A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bratislava vs. Novi Sad for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Bratislava or Novi Sad?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Bratislava or Novi Sad? 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: Bratislava or Novi Sad?

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.

Novi Sad

Novi Sad is the capital city of Vojvodina, the northern Autonomous Province of Serbia. Novi Sad has a population of about 400,000 people and is located on the Danube River near Budapest and Belgrade.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Slovakia, The Best River Cruises in Slovakia, The Best Budget Tours to Serbia, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Belgrade.


Which place is cheaper, Novi Sad or Bratislava?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Bratislava is €122, while the average daily cost in Novi Sad is €19. 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 Bratislava and Novi Sad in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bratislava 49
    Novi Sad 11
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bratislava 98
    Novi Sad 22
Compare Hotels in Bratislava and Novi Sad

Looking for a hotel in Bratislava or Novi Sad? 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 Bratislava


Hotels in Novi Sad


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: Bratislava Hotel Prices and Novi Sad Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bratislava 26
    Novi Sad -

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bratislava

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bratislava:

  • Airport to Hotel Private Transfer Service: $23
  • Bratislava Airport BTS to Piestany - Arrival Private Transfer: $47
  • Bratislava Airport to TurĨianske Teplice Arrival Private Transfer: $65
  • Private Transfer from Bratislava City to Vienna City: $98
  • Private Transfer From Bratislava To Vienna Airport, 2 Hour Stop: $109
  • Vienna Airport VIE to Bojnice Resorts Round Trip Private Transfer: $130
  • Bratislava Airport (BTS) to Bojnice Resorts - Round Trip Transfer: $130
  • Bratislava Airport BTS to Poprad - Arrival Private Transfer: $168
  • Bratislava - Budapest Transfer: $197
  • Private Transfer from Bratislava to Budapest with 2h of Sightseeing: $201
  • Private transfer from Bratislava to Vienna: $261
  • Bratislava-Budapest One-Way Sightseeing Transfer: $293

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Novi Sad

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Novi Sad:

  • Belgrade airport transfers: $30
  • Airport transfer from/to Novi Sad: $107
  • Belgrade to Sarajevo via Novi Sad Private Transfer Tour: $286

Is it cheaper to fly into Bratislava or Novi Sad?

Prices for flights to both Novi Sad 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.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Bratislava 45
    Novi Sad 7.68

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bratislava

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

  • Local Beer & Food Tour: $141
  • Bratislava Traditional Food Tour: $168

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bratislava 30
    Novi Sad -

Tours and Activities in Bratislava

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

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.20
  • Top experience walking tour with bonus and castle: $4.33
  • Guided City and Castle Tour from Bratislava: $4.34
  • City & Castle Tour - Introduction to Bratislava: $5.41
  • Bratislava Old Town In App Audio Tour (ENG): $5.43
  • Historic City Centre Self-guided Tour: $6.29
  • City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.38
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.39
  • Gallery Multium Entrance Ticket: $6.93
  • Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $6.93
  • Gallery Multium Entrance Ticket: $7.05
  • The jewels of Bratislava a Self-Guided Audio Tour in English: $7.81

Tours and Activities in Novi Sad

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

  • The city center and fortress Private Walking Tour: $29
  • Novi Sad & Sremski Karlovci shared tour: $64
  • Novi Sad city center and Petrovaradin fortress tour: $80
  • Fruska Gora and Novi Sad Heritage & Gastro Private Tour: $170
  • Private Customized Tour with a car: $208
  • Novi Sad Private Walking Tour: $253
  • From Belgrade: Novi Sad and Fruska Gora National Park Tour: $320
  • City Highlights Walking Tour with Local Guide: $510
  • Private Romantic Tour: $511
  • 2-Hour Christmas Walking Tour: $767

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bratislava 19
    Novi Sad -

Sample the Local Flavors in Bratislava

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bratislava:

  • Quick Wine Tasting in Michalská: $11
  • Quick Wine Tasting in Michalská: $11
  • Wine Tasting with Sommelier in Bratislava: $14
  • Wine Tasting with Sommelier: $15
  • Wine Tasting IN THE DARK!: $16
  • Wine Tasting IN THE DARK!: $16
  • Bratislava 3-Hour Wine Tasting: $103
  • Devin Castle Tour with Currant Wine Tasting: $143
  • Devin Castle Tour with Wine Tasting: $157
  • Bratislava Food and Wine Tour: $179
  • Small Carpathian Wine Tasting and Red Stone Castle Tour: $190
  • Little Carpathian Wine Tour: $199

Sample the Local Flavors in Novi Sad

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

  • From Belgrade: Sremski Karlovci & Novi Sad with Wine Tasting: $80
  • From Belgrade or Private Wine Tour in Fruska Gora: $184


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bratislava and Novi Sad, we can see that Bratislava is more expensive. And not only is Novi Sad much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Novi Sad would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Novi Sad 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 Novi Sad.

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


Which is Bigger, Bratislava or Novi Sad?

Bratislava has a larger population, and is about 97% larger than the population of Novi Sad. When comparing the sizes of Bratislava and Novi Sad, 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 Bratislava or Novi Sad?

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 Bratislava or Novi Sad in the Summer?

Both Novi Sad and Bratislava are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Bratislava in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Bratislava is generally around the same temperature as Novi Sad. Daily temperatures in Bratislava average around 23°C (73°F), and Novi Sad fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

It's quite sunny in Novi Sad. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bratislava. Bratislava usually receives less sunshine than Novi Sad during summer. Bratislava gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while Novi Sad receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bratislava usually receives around the same amount of rain as Novi Sad. Bratislava gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Novi Sad receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Bratislava 23°C (73°F) 
    Novi Sad 22°C (71°F)

Should I visit Bratislava or Novi Sad in the Autumn?

Both Novi Sad and Bratislava during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Bratislava for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Bratislava is around the same temperature as Novi Sad in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bratislava averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Novi Sad fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the autumn, Bratislava often gets less sunshine than Novi Sad. Bratislava gets 140 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Novi Sad receives 168 hours of full sun.

Bratislava usually gets more rain in October than Novi Sad. Bratislava gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Novi Sad receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Bratislava 12°C (54°F) 
    Novi Sad 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Bratislava or Novi Sad in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bratislava and Novi Sad. The winter months attract visitors to Bratislava because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Novi Sad in the winter. The weather in Bratislava can be very cold. In the winter, Bratislava is much warmer than Novi Sad. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bratislava in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Novi Sad averages at about -0°C (31°F).

Bratislava usually receives less sunshine than Novi Sad during winter. Bratislava gets 65 hours of sunny skies, while Novi Sad receives 71 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Bratislava usually receives around the same amount of rain as Novi Sad. Bratislava gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Novi Sad receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Bratislava 2°C (36°F) 
    Novi Sad -0°C (31°F)

Should I visit Bratislava or Novi Sad in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bratislava as well as Novi Sad. The natural beauty are the main draw to Bratislava this time of year.

In April, Bratislava is generally around the same temperature as Novi Sad. Daily temperatures in Bratislava average around 13°C (55°F), and Novi Sad fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bratislava this time of the year. In the spring, Bratislava often gets more sunshine than Novi Sad. Bratislava gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Novi Sad receives 178 hours of full sun.

Bratislava usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Novi Sad. Bratislava gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Novi Sad receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Bratislava 13°C (55°F) 
    Novi Sad 12°C (54°F)

Typical Weather for Novi Sad and Bratislava

Bratislava Novi Sad
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 2°C (36°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) -0°C (31°F) 37 mm (1.5 in)
Feb 4°C (38°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 2°C (36°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Mar 8°C (46°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 7°C (45°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Apr 13°C (55°F) 51 mm (2 in) 12°C (54°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
May 17°C (63°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 17°C (63°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Jun 20°C (69°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) 20°C (68°F) 83 mm (3.2 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 22°C (71°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 22°C (72°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 21°C (70°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Sep 18°C (64°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 18°C (64°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Oct 12°C (54°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 13°C (55°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Nov 7°C (45°F) 50 mm (2 in) 7°C (44°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Dec 3°C (37°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 2°C (35°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)