and Ambrogio and Pietro Lorenzetti.
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 Italy, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy.
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Krakow Prices
Poland PricesSiena Prices
Italy Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKrakow $82Siena $199
The average daily cost (per person) in Krakow is $82, while the average daily cost in Siena is $199. 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 Siena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKrakow $46Siena $81
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKrakow $92Siena $162
Compare Hotels in Krakow and Siena
Looking for a hotel in Krakow or Siena? 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 Siena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Krakow $7.10Siena $23
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Siena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Siena:
- Arrival transfer Siena Airport SAY to Siena City by Van or Sedan: $174
- PRIVATE TRANSFER from Siena to Florence with stop in S Gimignano & Monteriggioni: $179
- Private transfer from Siena to Florence: $221
- Transfer Siena - Pisa with stop in San Gimignano & Lunch: $275
Is it cheaper to fly into Krakow or Siena?
Prices for flights to both Siena 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 $25Siena $103
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Siena
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Siena.
- Pasta and Tiramisu Small Group Cooking Class with Wine: $82
- Small-group Cooking Class in a Chianti Farm: $95
- Siena : Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $100
- Dining Experience at a local's Home in Grosseto with Show Cooking: $102
- Tuscan, Italian, tiramisu cooking class and tasting 3 wines: $106
- Small-group Street food tour in Siena: $106
- Siena’s Ultimate Food Tour: Full Tuscan Meal by Do Eat Better: $109
- Cooking Class: Italian Authentic Recipes with Lunch: $131
- Small Group Cooking Class in Chianti Farmhouse: $136
- From Pizza and Gelato Cooking Class: $136
- Family Cooking Class: Pizza and Tiramisù from Siena: $136
- Pizza and Gelato Cooking Class: $137
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Krakow $22Siena $4.40
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
Tours and Activities in Siena
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Siena are as follows:
- Siena Self Guided Audio Experience: $9.00
- Siena Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $10
- Skip-the-Line Siena Cathedral Duomo Complex Entrance Ticket: $23
- Italian Opera in Siena Experience: $35
- Skip the Line: Siena Duomo and City Walking Tour: $48
- Siena Guided Tour with Duomo and Palazzo delle Papesse : $48
- Siena Top 10 Pula Tour: $74
- PolaTour The 17 Fountains of the Contradas of Siena: $74
- Montalcino: Cellar Tour, Brunello Tasting and Appetisers: $82
- Horseback Tour on the Via Francigena: $83
- EVO oil experience with walk, tasting and lunch: $83
- Tuscan Chianti Hills Horseback Riding Tour: $90
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKrakow $7.49Siena $2.57
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 Siena
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Siena:
- "CLASSIC" Wine Tasting and Typical Tuscan Products: $33
- Montalcino: Brunello Wine Tasting Experience: $39
- Exclusive Wine Tasting in the Historic Center of Siena: $42
- Winery tour and wine tasting in Maremma - Grosseto: $48
- Tour and Wine Tasting in a Tuscan Private Castle: $51
- Brunello di Montalcino Wine Tasting with Tuscan appetizer in ancient residence: $53
- Chianti Half Day Wine Tasting Tour from Siena: $59
- Tuscany Hiking Tour from Siena Including Wine Tasting: $66
- Siena wine tasting & Gelato tasting: $66
- Montalcino: Brunello Wine Tasting & Lunch in a Tuscan Castle: $70
- Guided tour of the cellars with wine tasting and lunch: $72
- Guided Tour of the Cellars with Wine Tasting and Lunch: $72
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Krakow and Siena, we can see that Siena 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 Siena would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Siena 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 Siena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Krakow or Siena?
Krakow has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Siena. When comparing the sizes of Krakow and Siena, 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 Siena?
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 Siena in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Krakow and Siena. Also, many travelers come to Siena for the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Krakow is cooler than Siena. Typically, the summer temperatures in Krakow in July average around 19°C (67°F), and Siena averages at about 23°C (73°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Siena this time of the year. In Krakow, it's very sunny this time of the year. Krakow usually receives less sunshine than Siena during summer. Krakow gets 201 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Krakow usually receives more rain than Siena. Krakow gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Siena receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKrakow 19°C (67°F)Siena 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Krakow or Siena in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Krakow as well as Siena. Also, many visitors come to Siena in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Krakow is generally much colder than Siena. Daily temperatures in Krakow average around 11°C (51°F), and Siena fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
In the autumn, Krakow often gets less sunshine than Siena. Krakow gets 97 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 177 hours of full sun.
Krakow usually gets less rain in October than Siena. Krakow gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Siena receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKrakow 11°C (51°F)Siena 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Krakow or Siena in the Winter?
Both Siena and Krakow are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Siena for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Krakow can get quite cold in the winter. Krakow is much colder than Siena in the winter. The daily temperature in Krakow averages around -2°C (29°F) in January, and Siena fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).
Krakow usually receives less sunshine than Siena during winter. Krakow gets 38 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Krakow usually receives less rain than Siena. Krakow gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Siena receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKrakow -2°C (29°F)Siena 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Krakow or Siena in the Spring?
Both Siena and Krakow during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Siena because of the natural beauty.
In the spring, Krakow is cooler than Siena. Typically, the spring temperatures in Krakow in April average around 10°C (50°F), and Siena averages at about 12°C (54°F).
In the spring, Krakow often gets less sunshine than Siena. Krakow gets 132 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 192 hours of full sun.
Krakow usually gets less rain in April than Siena. Krakow gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Siena receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKrakow 10°C (50°F)Siena 12°C (54°F)
Typical Weather for Siena and Krakow
| Krakow | Siena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (29°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Feb | 0°C (32°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 5°C (40°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (50°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (67°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (66°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Sep | 15°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 5°C (41°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Dec | 1°C (33°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 69 mm (2.7 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.