Which place is cheaper, Karlovy Vary or Salzburg?
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 Salzburg or Karlovy Vary?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salzburg or Karlovy Vary, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Salzburg or Karlovy Vary?
Salzburg
Most people know of Salzburg from its roll in the infamous movie "The Sound of Music." Every child who fell in love with this movie knows the gazebo scene in the rain, or could sing "My Favorite Things" as they skip down the Salzach River, but once you get past the obvious cliches, you can see that Salzburg is a city with a lot of depth and culture aside from the movie.
Karlovy Vary
Founded in 1370, Karlovy Vary translates to "Charles' Bath" for its founder Charles IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor, as well as its famous hot springs. It is located in Bohemia in the western Czech Republic and is also known as Karlsbad (German) or Carlsbad (English). Another highlight is the International Film Festival in July with draws celebrities and other film enthusiasts worldwide.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Austria, The Best Tours for Seniors to Austria, The Best Cultural Tours in Czech Republic, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Czech Republic.
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Salzburg Prices
Austria PricesKarlovy Vary Prices
Czech Republic Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySalzburg €185Karlovy Vary €98
The average daily cost (per person) in Salzburg is €185, while the average daily cost in Karlovy Vary is €98. 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 Salzburg and Karlovy Vary in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSalzburg €91Karlovy Vary €38
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSalzburg €182Karlovy Vary €76
Compare Hotels in Salzburg and Karlovy Vary
Looking for a hotel in Salzburg or Karlovy Vary? 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: Salzburg Hotel Prices and Karlovy Vary Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Salzburg €19Karlovy Vary €25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salzburg
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salzburg:
- Hallstatt daytrip: Transfer to Hallstatt + Salzburg and back: $523
- Salzburg daytrip: Private transfer to Salzburg and back: $405
- Private Transfer from Salzburg to Vienna: Door-to-door, English-speaking driver: $295
- Saalbach-Hinterglemm to Innsbruck Airport(INN)-Departure Transfer: $292
- From Salzburg to Munich Airport- Private Transfer - punctual & friendly Driver: $277
- Private Transfer Salzburg → Munich, Hotel-to-Hotel, English-speaking driver: $277
- Private Transfer from Salzburg to Munich With 2h of Sightseeing: $277
- Private transfer from Salzburg to Zell am See ski area: $264
- Private transfer from Salzburg to Passau with Local English Speaking Driver: $256
- Private Transfer From Zell am See To Munich: $245
- Private Salzburg transfer : $239
- Private Transfer From Zell am See To Salzburg, English Speaking Driver: $202
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Karlovy Vary
Also for Karlovy Vary, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague, English-speaking driver: $131
- Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague: Private daytrip with 2h for sightseeing: $141
- Karlovy Vary to Prague Airport (PRG) - Departure Private Transfer: $167
Is it cheaper to fly into Salzburg or Karlovy Vary?
Prices for flights to both Karlovy Vary and Salzburg 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 daySalzburg €71Karlovy Vary €44
Typical Food Prices in Salzburg
Some typical examples of dining costs in Salzburg are as follows:
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Lunch Salad€9.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Salzburg
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Salzburg.
- Austrian Apple Strudel Cooking Class including Lunch in Salzburg: $69
- Salzburg Christmas Cookies and Apple Strudel Cooking Lesson: $69
- Apple Strudel & Prezel Cooking Class incl. Dinner & Music: $94
- Best of Mozart Concert and Dinner or VIP Dinner at Fortress Hohensalzburg: $98
- Mozart and Advent/Christmas Concert with Dinner at Fortress Hohensalzburg: $98
- Mozart Dinner Concert in Salzburg: $101
- Mozart Concert and Dinner or VIP Dinner at Fortress Salzburg with River Cruise: $129
- Sound of Music Tour with Edelweiss Cooking Class in Salzburg: $149
- Best of Mozart Concert and GOLDEN VIP Dinner at Fortress Hohensalzburg: $153
- Private Knödel (Austrian Dumplings) Cooking Class with a Chef: $178
- Private Artisanal Charcuterie "Marende" Cooking Class with a Chef: $274
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Salzburg €30Karlovy Vary €11
Tours and Activities in Salzburg
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Salzburg are as follows:
- 2-Hour Private Salzburg City Highlights Tour: $298
- A day in the life of Salzburg - Private tour with a local: $252
- A taste of An audio tour through the birthplace of Mozart: $12
- Amphibious Splash Tour on the water & on the land in Salzburg: $52
- Best of Mozart Concert at Fortress Hohensalzburg with River Cruise: $80
- Best of Salzburg 1-Hour Private Sightseeing Tour: $179
- Charming Sankt Gilgen Family Discovery Walking Tour: $178
- Discover Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- DomQuartier Salzburg Residence and Cathedral Private Tour: $249
- Eagle's Nest & WWII Bunkers & Berchtesgaden Tour from Salzburg: $297
- Eagle's Nest Hiking Tour: $238
- Eagle’s Nest E-Bike Tour in a Small Group: $226
Tours and Activities in Karlovy Vary
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Karlovy Vary.
