A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bucharest vs. Bath for Attractions, Couples, Old Town, and Food

Should you visit Bucharest or Bath?

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 Bucharest and Bath. 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.

Bucharest

Bucharest is a charming, historical, and less touristy city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Bath

Bath is a architectural, charming, and historical spa town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Bucharest and Bath: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Active nightlife
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights
  • Less family-friendly
  • Less popular with couples
  • Less walkable
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good for students
  • Very walkable
  • Impressive beauty
  • Home to the Historic Roman Baths


Is there more to do in Bucharest or Bath?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Bucharest than Bath. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Bucharest is very popular for its big city activities, while Bath attracts visitors for its museums, historical sights, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Bath is more touristy than Bucharest and is popular for its world-renowned Roman built baths as well as its historical architecture and many museums. Bucharest is famous for its wide avenues and longstanding religious institutions. It is also well known for The Palace of Parliament.

How is Bucharest different from Bath?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bath and Bucharest. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bucharest or Bath?

Bucharest
Bath

Bath is renowned for its museums and landmarks. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Bath are among the most recognizable in the world. The main draw to Bath is the rich history and most sights are focused on the area's spa city past. The Roman Baths are a highlight of a trip to the city, but other not to be missed places include Bath Abbey, the Royal Crescent, and Pulteney Bridge.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Bucharest. The city is rich in landmarks and historical buildings. Popular sights include the Romanian Athenaeum, the Palace of the Parliament, Stavropoleos Church, and Curtea Veche.


Is the Food Better in Bucharest or Bath? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bucharest
Bath

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at nice restaurants in both Bucharest and Bath.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Bucharest. Many Romanian recipes have been passed down through the generations and they still use traditional flavors. You'll see some German or Hungarian influences, but the flavors are still uniquely Romanian. Popular dishes include ciorba (tripe soup), cabbage rolls, and mici (grilled meat rolls).

Bath is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Sample afternoon tea or try some local fish and chips. There are a diversity of restaurants to choose from so it's easy to find local favorites, vegetarian options, or international cuisine.

Is Bucharest or Bath Better for Nightlife?

Bucharest
Bath

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Bucharest and Bath.

Bucharest has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city has come to life with its party scene, with many bars and clubs that you can choose from. There are rooftop bars, chic dance clubs, and cozy pubs where you can pass the evening. You'll find most of the upscale clubs in the northern part of the city, with a more casual scene found in the downtown areas around Universitate and Romanā.

If you're looking for night time activities Bath has a few options to choose from. Head to George Street, which is the liveliest part of the city at night. You'll find a mix of high end restaurants, pubs, and cocktail bars that keep the energy high. One of the most popular nightlife venues in Bath is Bath Komedia, which is a popular music and comedy club.

Is Bucharest or Bath Better for its Old Town?

Bucharest
Bath

Bath is well known for its old town. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Bath. The Roman old town has charming streets and a vibrant environment. On pleasant weekends you'll find tourists and locals alike filling the restaurants and town squares, giving the city an energy and lively atmosphere.

Bucharest has an old town worth visiting. The old town dates back to the 15th and 16th centuries, with much of the historical charm seen in the architecture. Many of the buildings have been restored, but others are still awaiting repairs. This gives the area a sense of authenticity that you often miss in other old towns.


Is the Shopping Better in Bucharest or Bath?

Bucharest
Bath

Bath is well known for its shopping opportunities. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Bath is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Head to Stall Street and Union Street for the most popular shopping streets in town. Many visitors pick up jewelry, glass, and fudge or other sweets while exploring the area.

Bucharest has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The residents love fashion, and you'll find many shopping centers around town where you can find a good deal. In addition to the many malls, there are also antique shops, flea markets and boutique clothing stores where you might find a hidden gem.

Is Bucharest or Bath Better for Families?

Bucharest
Bath

Bath is a good destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Bucharest is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Bath. The city is all about history and architecture, so at times it can be challenging for the kids to stay entertained. For a change of pace, take a boat on the canal or explore one of the beautiful gardens.

For families, Bucharest is not always the best place to visit. Kid-friendly activities include kid's play areas, museums such as the Museum of the Senses, and water centered activities like rowing in the park or visiting the wellness center Therme.

