A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bilbao vs. Mostar for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Bilbao or Mostar?

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 Bilbao and Mostar. 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: Bilbao or Mostar?

Bilbao

The industrial city of Bilbao is located on a port of the Nervión River in northern Spain, an important location of Basque country. While the downtown is filled with skyscrapers and innovative architecture, it sits between a river and mountains of natural allure. A city of hard-workers to the core, Bilbao displays remnants of its industrial past, though in more recent years it has transformed into a center for art. It is now a popular location for visitors looking to experience art galleries and museums.

Mostar

Mostar has historically been a culturally and ethnically diverse city. It was heavily bombed during the country's civil war and many of the city's most important buildings and structures were destroyed. Most significantly, the city's Old Bridge, Stari Most, was destoryed. The bridge was rebuilt through an international effort just eleven years after the war. It was completed in 2004 and included pieces of the original bridge. Today, much of the city has been rebuilt and the city is a beautiful and impressive travel destination. The old town still has much of its original charm and it is a great place to explore.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain, The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid, The Best Budget Tours to Bosnia and Herzegowina, and The Best Cultural Tours in Bosnia and Herzegowina.


Which place is cheaper, Mostar or Bilbao?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Bilbao is €137, while the average daily cost in Mostar is €65. 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 Bilbao and Mostar in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bilbao 72
    Mostar 34
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bilbao 144
    Mostar 68
Compare Hotels in Bilbao and Mostar

Looking for a hotel in Bilbao or Mostar? 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 Bilbao


Hotels in Mostar


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: Bilbao Hotel Prices and Mostar Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bilbao 26
    Mostar 8.11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bilbao

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bilbao:

  • Private One way Airport Transfer Bilbao Airport to from Bilbao: $33
  • Private transfer from Bilbao City Center to Bilbao Airport (BIO): $33
  • Private transfer from Bilbao Airport (BIO) to Bilbao City Center: $33
  • Bilbao Airport Private Arrival Transfer to Various Cities : $45
  • Departure Private Transfers: Bilbao City to Bilbao Airport BIO in Business Car: $50
  • Bilbao Airport Transfers : Bilbao City to Bilbao Airport BIO in Business Car: $50
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Bilbao airport BIO to Bilbao City by Business Car: $60
  • Bilbao Airport Transfers : Bilbao City to Bilbao Airport BIO in Luxury Van: $66
  • Departure Private Transfers: Bilbao City to Bilbao Airport BIO in Luxury Van: $66
  • Private one way arrival OR departure transfer in Bilbao from/to airport: $67
  • Bilbao Airport Transfers : Bilbao City to Bilbao Airport BIO in Luxury Car: $70
  • Private Transfer on arrival and departure in Bilbao: $72

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Mostar

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


  • Taxi To & From Blagaj (hiking)
    20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mostar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mostar:

  • From Scenic Private Transfer to Dubrovnik: $267
  • Private Transfer from Mostar Airport (OMO) to Bugojno: $291
  • Private Transfer from Mostar Airport (OMO) to Grude: $117
  • Private Transfer from Mostar Airport (OMO) to Jablanica: $135
  • Private Transfer from Mostar Airport (OMO) to Konjic: $174
  • Private Transfer from Mostar Airport (OMO) to Medugorje: $291
  • Private Transfer from Mostar Airport (OMO) to Tomislav grad: $214
  • Private Transfer from Mostar to Sarajevo Airport (SJJ): $291
  • Split to Dubrovnik via Mostar Private Transfer: $524
  • Transfer Mostar to Dubrovnik with Kravice Waterfalls, Blagaj and Počitelj tour: $122
  • Transfer Sarajevo ⇄ Dubrovnik + Herzegovina Tour: $196
  • Transfer from Sarajevo to Mostar: $160

Is it cheaper to fly into Bilbao or Mostar?

Prices for flights to both Mostar and Bilbao 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
    Bilbao 45
    Mostar 24

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bilbao

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

  • Basque Food Tour with Guide: $86
  • The Original Bilbao Food Tour with Wine Pairings: $102
  • Pintxos and Tapas Cooking Class in Bilbao : $109
  • Basque Pintxos and Tapas Cooking Class with Open Bar: $112
  • The Original Bilbao Food Tour with Wine Pairing: $115
  • Basque Flavours: High End Food Tour of Bilbao with a Local: $120
  • Paella Cooking Class with Sangria in Bilbao: $134
  • Private Food Tour, Food Lovers with Tastings: $134
  • Paella Cooking Class (with Basque Sangria) in Bilbao: $142
  • Traditional Basque Cooking Class with Wine Tasting: $155
  • Guggenheim Museum Visit & Private Walking Food Tour: $197

Typical Food Prices in Mostar

Some typical examples of dining costs in Mostar are as follows:


  • A Casual Dinner Out (for 2)
    14

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mostar

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

  • Mostar street food tour: $57
  • Traditional Bosnian Cooking Class in Mostar: $80
  • Tastes and Tales of Traditional Bosnian Cooking Class: $82

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bilbao 29
    Mostar 8.78

Tours and Activities in Bilbao

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

  • Bilbao Cathedral and San Anton Church Entry Ticket: $4.28
  • Bilbao Self-Guided Historical Walking Tour: $7.48
  • VITORIA DE LEGEND night tour: $11
  • Bilbao Confidential Tour: Industrialists and Bourgeois: $13
  • 1- or 2-Hour Sightseeing Boat Tour: $15
  • Tour of the Great Villas in Getxo and Hanging Bridge: $16
  • Bilbao tour: $17
  • San Mamés Museum and Stadium Tour: $18
  • Bilbao Estuary and Abra Bay Boat Tour: $20
  • Bilbao Historical Small Group Tour : $28
  • Walking tour of Bilbao with pintxo and drink: $31
  • Private Kayak Tour along the Getxo Coast and Hanging Bridge: $34

