Which place is cheaper, Krakow or Nizhny Novgorod?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Nizhny Novgorod or Krakow?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Nizhny Novgorod and Krakow can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Nizhny Novgorod or Krakow?
Nizhny Novgorod
Nizhny Novgorod, commonly referred to as simply Nizhny, is the fifth largest city in Russia. It has a population of over 1.2 million and it is the primary economic and cultural center for the Volga region. The city dates back to 1221 and it sits at the intersection of the Volga and Oka Rivers. It became popular with tourists back in 1817 when the Makaryev Monastery Fair was moved to the city. The city continued to grow in popularity and by the middle of the 19th century it was a major trade center for the country. During the Soviet Union times the city became an industrial center as trade connections were abandoned.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Poland, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Krakow.
-
Nizhny Novgorod Prices
Russia PricesKrakow Prices
Poland Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNizhny Novgorod $42Krakow $82
The average daily cost (per person) in Nizhny Novgorod is $42, while the average daily cost in Krakow is $82. 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 Nizhny Novgorod and Krakow in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNizhny Novgorod $22Krakow $46
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNizhny Novgorod $44Krakow $92
Compare Hotels in Nizhny Novgorod and Krakow
Looking for a hotel in Nizhny Novgorod or Krakow? 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.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nizhny Novgorod $1.33Krakow $7.10
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Nizhny Novgorod or Krakow?
Prices for flights to both Krakow and Nizhny Novgorod 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 dayNizhny Novgorod $18Krakow $25
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
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nizhny Novgorod $1.89Krakow $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
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayNizhny Novgorod $2.62Krakow $7.49
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nizhny Novgorod and Krakow, we can see that Krakow is more expensive. And not only is Nizhny Novgorod much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nizhny Novgorod would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nizhny Novgorod 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 Krakow would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Krakow than you might in Nizhny Novgorod.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nizhny Novgorod Expensive? and Is Krakow Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nizhny Novgorod or Krakow?
Nizhny Novgorod has a larger population, and is about 70% larger than the population of Krakow. When comparing the sizes of Nizhny Novgorod and Krakow, 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 Nizhny Novgorod or Krakow?
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 Nizhny Novgorod or Krakow in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Nizhny Novgorod as well as Krakow.
In the summer, Nizhny Novgorod is around the same temperature as Krakow. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nizhny Novgorod in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Krakow averages at about 19°C (67°F).
Nizhny Novgorod usually gets less rain in July than Krakow. Nizhny Novgorod gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyNizhny Novgorod 20°C (68°F)Krakow 19°C (67°F)
Should I visit Nizhny Novgorod or Krakow in the Autumn?
Both Krakow and Nizhny Novgorod are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.
In October, Nizhny Novgorod is generally much colder than Krakow. Daily temperatures in Nizhny Novgorod average around 5°C (41°F), and Krakow fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
In October, Nizhny Novgorod usually receives more rain than Krakow. Nizhny Novgorod gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNizhny Novgorod 5°C (41°F)Krakow 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Nizhny Novgorod or Krakow in the Winter?
Both Krakow and Nizhny Novgorod during the winter are popular places to visit.
The weather in Krakow can be very cold. Nizhny Novgorod can be very cold during winter. Nizhny Novgorod is much colder than Krakow in the winter. The daily temperature in Nizhny Novgorod averages around -10°C (13°F) in January, and Krakow fluctuates around -2°C (29°F).
Nizhny Novgorod usually gets more rain in January than Krakow. Nizhny Novgorod gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNizhny Novgorod -10°C (13°F)Krakow -2°C (29°F)
Should I visit Nizhny Novgorod or Krakow in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Nizhny Novgorod and Krakow.
In the spring, Nizhny Novgorod is cooler than Krakow. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nizhny Novgorod in April average around 7°C (44°F), and Krakow averages at about 10°C (50°F).
In April, Nizhny Novgorod usually receives less rain than Krakow. Nizhny Novgorod gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilNizhny Novgorod 7°C (44°F)Krakow 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Krakow and Nizhny Novgorod
| Nizhny Novgorod | Krakow | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -10°C (13°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | -2°C (29°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Feb | -8°C (17°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Mar | -2°C (28°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Apr | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 14°C (58°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Jul | 20°C (68°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (64°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Oct | 5°C (41°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Nov | -2°C (29°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Dec | -7°C (19°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 40 mm (1.6 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.