Which city is cheaper, Bucharest or Athens?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Athens 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.
Athens is a vibrant, energetic, and historic city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.
Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bucharest and Athens. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Interesting museums and landmarks can be found in both Bucharest and Athens, but many consider Athens to be a step above.
With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Athens has many famous sights for visitors. As a historical capital of the world, this city has countless museums and archeological sites including the famous Acropolis, the National Archaeology Museum, and the Ancient Agora.
Bucharest is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The city is rich in landmarks and historical buildings. Popular sights include the Romanian Athenaeum, the Palace of the Parliament, Stavropoleos Church, and Curtea Veche.
Foodies will appreciated the dining options available in Athens a bit more than Bucharest.
Eat your way through Athens, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. Make sure you try the souvlaki, moussaka, and dolmades at any of the many local restaurants throughout the city.
Bucharest offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. Many Romanian recipes have been passed down through the generations and they still use traditional flavors. You'll see some German or Hungarian influences, but the flavors are still uniquely Romanian. Popular dishes include ciorba (tripe soup), cabbage rolls, and mici (grilled meat rolls).
Most visitors prefer the nightlife in Athens.
The nightlife in Athens is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. There are all-night dance clubs as well as local bars and chill live music venues.
There's a variety of activities in the evening in Bucharest. The city has come to life with its party scene, with many bars and clubs that you can choose from. There are rooftop bars, chic dance clubs, and cozy pubs where you can pass the evening. You'll find most of the upscale clubs in the northern part of the city, with a more casual scene found in the downtown areas around Universitate and Romanā.
If you're looking to go shopping, Athens and Bucharest both offer plenty of spots.
Athens has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Most neighborhoods have a shopping street but head to Ermou Street for some of the city's best shopping.
Bucharest is a great destination for shopping. The residents love fashion, and you'll find many shopping centers around town where you can find a good deal. In addition to the many malls, there are also antique shops, flea markets and boutique clothing stores where you might find a hidden gem.
Families may find more to do in Athens than Bucharest.
You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Athens. With its rich history, beautiful outdoor activities, and kid-friendly food, Athens is a fun place to explore with the whole family.
Bucharest is not the most family-friendly destination. Kid-friendly activities include kid's play areas, museums such as the Museum of the Senses, and water centered activities like rowing in the park or visiting the wellness center Therme.
Athens and Bucharest both fun destinations for a couple.
Athens is a good city for couples to visit. The city is historical, fascinating, and romantic, making it a beautiful place to explore as a couple.
Bucharest is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The city has some romantic settings such as wandering down Victory Avenue or exploring the historic Cotroceni Neighbourhood. There are also several gardens and a number of nice cafes to explore.
Travelers usually think of Athens as a better destination for backpackers than Bucharest.
A large number of backpackers visit Athens, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. The city has long been established as a backpackers destination with budget friendly food and plenty of hostels around town.
Bucharest is a good city to visit for backpackers. The city is affordable, but it's often overlooked by backpackers. Part of the charm for many is the sense of authenticity that can often be hard to find in travel these days.
Athens and Bucharest both offer public transit to get you around.
Many visitors use the public transit system in Athens. The city's metro system has 3 lines that connect to bus, tram and commuter rail lines.
Public transit in Bucharest is fairly effecient and thorough. Public transit options include trams, buses, and trolley buses.
Athens and Bucharest are similar when it comes to walkability.
Athens is a very walkable destination. You'll find the city's most walkable area's in the historical heart, where there are many pedestrian only streets and shopping areas.
Bucharest is somewhat walkable. Many of the tourist attractions are within a walkable area.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Athens and Bucharest. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Athens than Bucharest.
The ideal length of time for a trip to Athens is 3-7 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Bucharest is 1-3 days.
People visit Athens because there is so much to do. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Bucharest. One day is often enough time to do most activities.
People visit Athens because there is so much to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.
Bucharest is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
People visit Athens because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bucharest. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
Athens is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Athens, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the less touristy destination of Bucharest. This offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Athens is €103, while the average daily cost in Bucharest is €104. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Athens and Bucharest in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Athens 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.
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.
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Athens:
Also for Athens, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bucharest:
Prices for flights to both Bucharest and Athens 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.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Athens:
For Athens, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bucharest.
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Athens.
Here are a few actual costs in Bucharest for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Athens:
Also in Bucharest, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When comparing the travel costs between Athens and Bucharest, we can see that Bucharest is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
The summer brings many poeple to Athens as well as Bucharest. The summer months attract visitors to Athens because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bucharest this time of year.
In July, Athens is generally a little warmer than Bucharest. Temperatures in Athens average around 27°C (81°F), and Bucharest stays around 23°C (73°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bucharest. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Athens this time of the year. In the summer, Athens often gets more sunshine than Bucharest. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bucharest receives 289 hours of full sun.
Athens usually gets less rain in July than Bucharest. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Bucharest receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Bucharest and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Athens this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bucharest for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
Athens is much warmer than Bucharest in the autumn. The temperature in Athens is usually 19°C (67°F) in October, and Bucharest stays around 13°C (55°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Athens. Athens usually receives more sunshine than Bucharest during autumn. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Bucharest receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Athens usually receives more rain than Bucharest. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Bucharest receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both Bucharest and Athens during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Athens for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Bucharest in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Bucharest can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Athens is much warmer than Bucharest. Typically, the winter temperatures in Athens in January are around 10°C (51°F), and Bucharest is about -1°C (29°F).
In the winter, Athens often gets more sunshine than Bucharest. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bucharest receives 71 hours of full sun.
Athens usually gets more rain in January than Bucharest. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Bucharest receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Bucharest. Many visitors come to Athens in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Bucharest for the activities around the city during these months.
In April, Athens is generally a little warmer than Bucharest. Temperatures in Athens average around 16°C (60°F), and Bucharest stays around 12°C (54°F).
In Athens, it's very sunny this time of the year. Athens usually receives more sunshine than Bucharest during spring. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Bucharest receives 185 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Athens usually receives less rain than Bucharest. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Bucharest receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Athens | Bucharest | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 10°C (51°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | -1°C (29°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
May | 20°C (68°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
Sep | 24°C (76°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
Nov | 16°C (60°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
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