Which place is cheaper, Sarajevo or Beirut?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Beirut or Sarajevo?
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 Sarajevo. 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 Sarajevo?
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.
Sarajevo
Sarajevo is the capital city of Bosnia and is one of the most culturally and historically interesting cities to visit in Europe. The city was at the crossroads where the Eastern and Western Roman Empires divided, and the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches divided. Today it is most associated with the Civil War that occurred here between 1992 and 1995. There are still many remnants of the war left, from the cemeteries that dot the countryside to the leftover damage done by bombs. Despite its brutal history, Sarajevo has begun to thrive again, both economically and as a tourist destination.
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For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Bosnia and Herzegowina, and The Best Cultural Tours in Bosnia and Herzegowina.
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Beirut Prices
Lebanon PricesSarajevo Prices
Bosnia and Herzegowina Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBeirut $2.77Sarajevo $90
The average daily cost (per person) in Beirut is $2.77, while the average daily cost in Sarajevo is $90. 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 Sarajevo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBeirut $1.26Sarajevo $26
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBeirut $2.52Sarajevo $52
Compare Hotels in Beirut and Sarajevo
Looking for a hotel in Beirut or Sarajevo? 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.
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 Sarajevo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Beirut $0.44Sarajevo $6.82
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beirut
Also for Beirut, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Rafic Hariri (BEY) Airport to Beirut: $44
- Private Transfer from Beirut to Rafic Hariri (BEY) Airport: $44
- Private Transfer from Beirut Hotels to the Beirut Airport: $10
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Beirut International Airport: $18
- Private Arrival Transfer: Beirut International Airport to Hotel: $18
- Departure Transfer:From Hotel To Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY): $10
- Beirut Arrival Airport Transfer Pickup: $9.89
- Airport Arrival Transfer to Your Beirut Hotel: $10
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sarajevo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Sarajevo:
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Tram Tickets (for 2)$1.59
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sarajevo
Also for Sarajevo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Sarajevo to Kotor+Herzegovina tour: $121
- Private Transfer to and from Sarajevo Airport: $24
- Sarajevo ⇄ Mostar / Private Transfer: $195
- Sarajevo to/from Zagreb Transfer Day Tour (North-central Bosnia): $146
- Sarajevo to/from Dubrovnik Transfer Tour via Mostar & Herzegovina: $156
- Sarajevo to/from Belgrade UNESCO Transfer Day Tour (Fees Incl.): $151
- Sarajevo Airport transfer: Local and between cities: $20
- Sarajevo Airport Private Transfers (from/to): $29
- Sarajevo Airport Private Transfer: $31
- Reliable Sarajevo Airport SJJ Transfer: Hassle-Free Service: $21
- Private transfer (FROM-TO) Sarajevo - Kotor - Budva : $234
- Private transfer (FROM-TO) Sarajevo - Dubrovnik: $219
Is it cheaper to fly into Beirut or Sarajevo?
Prices for flights to both Sarajevo 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
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Food Meals for one dayBeirut $1.23Sarajevo $52
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
- Authentic Lebanese Cooking Lesson and Meal with Tania's Family in Beirut: $100
- Private Lebanese Cooking Class in Beirut with Amal + Transfers: $142
Typical Food Prices in Sarajevo
For Sarajevo, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Restaurant Dinner (for 2)$12
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sarajevo
For Sarajevo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Walking Food Tour with Local Craft Experience: $41
- Morning food tour: Start a day like a real Bosnian: $44
- Cooking class: Traditional Bosnian Pie: $57
- Experience Bosnian Cooking Class: $84
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Beirut $0.26Sarajevo $11
Tours and Activities in Beirut
For Beirut, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 3 Days Lebanon Holiday Tour Package: $250
- ATV (2 Seat) Full Day Off-Road Tour & Scenic Adventure: $150
- ATV Adventure Half Day Guided Tour: $120
- Anjar baalback & Ksara tour: $130
- Baalback Roman temples tour: $128
- Baalbek, Anjar and Ksara Guided Full-Day Tour from Beirut: $90
- Beirut : Must-See Attractions Walking Tour With Guide: $65
- Beirut : Private Custom Walking Tour With A Guide (Private tour): $33
- Beirut City Tour with Street Food : $90
- Beirut Downtown, Corniche and National Museum Tour: $85
- Beirut Full Day Walking Tour: $41
- Beirut Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $35
Typical Entertainment Prices in Sarajevo
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Sarajevo's activities, tours, and tickets:
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National Museum (for 2)$7.42
Tours and Activities in Sarajevo
For Sarajevo, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private Tour to Konjuh : Relaxation in a Protected Landscape: $102
- 2 Days Private Guided Tour in Sarajevo and Mostar: $156
- 2 hours Small Group Old Town of Sarajevo Walking Tour with Local Tour Guide: $13
- 4-Hour Sightseeing Walking Tour with Food Tastings and Craft Experience: $52
- Best of Sarajevo - Full Day All Inclusive Tour: $73
