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

Should you visit Palermo 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 Palermo 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: Palermo or Krakow?

Palermo

Located on its north coast, Palermo is the capital city of Sicily. The city has a lot to offer visitors who decide to venture to this often overlooked part of Italy. There is an interesting history, some unique and delicious food, and a fascinating culture. Prices in Sicily are generally cheaper than elsewhere in Italy. There are a handful of budget accommodation options and plenty of mid range hotels that are spread throughout the city. The rooms are usually comfortable and clean but as always, read reviews before making your reservation.

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 Luxury Tours to Italy, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, The Best Budget Tours to Poland, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Krakow.


Which place is cheaper, Krakow or Palermo?

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 Palermo is €114, while the average daily cost in Krakow is €70. 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 Palermo and Krakow in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Palermo 56
    Krakow 39
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Palermo 112
    Krakow 78
Compare Hotels in Palermo and Krakow

Looking for a hotel in Palermo 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.

Hotels in Palermo


Hotels in Krakow


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: Palermo Hotel Prices and Krakow Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Palermo 5.64
    Krakow 6.05
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Palermo

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


  • Bus to Monreale
    3.00
  • Bus From Airport
    6.00
  • 90 Minute Bus Pass
    1.30
  • Short Taxi Ride
    4.35

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Palermo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Palermo:

  • Airport Transfer: Palermo Airport PMO to Palermo by Business Car: $106
  • Airport Transfer: Palermo Airport PMO to Palermo by Luxury Van: $118
  • CO2-Offset Arrival Private Transfer Palermo Airport to Palermo : $76
  • CO2-Offset Arrival Transfer Palermo Airport PMO to Palermo City: $61
  • CO2-Offset Arrival Transfer from Palermo Airport PMO to Palermo : $76
  • CO2-Offset Departure Transfer Palermo City to Palermo Airport : $76
  • Eurostars Centrale Palace - Palermo Airport or vice versa, Private Transfer: $48
  • Grand Hotel Wagner to Palermo airport or vice versa, Private Transfer: $60
  • Mangias Pollina Resort private transfer to Palermo airport: $120
  • Palermo Airport (PMO) to Palermo Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $184
  • Palermo Airport (PMO) to Palermo Cruise Port- Arrival Private Transfer: $92
  • Palermo Airport ⇄ Palermo City: Private Transfer Service: $55

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Palermo or Krakow?

Prices for flights to both Krakow and Palermo 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
    Palermo 51
    Krakow 22
Typical Food Prices in Palermo

Some typical examples of dining costs in Palermo are as follows:


  • Sitdown Dinner (for Two)
    32
  • Fast Food Lunch
    5.32

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Palermo

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Palermo.

  • Palermo's Delight: Unleash the Secrets of Pizza and Gelato Making: $65
  • Taste the Tradition on a Food Tour by Do Eat Better: $70
  • Palermo Sicilian Street Food Tour: Small Group by Do Eat Better: $78
  • Night Street Food Tour of Palermo with a Local -For real foodies!: $83
  • Wanna be Sicilian: Palermo Cooking Class and Market Tour: $88
  • Cooking class in Palermo city center: $114
  • Sicilian Cooking Class: $117
  • Cooking Class in Palermo - fresh pasta and tiramisù: $118
  • Sicilian Dinner & Tarot – A Magical Night of Wine & Laughs: $118
  • Palermo Sicilian Cooking Class with a Well-known Italian Chef: $118
  • Sicilian Cooking Class : Homemade Pasta: $123
  • Cooking class in a villa with Palermo view: $138

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.
    Palermo 17
    Krakow 19
Typical Entertainment Prices in Palermo

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Palermo are as follows:


  • Capuchin Catacombs (for 2)
    6.00
  • Castello della Zisa Entrance (for Two)
    12
  • Theater Tickets (for Two)
    49

Tours and Activities in Palermo

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Palermo are as follows:

  • Palermo Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $4.77
  • Skip the Line in Museum of Marionette Antonio Pasqualino: $10
  • Zisa Palace Entry Ticket: $18
  • Palatine Chapel Entry Ticket, Audio App & optional Norman Palace: $30
  • Discover the Charm of A 3-Hour UNESCO Sites Walking Tour: $36
  • Palermo No Mafia walking tour: discover the Anti-mafia culture in Sicily: $39
  • Guided tour of the historic center Palermo: $42
  • Markets and Monuments: Walking Tour in the Center of Palermo: $42
  • Agrigento: Valley of the Temples Tour – Small Group or Private: $44
  • Palermo : Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $54
  • Palermo Walking Tour and Street Food: $54
  • Palermo Original Street Food Walking Tour by Streaty: $83

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Palermo 11
    Krakow 6.38
Typical Alcohol Prices in Palermo

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


  • Beer
    2.56
  • Bottle of Quality Wine
    11

Sample the Local Flavors in Palermo

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

  • Wine Tasting Experience for Small Groups from Palermo: $269
  • Private Tour to Segesta, Erice and Wine Tasting in Marsala: $275

Typical Alcohol Prices in Krakow

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


  • Vodka
    13

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 Palermo and Krakow, we can see that Palermo 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 Palermo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Palermo 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 Palermo Expensive? and Is Krakow Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Palermo or Krakow?

Krakow has a larger population, and is about 12% larger than the population of Palermo. When comparing the sizes of Palermo 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 Palermo or Krakow?

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 Palermo or Krakow in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Palermo and Krakow. Many travelers come to Palermo for the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Palermo is a little warmer than Krakow in the summer. The daily temperature in Palermo averages around 25°C (76°F) in July, and Krakow fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Krakow this time of the year. In Palermo, it's very sunny this time of the year. Palermo usually receives more sunshine than Krakow during summer. Palermo gets 347 hours of sunny skies, while Krakow receives 201 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Palermo usually receives less rain than Krakow. Palermo gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Palermo 25°C (76°F) 
    Krakow 19°C (67°F)

Should I visit Palermo or Krakow in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Palermo as well as Krakow. Many visitors come to Palermo in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Palermo is much warmer than Krakow. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Palermo in October average around 20°C (67°F), and Krakow averages at about 11°C (51°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Palermo this time of the year. In the autumn, Palermo often gets more sunshine than Krakow. Palermo gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Krakow receives 97 hours of full sun.

Palermo usually gets more rain in October than Krakow. Palermo gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Palermo 20°C (67°F) 
    Krakow 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Palermo or Krakow in the Winter?

Both Krakow and Palermo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Palermo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

The weather in Krakow can be very cold. In January, Palermo is generally much warmer than Krakow. Daily temperatures in Palermo average around 12°C (53°F), and Krakow fluctuates around -2°C (29°F).

Palermo usually receives more sunshine than Krakow during winter. Palermo gets 133 hours of sunny skies, while Krakow receives 38 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Palermo usually receives more rain than Krakow. Palermo gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Palermo 12°C (53°F) 
    Krakow -2°C (29°F)

Should I visit Palermo or Krakow in the Spring?

Both Krakow and Palermo during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Palermo because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

Palermo is a little warmer than Krakow in the spring. The daily temperature in Palermo averages around 15°C (58°F) in April, and Krakow fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

It's quite sunny in Palermo. In the spring, Palermo often gets more sunshine than Krakow. Palermo gets 219 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Krakow receives 132 hours of full sun.

Palermo usually gets less rain in April than Krakow. Palermo gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Palermo 15°C (58°F) 
    Krakow 10°C (50°F)

Typical Weather for Krakow and Palermo

Palermo Krakow
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (53°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) -2°C (29°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Feb 12°C (53°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 0°C (32°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Mar 13°C (55°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 5°C (40°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Apr 15°C (58°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 10°C (50°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
May 18°C (65°F) 17 mm (0.7 in) 15°C (59°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Jun 22°C (71°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 18°C (64°F) 96 mm (3.8 in)
Jul 25°C (76°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 19°C (67°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Aug 25°C (77°F) 9 mm (0.3 in) 19°C (66°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Sep 23°C (73°F) 42 mm (1.6 in) 15°C (60°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Oct 20°C (67°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 11°C (51°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Nov 16°C (60°F) 65 mm (2.5 in) 5°C (41°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Dec 13°C (55°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 1°C (33°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)