Tours and Activities in Mostar

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Mostar are as follows:

  • Museum of War and Genocide Victims 1992-1995 Entrance Ticket: $5.94
  • Walking tour in Old Town Mostar: $18
  • Walking Tour in Old Town Mostar: $20
  • Mostar city Tour: $22
  • Mostar Walking Tour: Orient in the West: $22
  • Mostar in War: Historical Walking Tour: $22
  • Street Art Guided Tour in Mostar: $22
  • Mostar Private Walking Tour - where East meets West: $32
  • Mostar Shelters tour in Mostar: $37
  • The Ottoman Experience Tour in Mostar: $37
  • The Death of Yugoslavia Tour in Mostar: $38
  • Private Half-Day Oriental Tour of Mostar with Food Tasting: $38

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bilbao 21
    Mostar 3.47

Sample the Local Flavors in Bilbao

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

  • Pub Crawl Bilbao: $25
  • Immersive Evening Spanish Wine Tasting w/ Sommelier: $53
  • Spanish Wine Tasting with Sommelier (close to Guggenheim museum): $54
  • Pintxos and Wine Tasting Tour with Local Guide: $79
  • Txakoli, Gaztelugatxe, & Urdaibai with wine tasting: $80
  • Guided tour of Txakoli wine tasting and tasting of wine and typical products: $148
  • Bilbao Txakoli Wine Tour: $176
  • Guided Txacoli Wine Tasting: $187
  • Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries From Vitoria: $240
  • From Rioja Architecture and Wine Tour: $241
  • Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries From Bilbao: $246
  • Architectural Rioja Small Group Wine Tour with Lunch from Bilbao : $246

Typical Alcohol Prices in Mostar

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


  • A Few Drinks (for 2)
    6.14

Sample the Local Flavors in Mostar

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

  • 1-Hour Wine Tasting Tour in Medjugorje: $16
  • Wine Tour & Tasting (Herzegovina): $91


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

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


Which is Bigger, Bilbao or Mostar?

Bilbao has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Mostar. When comparing the sizes of Bilbao and Mostar, 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 Bilbao or Mostar?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Bilbao or Mostar in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bilbao and Mostar. Many travelers come to Bilbao for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Bilbao is cooler than Mostar. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bilbao in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Mostar averages at about 26°C (78°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mostar this time of the year. Bilbao usually receives less sunshine than Mostar during summer. Bilbao gets 188 hours of sunny skies, while Mostar receives 323 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bilbao usually receives around the same amount of rain as Mostar. Bilbao gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Mostar receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Bilbao 20°C (68°F) 
    Mostar 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Bilbao or Mostar in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Bilbao as well as Mostar. Many visitors come to Bilbao in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Bilbao is generally around the same temperature as Mostar. Daily temperatures in Bilbao average around 16°C (62°F), and Mostar fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

In the autumn, Bilbao often gets less sunshine than Mostar. Bilbao gets 125 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mostar receives 178 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Mostar. Bilbao receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Bilbao usually gets less rain in October than Mostar. Bilbao gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Mostar receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Bilbao 16°C (62°F) 
    Mostar 17°C (62°F)

Should I visit Bilbao or Mostar in the Winter?

Both Mostar and Bilbao are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Bilbao for the museums and the shopping scene during these months.

Bilbao is much warmer than Mostar in the winter. The daily temperature in Bilbao averages around 9°C (48°F) in January, and Mostar fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

Bilbao usually receives less sunshine than Mostar during winter. Bilbao gets 77 hours of sunny skies, while Mostar receives 113 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Mostar. It's quite rainy in Bilbao. In January, Bilbao usually receives less rain than Mostar. Bilbao gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Mostar receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Bilbao 9°C (48°F) 
    Mostar 6°C (42°F)

Should I visit Bilbao or Mostar in the Spring?

Both Mostar and Bilbao during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Bilbao because of the activities around the city.

In the spring, Bilbao is cooler than Mostar. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bilbao in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Mostar averages at about 14°C (58°F).

In the spring, Bilbao often gets less sunshine than Mostar. Bilbao gets 117 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mostar receives 174 hours of full sun.

Mostar gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Bilbao. Bilbao usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Mostar. Bilbao gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Mostar receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Bilbao 12°C (54°F) 
    Mostar 14°C (58°F)

Typical Weather for Mostar and Bilbao

Bilbao Mostar
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 9°C (48°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 6°C (42°F) 148 mm (5.8 in)
Feb 10°C (50°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 8°C (46°F) 134 mm (5.3 in)
Mar 11°C (51°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 11°C (51°F) 124 mm (4.9 in)
Apr 12°C (54°F) 129 mm (5.1 in) 14°C (58°F) 127 mm (5 in)
May 15°C (59°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 19°C (66°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 18°C (64°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 22°C (72°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Jul 20°C (68°F) 51 mm (2 in) 26°C (78°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Aug 20°C (68°F) 89 mm (3.5 in) 26°C (78°F) 65 mm (2.5 in)
Sep 19°C (66°F) 75 mm (3 in) 22°C (71°F) 109 mm (4.3 in)
Oct 16°C (62°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 17°C (62°F) 153 mm (6 in)
Nov 12°C (54°F) 152 mm (6 in) 11°C (52°F) 203 mm (8 in)
Dec 10°C (50°F) 135 mm (5.3 in) 7°C (45°F) 196 mm (7.7 in)