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

Should you visit Bucharest or Houston?

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 Houston. 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. 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.

Houston

Houston is a one-of-a-kind, diverse, and sprawling city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. And you can't forget about the live music, food, and shopping.

Bucharest and Houston: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bucharest or Houston?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Houston. Although Bucharest and Houston are about the same size, Houston has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Houston is better known for its museums, nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Bucharest is more popular for its historical sights. Bucharest is well known for its wide avenues and longstanding religious institutions. Houston is well known for its sprawling size, its local Texas restaurants, and being the home to NASA. Also, Houston is famous for The Space Center Houston.

How is Bucharest different from Houston?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Houston is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Houston. Head to Houston's Museum District to explore 19 different museums in a walkable area. A highlight of a trip to the city is a visit to the Space Center, but other popular museums include the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Houston Children's Museum.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at notable restaurants in both Bucharest and Houston.

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).

Houston is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The city is famous for its Texas barbecue, Mexican food, and a wide diversity of other different ethnic foods. It's a surprisingly diverse city and this is reflected in the restaurant selection around town.

Is Bucharest or Houston Better for Nightlife?

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

Houston is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The nightlife is at its best on weekends when bars, dance clubs, and concert halls come to life. There are a diversity of venues around town including dance clubs, Honky Tonks, and cocktail bars. Some of the most active nightlife areas are Downtown, Midtown, Montrose, Washington Avenue, and Rice Village.

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 Houston Better for Music?

Houston 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 Houston. Popular music venues include Fitzgerald's, Walter's Downtown, and The Continental Club.

Bucharest is not a live music destination.

Is Bucharest or Houston Better for its Old Town?

Bucharest is a good destination for its old town. However, Houston 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.

Houston does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bucharest or Houston?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Houston 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.

Houston has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are a number of upscale malls and shopping centers that have brand names, chain stores, and the occasional local shop where you can pick up items.

Is Bucharest or Houston Better for Families?

Houston is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Bucharest is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Houston is a very kid-friendly city. It is a large city with plenty of things that kids can enjoy including museums, theaters, a zoo, and even the Space Center. The Children's Museum of Houston is perfect for a rainy day. For science loving kids there's the Health Museum and the Museum of Natural Science. Houston also has a Six Flags nearby which the whole family can enjoy.

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 Houston Better for Couples?

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

Houston makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There's a surprising diversity of restaurants around the city. There are also performing arts productions and many outdoor parks and gardens.

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 Houston Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bucharest is a good destination for backpackers. However, Houston is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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.

Houston is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Bucharest or Houston Better for Students?

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

Houston is popular with students. It's a large city with a number of universities and a large student population.

Bucharest is not popular with students.

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

Bucharest is well known for its public transit. However, Houston is not particularly known 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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Houston. The system includes buses and a limited light rail. Houston is known as a car-centric city and you really need a car to fully experience it.

Is Bucharest or Houston a more walkable city?

Bucharest is a good destination for its high level of walkability. However, Houston 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.

Houston is generally not a very walkable city. The most walkable neighborhood is the historic Houston Heights, but most parts of the city aren't very walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Houston or Bucharest?

How long in Bucharest or Houston?

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

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

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

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

One day in Bucharest or Houston?

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.

People visit Houston because there is so much to do. 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 Houston?

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.

People visit Houston because there is so much to do. 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 Houston?

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 food and shopping when visiting the diverse city of Houston. 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 Houston?

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.

Houston 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.

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

Which is Bigger, Bucharest or Houston?

Houston has a larger population, and is about 8% larger than the population of Bucharest. When comparing the sizes of Bucharest and Houston, 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 Houston?

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 Houston in the Summer?

Both Houston and Bucharest are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Bucharest because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Houston this time of year.

Bucharest is cooler than Houston in the summer. The daily temperature in Bucharest averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Houston fluctuates around 84°F (29°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Houston. In July, Bucharest usually receives less rain than Houston. Bucharest gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Houston receives 4.8 inches (122 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bucharest or Houston in the Autumn?

Both Houston and Bucharest during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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 Houston for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In the autumn, Bucharest is much colder than Houston. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bucharest in October average around 13°C (55°F), and Houston averages at about 71°F (22°C).

Houston gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Bucharest usually gets less rain in October than Houston. Bucharest gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Houston receives 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bucharest or Houston in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bucharest and Houston. Many travelers come to Bucharest for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Houston in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Bucharest. In January, Bucharest is generally much colder than Houston. Daily temperatures in Bucharest average around -1°C (29°F), and Houston fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

In January, Bucharest usually receives less rain than Houston. Bucharest gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Houston receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bucharest or Houston in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bucharest as well as Houston. Many visitors come to Bucharest in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Houston for the activities around the city during these months.

Bucharest is much colder than Houston in the spring. The daily temperature in Bucharest averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and Houston fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

Bucharest usually gets less rain in April than Houston. Bucharest gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Houston receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Houston and Bucharest