A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ankara vs. Bucharest for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Ankara or Bucharest?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Ankara and Bucharest. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Ankara or Bucharest?

Ankara

Located at the heart of Turkey near Central Anatolia, Ankara is the capital city and second largest city in the country after Istanbul. Formerly known for its long-haired goats and textiles, the city has since developed into a metropolitan mix of modern cultures with historic landmarks.

Bucharest

Bucharest is the capital and largest city in the country of Romania. With about 2 million residents living in the city and about 2.4 million in the surrounding urban area, it is also one of the largest cities in Southeastern Europe. As such, it is the economic, industrial and commercial center for the country. As a visitor, you will likely enter Romania by arriving in Bucharest. The city continues to grow and change, and there are ongoing infrastructure projects that continue to modernize the city. It is not uncommon to find historic churches on the same block as modern office buildings and Communist style apartment buildings. There are also many sights around town and the city continues to grow as a trendy and fascinating city.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Turkey, The Best Luxury Tours to Turkey, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bucharest, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Romania.


Which place is cheaper, Bucharest or Ankara?

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 Ankara is $110, while the average daily cost in Bucharest is $183. 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 Ankara and Bucharest in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ankara $54
    Bucharest $64
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ankara $108
    Bucharest $128
Compare Hotels in Ankara and Bucharest

Looking for a hotel in Ankara or Bucharest? 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 Ankara


Hotels in Bucharest


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: Ankara Hotel Prices and Bucharest Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ankara $35
    Bucharest $27
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ankara

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


  • Metro Ride
    $0.04
  • Short Taxi Ride
    $0.15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ankara

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ankara:

  • Ankara - Cappadocia Private Transfer (Mercedes Vito): $370
  • Ankara City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels to Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers: $105
  • Ankara Esenboga Airport to Ankara City Hotels Private Arrival Transfer: $67
  • Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers to Ankara City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels: $105
  • Ankara Esenboğa Airport From/To City Center Private Transfer: $61
  • Ankara Private Departure Transfer from City hotels to Airport: $75
  • Ankara Private Transfer from central Ankara hotels to Ankara Airport (ESB): $111
  • Private Transfer Ankara Esenboga Airport ESB to Keçiören Ankara: $40
  • Private Transfer from Ankara Esenboga Airport (ESB) to Central Ankara: $111
  • Private Transfers Ankara City or Esenboga Airport to/from Beypazari Town: $185
  • Private Transfers Ankara City or Esenboga Airport to/from Gordion Ancient City: $185
  • Private Transfers Ankara City or Esenboga Airport to/from Kizilcahamam Town: $185

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bucharest

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bucharest:

  • Private Transfer and 3H Tickets to Therme Bucharest: $108
  • AIRPORT TRANSFER IN BUCHAREST: $54
  • Airport Henri Coanda (Otopeni) to Bucharest - Private Transfer - Driver: $44
  • Airport Private Transfer - to or from any Bucharest hotel: $75
  • Airport Transfer -One way Bucharest Otopeni Henri Coandă Airport : $18
  • Airport to Bucharest - Private Transfer from Henri Coanda Airport OTP Otopeni : $44
  • Airport to Bucharest /Private Transfer from OTP Henri Coanda: $39
  • Airport transfer to hotel: $44
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Bucharest Airport OTP to Brasov in Business Car: $141
  • Arrival Private Transfers from Bucharest Airport OTP to Bucharest City: $49
  • Arrival Private Transfers: Bucharest Airport OTP to Bran Castle of Dracula: $231
  • Bran Castle of Dracula Yourself : Private Transfer from Bucharest Airport OTP: $231

Is it cheaper to fly into Ankara or Bucharest?

Prices for flights to both Bucharest and Ankara 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
    Ankara $31
    Bucharest $102
Typical Food Prices in Ankara

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Ankara:


  • A Quick Lunch
    $0.34

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bucharest

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

  • Dinner &tour at Museum of Communism after closing: $51
  • Bohemian Bucharest Markets and Mahallas Traditional Food Tour: $83
  • Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $86
  • Unhealthy Food Tour of Bucharest – 4 hours: $87
  • Cooking Class traditional food: $88
  • Bucharest Evening Tour and Traditional Dinner: $97
  • Discover Private Highlights and Traditional Food Tour: $109
  • Private Bucharest Food Tour with a Local Foodie: $130
  • 4-Hour Walking Food Tour in the Old Town: $205
  • Bucharest City Tour & Traditional Home-made Cooking Experience: $231

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ankara $32
    Bucharest $15
Typical Entertainment Prices in Ankara

Here are a few typical costs in Ankara for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Underground City
    $0.23

Tours and Activities in Ankara

Here are a few actual costs in Ankara for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Ankara Highlights Walking Tour With A Guide: $32
  • Private Walking tour With A Guide (Private Tour): $33
  • Ankara : Private Walking Tour With A Guide ( Private Tour ) : $33
  • Private Tour with a Local: $38
  • Istanbul: Half-Day Tour with Topkapi Palace: $145
  • Istanbul: Golden Horn & Bosphorus Day Cruise: $165
  • İstanbul: Full-Day Tour with Grand Bazaar: $180
  • Half Day Private Tour in Ankara: $215
  • Ankara Private Walking Tour with a Professional Guide: $222
  • Private Tour: Ankara Sightseeing: $235
  • Ankara Private Walking Tour: $272
  • Private Ankara City Tours by an Archaeologist Tour Guide : $280

Tours and Activities in Bucharest

Here are a few actual costs in Bucharest for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Life in Communist Quest Experience: $6.06
  • Quest Experience in Bellu Cemetery Bucharest: $6.06
  • Bucharest Old Town Secrets Self-Guided Tour and Exploration Game: $6.06
  • Ghost Hunt Quest Experience: $6.06
  • Bucharest 1989 Revolution Self-Guided Walking Tour: $6.39
  • Bucharest 1989 Revolution Walking Tour with Smartphone App: $6.51
  • Entry ticket at the Museum of Communism: $8.81
  • Museum of Communism Ticket with Communist Coffee: $9.78
  • Museum of Senses Entry Ticket: $11
  • Reptiland Bucharest Entry Ticket: $11
  • Bucharest Old Centre Tour: $16
  • A Tale of Bucharest Old Town Walking Tour: $16

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ankara $14
    Bucharest $9.37

Sample the Local Flavors in Bucharest

Also in Bucharest, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Weekend Pub Crawl: $24
  • Romanian Wine Tasting Experience at Corks: $28
  • Bachelor Party Custom Bar Crawl: $38
  • Bucharest Guided Pub Crawl: $39
  • Bar Crawling: $44
  • Pub Crawl in the Old CIty and Rooftop Hopping in Bucharest: $48
  • Private Romanian Wine Tasting in Urlați: $52
  • Wine Tasting in Bucharest: $53
  • Private Wine Tasting Experience: $54
  • Guided Pub Crawl in Bucharest: $57
  • Bucharest Private Old Town Pub and Bar Crawl with Guide: $57
  • Private Bar Crawling in Bucharest Old City: $61


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ankara and Bucharest, we can see that Bucharest is more expensive. And not only is Ankara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ankara would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ankara 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 Bucharest would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bucharest than you might in Ankara.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ankara Expensive? and Is Bucharest Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Ankara or Bucharest?

Ankara has a larger population, and is about 87% larger than the population of Bucharest. When comparing the sizes of Ankara and Bucharest, 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.