Should you visit Bratislava or Maribor?
Should I visit Bratislava or Maribor? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Bratislava
The capital and largest city of Slovakia, Bratislava is set on the shores of the Danube River near the borders of Austria and Hungary. While the city is skirted by mountains and vineyards, its 18th century old town center is crossed with cobbled walkways and surrounded by historic landmarks and architecture. One such monument is the Bratislava Castle, set atop a hill overlooking it all-the old town, the river, and the bustle of people in the charming city below.
Maribor
Located near the Austrian border is Maribor, the second largest city in Slovenia. Maribor is surrounded by hills that are filled with wine vineyards, as well as the Mariborsko Pohorje mountain. The city is split in half by the Drava River. On the left bank of the river you'll find the city's old town.
The city draws tourists from all over the world who come to enjoy the world renowned wine, old town culture, and outdoor activities which include hiking and skiing. The city is a great jumping off point for many outdoor activities and for those hoping to see the countryside. If you're more the city type, Maribor also has plenty to offer. Head to the theater for a show, sip some wine in a town square, or soak in the beauty of a cathedral while you're in the area.
Maribor's climate is humid continental with warm summers and cold winters. During the winter months the average temperature hovers around freezing. The warmest month is July, when average temperatures often exceed 20 degrees Celsius. Maribor is also one of the sunniest cities in Slovenia.
Which city is cheaper, Maribor or Bratislava?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Bratislava is €97, while the average daily cost in Maribor is €61. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Bratislava and Maribor in more detail.
Accommodation
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around €39. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Bratislava the cost is €78 on average.
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about €70 for a double occupancy room in Maribor.
Food
The price of a meal in Bratislava can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is €36 per person, and a typical meal will cost around €14 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
On average, meal and food prices in Maribor cost around €21 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around €8.40.
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Food
Meals for one day
Bratislava €36
Maribor €21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bratislava
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bratislava.
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Bratislava Traditional Food Tour:
$102
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Traditional Food Tour:
$118
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Vegan Bratislava Food Tour:
$118
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Local Beer & Food Tour:
$128
Typical Food prices in Maribor
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Maribor:
Local Transportation
The cost of a taxi ride in Bratislava is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent €21 per person, per day, on local transportation in Bratislava.
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around €6.98 per day to get around in Maribor.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bratislava
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bratislava:
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Arrival Private Transfer Bratislava Airport to Bratislava City by Business Car:
$19
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Arrival Private Transfer Bratislava Airport to Bratislava City by Luxury Car:
$37
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Arrival Private Transfer Bratislava Airport to Bratislava City by Luxury Van:
$25
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Bratislava - Budapest transfer:
$180
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Bratislava-Budapest One-Way Sightseeing Transfer:
$105
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Airport to Hotel Private Transfer Service:
$25
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Deluxe Private Transfer from Bratislava City to Vienna City:
$50
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Departure Private Transfer Bratislava City to Bratislava Airport by Business Car:
$19
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Departure Private Transfer Bratislava City to Bratislava Airport by Luxury Car:
$37
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Departure Private Transfer Bratislava City to Vienna Airport VIE by Luxury Van:
$67
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Direct one way transfer from Bratislava to Český Krumlov:
$510
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Krakow: Private Transfer to or from Bratislava:
$351
Typical Local Transportation prices in Maribor
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Maribor:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Maribor
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Maribor:
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Private transfer from Maribor to Ljubljana city:
$190
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Private Transfer from Maribor to Ljubljana Airport (LJU):
$287
Is it cheaper to fly into Bratislava or Maribor?
Prices for flights to both Maribor and Bratislava 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.
Entertainment
Entertainment and activities in Bratislava typically cost an average of €24 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around €6.86 per person, per day in Maribor. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Tours and Activities in Bratislava
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bratislava are as follows:
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Bratislava Self-Guided Audio Tour:
$11
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Old Town Cake Tasting Experience:
$11
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Bratislava by Sightseeing Bus:
$14
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Bratislava Nightlife Ticket:
$14
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Old Town Tour in Bratislava by Prešporáčik Oldtimer:
$15
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Nedbalka Gallery with Coffee and Cake Ticket:
$16
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1-Hour Small Group Walking Tour:
$18
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City Sightseeing Afternoon Walking Tour:
$18
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City Highlights Running Tour:
$18
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Bratislava Classical Walking Tour:
$21
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Bratislava City Private Walking Tour:
$22
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Best customized walking tour with bonus:
$25
Tours and Activities in Maribor
Here are a few actual costs in Maribor for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Maribor 2 hours walking tour:
$357
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Full-Day Private Tour from Zagreb to Slovenian Styria:
$1,219
Alcohol
The average person spends about €15 on alcoholic beverages in Bratislava per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Maribor may vary from person to person, on average a person spends €8.90 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Sample the Local Flavors in Bratislava
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bratislava:
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Modra: Private Wine Tasting at a Family-Operated Winery:
$28
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Burlesque show:
$37
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3 Hours Bratislava Pub Crawl Walking Tour with Beers & Bites:
$55
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Bratislava Wine Tour:
$75
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Bratislava 3-Hour Wine Tasting:
$93
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Bratislava Food and Wine Tour:
$100
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Bratislava Half Day Hubert Sparkling Wine Tasting:
$115
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Private Wine Tour to Small Carpathians:
$156
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Devin Castle Tour With Currant Wine Tasting:
$163
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Private Small Carpathian Wine Tour:
$214
Typical Alcohol prices in Maribor
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Maribor:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bratislava and Maribor, we can see that Bratislava is more expensive. And not only is Maribor much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Maribor would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Maribor 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 Bratislava would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bratislava than you might in Maribor.
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