Is Bucharest or Bath Better for Couples?

Bucharest
Bath

Bath is renowned for its romantic activities. However, Bucharest is not particularly known for couples.

Bath is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. With its beautiful architecture and fascinating history, this city is perfect for couples. Take a canal cruise or wander through the scenic areas to enjoy a romantic trip.

Bucharest is not always the best place to visit for a couple. The city has some romantic settings such as wandering down Victory Avenue or exploring the historic Cotroceni Neighbourhood. There are also several gardens and a number of nice cafes to explore.


Is Bucharest or Bath Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bucharest
Bath

Bucharest and Bath are nice places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Bucharest. The city is affordable, but it's often overlooked by backpackers. Part of the charm for many is the sense of authenticity that can often be hard to find in travel these days.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Bath. You'll find a surprising number of hostels around town so it's not hard to meet other backpackers while you're in the area.

Is Bucharest or Bath Better for Students?

Bucharest
Bath

Bath is well known for students. However, Bucharest is not popular with students.

Many students visit Bath. The University of Bath offers a number of different programs so this is a popular city for local and international students.

Bucharest is not popular with students.

Is Bucharest or Bath Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bucharest
Bath

Bucharest is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Bath is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Bucharest. Public transit options include trams, buses, and trolley buses.

You'll find some public transit in Bath, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. You likely won't need public transit because it's easy to walk most places, but there are buses around town.


Is Bucharest or Bath a more walkable city?

Bucharest
Bath

Bath is renowned for its high level of walkability. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Getting around Bath on foot is easy. It is a very walkable city with most sights and activities packed into a very compact area. There are also many pedestrian areas that are easy to explore on foot.

Bucharest is a somewhat walkable city. Many of the tourist attractions are within a walkable area.

For even more information, also check out Is Bucharest Worth Visiting? and Is Bath Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bath or Bucharest?

How long in Bucharest or Bath?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bucharest and Bath. In our opinion, Bath has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Bath than Bucharest. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Bath than Bucharest. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Bath, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Bath than Bucharest. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Bath that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bath than Bucharest if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Bath.


  • How many days in Bucharest or Bath? Ideal Length of Stay
    Bucharest 1-3 
    Bath 1-3

One day in Bucharest or Bath?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Bucharest. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

You'll find shopping and museums around the spa town of Bath. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bath has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Bucharest or Bath?

Bucharest is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the architectural destination of Bath. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this spa town has to offer. This spa town offers a variety of activities to choose from.


Five days in Bucharest or Bath?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historical destination of Bucharest. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the beautiful spa town of Bath. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the museums. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bucharest or Bath?

The cultural city of Bucharest offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Bath is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bucharest, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Romania, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Kingdom, and The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom.


Which place is cheaper, Bath or Bucharest?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Bucharest is $137, while the average daily cost in Bath is $175. 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 Bucharest and Bath in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bucharest $63
    Bath $98
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bucharest $126
    Bath $196
Compare Hotels in Bucharest and Bath

Looking for a hotel in Bucharest or Bath? 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 Bucharest


Hotels in Bath


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: Bucharest Hotel Prices and Bath Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bucharest $26
    Bath $33

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bucharest

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bucharest:

  • Transfert Privat București: $60
  • Transfers to Danube Port: Bucharest - Navrom Tulcea: $131
  • Transfer from Otopeni Airport to Bucharest: $29
  • Transfer from Bucharest to Brasov - Hotel Pick-up: $174
  • Transfer Bucharest to/from Giurgiu Cruise Port: $141
  • Transfer Bucharest Otopeni Airport (OTP) to/from Brasov: $244
  • Transfer Bucharest Airport to Brasov: $288
  • Transfer Airport Otopeni - Bucharest: $43
  • Transfer Aeroport Otopeni: $64
  • Transfer & Access for 4.5-Hour at Therme Bucuresti: $59
  • Therme Spa Ticket with Transfer - Galaxy and Palm Areas : $86
  • Therme Bucharest Express Shuttle Transfer: $7.63

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bath

Also for Bath, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • "Private Transfer: London Heathrow Airport to Bath".: $161
  • Bath to Heathrow Airport private airport transfer: $291
  • Bus Transfer to/from Bristol Airport: $21

Is it cheaper to fly into Bucharest or Bath?

