Which place is cheaper, Calgary or Bucharest?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Bucharest or Calgary?
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 Calgary. 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 less touristy, undiscovered, and cultural city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.
Calgary
Calgary is a local, authentic, and western city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.
Bucharest and Calgary: Pros and Cons
Bucharest
Pros- Popular museums and historical sights
- Active nightlife
- Scenic old town
- Good for backpackers and budget travelers
- Less family-friendly
- Less popular with couples
Calgary
Pros- Popular museums and historical sights
- Active nightlife
- Family-friendly
- Good for couples and romance
- Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Is there more to do in Bucharest or Calgary?
You'll generally find more things to do in Bucharest than Calgary. Bucharest is bigger than Calgary, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Calgary is more touristy than Bucharest and is known for its farming and oil industries as well as the Calgary Stampede. Bucharest is well known for its wide avenues and longstanding religious institutions. Also, Bucharest is famous for The Palace of Parliament.
How is Bucharest different from Calgary?
Which is Better for a Holiday?
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Calgary 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 Calgary?
Bucharest
Calgary
Plenty of people visit the notable sights and museums in both Bucharest and Calgary.
Bucharest offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.
If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Calgary. It's worth visiting the Calgary Zoo, Fort Calgary, the Hangar Flight Museum, and Heritage Park, among others.
Is the Food Better in Bucharest or Calgary? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?
Bucharest
Calgary
Bucharest is a city with good options for its restaurant scene. However, Calgary is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.
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).
Calgary may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The food scene is constantly evolving and you'll find plenty of casual restaurants. The city is known for its beef, so you should definitely sample a local steak.
Is Bucharest or Calgary Better for Nightlife?
Bucharest
Calgary
Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Bucharest and Calgary.
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 Calgary has a few options to choose from. Visitors often head to Stephen Avenue Walk for its bars and pubs. There's also a decent theater scene around town.
Is Bucharest or Calgary Better for its Old Town?
Bucharest
Calgary
Bucharest is a city with good options for its old town. However, Calgary does not have a historic old town.
Many people head to Bucharest to see the old town. 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.
Calgary does not have a historic old town.
Is the Shopping Better in Bucharest or Calgary?
Bucharest
Calgary
Shopping is a popular activity in both Calgary 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.
Calgary has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are plenty of independent shops around town as well as some great shopping neighborhoods. Make sure you check out Fourth Street and 17th Avenue. There are also large shopping malls.
Is Bucharest or Calgary Better for Families?
Bucharest
Calgary
Calgary 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 Calgary. There are a surprising number of things around town to do with kids such as petting zoos, museums, and even amusement parks. The Calgary Zoo is worth a visit, but also make sure you check out Calaway Park Amusement Park and the Telus Spark science center.
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 Calgary Better for Couples?
Bucharest
Calgary
Calgary is a good destination for its romantic activities. However, Bucharest is not particularly known for couples.
Calgary makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. You'll find outdoor sports, boat tours, and plenty of great restaurants around town. If you're looking for a low key destination with a great vibe, then this is a great city for a weekend 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 Calgary Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?
Bucharest
Calgary
Bucharest and Calgary are notable 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 Calgary. A surprising number of backpackers end up passing through town, so you'll find a handful of hostels to choose from.
Is Bucharest or Calgary Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?
Bucharest
Calgary
Bucharest is well known for its public transit. Also, Calgary is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.
Public transit in Bucharest can get you to some places easily. Public transit options include trams, buses, and trolley buses.
While Calgary offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The public transportation system is relatively efficient with both light rail and buses.
Is Bucharest or Calgary a more walkable city?
Bucharest
Calgary
Bucharest is a city with good options for its high level of walkability. However, Calgary is not particularly known for its ease of walking around.
Bucharest is a somewhat walkable place. Many of the tourist attractions are within a walkable area.
Calgary is generally not a very walkable city. While there are a couple of walkable neighborhood's around town, it's definitely not the most walkable city.
For even more information, also check out Is Bucharest Worth Visiting? and Is Calgary Worth Visiting?.
Should I spend more time in Calgary or Bucharest?
How long in Bucharest or Calgary?
You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Bucharest or Calgary to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Bucharest than Calgary because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bucharest, and 1-2 days is enough time in Calgary.
Families should spend more time in Calgary than Bucharest. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Calgary, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bucharest than Calgary 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 Bucharest.
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How many days in Bucharest or Calgary? Ideal Length of StayBucharest 1-3Calgary 1-2
One day in Bucharest or Calgary?
In Bucharest, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.
You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Calgary. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Calgary has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
A weekend in Bucharest or Calgary?
In Bucharest, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bucharest has to offer.
You'll find museums and nightlife around the local destination of Calgary. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.
Five days in Bucharest or Calgary?
Bucharest is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.
Travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the western city of Calgary. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
A week in Bucharest or Calgary?
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bucharest. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Bucharest. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.
