Should you visit Athens or Bucharest?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare 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. So, let's dig into it.
Athens
Athens is the capital city of Greece and is home to a population of over 3.7 million people. It's most famous as the birthplace of Classical Greece and the history in the city is incomparable to that found anywhere. It became the national capital of the modern Greek State in the 1830s, before which it was just a small village with a very impressive history. The city was redesigned by architects and city planners and incorporated large public squares, lots of green space, and wide avenues. The city has had its ups and downs both economically and politically, but it remains a beautiful and impressive place to explore.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Bucharest or Athens?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Athens is €72, 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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Athens and Bucharest in more detail.
Accommodation
For a normal double-occupancy room in Athens, €78 is the average cost for a hotel room. Also in Athens, the typical price for a place to stay for one person is €39, such as in a hostel.
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about €96 for a double occupancy room in Bucharest.
Food
In Athens travelers spend around €20 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
The price of a meal in Bucharest can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is €44 per person, and a typical meal will cost around €18 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
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Food
Meals for one day
Athens €20
Bucharest €44
Typical Food prices in Athens
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Athens:
-
Ice cream
€3.00
-
Souvlaki
€2.20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Athens
For Athens, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Online 1hr Cooking Class: Santorini Tomato Fritters:
$6.22
-
Flavors and Memories Self-Guided Mobile Food Tour:
$9.21
-
Hard Rock Cafe Dinner Menu with Priority Seating:
$23
-
Greek Meatballs Private Online Cooking Class:
$27
-
Withlocals the 10 Tastings: Athens Private Food Tour with a Local:
$42
-
Online Cooking Class: Greek mini cheese pies:
$45
-
Favorite Food Tour - 10 Tastings w/ a Local:
$47
-
Athens Food Tour and Lunch:
$52
-
3.5-Hour Traditional Greek Cooking Class:
$54
-
1.5-Hour Greek Cooking Class in Downtown Athens:
$54
-
3-Hour Private Food Tour with Tastings:
$55
-
Taste of Athens 3-Hour Walking Food Tour:
$56
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bucharest
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bucharest.
-
Bucharest Evening Tour and Traditional Dinner - 3 hours:
$80
-
Cooking Class in Transylvania - Day Tour from Bucharest:
$199
-
Walking Food Tour in the Old Town of Bucharest:
$199
-
Bucharest City Tour & Traditional Home-made Cooking Experience:
$223
-
Private Dracula Castle Tour by night and Romanian traditional dinner:
$331
Local Transportation
Athens's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend €13 per person, per day on transportation in Athens.
The average price of local transportation around Bucharest is €20 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Athens
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Athens:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Athens
Also for Athens, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
ATHENS AIRPORT to ATHENS or vice versa PRIVATE LUXURY TRANSFERS:
$62
-
Airport Transfer:
$77
-
Airport Transfer/ Athens Greece:
$59
-
Airport pick up taxi and minivans transfers ,tours and trips:
$60
-
Airport transfer:
$156
-
Ancient Olympia Taxi Transfer from Athens:
$539
-
Arrival Private Transfer Luxury Van Athens Rafina Port to Athens City:
$100
-
Athens & Sounio Taxi Multiple Destination Transfer:
$311
-
Athens 6-Hour Guided Tour with Transfers:
$184
-
Athens Airport Departure Private Transfer. Depart in Style!:
$62
-
Athens Airport Departure Transfer (Athens Hotels to Athens Airport):
$66
-
Athens Airport Departure Transfer: Athens Hotels to Athens Airport Shuttle Bus:
$34
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bucharest
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bucharest:
-
Private Transfer to from Bucharest to Vienna City Austria Price/Car 1-8 Seats:
$1,555
-
Private transfer from Bucharest to Istanbul price/car 1-4 seat:
$941
-
Private Transfer from Bucharest to Budapest price/car 1-4 seat:
$941
-
Private Transfer from Bucharest to Tirana Albania Price/Car 1-4 Seats:
$941
-
Private Transfer to Budapest (Hungary) from Bucharest:
$746
-
Private Transfer from Bucharest to Budapest:
$684
-
Private Transfer from Bucharest to Thessaloniki Salonic GR Price/Car 1-4 Seats:
$672
-
Private Transfer from Bucharest to Skopje, Macedonia de Nord Price/Car 1-4 Seats:
$672
-
Private Transfer: Bucharest to Bucharest B. A. V. International Airport (BBU):
$622
-
Private Transfer from Bucharest to Cluj City Untold and Electric Castle 1-8 Seat:
$605
-
Private Transfer to Bucharest from Sofia (BG) with Van, Price/Car 1-8 Seat:
$537
-
Private Transfer from Bucharest to Belgrad City Serbia Price/Car 1-4 Seats:
$537
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Athens can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around €12 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Bucharest's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around €11 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Tours and Activities in Athens
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Athens.