Prices for flights to both Bath and Bucharest 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
    Bucharest $58
    Bath $54

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bucharest

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

  • Dinner at the Museum of Communism - Traditional Food Tour: $53
  • Bohemian Bucharest Markets and Mahallas Traditional Food Tour: $60
  • Cooking Class traditional food: $65
  • Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $74
  • Unhealthy Food Tour of Bucharest – 4 hours: $75
  • Bucharest Evening Tour and Traditional Dinner: $84
  • Bucharest Evening Tour and Traditional Dinner - 3 hours: $86
  • Private Walking Food Tour - Culture, History & Traditions: $98
  • Historical and Cultural Tour with Romanian Cuisine dinner: $141
  • Cooking Class in Transylvania - Day Tour from Bucharest: $182
  • 4-Hour Walking Food Tour in the Old Town: $202

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bucharest $15
    Bath $21

Tours and Activities in Bucharest

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

  • Bears Sanctuary, Dracula's Castle, Brasov Day Trip Private Tour from Bucharest: $249
  • Bucharest Panoramic Sightseeing - Private City Tour: $93
  • Transylvania Heritage Tour at Peles Bran and Cantacuzino Castles: $93
  • 1 Day 4x4 Tour in Carpathian Mountains: $173
  • 1 Day ATV Tour in Carpathian Mountains: $207
  • 10h Bucharest City Tour & Snagov Monastery (Dracula's Grave): $258
  • 14 Days Private Tour in Romania, Moldova & Transnistria: $4,724
  • 2 Days Private Tour - The Romanian Caves from Bucharest: $558
  • 2 Hour Photoshoot Experience Near Bucharest Architectural Charms: $98
  • 2 Hours Private Walking Tour in Bucharest City: $87
  • 2-Day Medieval Transylvania with Brasov,Sibiu and Sighisoara Tour from Bucharest: $251
  • 2-Day Small-Group Tour to Dracula's Castle, Rasnov Fortress, Peles Castle, Sighisoara and Libearty Brown Bear Sanctuary with Overnight in Brasov: $203

Typical Entertainment Prices in Bath

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Bath's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Thermal Bath Spa
    $44

Tours and Activities in Bath

For Bath, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Bridgeton Walking Tour with an APP: $8.99
  • Bath : 2 Hour Historic Walking Tour With An App: $8.99
  • 2 Hour Historic Walking Tour in Bath with An App: $9.99
  • Discover Bath's Timeless Charm: In-App Audio Tour: $11
  • Bath Self-Guided Private Tour: $11
  • Self-Guided City Sightseeing Treasure Hunt: $12
  • Jane Austen Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour in Bath: $13
  • Bath Private Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $13
  • Bath & Stonehenge City Break from London - Self-Guided Tours: $13
  • The Soul Spa: TRIPP Spa Virtual Reality Experience: $19
  • Mystery Urban Adventure City Exploration Game: $19
  • Bath Abbey Entry Ticket and Guided Tower Tour: $19

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bucharest $9.17
    Bath $17

Sample the Local Flavors in Bucharest

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

  • Weekend Pub Crawl: $24
  • Bucharest Pub Crawl in the Old Town: $25
  • From Romanian Wine Tasting Tour: $26
  • Bachelors Party in Custom Bar Crawl: $37
  • Private Bar Crawling in Bucharest Old City: $43
  • Private Wine Tasting in Bucharest: $43
  • Pub Crawl in the Old CIty and Rooftop Hopping in Bucharest: $47
  • Romanian Wine Tasting: $49
  • Private Romanian Wine Tasting in Urlați: $51
  • Bucharest Old Town Pub and Bar Crawl with Guide: $57
  • Bucharest VIP Bar Crawl in Lipscani 'Old Town': $59
  • Bucharest City Tour and Wine Tasting: $84

Sample the Local Flavors in Bath

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bath:

  • Bar Maid-led Pub Crawl for Special Events: $47


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

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


Which is Bigger, Bucharest or Bath?

Bucharest has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Bath. When comparing the sizes of Bucharest and Bath, 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.