Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or Antwerp?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Antwerp or Cartagena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Antwerp and Cartagena can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Antwerp or Cartagena?
Antwerp
Antwerp is a very popular tourist destination in Belgium. It's a lovely city in the region of Flanders and its people are known for their friendly, open and welcoming personalities. It's a very relaxed and low stress city, making it an excellent place to spend a few days in the midst of a hectic trip. The city itself is known to have a very high standard of living and a great quality of life. Antwerp is also an economic center in Belgium, because of its importance in the diamond trade. It is known as the "world's leading diamond city" with about seventy percent of all diamonds traded through Antwerp.
Cartagena
The capital of the Bolivar Department of Colombia, Cartagena is one of the most visited cities in the country. It sits on Colombia's northern coast by the Caribbean Sea. It's a port city with a population of almost 900,000, making it the fifth largest city in Colombia. The city has a rich history and was the first Spanish colony on the American continent. It was also one of the first sanctuaries for freed African slaves in the Americas.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Belgium, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Brussels, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAntwerp €123Cartagena €45
The average daily cost (per person) in Antwerp is €123, while the average daily cost in Cartagena is €45. 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 Antwerp and Cartagena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAntwerp €71Cartagena €25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAntwerp €142Cartagena €50
Compare Hotels in Antwerp and Cartagena
Looking for a hotel in Antwerp or Cartagena? 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: Antwerp Hotel Prices and Cartagena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Antwerp €12Cartagena €7.03
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antwerp
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Antwerp:
- Antwerp Shuttle Transfer <-> Schipol Airport Amsterdam (1 to 8 Places): $175
- Arrival Private Transfer Antwerp Airport ANR to Antwerp by Sedan: $68
- Private Arrival Transfer from Antwerp to Brussels By luxury car: $163
- Private Departure Transfer from Antwerp to Brussels By luxury car: $86
- Private Transfer from Antwerp to Bruges or ZeeBrugge By Luxury car: $141
- Round Trip Private Transfer Brussels Airport BRU to Antwerp City by Business Car: $235
- Round Trip Private Transfer Brussels Airport BRU to Antwerp City by Luxury Car: $274
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- Private Transfer from Bocagrande to Port of Cartagena: $25
- 15. Transfer to SANTA MARTA from Cartagena Private or vice versa.: $290
- 18.Transfer (Rafael N-Hotel Decameron Baru Airport) or vice versa: $90
- 2. Transfer from the Airport to the Cartagena Hotel (or vice versa): $29
- 20. Transfer Rafael N. Airport-HOTEL LAS ISLAS-CALABLANCA: $142
- 8. Transfer to BARRANQUILLA from Cartagena Private or vice versa: $160
- Air Conditioning Bus transfer: $10
- Airport Hotel Transfer: $19
- Airport Transfer - Hotel Cartagena: $23
- Airport Transfer Hotel: $35
- Airport Transfers Cartagena: $38
- Arrival Private Transfer Cartagena Airport CTG to Cartagena City by Minivan: $92
Is it cheaper to fly into Antwerp or Cartagena?
Prices for flights to both Cartagena and Antwerp 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 dayAntwerp €39Cartagena €9.21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Antwerp
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Antwerp.
- 2-Hour Food Tour with 5 Tastings: $71
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cartagena
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.
