Krakow, Poland
Medieval charm at Eastern European prices
Why Visit
Krakow delivers the architectural grandeur of Prague or Vienna at a fraction of the cost. The Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the best-preserved medieval city centers in Europe. You can eat a full restaurant meal for under $15, and a pint of local craft beer rarely tops $3.
Beyond the main square, there is real depth here. The Kazimierz district has evolved from its historical roots as the Jewish quarter into the city’s cultural and nightlife hub. Nowa Huta, the Soviet-planned “ideal city” on the eastern edge, is one of the most fascinating urban planning experiments you can walk through.
For anyone interested in history, the Wieliczka Salt Mine and Auschwitz-Birkenau memorial are both day-trip distance. Neither is optional if you are spending more than a couple of days.
Best Time to Go
May through June and September through October are the sweet spot. Summer (July-August) brings crowds and higher prices to Old Town. Shoulder season has comfortable temperatures in the 60s-70s, fewer tourists, and the best hotel rates.
Winter can be genuinely cold (20s-30s F), but Krakow’s Christmas market is one of Europe’s best, and prices drop significantly from November through March.
Getting There from the East Coast
No nonstop flights exist from the U.S. East Coast to Krakow (KRK). The best routing options:
- LOT Polish Airlines via Warsaw (WAW): Most direct option, often the cheapest. One stop, total travel ~12 hours.
- Lufthansa via Frankfurt or Munich: Reliable connections, competitive fares.
- Budget play: Fly to London or Berlin on a cheap transatlantic fare, then grab a Ryanair or Wizz Air connection for $30-50.
Watch for fare sales on LOT, which periodically drops East Coast to Krakow below $400 round trip.
Where to Stay
Old Town (Stare Miasto) is the obvious choice for first-timers. Everything is walkable. Hotels are pricier here relative to elsewhere in the city, but “pricier” in Krakow still means $60-80 for a solid 3-star.
Kazimierz is the better neighborhood for repeat visitors or anyone who prefers bars and restaurants to tourist attractions. It is a 15-minute walk to the main square. Hotels here run $40-60.
Podgorze, across the river, is the emerging budget option. Less polished, more local, with easy tram access to everything. $35-50.
Search hotels in Krakow on Booking.com
Estimated Trip Cost
| Category | Budget (7 nights) |
|---|---|
| Flights (East Coast) | $450-600 |
| Hotels | $315-420 |
| Food & drink | $150-200 |
| Activities | $50-80 |
| Total | $965-1,300 |
A full week in Krakow for under $1,300 is entirely realistic. That is hard to match anywhere in Western Europe.
Travel Hack Tip
LOT Polish Airlines stopover program: LOT offers a free stopover in Warsaw on connecting flights. Instead of rushing through WAW, book a 1-2 day layover and explore Warsaw at no extra airfare cost. Warsaw’s Old Town (rebuilt after WWII) and the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews are worth the detour.