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 €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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Athens and Bucharest in more detail.
Accommodation
For a normal double-occupancy room in Athens, €102 is the average cost for a hotel room. Also in Athens, the typical price for a place to stay for one person is €51, such as in a hostel.
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about €94 for a double occupancy room in Bucharest.
Food
In Athens travelers spend around €30 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 €30
Bucharest €44
Typical Food prices in Athens
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Athens:
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Ice cream
€3.00
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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
-
Greek Meatballs Private Online Cooking Class:
$27
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Withlocals the 10 Tastings: Athens Private Food Tour with a Local:
$42
-
Online Cooking Class: Greek mini cheese pies:
$45
-
Street Culture & Food Tour:
$56
-
Afternoon Food Tour:
$56
-
Athens walking and tasting food tour.:
$60
-
4-Hour Cooking Class with Market Visit:
$69
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Homemade Gyros cooking class and dinner in Athens for private groups:
$75
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The Classic Food Tour:
$76
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Taste of Half-Day Small Group Food Tour:
$77
-
Greek Phyllo and Pie Cooking Class in Athens:
$77
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bucharest
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bucharest.
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Bucharest Evening Tour and Traditional Dinner - 3 hours:
$80
-
Cooking Class in Transylvania - Day Tour from Bucharest:
$199
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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 €22 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:
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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 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
-
Athens Airport Private Departure Transfer:
$28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bucharest
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bucharest:
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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
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Private Transfer to Budapest (Hungary) from Bucharest:
$746
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Private Transfer from Bucharest to Budapest:
$684
-
Private Transfer from Bucharest to Thessaloniki Salonic GR Price/Car 1-4 Seats:
$672
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Private Transfer from Bucharest to Skopje, Macedonia de Nord Price/Car 1-4 Seats:
$672
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Private Transfer: Bucharest to Bucharest B. A. V. International Airport (BBU):
$622
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Private Transfer from Bucharest to Cluj City Untold and Electric Castle 1-8 Seat:
$605
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Private Transfer from Bucharest to Sofia (BG) with Van, Price/Car 1-8 Seat:
$537
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Private Transfer to Bucharest from Sofia (BG) with Van, Price/Car 1-8 Seat:
$537
Is it cheaper to fly into Athens or 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Athens can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around €28 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
-
Skip the Line: Temple of Olympian Zeus Entrance Ticket:
$8.09
-
Skip the Line: Roman Agora of Athens Entrance Ticket:
$8.71
-
Athens Museum of Cycladic Art Admission Ticket:
$8.71
-
Skip the Line: Admission Ticket for Acropolis Museum:
$9.33
-
Temple of Olympian Zeus: Self-Guided Audio Tour on your Phone (without ticket):
$9.94
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Skip the Line: Ancient Agora of Athens and Temple of Hephaestus Entrance Ticket:
$11
-
Benaki Museum of Islamic Art Entrance Ticket:
$11
-
Athens Museum of Illusions Ticket:
$11
-
Self-Guided City Experience:
$12
Tours and Activities in Bucharest
Here are a few actual costs in Bucharest for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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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 €18.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Bucharest may vary from person to person, on average a person spends €6.93 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:
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Athens Walking Tour with Food and Wine Tasting:
$37
-
Virtual Greek Wine Tasting:
$87
-
Athens Food and Wine Tasting Tour:
$96
-
Wine tasting tour:
$131
-
Wine Tasting and Athens Trikke Combo Tour:
$133
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The Best Winery & Tasting Tour in Nemea.Enjoy a unique all day wine tasting tour:
$140
-
Private Wine Tasting Experience of Greek Awarded Wines in Athens:
$148
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Premium Wine Tour in Peloponnese -Ancient Corinthos, Nemea - the Land of Myth:
$148
-
Athens Private Wine Tasting Tour - Dionysian Grapes:
$149
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Ancient Corinth & Nemea Wine Tasting (up to 15 in a Luxurious Mercedes Minibus):
$151
-
Greek Private Wine Tasting:
$166
-
Mercedes Private Full-Day Tour, Nafplio, Corinth Canal and Wine Tasting:
$168
Sample the Local Flavors in Bucharest
Also in Bucharest, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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Pub Crawl in the Old Town:
$23
-
Wine Tasting Tour of Bucharest Old Town:
$61
-
Wine Tasting Tour at First Wine Bar:
$61
-
Private Wine Tasting at Bucharest's First Wine Bar:
$65
-
Bucharest City Tour and Wine Tasting – 2.5 hours:
$88
-
Traditions in Village Museum & Wine Tasting:
$93
-
Bike & Wine tour in Dealu Mare wineland:
$96
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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
-
Romanian Wine Tasting Experience:
$113
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Lacerta Crama Wine Tasting:
$113
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.
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