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

Should you visit Bucharest or Boston?

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 Boston. 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 undiscovered, cultural, and charming city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Boston

Boston is a traditional, classic, and proud city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. And you can't forget about the museums, theater, and nightlife.

Bucharest and Boston: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bucharest or Boston?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Boston than Bucharest. While Bucharest is larger than Boston, Boston has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Boston is more touristy than Bucharest and is known for its enthusiastic sports fans, influential history, beautiful parks, and world-class universities. It is also well known for The Freedom Trail. Bucharest is famous for its wide avenues and longstanding religious institutions.

How is Bucharest different from Boston?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Boston 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 Boston?

Boston 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 Boston are among the most recognizable in the world. The city itself feels like a living museum. It is famous for Faneuil Hall, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Isabelle Stewart Gardner Museum, the USS Constitution, as well as the many sites along the Freedom Trail. There are also many museums on the campuses of the world renowned universities in the city.

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 Bucharest or Boston Better for Theater?

Boston is well known for its theatre productions. However, Bucharest is not a theatre destination.

Boston offers many theater and performance venues for visitors. The city has many historic, beautifully restored theaters where you can enjoy a show. Head to the theater district for some of the most famous venues.

Bucharest is not a theatre destination.

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

Boston is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Boston. There are many local dishes that utilize fresh caught seafood and comfort food flavors. The cuisine also takes advantage of the city's Italian and Irish populations. Famous local foods include New England Clam Chowder, lobster rolls, and baked beans. You'll find hearty sandwiches and filling meals that warm your soul.

Bucharest is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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).

Is Bucharest or Boston Better for Nightlife?

Boston is well known for nightlife and partying. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Boston is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The city is known for its breweries, craft beer, and vibrant university neighborhoods. It also hosts regular outdoor movies and world class sporting events. The nightlife scene is varied, with some areas catering to the student population and other areas focused on the professional or sport-loving crowds.

If you're looking for night time activities Bucharest has a few options to choose from. 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.

Is Bucharest or Boston Better for Music?

Boston is a good destination for its live music scene. However, Bucharest is not a live music destination.

You don't have to look far to find a unique music venue in Boston. Popular music venues include Lizard Lounge, Blue Hills Bank Pavilion, and The Middle East.

Bucharest is not a live music destination.

Is Bucharest or Boston Better for Beaches?

Boston is a city with a few options for the beache. However, Bucharest is not a beach destination.

You can check out the beach in Boston. There are a few urban beaches in the greater Boston area that you can explore on a nice day.

Bucharest is not a beach destination.

Is Bucharest or Boston Better for its Old Town?

Boston is renowned for its old town. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

The old town of Boston is one of the most recognized in the world. Boston is famous for its Freedom Trail, which takes visitors around the city's rich history. The oldest parts of the city are known as Boston Proper and include the neighborhoods of Beacon Hill, Historic Downtown, the North End, and the West End.

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 Boston?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Boston and Bucharest.

Bucharest offers some nice shopping areas. 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.

Boston has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Head to Back Bay for some of the best high end shops. There are luxury brands and boutique venues that sell local art or crafts.

Is Bucharest or Boston Better for Christmas?

Boston is well known for its Christmas activities. However, Bucharest does not offer Christmas activities.

Visitors come from all around to experience the Christmas activities in Boston. Christmas comes to life in the city with its Christmas Trees, holiday shows, and festivals.

Bucharest does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Bucharest or Boston Better for Christmas Markets?

Boston is well known for its Christmas markets. However, Bucharest does not offer Christmas markets.

Boston has a lively atmosphere around its Christmas markets. There are a number of European style Christmas markets that pop up during the holiday season around town.

Bucharest does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Bucharest or Boston Better for Families?

Boston is renowned for its family-friendly activities. However, Bucharest is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Boston is very family-friendly. It's filled with history, but there are also many activities for kids who need a break from all of the historical stuff. Popular activities for all ages include the Museum of Science, the New England Aquarium, and exploring the waterfront, gardens, and parks around town.

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 Boston Better for Couples?

Boston is a good destination for its romantic activities. However, Bucharest is not particularly known for couples.

Boston makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy history will enjoy exploring the city. Take a swan boat ride in the Public Garden and wander the unique route along the Freedom Trail. There are also many sporting and entertainment options around town.

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 Boston Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bucharest and Boston 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 Boston. Like most larger American cities, the city has a handful of hostels to choose from.

Is Bucharest or Boston Better for Students?

Boston is renowned for students. However, Bucharest is not popular with students.

Boston is a very popular place to visit for students. It is a city of students, with a number of world renowned universities located here including Harvard University, Boston College, and MIT. Many neighborhoods are filled with students and there are many student-centered activities around town including festivals and an active nightlife scene.

Bucharest is not popular with students.

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

Boston is renowned for its public transit. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Boston has a great public transit system. There's the T, which is the subway, as well as a trolley, bus, and water transportation system.

Bucharest offers a very effecient public transportation network. Public transit options include trams, buses, and trolley buses.

Is Bucharest or Boston a more walkable city?

Boston 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 Boston on foot is easy. The many parks and compact neighborhoods are best explored 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 Boston Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Boston or Bucharest?

How long in Bucharest or Boston?

In either Bucharest or Boston, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Boston than Bucharest because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bucharest, and 3-5 days is enough time in Boston.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Boston 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 Boston.

One day in Bucharest or Boston?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Bucharest. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

People visit Boston because there is so much to do. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Bucharest or Boston?

Bucharest is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

People visit Boston because there is so much to do. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Bucharest or Boston?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bucharest. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

People visit Boston because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the museums. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Bucharest or Boston?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historical destination of Bucharest. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Boston 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 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bucharest and Boston, we can see that Boston is more expensive. And not only is Bucharest much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bucharest is in Europe and Boston is in North 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 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 Boston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Boston 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 Boston Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bucharest or Boston?

Bucharest has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Boston. When comparing the sizes of Bucharest and Boston, 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 Boston?

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 Boston in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bucharest and Boston. The summer months attract visitors to Bucharest because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Boston this time of year.

In July, Bucharest is generally around the same temperature as Boston. Daily temperatures in Bucharest average around 23°C (73°F), and Boston fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Boston 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 Boston during summer. Bucharest gets 289 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 304 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bucharest usually receives less rain than Boston. Bucharest gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Boston receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bucharest or Boston in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Bucharest as well as Boston. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Bucharest this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Boston for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

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

In the autumn, Bucharest often gets less sunshine than Boston. Bucharest gets 177 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 194 hours of full sun.

Bucharest usually gets less rain in October than Boston. Bucharest gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bucharest or Boston in the Winter?

Both Boston and Bucharest are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Bucharest for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Boston in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Boston can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Bucharest. In the winter, Bucharest is a little warmer than Boston. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bucharest in January average around -1°C (29°F), and Boston averages at about 29°F (-2°C).

Bucharest usually receives less sunshine than Boston during winter. Bucharest gets 71 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 153 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Bucharest usually receives less rain than Boston. Bucharest gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bucharest or Boston in the Spring?

Both Boston and Bucharest during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Bucharest in the spring for the activities around the city. Furthermore, most visitors come to Boston for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Bucharest is generally a little warmer than Boston. Daily temperatures in Bucharest average around 12°C (54°F), and Boston fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

In Boston, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Bucharest often gets less sunshine than Boston. Bucharest gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 225 hours of full sun.

Bucharest usually gets less rain in April than Boston. Bucharest gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Boston and Bucharest