Which place is cheaper, Belgrade or Bucharest?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Bucharest or Belgrade?
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 Belgrade. 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: Bucharest or Belgrade?
Bucharest
Bucharest is the capital and largest city in the country of Romania. With about 2 million residents living in the city and about 2.4 million in the surrounding urban area, it is also one of the largest cities in Southeastern Europe. As such, it is the economic, industrial and commercial center for the country. As a visitor, you will likely enter Romania by arriving in Bucharest. The city continues to grow and change, and there are ongoing infrastructure projects that continue to modernize the city. It is not uncommon to find historic churches on the same block as modern office buildings and Communist style apartment buildings. There are also many sights around town and the city continues to grow as a trendy and fascinating city.
Belgrade
Belgrade is the capital city of the Republic of Serbia. Dating back to the 4th Century BC, is has seen many changes from Celtic tribes at its earliest beginnings to Roman rule, the Ottoman Empire, and Serbian independence. Relics of its past can be seen today in Belgrade's architecture and museums, while there are also a host of contemporary activities like nightlife, clubs, cafes, and concerts.
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 Budget Tours to Serbia, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Belgrade.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBucharest $137Belgrade $44
The average daily cost (per person) in Bucharest is $137, while the average daily cost in Belgrade 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 Bucharest and Belgrade in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBucharest $63Belgrade $30
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBucharest $126Belgrade $60
Compare Hotels in Bucharest and Belgrade
Looking for a hotel in Bucharest or Belgrade? 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: Bucharest Hotel Prices and Belgrade Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bucharest $26Belgrade $5.55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bucharest
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bucharest:
- Therme Bucharest Express Shuttle Transfer: $7.59
- Bucharest Airport Transfer: $11
- Bucuresti: Transfer Therme Bucuresti different hours: $12
- Therme Bucuresti Transfer with Optional Ticket: $13
- Bucharest Transfer Service: $17
- Bucharest Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Tecuci: $21
- Airport Transfer: $21
- Bucharest Private Airport Transfer from or to City Center Hotel: $22
- Private Bucharest Otopeni Airport (OTP) Transfer: $22
- Bucharest Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Barlad: $23
- Bucharest Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Vaslui OMV: $26
- Bucharest Otopeni Airport OTP to Bucharest City Center Hotel - private transfer: $27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Belgrade
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Belgrade:
- Airport Transfer in Belgrade, Serbia: $39
- BELGRADE TRANSIT TOUR - private layover tour with return airport transfer: $129
- Belgrade Layover tour with E Scooter and airport transfers: $213
- Belgrade N. Tesla Airport (BEG) to Belgrade - Round-Trip Transfer: $69
- Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport (BEG): Transfer to Belgrade: $144
- Belgrade Panorama - Private Arrival Transfer and City Tour Combined: $238
- Belgrade airport transfer: $46
- Belgrade and Avala Mountain Full Day Layover Tour with Round-Trip Airport Transfer: $88
- Belgrade to Timisoara transfer and walking city tour: $141
- Belgrade to Zlatibor private transfer by car: $249
- Bus transfer between Airport and Slavija Square: $3.63
- Nikola Tesla Airport Private Transfer: $52
Is it cheaper to fly into Bucharest or Belgrade?
Prices for flights to both Belgrade 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
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Food Meals for one dayBucharest $58Belgrade $9.21
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
- Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $62
- Cooking Class traditional food: $65
- 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: $108
- 4-Hour Walking Food Tour in the Old Town: $201
- Bucharest City Tour & Traditional Home-made Cooking Experience: $227
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Belgrade
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Belgrade.