Calgary is a popular choice for travelers. 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 3-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vancouver.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBucharest $143Calgary $157
The average daily cost (per person) in Bucharest is $143, while the average daily cost in Calgary is $157. 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 Calgary in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBucharest $65Calgary $74
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBucharest $130Calgary $148
Compare Hotels in Bucharest and Calgary
Looking for a hotel in Bucharest or Calgary? 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 Calgary Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bucharest $27Calgary $13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bucharest
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bucharest:
- Therme Bucharest - Private Transfer and Tickets: $111
- AIRPORT TRANSFER IN BUCHAREST: $56
- Airport Henri Coanda (Otopeni) to Bucharest - Private Transfer - Driver: $45
- Airport Private Transfer - to or from any Bucharest hotel: $77
- Airport Transfer - Bucharest Otopeni Henri Coandă Airport : $18
- Airport Transfer Bucharest - Brasov ,Brasov- Bucharest: $68
- Airport to Bucharest - Private Transfer from Henri Coanda Airport OTP Otopeni : $45
- Airport to Bucharest /Private Transfer from OTP Henri Coanda: $40
- Airport transfer to hotel: $45
- Arrival Private Transfer from Bucharest Airport OTP to Brasov in Business Car: $152
- Arrival Private Transfers from Bucharest Airport OTP to Bucharest City: $53
- Bucharest Airport OTP Private Transfer to Bucharest Center: $33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Calgary
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Calgary:
- Alberta Transfer: Banff, Jasper, Lake Louise, Calgary: $68
- Arrival Private Transfer: Calgary Airport YYC to Calgary in Business Car: $112
- Arrival Private Transfer: Calgary Airport YYC to Calgary in Luxury SUV: $133
- Arrival Private Transfer: Calgary Airport YYC to Calgary in Luxury Van: $133
- Banff To Calgary Airport - Private Transfer: $367
- Banff to Calgary Airport | Private Transfer: $294
- Calgary Airport (YYC) to Banff Thermal Round-Trip Transfer: $287
- Calgary Airport (YYC) to Calgary hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $119
- Calgary Airport (YYC) to Calgary hotel or address - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $237
- Calgary Airport (YYC) to Lake Louise - Arrival Private Transfer: $119
- Calgary Airport (YYC) to Lake Louise | Private Transfer: $299
- Calgary Airport to Banff | Private Transfer: $220
Is it cheaper to fly into Bucharest or Calgary?
Prices for flights to both Calgary 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 $60Calgary $32
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bucharest
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bucharest.
- Dinner and tour inside the Museum of Communism: $52
- Bohemian Bucharest Markets and Mahallas Traditional Food Tour: $62
- Bucharest Historical Food Tour in Old Center: $73
- Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $88
- Bucharest Evening Tour and Traditional Dinner: $88
- Bucharest Evening Tour and Traditional Dinner - 3 hours: $89
- Unhealthy Food Tour of Bucharest – 4 hours: $89
- Discover Private Highlights and Traditional Food Tour: $112
- Private Bucharest Food Tour with a Local Foodie: $133
- Historical and Cultural Tour with Romanian Cuisine dinner: $146
- 4-Hour Walking Food Tour in the Old Town: $209
Typical Food Prices in Calgary
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Calgary:
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Bread, Chips, Cheese$8.22
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Calgary
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Calgary.
- Light Brunch & Food Tour at Calgary Farmers' Market WEST: $82
- Iconic Eats of Calgary Food Tour: $130
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bucharest $15Calgary $16
Tours and Activities in Bucharest
Here are a few actual costs in Bucharest for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Bucharest Old Town Secrets Self-Guided Tour and Exploration Game: $6.20
- Life in Communist Quest Experience: $6.20
- Entry ticket at the Museum of Communism: $8.97
- Museum of Communism Ticket with Communist Coffee: $9.97
- Museum of Senses Entry Ticket: $11
- Reptiland Bucharest Entry Ticket: $11
- Contrasts of Communism - Small Group Walking Tour in Bucharest : $16
- A Tale of Bucharest Calea Victoriei Walking Tour: $17
- A Tale of Bucharest Old Town Walking Tour: $17
- City Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $18
- Walking Tour - Delightful Bucharest (Old Town & Victory Avenue): $18
- Bucharest Highlights Walking Tour: $18
Typical Entertainment Prices in Calgary
Here are a few typical costs in Calgary for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Stampede Admission (for 2)$22
Tours and Activities in Calgary
Here are a few actual costs in Calgary for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Bow River Trail Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.15
- Downtown Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.15
- Downtown Calgary a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $6.02
- Calgary's Beltline District: a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $6.02
- Tips-Based City Highlights Walking Tour | 3-Hour: $6.63
- Explore the Stampede City with Walking Tours in Calgary: $6.77
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Rocky Mountains: Smartphone Driving and Walking Audio Tours: $15
- Banff Audio Guided Tour from Calgary: $16
- Calgary Flames Ice Hockey Game Ticket at Scotiabank Saddledome: $20
- Explore Calgary to Banff: Scenic Driving Tour: $20
- Calgary Downtown: 2-Hour Introductory Walking Tour: $22
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBucharest $9.56Calgary $11
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
- Romanian Wine Tasting Experience at Corks: $29
- Bachelors Party in Custom Bar Crawl: $39
- Bucharest Guided Pub Crawl: $40
- Pub Crawl in the Old CIty and Rooftop Hopping in Bucharest: $49
- Wine Tasting in Bucharest: $53
- Private Wine Tasting Experience: $56
- Guided Pub Crawl in Bucharest: $58
- Bucharest Old Town Pub and Bar Crawl with Guide: $59
- Private Bar Crawling in Bucharest Old City: $62
- Wine Tasting in Bucharest long version: $65
Sample the Local Flavors in Calgary
Also in Calgary, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Calgary Bar Crawl: Cruisin' Calgary: $12
- Calgary Brewery and Wine Tours at Award Winning Venues: $84
- Calgary Brewery Tour: $90
When comparing the travel costs between Bucharest and Calgary, we can see that Calgary is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Bucharest is in Europe and Calgary is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bucharest Expensive? and Is Calgary Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bucharest or Calgary?
Bucharest has a larger population, and is about 84% larger than the population of Calgary. When comparing the sizes of Bucharest and Calgary, 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.
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.