- Karlovy Vary Hot Springs Tasting Tour: $42
- Touristic highlights of Karlovy Vary on a Private half day tour with a local: $184
- A day in the life of Karlovy Vary - Private tour with a local: $245
- Karlovy Vary Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $273
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySalzburg €26Karlovy Vary €6.41
Typical Alcohol Prices in Salzburg
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Salzburg:
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Beer€3.70
Sample the Local Flavors in Salzburg
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Salzburg:
- Salzburg Brewery Tour: $60
- Cheers to Beer &Wine Tasting with local Food Pairing: $95
- Private Austrian Wine Tasting with a Pro-Sommelière: $204
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Salzburg and Karlovy Vary, we can see that Salzburg is more expensive. And not only is Karlovy Vary much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Karlovy Vary would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Karlovy Vary 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 Salzburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Salzburg than you might in Karlovy Vary.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Salzburg Expensive? and Is Karlovy Vary Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Salzburg or Karlovy Vary?
Salzburg has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Karlovy Vary. When comparing the sizes of Salzburg and Karlovy Vary, 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 Salzburg or Karlovy Vary?
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 Salzburg or Karlovy Vary in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Salzburg as well as Karlovy Vary. Most visitors come to Salzburg for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Salzburg is around the same temperature as Karlovy Vary. Typically, the summer temperatures in Salzburg in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Karlovy Vary averages at about 20°C (68°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Karlovy Vary. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Salzburg this time of the year. In the summer, Salzburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Karlovy Vary. Salzburg gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 217 hours of full sun.
Salzburg usually gets more rain in July than Karlovy Vary. Salzburg gets 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySalzburg 20°C (68°F)Karlovy Vary 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Salzburg or Karlovy Vary in the Autumn?
Both Karlovy Vary and Salzburg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Salzburg because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Salzburg is generally around the same temperature as Karlovy Vary. Daily temperatures in Salzburg average around 11°C (52°F), and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Salzburg usually receives less sunshine than Karlovy Vary during autumn. Salzburg gets 108 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Salzburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Karlovy Vary. Salzburg gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSalzburg 11°C (52°F)Karlovy Vary 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Salzburg or Karlovy Vary in the Winter?
Both Karlovy Vary and Salzburg during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Salzburg this time of year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Karlovy Vary. It's quite cold in Salzburg in the winter. Salzburg is much colder than Karlovy Vary in the winter. The daily temperature in Salzburg averages around -0°C (31°F) in January, and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).
In the winter, Salzburg often gets less sunshine than Karlovy Vary. Salzburg gets 44 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 58 hours of full sun.
Salzburg usually gets more rain in January than Karlovy Vary. Salzburg gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySalzburg -0°C (31°F)Karlovy Vary 1°C (33°F)
Should I visit Salzburg or Karlovy Vary in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Salzburg and Karlovy Vary. Many travelers come to Salzburg for the natural beauty.
In the spring, Salzburg is around the same temperature as Karlovy Vary. Typically, the spring temperatures in Salzburg in April average around 11°C (51°F), and Karlovy Vary averages at about 10°C (50°F).
Salzburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Karlovy Vary during spring. Salzburg gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 151 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Salzburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Karlovy Vary. Salzburg gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSalzburg 11°C (51°F)Karlovy Vary 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Karlovy Vary and Salzburg
| Salzburg | Karlovy Vary | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -0°C (31°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 2°C (36°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (51°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (65°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 20°C (68°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (67°F) | 93 mm (3.6 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (61°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (52°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 5°C (42°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Dec | 1°C (35°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 46 mm (1.8 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.