A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bucharest vs. Denver for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Bucharest or Denver?

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 Denver. 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 historical, less touristy, and undiscovered city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Denver

Denver is a suburban, accessible, and sprawling city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and skiing.

Bucharest and Denver: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Scenic old town
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Very walkable
Things to Consider
  • Less family-friendly
  • Less popular with couples
Pros
  • Popular for skiing
  • Active nightlife
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for students
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights
  • Less popular with backpackers
  • Less walkable


Is there more to do in Bucharest or Denver?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Denver than Bucharest. While Bucharest is larger than Denver, Denver has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Denver is better known for its skiing and hiking, while Bucharest is more popular for its museums, food, and historical sights. Bucharest is well known for its wide avenues and longstanding religious institutions. Denver is well known for serving as a gateway to the Rocky Mountains and the many national parks that are in the area. Also, Denver is famous for Red Rocks Park.

How is Bucharest different from Denver?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Bucharest or Denver Better for Skiing?

Bucharest
Denver

Denver is a good destination for winter skiing. However, Bucharest is not a skiing destination.

For winter sports and skiing, Denver is a great destination to visit. Although there's no skiing in the immediate area, there is a huge list of world class ski resorts within an hour or two of town. Two of the closest are Echo Mountain Resort and Loveland Ski Area.

Bucharest is not a skiing destination.


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

Bucharest
Denver

Bucharest is a nice place to visit for its sights and museums. However, Denver is not a good city for its museums and history.

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.

While most people don't head to Denver specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Many people use Denver as a starting or ending point for their mountain and national park trip, but those who linger can visit some of the city's museums and sights. Popular museums include the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, the History Colorado Center, and the Forney Museum of Transportation.

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

Bucharest
Denver

Bucharest is a nice place to visit for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Denver is not a good city for its restaurants.

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).

Denver may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. It's a pretty large city, so you'll find some nice local restaurants, but the foodie scene is still emerging in many neighborhoods. A number of restaurants offer outdoor seating, which is nice. You'll also find a growing selection of international restaurants. For something uniquely local, you should try the Bison steak and fried pickles.

Is Bucharest or Denver Better for Nightlife?

Bucharest
Denver

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

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 Denver has a few options to choose from. The city has come a long way with its nightlife. There's a great craft beer scene and the downtown area has really come to life. Popular bars and clubs in town include the Grizzly Rose and 54Thirty Rooftop. Many places are concentrated in the Soco Nightlife District.


Is Bucharest or Denver Better for its Old Town?

Bucharest
Denver

Bucharest is a nice place to visit for its old town. However, Denver 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.

Denver does not have a historic old town.

Is Bucharest or Denver Better for Hiking?

Bucharest
Denver

Denver is a good destination for its hiking experiences. However, Bucharest is not a hiking destination.

Denver offers some nice hiking trails. The city is very close to many beautiful parks and hiking areas in the Rocky Mountains. It's not hard to make a day trip from town and enjoy some great hiking. Nice options include the Trading Post Trail in Red Rocks Mountain Park, Bergen Peak near Evergreen, and Chimney Gulch Trail near the town of Golden.

Bucharest is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bucharest or Denver?

Bucharest
Denver

Shopping is a popular activity in both Denver 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.

Denver has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The city has many outlet malls that budget shoppers appreciate. There are also weekend farmer's markets, boutique shopping areas, and all of the major chains that you'll find in most larger cities.


Is Bucharest or Denver Better for Families?

Bucharest
Denver

Denver 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 Denver. It is a family-friendly city with museums, playgrounds, and plenty of outdoor activities. There are also a few ropes courses near town that kids and adults alike will enjoy. Popular activities include the Denver Zoo, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus.

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 Denver Better for Couples?

Bucharest
Denver

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

Denver makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are many beautiful and romantic outdoor activities in the area such as parks and botanical gardens. There are also spas, including the impressive Spa at the Brown Palace, as well as upscale restaurants and fun bars and clubs to explore.

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 Denver Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bucharest
Denver

Bucharest is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Denver is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to 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.

Denver is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Some backpackers fly into Denver to begin their national park tour. There is a hostel or two around town, and if you leave town quickly you'll find campgrounds not far away.


Is Bucharest or Denver Better for Students?

Bucharest
Denver

Denver is a good destination for students. However, Bucharest is not popular with students.

Denver is popular with students. There are a few students in the city, but there isn't a college town vibe that you'd get at other nearby university areas.

Bucharest is not popular with students.

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

Bucharest
Denver

Bucharest is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Denver is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Bucharest has some very good public transit options. Public transit options include trams, buses, and trolley buses.

Denver has some public transit options. If you're not planning to leave town, the light rail and bus systems offer good access to much of Denver.

Is Bucharest or Denver a more walkable city?

Bucharest
Denver

Bucharest is a nice place to visit for its high level of walkability. However, Denver is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

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

Denver is not a very walkable city. While the downtown area is generally walkable, this is still a sprawling city where you'll really want to have a car to access areas outside of town.


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

Should I spend more time in Denver or Bucharest?

How long in Bucharest or Denver?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bucharest and Denver. In our opinion, Bucharest has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Bucharest than Denver. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bucharest, and 2-3 days is enough time in Denver.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bucharest than Denver 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.


  • How many days in Bucharest or Denver? Ideal Length of Stay
    Bucharest 1-3 
    Denver 2-3

One day in Bucharest or Denver?

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

You'll find nightlife and shopping around the city of Denver. 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 Denver?

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.

