Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or Bordeaux?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Bordeaux or Cartagena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Bordeaux or Cartagena? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Bordeaux or Cartagena?
Bordeaux
Bordeaux is the place to go for fine wines. It's a very mellow, cultural city where you can enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of a quaint cafe or restaurant without being rushed. The city is the capital of Gironde, and the entire metropolitan area has over one million residents. The city also has a rather large and vibrant university and the population is known to be very tolerant and liberal. There is a very strong artistic vibe in the city and, due to it's history of English rule, there is an English flair to the area. The large student population means that there is no shortage of opportunities to see shows, hear music, or visit a museum.
Cartagena
The capital of the Bolivar Department of Colombia, Cartagena is one of the most visited cities in the country. It sits on Colombia's northern coast by the Caribbean Sea. It's a port city with a population of almost 900,000, making it the fifth largest city in Colombia. The city has a rich history and was the first Spanish colony on the American continent. It was also one of the first sanctuaries for freed African slaves in the Americas.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBordeaux €118Cartagena €44
The average daily cost (per person) in Bordeaux is €118, while the average daily cost in Cartagena is €44. 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 Bordeaux and Cartagena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBordeaux €63Cartagena €25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBordeaux €126Cartagena €50
Compare Hotels in Bordeaux and Cartagena
Looking for a hotel in Bordeaux or Cartagena? 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: Bordeaux Hotel Prices and Cartagena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bordeaux €15Cartagena €6.97
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bordeaux
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bordeaux:
- Airport Transfer: Bordeaux Airport BOD to Bordeaux by Luxury Van: $103
- Airport to Bordeaux Premium Class Private Transfer: $274
- Airport to Bordeaux Private Transfer in Business Sedan: $137
- Airport to Bordeaux Private Van Business Transfer: $274
- Airport to Lège-Cap-Ferret Transfer in Business Sedan: $274
- Arrival Private Transfer Bordeaux Airport BOD to Bordeaux by Van: $115
- Arrival Private Transfers : Bordeaux Airport BOD to Bordeaux in Business Car: $103
- Arrival Private Transfers : Bordeaux Airport BOD to Bordeaux in Luxury Van: $108
- Bordeaux Airport Transfers: Bordeaux Airport BOD to Bordeaux in Business Car: $103
- Bordeaux Airport Transfers: Bordeaux Airport BOD to Bordeaux in Luxury Car: $137
- Bordeaux Airport Transfers: Bordeaux to Bordeaux Airport BOD in Business Car: $103
- Bordeaux Airport Transfers: Bordeaux to Bordeaux Airport BOD in Luxury Car: $137
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- Private Transfer from Bocagrande to Port of Cartagena: $25
- 15. Transfer to SANTA MARTA from Cartagena Private or vice versa.: $290
- 18.Transfer (Rafael N-Hotel Decameron Baru Airport) or vice versa: $90
- 2. Transfer from the Airport to the Cartagena Hotel (or vice versa): $29
- 20. Transfer Rafael N. Airport-HOTEL LAS ISLAS-CALABLANCA: $142
- 8. Transfer to BARRANQUILLA from Cartagena Private or vice versa: $160
- Air Conditioning Bus transfer: $10
- Airport Hotel Transfer: $19
- Airport Transfer - Hotel Cartagena: $23
- Airport Transfer Hotel: $35
- Airport Transfers Cartagena: $38
- Arrival Private Transfer Cartagena Airport CTG to Cartagena City by Minivan: $92
Is it cheaper to fly into Bordeaux or Cartagena?
Prices for flights to both Cartagena and Bordeaux 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 dayBordeaux €45Cartagena €9.13
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bordeaux
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bordeaux.
- No Diet Club : Bordeaux Food Tour in Les Chartrons !: $64
- Bordeaux - sweet food tour of the old city: $64
- NO DIET CLUB - Unique food tour in Bordeaux !: $65
- 2-Hour River Dinner Cruise: $74
- Sweet Specialties Tasting Bakeries Food Tour: $82
- Bordeaux Bakery Food Tour - Boulangeries and Pâtisseries : $84
- Bordeaux : Afternoon Food Tour by a local guide: $85
- Bordeaux Organic Food Tour - French Apéro Style: $93
- Bordeaux : unforgettable Food Tour by a local guide: $96
- Private Bakery, Chocolate & Patisserie Food Tour: $96
- Bordeaux Traditional Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $103
- Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $107
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cartagena
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.
