Comparison · Budapest vs Kraków · Hungary / Poland
Budapest vs Kraków
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Visions of Domino, CC BY 2.0
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Quick answer
Choose Budapest for Thermal baths and Hungarian Parliament; choose Kraków for Main Market Square, Wawel Castle and lower day-to-day costs. Kraków is generally less expensive, and the two are about 293 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 293 km
- Less expensive
- Kraków
- Best time for Budapest
- April–May and September–October
- Best time for Kraków
- May–June and September
Side by side
| Budapest | Kraków | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Hungary | Poland |
| Known for | Thermal baths, Hungarian Parliament and Danube views | Main Market Square, Wawel Castle and Kazimierz |
| Best time to visit | April–May and September–October | May–June and September |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 4 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $110–$210 | $90–$170 |
| Cost level | Affordable | Affordable |
| Warmest month | July, 28°C (82°F) | July, 25°C (77°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 3°C (37°F) | January, 1°C (34°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 7 | 8 |
| Day trips in our guide | 6 | 6 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | BUD | KRK, KTW |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Budapest for…
Thermal baths and Hungarian Parliament. Budapest straddles the Danube: hilly Buda on the west bank has the Castle District and Fisherman's Bastion, while flat Pest on the east holds the Parliament, St Stephen's Basilica, the old Jewish Quarter and most hotels, restaurants and bars. The city sits…
Choose Kraków for…
Main Market Square, Wawel Castle and lower day-to-day costs. Poland's former royal capital came through the Second World War largely intact, so its UNESCO-listed Old Town still centres on one of Europe's largest medieval squares, the Rynek Główny, with the Cloth Hall and St. Mary's Basilica. Wawel Hill's castle and…
Top sights compared
| # | Budapest | Kraków |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hungarian Parliament Building | Main Market Square |
| 2 | Buda Castle | Cloth Hall |
| 3 | Fisherman's Bastion | St. Mary's Basilica |
| 4 | Matthias Church | Wawel Castle |
| 5 | Széchenyi Thermal Bath | Wawel Cathedral |
Food compared
| Budapest | Kraków |
|---|---|
| Goulash soup | Pierogi |
| Chicken paprikash | Obwarzanek krakowski |
| Lángos | Zapiekanka |
| Chimney cake | Żurek |
Which is cheaper?
Kraków is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $90–$170 per person there, against $110–$210 in Budapest (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Kraków on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Budapest and Kraków are about 293 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Budapest and 4 in Kraków.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Budapest or Kraków cheaper?
Kraków is usually less expensive: about $90–$170 a day mid-range against $110–$210 (estimates).
+Is Budapest or Kraków better for a first trip?
Pick Budapest for Thermal baths and Hungarian Parliament, or Kraków for Main Market Square, Wawel Castle and lower day-to-day costs.
+How far is Budapest from Kraków?
About 293 km in a straight line.