You'll find shopping and skiing around the sprawling destination of Denver. 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 Denver?

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.

Travelers enjoy the skiing and nightlife when visiting the park-filled city of Denver. 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 Denver?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural 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.

Denver 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 Luxury Tours to United States of America, and The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Denver or Bucharest?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Bucharest is $139, while the average daily cost in Denver is $218. 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 Denver in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bucharest $63
    Denver $87
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bucharest $126
    Denver $174
Compare Hotels in Bucharest and Denver

Looking for a hotel in Bucharest or Denver? 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 Denver


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 Denver Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bucharest $26
    Denver $101

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bucharest

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bucharest:

  • Therme Bucharest Express Shuttle Transfer: $7.68
  • Bucharest Airport Transfer: $11
  • Bucuresti: Transfer Therme Bucuresti different hours: $12
  • Therme Bucuresti Transfer with Optional Ticket: $13
  • Bucharest Transfer Service: $17
  • Airport Transfer - Bucharest Otopeni Henri Coandă Airport : $18
  • Bucharest Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Tecuci: $22
  • Airport Transfer: $22
  • 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: $24
  • Bucharest Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Vaslui OMV: $26

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Denver

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Denver:

  • Arrival Private Transfer Denver Airport DEN to Denver City by SUV: $290
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Denver Airport DEN to Denver in Luxury Van: $136
  • Arrival Transfer Denver Airport DEN to Denver City by Luxury Car: $161
  • Denver Airport (DEN) to Breckenridge - Arrival Private Transfer: $194
  • Denver Airport (DEN) to Glenwood Springs - Round-Trip Transfer: $121
  • Denver Airport (DEN) to Keystone resort - Arrival Private Transfer: $175
  • Denver Airport (DEN) to Snowmass/Aspen - Arrival Private Transfer: $295
  • Denver Airport (DEN) to Steamboat - Arrival Private Transfer: $284
  • Denver Airport (DEN): Private Transfer to Denver hotels: $254
  • Denver Airport Transfer To/From Aspen for 6-14 Sprinter Van: $1,950
  • Denver hotel or address to Denver Airport (DEN) - Departure Private Transfer: $50
  • Departure Private Transfer: Denver to Denver Airport DEN in Business Car: $108

Is it cheaper to fly into Bucharest or Denver?

Prices for flights to both Denver 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 $59
    Denver $42

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: $54
  • Bohemian Bucharest Markets and Mahallas Traditional Food Tour: $60
  • Bucharest Evening Tour and Traditional Dinner: $64
  • Cooking Class traditional food: $66
  • Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $74
  • Bucharest Evening Tour and Traditional Dinner - 3 hours: $87
  • Private Walking Food Tour - Culture, History & Traditions: $99
  • Discover Private Highlights and Traditional Food Tour: $109
  • Private Bucharest Food Tour with a Local Foodie: $116
  • Historical and Cultural Tour with Romanian Cuisine dinner: $142
  • 4-Hour Walking Food Tour in the Old Town: $203
  • Bucharest City Tour & Traditional Home-made Cooking Experience: $229

Typical Food Prices in Denver

Some typical examples of dining costs in Denver are as follows:


  • Sushi Dinner (for 2)
    $61

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Denver

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

  • RiNo Arts District Food Tour: $79
  • Downtown Denver Food Tour: $79
  • Arts District Walking Food Tour: $79
  • Mystery Puzzle Food Tour in Golden, CO: $80
  • The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Denver, CO: $86

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bucharest $15
    Denver $52

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: $5.37
  • Reptiland Bucharest Entry Ticket: $13
  • A Tale of Bucharest Old Town Walking Tour: $16
  • Communism Walking Tour from Lenin to Ceausescu in Bucharest: $16
  • City Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $17
  • Bucharest Highlights Walking Tour: $18
  • Parliament Palace Skip-the-line Ticket: $20
  • Palace of Parliament Bucharest 1 Hour Guided Tour: $21
  • Virtual Reality Experience: $21
  • Calea Victoriei and Old Town Highlights Tour: $22
  • Guided Tour at museum Casa Storck: $22
  • 2-Hour Private Walking Tour in Bucharest: $22

Tours and Activities in Denver

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

  • Discover A Walking Tour of Denver's Top Sights: $5.00
  • Denver's Spokes and Scoops: A Self-Guided Cycle Tour: $5.20
  • Denver’s Downtown: Past and Present In-App Audio Tour (ENG): $9.00
  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Denver by Operation City Quest: $10
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure on Your Phone: $10
  • Denver Ghost Hunt: Mile High Ghost Tour: $12
  • Denver Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $13
  • Denver Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $13
  • Molly Brown House Museum Self-Guided Tour & Entry: $14
  • Denver Botanic Gardens General Admission Ticket: $16
  • General Admission to Denver Botanic Gardens Ticket: $16
  • Colorado Rockies Baseball Game Ticket at Coors Field: $18

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bucharest $9.28
    Denver $5.31

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: $38
  • Private Bar Crawling in Bucharest Old City: $43
  • Private Wine Tasting Experience: $43
  • Pub Crawl in the Old CIty and Rooftop Hopping in Bucharest: $47
  • Private Romanian Wine Tasting in Urlați: $52
  • Guided Pub Crawl in Bucharest: $56
  • 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: $85

Sample the Local Flavors in Denver

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

  • Terrors Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
  • Wine Tasting with Cheese, Charcuterie, and Dessert : $74


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bucharest and Denver, we can see that Denver 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 Denver 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 Denver would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Denver 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 Denver Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Bucharest or Denver?

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