- Featured in NYTimes > Arepas and Dancing: Danceable Cooking Class in Cartagena: $32
- Cooking class of typical food at the beach and sunset view: $39
- Taste Cartagena Food tour: $40
- Street Food Tour in Cartagena: $42
- Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $44
- Local Flavors Food Tour with Native Chef: $50
- Cooking Class: Street food & Mojito making: $50
- Cruise by the Bay with Dinner and Wine: $55
- Private Dinner at a Local Chef's House in Cartagena: $58
- Cartagena Gourmet: Cooking Class with a View, Elegance & Flavor: $59
- Street food tour: $61
- 2 hours Sibarita Express Dinner: $63
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bordeaux €7.89Cartagena €20
Tours and Activities in Bordeaux
Here are a few actual costs in Bordeaux for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Bordeaux : Discovery Stroll and Reading Walking Tour: $2.14
- Free Walking City Tour: $2.15
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.45
- Bordeaux Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.57
- City Highlights Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- The best of Find more than wine on this self-guided audio tour: $6.99
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $7.00
- City Highlights & Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt Tour: $7.00
- Centre of Explore 2,000 years of history on a self-guided audio tour: $8.99
- Bordeaux Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Guided Walking Tour: $16
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Emeralds Tour: $0.03
- Into the Walls of The City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Cartagena de Indias: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Artists' Quarter Getsemani Self-guided Tour: $6.35
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - The Great Battle: Fort of San Felipe: $6.99
- Old Town Highlights Self-guided Tour: $8.50
- Tour the city on a rumba in a typical bus: $9.42
- Old Town & Getsemani Quarter Self-guided Tour: $9.58
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: Pirate Tales in Cartagena: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Legends of the Streets of Downtown : $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Getsemaní Neighborhood: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: The Rise of the Wall City Part II: $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBordeaux €26Cartagena €8.56
Sample the Local Flavors in Bordeaux
Also in Bordeaux, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Wine and Trade Museum Entry Ticket & Wine Tasting: $11
- Bordeaux Wine and Trade Museum Admission Ticket with Wine Tasting: $11
- Distillery Tour in Bordeaux with Spirits Tasting: $16
- Wine Tasting Cruise: $23
- Cité du Vin Direct Ticket and Wine Tasting: $24
- Bordeaux Pub Crawl: $25
- Taillan-Médoc: Château Visit and Wine Tasting in Bordeaux: $27
- Wine Tour and Tasting: $29
- Unusual Wine Tasting Experience - Wood & Wine: $30
- Unusual wine tasting in DARWIN (Bordeaux)!: $31
- Discover Bordeaux vineyard : special wine tasting with two cellar men brothers: $32
- Chateau du Taillan and Park including Wine Tasting Tour: $44
Sample the Local Flavors in Cartagena
Also in Cartagena, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl with Dancing Lessons and Free Shots: $19
- Cartagena's Best Pub Crawl all included!: $23
- Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $24
- Pub Crawl Only Locals Have Fun In The Walled City: $35
- Nightlife Pub crawl in Cartagena: $72
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bordeaux and Cartagena, we can see that Bordeaux is more expensive. And not only is Cartagena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bordeaux is in Europe and Cartagena is in South America, 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 Cartagena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cartagena 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 Bordeaux would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bordeaux than you might in Cartagena.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bordeaux Expensive? and Is Cartagena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bordeaux or Cartagena?
Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Bordeaux. When comparing the sizes of Bordeaux and Cartagena, 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 Bordeaux or Cartagena?
Bordeaux has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Cartagena experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Bordeaux or Cartagena in the Summer?
Both Cartagena and Bordeaux are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bordeaux this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Bordeaux is cooler than Cartagena in the summer. The daily temperature in Bordeaux averages around 21°C (69°F) in July, and Cartagena fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
It's quite sunny in Cartagena. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bordeaux. Bordeaux usually receives more sunshine than Cartagena during summer. Bordeaux gets 276 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 207 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Bordeaux usually receives less rain than Cartagena. Bordeaux gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBordeaux 21°C (69°F)Cartagena 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Bordeaux or Cartagena in the Autumn?
Both Cartagena and Bordeaux during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Bordeaux for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round.
In the autumn, Bordeaux is much colder than Cartagena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bordeaux in October average around 14°C (58°F), and Cartagena averages at about 27°C (81°F).
In the autumn, Bordeaux often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Cartagena. Bordeaux gets 165 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 175 hours of full sun.
Cartagena gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Bordeaux usually gets less rain in October than Cartagena. Bordeaux gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBordeaux 14°C (58°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Bordeaux or Cartagena in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bordeaux and Cartagena. Many visitors come to Bordeaux in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Bordeaux is generally much colder than Cartagena. Daily temperatures in Bordeaux average around 6°C (43°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cartagena this time of the year. Bordeaux usually receives less sunshine than Cartagena during winter. Bordeaux gets 86 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 278 hours of full sun in the winter.
Bordeaux gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Bordeaux usually receives more rain than Cartagena. Bordeaux gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBordeaux 6°C (43°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Bordeaux or Cartagena in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Bordeaux as well as Cartagena. Most visitors come to Bordeaux for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.
Bordeaux is much colder than Cartagena in the spring. The daily temperature in Bordeaux averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Cartagena fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. In the spring, Bordeaux often gets less sunshine than Cartagena. Bordeaux gets 190 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 209 hours of full sun.
Bordeaux usually gets more rain in April than Cartagena. Bordeaux gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBordeaux 12°C (53°F)Cartagena 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Cartagena and Bordeaux
| Bordeaux | Cartagena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 6°C (43°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 7°C (45°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (65°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (69°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 20°C (68°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (58°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 9°C (49°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (44°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 30 mm (1.2 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.