- Bosnia & Herzegovina: Tour of the History Death in Middle Ages: $135
- Bosnia Explorer Tour: Highlights of Mostar & Tito's Bunker: $192
- Bosnian Kingdom Capitals: Travnik & Jajce Tour from Sarajevo: $134
- Bunker: Tito's Secret & Boracko Lake Tour from Sarajevo: $161
- Downhill Sarajevo MTB Mountain Biking Adventure on Trebevic - Half Day Tour: $188
- East Bosnia & West Serbia UNESCO heritage day tour from Sarajevo: $99
- Experience Lukomir Nomad Village Hiking Tour: $104
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBeirut $0.23Sarajevo $7.13
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
- Full-Day Private Wine Tasting Tour: $56
- Uncorking Splendor: A Journey Through Private Wine Tasting Tours: $60
- Full-Day Private Wine Tour in Bekaa Valley with Tasting : $60
- Byblos & Chateau Musar: History and Wine Tour: $65
- 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
- Lebanon Wine Tasting Tour From Beirut: $91
- Full-Day Private Wine Tasting Tour to Chateau Musar and Ixsir Winery: $100
- Private tour to Jeita Grotto with Wine Tasting in Faqra Ruins: $110
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Beirut and Sarajevo, we can see that Sarajevo 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 Sarajevo 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 Sarajevo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sarajevo 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 Sarajevo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Beirut or Sarajevo?
Beirut has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Sarajevo. When comparing the sizes of Beirut and Sarajevo, 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 Sarajevo?
Sarajevo 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 Sarajevo in the Summer?
Both Sarajevo and Beirut are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Beirut throughout the year. Also, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Sarajevo this time of year.
Beirut is around the same temperature as Sarajevo in the summer. The daily temperature in Beirut averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Sarajevo fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
It's quite sunny in Sarajevo. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beirut. Beirut usually receives more sunshine than Sarajevo during summer. Beirut gets 369 hours of sunny skies, while Sarajevo receives 323 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Beirut usually receives less rain than Sarajevo. Beirut gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Sarajevo receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBeirut 27°C (81°F)Sarajevo 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Beirut or Sarajevo in the Autumn?
Both Sarajevo and Beirut during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Beirut because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Sarajevo for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Beirut is a little warmer than Sarajevo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Beirut in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Sarajevo averages at about 17°C (62°F).
It's quite sunny in Beirut. In the autumn, Beirut often gets more sunshine than Sarajevo. Beirut gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sarajevo receives 178 hours of full sun.
Sarajevo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Beirut usually gets less rain in October than Sarajevo. Beirut gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Sarajevo receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBeirut 25°C (77°F)Sarajevo 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Beirut or Sarajevo in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Beirut and Sarajevo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Beirut year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Sarajevo in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Beirut is generally much warmer than Sarajevo. Daily temperatures in Beirut average around 13°C (55°F), and Sarajevo fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).
Beirut usually receives more sunshine than Sarajevo during winter. Beirut gets 149 hours of sunny skies, while Sarajevo receives 113 hours of full sun in the winter.
Sarajevo receives a lot of rain in the winter. Beirut gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Beirut usually receives less rain than Sarajevo. Beirut gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Sarajevo receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBeirut 13°C (55°F)Sarajevo 6°C (42°F)
Should I visit Beirut or Sarajevo in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Beirut as well as Sarajevo. Beirut attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Sarajevo for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
Beirut is a little warmer than Sarajevo in the spring. The daily temperature in Beirut averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and Sarajevo fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beirut this time of the year. In the spring, Beirut often gets more sunshine than Sarajevo. Beirut gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sarajevo receives 174 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Sarajevo. Beirut usually gets less rain in April than Sarajevo. Beirut gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Sarajevo receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBeirut 17°C (63°F)Sarajevo 14°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Sarajevo and Beirut
| Beirut | Sarajevo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 13°C (55°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) |
| Mar | 15°C (59°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 65 mm (2.5 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 203 mm (8 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.