Should you visit Bucharest or Geneva?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the prices of travel for Bucharest and Geneva. 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. So, let's dig into it.
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.
Geneva
Geneva is the second largest city in Switzerland and was previously the home for the United Nations Headquarters. The UN is now housed in New York City, but there is still a very strong presence in Geneva. Geneva is not known to be as energetic as some other European cities, but if you search it out, then you're sure to find some interesting places and lively nightlife. It's a very international city, in part because of the heavy UN presence, giving it an interesting feel. It is a French speaking city, and advertisements, signs, and television are all done in French.
Which city is cheaper, Geneva or Bucharest?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Bucharest is $127, while the average daily cost in Geneva is $170. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Bucharest and Geneva in more detail.
Accommodation
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $116 for a double occupancy room in Bucharest.
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $236 for a double occupancy room in Geneva.
Food
The price of a meal in Bucharest can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $54 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $22 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
In Geneva travelers spend around $43 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
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Food
Meals for one day
Bucharest $54
Geneva $43
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bucharest
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bucharest.
-
Bucharest Evening Tour and Traditional Dinner - 3 hours:
$80
-
Cooking Class in Transylvania - Day Tour from Bucharest:
$199
-
Walking Food Tour in the Old Town of Bucharest:
$199
-
Bucharest City Tour & Traditional Home-made Cooking Experience:
$223
-
Private Dracula Castle Tour by night and Romanian traditional dinner:
$331
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Geneva
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Geneva.
-
Taste My Swiss City Self-Guided Food Tour:
$77
-
Old Geneva food tour:
$268
Local Transportation
The average price of local transportation around Bucharest is $24 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
The cost of a taxi ride in Geneva is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $7.62 per person, per day, on local transportation in Geneva.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bucharest
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bucharest:
-
Airport Private Transfer - to or from any Bucharest hotel:
$36
-
Airport transfer to Bucharest:
$27
-
Arrival Private Transfer from Bucharest Airport OTP to Brasov in Business Car:
$142
-
Arrival Private Transfer from Bucharest Airport OTP to Brasov in Luxury Van:
$165
-
Arrival Private Transfers from Bucharest Airport OTP to Bucharest City:
$41
-
Arrival Private Transfers from Bucharest Airport OTP to Bucharest City:
$55
-
Arrival Private Transfers: Bucharest Airport OTP to Bran Castle of Dracula:
$236
-
Best transfer from Bucharest Airport to City Center:
$3.72
-
Bran Castle of Dracula Yourself : Private Transfer from Bucharest Airport OTP:
$236
-
Bucharest (OTP) airport transfer to Predeal - fixed price for up to 7 seats:
$299
-
Bucharest - Private Airport Transfer:
$15
-
Bucharest - Sibiu transfers:
$430
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Geneva
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Geneva:
-
Departure Private Transfer Business Car Geneva City to Geneva airport GVA:
$93
-
Departure Private Transfer Geneva City to Zurich Airport ZRH by Business Car:
$548
-
Departure Private Transfer Luxury Car Geneva City to Geneva airport GVA:
$135
-
Departure Private Transfer Luxury Van Geneva City to Geneva airport GVA:
$114
-
Geneva Airport (GVA) to Geneva - Arrival Private Car Transfer:
$68
-
Geneva Airport Transfers : Geneva City to Geneva Airport GVA in Business Car:
$100
-
Geneva Airport Transfers : Geneva City to Geneva Airport GVA in Business Van:
$116
-
Geneva Airport Transfers : Geneva City to Geneva Airport GVA in Luxury Van:
$121
-
Geneva Departure Private Transfers from Geneva City to Geneva Airport GVA:
$95
-
Geneva Private Transfer from Geneva city centre to Geneva Airport:
$208
-
Geneva to Geneva Airport (GVA) - Departure Private Car Transfer:
$68
-
Geneva to Geneva Airport (GVA) - Departure Private Van Transfer:
$41
Entertainment
Bucharest's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $13 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Entertainment and activities in Geneva typically cost an average of $24 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Tours and Activities in Bucharest
Here are a few actual costs in Bucharest for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
-
Museum of Senses Bucharest Entrance Ticket:
$11
-
One Hour Epic Escape Room Adventure Mystery in Bucharest:
$14
-
Half-day tour to the Mogoșoaia Palace by train from Bucharest:
$20
-
3-Hour Guided Tour of Communist Bucharest:
$20
-
Skip the line: Bucharest Parliament Palace Ticket:
$23
-
Self-Guided Ruse from Bucharest Tour:
$24
-
Skip the Line: Palace of the Parliament - Bucharest:
$25
-
Dracula's Transylvania Virtual Private 2-Hour Live Guided Tour:
$31
-
Bucharest panoramic tour (by car) and city center walking tour, Private tour:
$37
-
Bucharest Panoramic Tour by Night - 3 hours:
$37
-
Ticket to Ferestroika Museum of Family Life during Communism:
$39
-
Wooden Church from Maramures Tour:
$40
Tours and Activities in Geneva
Here are a few actual costs in Geneva for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
-
1-Hour Lake Geneva Cruise:
$20
-
International District and Lake Geneva Shore Tour:
$27
-
Geneva City Tour:
$64
-
Annecy Half-Day Tour from Geneva:
$80
-
Independent Chamonix and Mont Blanc Tour from Geneva:
$90
-
Geneva E-Bike Tour Lake Leman and Old Town:
$93
-
From Yvoire Castle & Lake Geneva Cruise:
$98
-
Chamonix, Mont-Blanc Day Tour from Geneva:
$107
-
Annecy Half-Day Trip + Geneva City Tour:
$128
-
Europa-Park Theme Park Ticket with Transport from Geneva:
$172
-
Chamonix Day Trip and Geneva city tour:
$178
-
Full Bahir Dar Tour, Lake Tana Monasteries and Blue Nile Fall:
$204
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Bucharest may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $8.50 per day on alcoholic beverages.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Geneva may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $18 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Sample the Local Flavors in Bucharest
Also in Bucharest, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Private Wine Tasting at Bucharest's First Wine Bar:
$65
-
Bucharest City Tour and Wine Tasting – 2.5 hours:
$88
-
Bike & Wine tour in Dealu Mare wineland:
$96
-
Wine tasting at the mansion, Dracula's grave from Snagov & Mogosoaia Palace:
$100
-
Traditions in Village Museum and Wine Tasting Tour:
$100
-
Romanian Wine Tasting:
$106
-
Planetarium in salt mine, Wine tasting and Dracula's grave, Private Tour:
$124
-
Wine tasting in lord mansions, nearby Bucharesti, the Romans wine road:
$124
-
Wine tasting - 1 Day Tour:
$129
-
Private Full Day Tour to The Peles Castle & Wine Tasting - 9 Hours:
$134
-
Salt Mine, Mud Volcanoes, and Wine Tasting Private Day Tour from Bucharest:
$139
-
Constanta and Wine Tasting - Private Day Tour from Bucharest:
$143
Sample the Local Flavors in Geneva
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Geneva:
-
Seneca Lake Wine Tasting & Tour:
$167
-
Farms, Flights: Finger Lakes Brewery Tour:
$180
-
Lavaux Panoramic Wine Tour from Geneva:
$289
-
Winter ski tour: Wine tasting tour in Rhine region:
$746
-
Swiss Wine Tasting at Lavaux Vineyards: Private Trip From Geneva:
$1,097
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bucharest and Geneva, we can see that Geneva 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 Geneva would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Geneva than you might in Bucharest.
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