A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Beirut vs. Bucharest for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Beirut or Bucharest?

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 Beirut 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.

Where Should I go: Beirut or Bucharest?

Beirut

Some travelers are seeking the hustle, bustle and posh atmosphere that only comes from a big city. Those travelers should have Beirut, Lebanon at the top of their list. The capital city is jam packed with 2.1 million people that are constantly on the go. As the commercial and financial hub of Lebanon, this city is fast-paced, fashion conscious and always ready for a night on the town.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bucharest, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Romania.


Which place is cheaper, Bucharest or Beirut?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Beirut is $2.78, while the average daily cost in Bucharest is $183. 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 Beirut and Bucharest in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Beirut $1.26
    Bucharest $64
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Beirut $2.52
    Bucharest $128
Compare Hotels in Beirut and Bucharest

Looking for a hotel in Beirut 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.

Hotels in Beirut


Hotels in Bucharest


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: Beirut Hotel Prices and Bucharest Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Beirut $0.44
    Bucharest $27

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beirut

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

  • Airport Arrival Transfer to Your Beirut Hotel: $10
  • Beirut Arrival Airport Transfer Pickup: $9.89
  • Departure Transfer:From Hotel To Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY): $10
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Beirut International Airport to Hotel: $18
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Beirut International Airport: $18
  • Private Transfer from Beirut Hotels to the Beirut Airport: $10
  • Private Transfer from Beirut to Rafic Hariri (BEY) Airport: $46

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bucharest

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bucharest:

  • Tulcea Bucharest Private Transfer: $210
  • Transfers to/from Danube Port: Bucharest - Turnu Măgurele : $166
  • Transfer from Otopeni Airport to Bucharest: $29
  • Transfer from Bucharest to Brasov - Hotel Pick-up: $178
  • Transfer from Bucharest to Brasov: $167
  • Transfer and Full Access All Day at Therme Spa Bucharest : $111
  • Transfer From Bucharest Airport To Sofia Bulgaria: $294
  • Transfer Bucharest Otopeni Airport (OTP) to/from Brasov: $128
  • Transfer Bucharest Airport to Brasov: $292
  • Transfer Bucharest - Poiana Brasov: $110
  • Transfer Airport Otopeni - Bucharest: $44
  • Transfer & Access for 4.5-Hour at Therme Bucuresti: $60

Is it cheaper to fly into Beirut or Bucharest?

Prices for flights to both Bucharest and Beirut 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
    Beirut $1.23
    Bucharest $102

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beirut

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

  • Authentic Lebanese Virtual Cooking Class Live from Lebanon: $30
  • Traveling Spoon Lebanese Mezze Private Online Cooking Class : $40
  • Motorbike Tour with Local Street Food Dinner: $50
  • Authentic Lebanese Cooking Lesson and Meal with Tania's Family in Beirut: $100
  • Private Lebanese Cooking Class in Beirut with Amal + Transfers: $142

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bucharest

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

  • Dinner &tour at Museum of Communism after closing: $51
  • Bohemian Bucharest Markets and Mahallas Traditional Food Tour: $83
  • Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $86
  • Unhealthy Food Tour of Bucharest – 4 hours: $87
  • Cooking Class traditional food: $88
  • Bucharest Evening Tour and Traditional Dinner: $97
  • Discover Private Highlights and Traditional Food Tour: $109
  • Private Bucharest Food Tour with a Local Foodie: $130
  • 4-Hour Walking Food Tour in the Old Town: $205
  • Bucharest City Tour & Traditional Home-made Cooking Experience: $231

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Beirut $0.26
    Bucharest $15

Tours and Activities in Beirut

For Beirut, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Small Group Tour to Jeita Grotto, Harisa & Byblos with Hotel pickup: $10
  • Discovering Lebanon: Jeita Grotto, Harissa, and Byblos Tour: $15
  • Beirut Walking Tour - Discover Beirut by foot: $25
  • City Sightseeing Beirut Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $25
  • Hidden Gems of Hamra and Ras A Walking Tour: $30
  • Beirut Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $35
  • Private Tour - Explore Anjar Lebanon: $35
  • Lebanon's Historic Gems: Private Tour of Jeita, Byblos & Harissa: $40
  • Jeitta Grotto, Harissa and Byblos Tour: $40
  • Private Walking Tour With A Guide (Private tour): $49
  • Private Full-Day Tour to Jeita Grotto, Harissa and Saint Charbel from Beirut: $50
  • Journey Through Time: Half-Day Private Tour to Baalbek: $50

Tours and Activities in Bucharest

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

  • Bears Sanctuary, Dracula's Castle, Brasov Day Trip Private Tour from Bucharest: $254
  • Bucharest Panoramic Sightseeing - Private City Tour: $106
  • Walking Tour - Delightful Bucharest (Old Town & Victory Avenue): $17
  • 1 Day 4x4 Tour in Carpathian Mountains: $177
  • 1 Day Castles Tour - Sinaia and Bran: $140
  • 1-Day Guided Tour: Bucharest-Peles, Dracula Castle & Brasov: $27
  • 1-Day Private Car Tour: Peles, Dracula Castle & Brasov: $218
  • 10 h Ceausescu Communism Private Tour in Bucharest plus Dracula's Grave : $244
  • 10 hours Private Apiary Tour in Romania - From Bucharest: $278
  • 10h Bucharest City Tour & Snagov Monastery (Dracula's Grave): $261
  • 14 Days Private Tour in Romania, Moldova & Transnistria: $4,793
  • 2 Days Private Tour - The Romanian Caves from Bucharest: $566

