A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bari vs. Budva for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Bari or Budva?

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 Bari and Budva. 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: Bari or Budva?

Bari

Off the lustrous, aquamarine waters of the Adriatic Sea, a bustling city hums to life as the sun sets. Though an ancient city, Bari still attains its youthful air, with a thriving nightlife and breathtaking boulevards. The capital city of Apulia region, Bari is the second most important economic center of mainland Southern Italy, as well as a significant port and university city.

Budva

A coastal resort in Montenegro, Budva is probably the country's most popular tourist destination. Not only does it host a number of great beaches, but it is also home to a picturesque old town center located on a small peninsula. Some of its best features include narrow winding lanes, historic buildings, churches, and small squares.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Italy, The Best 10-Day Tours in Italy, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Montenegro, and The Best Adventure Tours to Montenegro.


Which place is cheaper, Budva or Bari?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Bari is €113, while the average daily cost in Budva is €91. 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 Bari and Budva in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bari 73
    Budva 37
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bari 146
    Budva 74
Compare Hotels in Bari and Budva

Looking for a hotel in Bari or Budva? 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 Bari


Hotels in Budva


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: Bari Hotel Prices and Budva Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bari 11
    Budva 20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bari

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


  • Train to Lecce
    44

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bari

Also for Bari, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Bari Airport: 1-Way Shared Transfer to Matera City Center: $5.35
  • Bari Airport: Shared Transfer to/from Taranto Train Station: $9.09
  • Bari City Hotels to Taranto Cruise Port - Departure Transfer: $67
  • Bari Cruise Port (Terminal di Bari) to Bari hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $25
  • Bari Cruise Port (Terminal di Bari) to Bari hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $50
  • Bari Cruise Port to Polignano Hotels Arrival Private Transfer: $79
  • Bari Cruise Port to Polignano city Round trip Private Transfer: $157
  • Bari Intl Airport (BRI) to Bari Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $25
  • Bari Intl Airport (BRI) to Bari Cruise Port- Round-Trip Private Transfer: $50
  • Bari Per Matera - Matera Airport Transfer Service For Bari Airport: $148
  • Bari or Naples: Private Transfer Service: $541
  • Bari Airport Transfer to/from Foggia Train Station: $13

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Budva

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Budva are as follows:


  • Daily Car Rental
    65

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Budva

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Budva:

  • Taxi Transfer Budva to Tirana: $294
  • Private Transfer from Budva to Dubrovnik: $272
  • Private Transfer from Budva or Becici to Dubrovnik airport: $240
  • Private Transfer from Sveti Stefan to Dubrovnik airport: $218
  • Budva to Dubrovnik one way transfer: $179
  • Herceg Novi to Budva one way transfer: $144
  • Transfer from Podgorica Airport to Kotor: $139
  • Private Transfer from Bar to Tivat Airport (TIV): $117
  • Tivat to Budva one way transfer: $102
  • Private Transfer from Bar to Podgorica Airport (TGD): $97
  • Private Transfer from Petrovac to Tivat airport: $82
  • Montenegro Airport Transfer: $65

Is it cheaper to fly into Bari or Budva?

Prices for flights to both Budva and Bari 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
    Bari 32
    Budva 31
Typical Food Prices in Bari

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Bari:


  • Dinner
    44
  • Coffee
    2.00

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bari

For Bari, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Street food tour of Polignano a Mare: $39
  • Bari Walking Street Food Tour: $48
  • Bari Street Food Tour by Bike: $70
  • Italian Street Food Tour with Tastings and Drinks: $70
  • Puglia Plates - Bari Food Tour: $76
  • Street Food Tour in Bari old town - Do Eat Better Experience: $78
  • Rickshaw Street Food Tour: $80
  • Conversano: Apulian cooking lesson with dinner included: $82
  • Bari Street Food Tour by Rickshaw: $82
  • Bari Street Food Tour on Segway: $86
  • Dining Experience at a local's Home in Barletta with Show Cooking: $93
  • Dining Experience at a local's Home in Margherita di Savoia with Show Cooking: $93

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Budva

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

  • Cooking Class with dinner/lunch in Ulcinj Montenegro : $49

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bari 8.61
    Budva 22

Tours and Activities in Bari

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Bari.

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • Tour "Hunt for the treasures of Bari": $3.28
  • Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $6.42
  • Bari Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.56
  • Bari Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
  • Wonderful Bari Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
  • Olive Oil Private Tour and Extra Virgin Olive Oil Tasting in Altamura: $22
  • Simi Palace and Byzantine Church Tour with Ticket: $24
  • St. Nicholas Basilica and Crypt Guided Tour: $27
  • Guided Walking Tour: $27
  • Bari Walking City Tour: $30
  • Norman-Swabian Castle Guided Tour: $30

Tours and Activities in Budva

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

  • 1-Hour Guided Lipa Cave Adventure in Montenegro: $15
  • Blue Cave Tour on Kayaks in Montenegro: $82
  • Budva 1 hour Private walking tour: $66
  • Budva Bay Boat Tour - Exploring Budva With A Local: $70
  • Budva Bay SUP & Kayaking Tours to Coastal Caves: $44
  • Budva old town private tour: $172
  • Budva private day tour from Kotor: $310
  • Budva/Petrovac: Premium Paragliding Experience: $107
  • 3-Hour Paddle Board or Kayak Tour to Coastal Caves: $43
  • City Private Tour: $126
  • Exploring Caves & Private Boat Tour: $70
  • Hidden paradise tour with snorkeling and lunch: $214

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bari 13
    Budva 14
Typical Alcohol Prices in Bari

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Bari:


  • Beer
    2.00

Sample the Local Flavors in Bari

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Bari:

  • Afternoon Tour Secrets of Alberobello incl. Food & Wine tasting: $79
  • Private Tour: Trani walking tour with Moscato wine tasting: $115
  • Wine tasting experience in the Apulian countryside : $235


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

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


Which is Bigger, Bari or Budva?

Bari has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Budva. When comparing the sizes of Bari and Budva, 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.