- Featured in NYTimes > Arepas and Dancing: Danceable Cooking Class in Cartagena: $32
- Cooking class of typical food at the beach and sunset view: $39
- Taste Cartagena Food tour: $40
- Street Food Tour in Cartagena: $42
- Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $44
- Local Flavors Food Tour with Native Chef: $50
- Cooking Class: Street food & Mojito making: $50
- Cruise by the Bay with Dinner and Wine: $55
- Private Dinner at a Local Chef's House in Cartagena: $58
- Cartagena Gourmet: Cooking Class with a View, Elegance & Flavor: $59
- Street food tour: $61
- 2 hours Sibarita Express Dinner: $63
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Antwerp €8.21Cartagena €20
Tours and Activities in Antwerp
Here are a few actual costs in Antwerp for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Historical Walking Tour in the Old City: $3.22
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- Evening Walking Tour: The Dark Side of Antwerp: $3.26
- Historical Walking Tour: Legends of Antwerp: $3.27
- Escape Game and Tour: $7.00
- Antwerp Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $7.11
- Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $7.29
- Antwerp In App Audio Tour : Belgian Port City (EN, DU): $7.59
- Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and City Tour: $8.07
- Walking Tour with Audioguide App: $8.07
- Walking Tour Big five Rubens' churches (audio): $16
- Walking Tour: Highlights of Antwerp: $16
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Emeralds Tour: $0.03
- Into the Walls of The City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Cartagena de Indias: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Artists' Quarter Getsemani Self-guided Tour: $6.35
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - The Great Battle: Fort of San Felipe: $6.99
- Old Town Highlights Self-guided Tour: $8.50
- Tour the city on a rumba in a typical bus: $9.42
- Old Town & Getsemani Quarter Self-guided Tour: $9.58
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: Pirate Tales in Cartagena: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Legends of the Streets of Downtown : $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Getsemaní Neighborhood: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: The Rise of the Wall City Part II: $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAntwerp €18Cartagena €8.63
Sample the Local Flavors in Antwerp
Also in Antwerp, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Antwerp Pub Trail: Pub crawl with interactive online game: $12
- City Brewery De Koninck Interactive Tour: $17
- Tour and Tasting if alcoholic Ginger-beer in a gluten-free nano-brewery: $62
- Antwerp Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $66
- Pub Crawl in the Historical City: $97
Sample the Local Flavors in Cartagena
Also in Cartagena, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl with Dancing Lessons and Free Shots: $19
- Cartagena's Best Pub Crawl all included!: $23
- Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $24
- Pub Crawl Only Locals Have Fun In The Walled City: $35
- Nightlife Pub crawl in Cartagena: $72
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Antwerp and Cartagena, we can see that Antwerp is more expensive. And not only is Cartagena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Antwerp is in Europe and Cartagena is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Cartagena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cartagena 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 Antwerp would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Antwerp than you might in Cartagena.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Antwerp Expensive? and Is Cartagena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Antwerp or Cartagena?
Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Antwerp. When comparing the sizes of Antwerp and Cartagena, 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 Antwerp or Cartagena?
Antwerp has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Cartagena experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Antwerp or Cartagena in the Summer?
Both Cartagena and Antwerp are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Antwerp because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Antwerp is much colder than Cartagena in the summer. The daily temperature in Antwerp averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Cartagena fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
It's quite sunny in Cartagena. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Antwerp. Antwerp usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cartagena during summer. Antwerp gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 207 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Antwerp usually receives more rain than Cartagena. Antwerp gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAntwerp 17°C (63°F)Cartagena 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Antwerp or Cartagena in the Autumn?
Both Cartagena and Antwerp during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Antwerp this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round.
In the autumn, Antwerp is much colder than Cartagena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Antwerp in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Cartagena averages at about 27°C (81°F).
In the autumn, Antwerp often gets less sunshine than Cartagena. Antwerp gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 175 hours of full sun.
Cartagena gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Antwerp usually gets less rain in October than Cartagena. Antwerp gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAntwerp 12°C (54°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Antwerp or Cartagena in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Antwerp and Cartagena. Many travelers come to Antwerp for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Antwerp. In January, Antwerp is generally much colder than Cartagena. Daily temperatures in Antwerp average around 3°C (38°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cartagena this time of the year. Antwerp usually receives less sunshine than Cartagena during winter. Antwerp gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 278 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Antwerp usually receives more rain than Cartagena. Antwerp gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAntwerp 3°C (38°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Antwerp or Cartagena in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Antwerp as well as Cartagena. Many visitors come to Antwerp in the spring for the activities around the city. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.
Antwerp is much colder than Cartagena in the spring. The daily temperature in Antwerp averages around 8°C (47°F) in April, and Cartagena fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. In the spring, Antwerp often gets less sunshine than Cartagena. Antwerp gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 209 hours of full sun.
Antwerp usually gets more rain in April than Cartagena. Antwerp gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAntwerp 8°C (47°F)Cartagena 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Cartagena and Antwerp
| Antwerp | Cartagena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (38°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (42°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 8°C (47°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (64°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 75 mm (2.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (40°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 30 mm (1.2 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.