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Beirut $0.23
    Bucharest $9.37

Sample the Local Flavors in Beirut

Also in Beirut, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Private Wine Tasting Day Tour from Beirut: $50
  • Bekaa Valley Wine Tour: Savour Lebanon's Finest: $50
  • Full-Day Private Wine Tasting Tour: $56
  • Full-Day Private Wine Tour in Bekaa Valley with Tasting : $60
  • Wine Tasting and Culture : $69
  • Wine Tasting and Hiking in the Cedars forest : $69
  • Private Full-Day Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch from Beirut: $82
  • PRIVATE Wine Tour in Central Bekaa Valley: $88
  • Lebanon Wine Tasting Tour From Beirut: $91
  • Full-Day Private Wine Tasting Tour to Chateau Musar and Ixsir Winery: $100
  • Full-Day Private Bekaa Valley Wine Tour from Beirut: $104
  • Wine Tasting Tour: $160

Sample the Local Flavors in Bucharest

Also in Bucharest, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Weekend Pub Crawl: $24
  • Romanian Wine Tasting Experience at Corks: $28
  • Bachelor Party Custom Bar Crawl: $38
  • Bucharest Guided Pub Crawl: $39
  • Bar Crawling: $44
  • Pub Crawl in the Old CIty and Rooftop Hopping in Bucharest: $48
  • Private Romanian Wine Tasting in Urlați: $52
  • Wine Tasting in Bucharest: $53
  • Private Wine Tasting Experience: $54
  • Guided Pub Crawl in Bucharest: $57
  • Bucharest Private Old Town Pub and Bar Crawl with Guide: $57
  • Private Bar Crawling in Bucharest Old City: $61


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Beirut and Bucharest, we can see that Bucharest is more expensive. And not only is Beirut much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Beirut is in Middle East and Bucharest is in Europe, 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 Beirut would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Beirut 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 Beirut.

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


Which is Bigger, Beirut or Bucharest?

Beirut has a larger population, and is about 2% larger than the population of Bucharest. When comparing the sizes of Beirut and Bucharest, 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 Beirut or Bucharest?

Bucharest has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Beirut experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Beirut or Bucharest in the Summer?

Both Bucharest and Beirut during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Beirut because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bucharest this time of year.

Beirut is a little warmer than Bucharest in the summer. The daily temperature in Beirut averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Bucharest fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In Bucharest, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Beirut. In the summer, Beirut often gets more sunshine than Bucharest. Beirut gets 369 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bucharest receives 289 hours of full sun.

Beirut usually gets less rain in July than Bucharest. Beirut gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Bucharest receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Beirut 27°C (81°F) 
    Bucharest 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Beirut or Bucharest in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Beirut and Bucharest. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Beirut year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Bucharest for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Beirut is much warmer than Bucharest. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Beirut in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Bucharest averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In Beirut, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beirut usually receives more sunshine than Bucharest during autumn. Beirut gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Bucharest receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Beirut usually receives more rain than Bucharest. Beirut gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Bucharest receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Beirut 25°C (77°F) 
    Bucharest 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Beirut or Bucharest in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Beirut as well as Bucharest. Beirut attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, 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 January, Beirut is generally much warmer than Bucharest. Daily temperatures in Beirut average around 13°C (55°F), and Bucharest fluctuates around -1°C (29°F).

In the winter, Beirut often gets more sunshine than Bucharest. Beirut gets 149 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bucharest receives 71 hours of full sun.

Beirut receives a lot of rain in the winter. Beirut usually gets more rain in January than Bucharest. Beirut gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Bucharest receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Beirut 13°C (55°F) 
    Bucharest -1°C (29°F)

Should I visit Beirut or Bucharest in the Spring?

Both Bucharest and Beirut are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Beirut throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Bucharest for the activities around the city during these months.

Beirut is a little warmer than Bucharest in the spring. The daily temperature in Beirut averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and Bucharest fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beirut. Beirut usually receives more sunshine than Bucharest during spring. Beirut gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Bucharest receives 185 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Beirut usually receives more rain than Bucharest. Beirut gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bucharest receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Beirut 17°C (63°F) 
    Bucharest 12°C (54°F)

Typical Weather for Bucharest and Beirut

Beirut Bucharest
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 13°C (55°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) -1°C (29°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 1°C (34°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
Mar 15°C (59°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 6°C (43°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Apr 17°C (63°F) 50 mm (2 in) 12°C (54°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
May 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 18°C (64°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Jun 25°C (77°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 21°C (70°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 23°C (73°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 22°C (72°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 18°C (65°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Oct 25°C (77°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 13°C (55°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Nov 19°C (66°F) 50 mm (2 in) 6°C (44°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Dec 15°C (59°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 1°C (34°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)