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

Should you visit Bucharest or London?

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 London. 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 charming, historical, and less touristy city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

London

London is a international, historic, and diverse city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the museums, theater, and nightlife.

Bucharest and London: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bucharest or London?

Travelers will usually find more to do in London than Bucharest, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. London is more popular for its museums, theatre productions, food, nightlife, music, shopping, christmas markets, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Bucharest is known for its historical sights. London is more touristy than Bucharest and is popular for its international reputation, its world-renowned theater productions, and its many different markets. It is also home to Big Ben. Bucharest is popular for its wide avenues and longstanding religious institutions.

Big Ben

How is Bucharest different from London?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

London 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 London are among the most recognizable in the world. The city has so many iconic sights that we can't list them all, but some of the most famous include the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and the British Museum. You can fill many days exploring the treasures found at each of the venues.

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 London Better for Theater?

London is renowned for its theatre productions. However, Bucharest is not a theatre destination.

London is considered to be a world-class theater destination. The West End theater district is where you'll find the most popular musicals. Famous theaters include Apollo Theatre, Palace Theatre, and Piccadilly Theatre. There are often Wednesday matinees that are a bit cheaper than the evening shows. You may also be able to get discounted last minute tickets if you're visiting during the less touristy times.

Bucharest is not a theatre destination.

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

London 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 London. Although food here was once the butt of a number of jokes, the restaurant scene has come a long way, and you can find anything and everything around town. Head to Chinatown to try dim sum or hot pot. There are no shortage of Indian restaurants as well. If you want the best food for the lowest prices, your best bet is to get out of the touristy areas and discover where the locals eat. There are also many markets that are perfect for grabbing a unique lunch or snack. Burrough Market has a number of ethnic and seafood vendors as well as fresh produce and snack options.

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 London Better for Nightlife?

London is renowned for nightlife and partying. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

London is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. Some of the best neighborhoods for nightlife are Camden, West End, Soho, and Shoreditch. There are many festivals, concerts, and shows worth checking out and the nightlife scene is diverse enough that there really is something for everyone.

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 London Better for Music?

London is renowned for its live music scene. However, Bucharest is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in London Famous music venues include Dominion Theatre, the Roundhouse, and Dublin Castle.

Bucharest is not a live music destination.

Is Bucharest or London Better for its Old Town?

Bucharest is very good for its historic old town charm. However, London does not have a historic old town.

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.

London does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bucharest or London?

London is renowned for its shopping opportunities. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in London make it a world-class shopping destination. With so much iconic shopping around town, it's hard to decide where to go. Head to Oxford Street, Regent Street, or Piccadilly Circus for a quintessential British shopping experience.

Bucharest has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

Is Bucharest or London Better for Christmas?

London is renowned for its Christmas activities. However, Bucharest does not offer Christmas activities.

During Christmas, London is not to be missed. There's Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, outdoor ice skating, and beautiful Christmas lights throughout the city. You can also listen to Christmas Carols in Trafalgar Square or see a classic Christmas show.

Bucharest does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Bucharest or London Better for Christmas Markets?

London is renowned for its Christmas markets. However, Bucharest does not offer Christmas markets.

People travel to London specifically to enjoy its famous Christmas markets. The city has many Christmas markets. There is Winter Wonderland Christmas market, Southbank Centre Winter Market, and Selfridges Christmas Market, among many others.

Bucharest does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Bucharest or London Better for Families?

London 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, London is very family-friendly. Whether you do a Harry Potter Tour, take a ride on the London Eye, or enjoy afternoon tea, there are plenty of activities for kids around town. The Harry Potter Studio Tour is fun for everyone, but should be booked well in advance as it sells out. Theatre enthusiasts will enjoy catching a musical in West End and sampling dim sum or a hot pot in Chinatown. There are often Wednesday matinee showings that are perfect for kids with early bedtimes.

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 London Better for Couples?

London is renowned for its romantic activities. However, Bucharest is not particularly known for couples.

London is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. With every type of entertainment that you can imagine, this city is the ultimate couple's getaway. There are world class musicals, evening concerts, and restaurants of every style, cuisine, and budget. It's easy for couples to fill days in this vibrant city.

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 London Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

London is renowned for backpackers. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit London. Although the city is very expensive, it has tons of hostels, affordable restaurant options, and great public transit. There's a huge backpacker network here and it's easy to meet other travelers. The nightlife scene is also second to none.

Plenty of budget travelers 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.

Is Bucharest or London Better for Students?

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

London is a very popular place to visit for students. The city has a number of universities and is a popular study abroad destination. It's also a very diverse city, so international students will feel right at home.

Bucharest is not popular with students.

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

London 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.

London has a great public transit system. From the iconic double decker buses to the Tube, there are plenty of options throughout the city.

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

Is Bucharest or London a more walkable city?

London 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 London on foot is easy. With many walkable areas, it is considered to be one of the world's most walkable major cities.

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 London Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in London or Bucharest?

How long in Bucharest or London?

Both Bucharest and London have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in London than in Bucharest. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bucharest, and 3-7 days is enough time in London.

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

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

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

One day in Bucharest or London?

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 London 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 London?

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 London because there is so much to do. 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 London?

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 London 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. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Bucharest or London?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the charming 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.

London is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in London, one week is sufficent for most. 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 Coach Bus Tours in United Kingdom, and The Best Adventure Tours to United Kingdom.

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

Which is Bigger, Bucharest or London?

London has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Bucharest. When comparing the sizes of Bucharest and London, 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 London?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Bucharest or London in the Summer?

Both London and Bucharest during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Bucharest for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to London in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Bucharest is a little warmer than London. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bucharest in July average around 23°C (73°F), and London averages at about 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Bucharest. In the summer, Bucharest often gets more sunshine than London. Bucharest gets 289 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while London receives 195 hours of full sun.

Bucharest usually gets more rain in July than London. Bucharest gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while London receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bucharest or London in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bucharest and London. Many visitors come to Bucharest in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to London for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Bucharest is generally around the same temperature as London. Daily temperatures in Bucharest average around 13°C (55°F), and London fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Bucharest usually receives more sunshine than London during autumn. Bucharest gets 177 hours of sunny skies, while London receives 107 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Bucharest usually receives less rain than London. Bucharest gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while London receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bucharest or London in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Bucharest as well as London. Most visitors come to Bucharest for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to London because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

The weather in London can be very cold. Bucharest can be very cold during winter. Bucharest is much colder than London in the winter. The daily temperature in Bucharest averages around -1°C (29°F) in January, and London fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, Bucharest often gets more sunshine than London. Bucharest gets 71 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while London receives 52 hours of full sun.

Bucharest usually gets less rain in January than London. Bucharest gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while London receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bucharest or London in the Spring?

Both London and Bucharest are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Bucharest because of the activities around the city. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to London this time of year.

In the spring, Bucharest is a little warmer than London. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bucharest in April average around 12°C (54°F), and London averages at about 9°C (48°F).

Bucharest usually receives more sunshine than London during spring. Bucharest gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while London receives 147 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bucharest usually receives around the same amount of rain as London. Bucharest gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while London receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for London and Bucharest