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Athens virtual History, Philosophy and Democracy Tour:
$6.22
-
Skip the Line: Frissiras Museum Entrance Ticket:
$7.46
-
Skip the Line: War Museum of Athens Entrance Ticket:
$7.46
-
Private Tour with a Local Guide:
$8.07
-
Skip the Line: Temple of Olympian Zeus Entrance Ticket:
$8.09
-
The Acropolis Museum Ticket & Access to Ancient Excavation:
$8.24
-
Skip the Line: Roman Agora of Athens Entrance Ticket:
$8.71
-
Athens Museum of Cycladic Art Admission Ticket:
$8.71
-
Cats of Self-Guided Mobile Tour in Plaka:
$9.21
-
Hellenic Motor Museum Entrance Ticket:
$9.22
-
Temple of Olympian Zeus Skip-the-Line and Audio Tour:
$9.22
-
Skip the Line: Admission Ticket for Acropolis Museum:
$9.33
Tours and Activities in Bucharest
Here are a few actual costs in Bucharest for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
-
1 Day - 4x4 Private Tour in Transylvania:
$200
-
1 Day 4x4 JEEP Tour in Carpathian Mountains:
$129
-
1 Day ATV and Buggy Tour Carpathian Mountains:
$181
-
1 Day Castles Tour - Sinaia and Bran:
$149
-
1 Day Communist Experience:
$168
-
1 Day Private Tour-Slanic Salt Mine, Mud Vulcanos & Wine Testing From Bucharest:
$160
-
1 Day Private Tour-Slanic Salt Mine, Mud Vulcanos - From Bucharest:
$187
-
1 day Cycling Tour from Bucharest - Biking The Roads Of History:
$196
-
1-Day Private Guided Tour: The Story of 40 Years of Communism in Romania:
$158
-
1-Day Private Tour - In the Footsteps of Communism - Execution Museum Included:
$188
-
1-Day Private Tour Constanta: The Ancient City of Tomis, Seaside Tour Included:
$222
-
10 days Small Group Balkans Tour from Bucharest with Bulgaria, Macedonia, Serbia:
$2,115
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Athens, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is €8.98.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Bucharest may vary from person to person, on average a person spends €6.97 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Sample the Local Flavors in Athens
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Athens:
-
Wine Tasting:
$35
-
Athens Walking Tour with Food and Wine Tasting:
$37
-
The Greek Wine Tasting Beginner's Class:
$46
-
1-Hour Wine Tasting:
$46
-
Athens Old City: Wine Tasting Experience:
$52
-
Greek Wine Tasting Experience:
$56
-
Greek Wine Tasting Experience:
$58
-
Private Wine Tasting Experience in Athens:
$63
-
Local Greek Wine Tasting and Meze:
$68
-
Wine Tour and Tasting in a 19th-Century Tower:
$78
-
Food and Wine Tasting Tour at Night:
$80
-
From Wine Tasting Tour to a Greek Winery:
$83
Sample the Local Flavors in Bucharest
Also in Bucharest, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Private Wine Tasting at Bucharest's First Wine Bar:
$65
-
Bucharest City Tour and Wine Tasting – 2.5 hours:
$88
-
Bike & Wine tour in Dealu Mare wineland:
$96
-
Wine tasting at the mansion, Dracula's grave from Snagov & Mogosoaia Palace:
$100
-
Traditions in Village Museum and Wine Tasting Tour:
$100
-
Romanian Wine Tasting:
$106
-
Planetarium in salt mine, Wine tasting and Dracula's grave, Private Tour:
$124
-
Wine tasting in lord mansions, nearby Bucharesti, the Romans wine road:
$124
-
Wine tasting - 1 Day Tour:
$129
-
Private Full Day Tour to The Peles Castle & Wine Tasting - 9 Hours:
$134
-
Salt Mine, Mud Volcanoes, and Wine Tasting Private Day Tour from Bucharest:
$139
-
Constanta and Wine Tasting - Private Day Tour from Bucharest:
$143
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Athens and Bucharest, we can see that Bucharest is more expensive. And not only is Athens much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Athens would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Athens 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 Athens.
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