Comparison · Kraków vs Warsaw · Poland
Kraków vs Warsaw
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Andrzej Otrębski, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Choose Kraków for Main Market Square and Wawel Castle; choose Warsaw for Rebuilt Old Town and Warsaw Uprising. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 252 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 252 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Kraków
- May–June and September
- Best time for Warsaw
- May–June and September
Side by side
| Kraków | Warsaw | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Poland | Poland |
| Known for | Main Market Square, Wawel Castle and Kazimierz | Rebuilt Old Town, Warsaw Uprising and Chopin |
| Best time to visit | May–June and September | May–June and September |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 3 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $90–$170 | $100–$180 |
| Cost level | Affordable | Affordable |
| Warmest month | July, 25°C (77°F) | July, 25°C (77°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 1°C (34°F) | January, 0°C (32°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 8 | 9 |
| Day trips in our guide | 6 | 6 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | KRK, KTW | WAW, WMI |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Kraków for…
Main Market Square and Wawel Castle. 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…
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Choose Warsaw for…
Rebuilt Old Town and Warsaw Uprising. Poland's capital was largely destroyed in the Second World War and rebuilt with remarkable care: its Old Town, reconstructed from paintings and photographs, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Warsaw's museums — the Warsaw Rising Museum, POLIN and the…
Top sights compared
| # | Kraków | Warsaw |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Main Market Square | Old Town Market Square |
| 2 | Cloth Hall | Royal Castle |
| 3 | St. Mary's Basilica | Castle Square and Sigismund's Column |
| 4 | Wawel Castle | Royal Route: Krakowskie Przedmieście and Nowy Świat |
| 5 | Wawel Cathedral | Łazienki Park |
Food compared
| Kraków | Warsaw |
|---|---|
| Pierogi | Pierogi |
| Obwarzanek krakowski | Pyzy |
| Zapiekanka | Żurek |
| Żurek | Kotlet schabowy |
Which is cheaper?
Kraków and Warsaw cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $90–$170 in Kraków and $100–$180 in Warsaw (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Kraków on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Kraków and Warsaw are about 252 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Kraków and 3 in Warsaw.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Kraków or Warsaw cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $90–$170 in Kraków and $100–$180 in Warsaw (estimates).
+Is Kraków or Warsaw better for a first trip?
Pick Kraków for Main Market Square and Wawel Castle, or Warsaw for Rebuilt Old Town and Warsaw Uprising.
+How far is Kraków from Warsaw?
About 252 km in a straight line.