- E-Scooter Serbian Food Tour: $65
- Private Walking and Food Tour in Belgrade: $70
- E-Scooter Serbian Food Tour: $74
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bucharest $15Belgrade $4.48
Tours and Activities in Bucharest
Here are a few actual costs in Bucharest for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Buchaest: Peles Castle, Bran Castle, & Brasov Old Town Tour: $5.30
- A Tale of Bucharest Old Town Walking Tour: $11
- Reptiland Bucharest Entry Ticket: $13
- City Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $17
- Bucharest Highlights Walking Tour: $17
- Calea Victoriei and Old Town Highlights Tour: $19
- Parliament Palace Skip-the-line Ticket: $20
- Palace of Parliament Bucharest 1 Hour Guided Tour: $21
- Guided Tour at museum Casa Storck: $21
- 2-Hour Private Walking Tour in Bucharest: $22
- Tour to Dracula's Castle Peles Castle and Brasov from Bucharest: $22
- Communism and History Guided City Walking Tour: $22
Tours and Activities in Belgrade
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Belgrade are as follows:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.19
- Jack The Ripper Skip-the-Line Ticket in Belgrade: $3.25
- Belgrade City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.38
- Self-Guided City Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $6.38
- Belgrade Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.51
- Sightseeing by open top bus: $14
- Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $14
- Walking Tour in Belgrade: $16
- Underground Tour with Glass of Wine: $16
- Saint Sava Temple guided tour: $16
- Yugoslavia Communist tour: $16
- Belgrade late morning walking tour: $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBucharest $9.17Belgrade $21
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: $23
- Bucharest Pub Crawl in the Old Town: $25
- Pub Crawl Bucharest Top experience in Bucharest: $32
- Bachelors Party in Custom Bar Crawl: $37
- Private Bar Crawling in Bucharest Old City: $42
- Private Wine Tasting in Bucharest: $43
- From Romanian Wine Tasting Tour: $45
- Pub Crawl in the Old CIty and Rooftop Hopping in Bucharest: $47
- Bucharest VIP Bar Crawl in Lipscani 'Old Town': $59
- Wine Tasting in Bucharest long version: $65
- Bucharest City Tour and Wine Tasting: $84
- Wine Tasting Tour at First Wine Bar: $85
Sample the Local Flavors in Belgrade
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Belgrade:
- Wines & Horses Wine Tasting surrounded by Horses: $48
- Natural wine tasting with great views: $49
- RePlay Pub Crawl in Belgrade: $52
- E-Scooter CRAFT BEER and BREWERY Tour: $53
- Tour of the MONASTERIES at Fruška Gora NP and Sremski Karlovci with wine tasting: $54
- Belgrade Bar Crawl: $54
- Pearl of North Serbia, trip to Novi Sad and Sremski Karlovci with wine tasting: $60
- Novi Sad and Sremski Karlovci private tour with wine tasting: $75
- 3-Hour Walking Local Wine Tasting Tour: $80
- Northern Serbia: Sremski Karlovci & Novi Sad with Wine Tasting in a cellar : $81
- Novi Sad and Sremski Karlovci Wine Tour From Belgrade: $92
- Belgrade Serbian Wine Tasting: $106
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bucharest and Belgrade, we can see that Bucharest is more expensive. And not only is Belgrade much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Belgrade would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Belgrade 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 Bucharest would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bucharest than you might in Belgrade.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bucharest Expensive? and Is Belgrade Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bucharest or Belgrade?
Bucharest has a larger population, and is about 47% larger than the population of Belgrade. When comparing the sizes of Bucharest and Belgrade, 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 Bucharest or Belgrade?
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 Bucharest or Belgrade in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bucharest and Belgrade. Most visitors come to Bucharest for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Bucharest is around the same temperature as Belgrade. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bucharest in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Belgrade averages at about 23°C (73°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Belgrade this time of the year. In Bucharest, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bucharest usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Belgrade during summer. Bucharest gets 289 hours of sunny skies, while Belgrade receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Bucharest usually receives around the same amount of rain as Belgrade. Bucharest gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Belgrade receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBucharest 23°C (73°F)Belgrade 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Bucharest or Belgrade in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Bucharest as well as Belgrade. The autumn months attract visitors to Bucharest because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In October, Bucharest is generally cooler than Belgrade. Daily temperatures in Bucharest average around 13°C (55°F), and Belgrade fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
In the autumn, Bucharest often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Belgrade. Bucharest gets 177 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Belgrade receives 168 hours of full sun.
Bucharest usually gets less rain in October than Belgrade. Bucharest gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Belgrade receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBucharest 13°C (55°F)Belgrade 14°C (57°F)
Should I visit Bucharest or Belgrade in the Winter?
Both Belgrade and Bucharest are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bucharest this time of year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Belgrade. It's quite cold in Bucharest in the winter. Bucharest is much colder than Belgrade in the winter. The daily temperature in Bucharest averages around -1°C (29°F) in January, and Belgrade fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).
Bucharest usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Belgrade during winter. Bucharest gets 71 hours of sunny skies, while Belgrade receives 71 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Bucharest usually receives less rain than Belgrade. Bucharest gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Belgrade receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBucharest -1°C (29°F)Belgrade 2°C (35°F)
Should I visit Bucharest or Belgrade in the Spring?
Both Belgrade and Bucharest during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Bucharest for the activities around the city.
In the spring, Bucharest is around the same temperature as Belgrade. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bucharest in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Belgrade averages at about 14°C (56°F).
In the spring, Bucharest often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Belgrade. Bucharest gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Belgrade receives 178 hours of full sun.
Bucharest usually gets less rain in April than Belgrade. Bucharest gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Belgrade receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBucharest 12°C (54°F)Belgrade 14°C (56°F)
Typical Weather for Belgrade and Bucharest
| Bucharest | Belgrade | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -1°C (29°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Feb | 1°C (34°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (54°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (55°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (44°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 1°C (34°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 58 mm (2.3 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.