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

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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

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.

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.

Is Bucharest or London Better for Museums and Historical Sights?

Bucharest
London

Interesting museums and landmarks can be found in both Bucharest and London, but many consider London to be a step above.

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.

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 Food?

Bucharest
London

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at great restaurants in both Bucharest and London.

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).

London has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Is Bucharest or London Better for Nightlife?

Bucharest
London

With more options to choose from, you'll find a more vibrant nightlife in London.

London is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. Some of the best neighborhoods for nightlife are Camden, Westend, Soho, and Shoreditch.

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 Shopping?

Bucharest
London

London is generally considered to be a more popular shopping destination.

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 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 Families?

Bucharest
London

Families may find more to do in London than Bucharest.

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. There are also many great playgrounds and toy stores to explore.

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?

Bucharest
London

London offers a wider variety of romantic activities for couples than Bucharest.

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.

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?

Bucharest
London

Most people consider London to be better for backpackers than Bucharest.

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.

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.

Is Bucharest or London Better for Public Transit?

Bucharest
London

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Bucharest and London.

The public transit in Bucharest can get you around easily. Public transit options include trams, buses, and trolley buses.

Public transit in London is top-notch. From the iconic double decker buses to the Tube, there are plenty of options throughout the city.

Is Bucharest or London a more walkable city?

Bucharest
London

London is considered more walkable than Bucharest.

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 . Many of the tourist attractions are within a walkable area.


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 Bucharest.

The ideal length of time for a trip to Bucharest is 1-3 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to London is 2-7 days.


  • How many days in Bucharest or London? Ideal Length of Stay
    Bucharest 1-3 
    London 2-7

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. 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 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 less touristy destination of Bucharest. This 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.

Which city is cheaper, London or Bucharest?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Bucharest is $109, while the average daily cost in London is $175. 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. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Bucharest and London in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bucharest $50
    London $109
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bucharest $100
    London $218
Compare Hotels in Bucharest and London

Looking for a hotel in Bucharest or London? 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 London


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 London Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bucharest $21
    London $25

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bucharest

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bucharest:

  • Private Transfer to from Bucharest to Vienna City Austria Price/Car 1-8 Seats: $1,555
  • Private transfer from Bucharest to Istanbul price/car 1-4 seat: $941
  • Private Transfer from Bucharest to Budapest price/car 1-4 seat: $941
  • Private Transfer from Bucharest to Tirana Albania Price/Car 1-4 Seats: $941
  • Private Transfer to Budapest (Hungary) from Bucharest: $746
  • Private Transfer from Bucharest to Budapest: $684
  • Private Transfer from Bucharest to Thessaloniki Salonic GR Price/Car 1-4 Seats: $672
  • Private Transfer from Bucharest to Skopje, Macedonia de Nord Price/Car 1-4 Seats: $672
  • Private Transfer: Bucharest to Bucharest B. A. V. International Airport (BBU): $622
  • Private Transfer from Bucharest to Cluj City Untold and Electric Castle 1-8 Seat: $605
  • Private Transfer from Bucharest to Sofia (BG) with Van, Price/Car 1-8 Seat: $537
  • Private Transfer to Bucharest from Sofia (BG) with Van, Price/Car 1-8 Seat: $537

Typical Local Transportation prices in London

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in London:


  • Taxi Ride
    $18
  • Heathrow Express
    $22
  • Luggage Storage
    $9.67
  • London Map
    $1.56
  • Oyster Card
    $43
  • Train to Gatwick Airport (2)
    $26
  • Oyster Card
    $33

Hired Cars and Shuttles in London

Also for London, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Accommodation to London St. Pancras Station - Departure Private Transfer: $62
  • Airport and venues transfer 3: $1,173
  • All London Airports Round-trip & Return Private Transfer to Southeast London: $217
  • All London Airports Round-trip & Return Private Transfer to Southwest London: $217
  • All London Airports Roundtrip - PrivateTransfer to London Hotel Including Return Trip: $112
  • Arrival Private Transfers from Airport LCY to London City in Luxury Van: $109
  • Arrival Private Transfers from London Airport LCY to London in Business Car: $89
  • Arrival transfer from Heathrow to London Hotel: $53
  • Arrival, Departure or Round Trip Private Transfer: Central London to Southampton Cruise Port: $250
  • Arrive & Depart in Style - Luxury Private Transfer - Southampton to London: $381
  • Bath Day Trip From London With Private Transfer in Range Rover: $1,134
  • Central London To Gatwick Airport (LGW) Private Car Transfer: $70

Is it cheaper to fly into Bucharest or London?

Prices for flights to both London 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 $46
    London $35

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

Typical Food prices in London

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to London:


  • Lunch at Starbucks
    $16
  • Tea
    $7.25
  • Afternoon Tea at Fortnum & Mason
    $47
  • Morning Tea
    $7.68
  • Pastry
    $6.05
  • Sushi Dinner for One
    $22

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in London

For London, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Traveling Spoon Nepalese Momos Private Online Cooking Class: $27
  • Private Cooking Class with a London Cookbook Author: $87
  • BYOB Pizza Workshop Supper Club: $91
  • Private Cooking Class in Central London with a Food Expert: $150
  • South London Food Tour With A Local: Borough Market, Southbank & London Bridge: $150
  • Borough Market Visit & Cooking Class in Central London with a Food Professional: $164
  • 3.5-Hour Shoreditch Street Food Tour: $261
  • Private Food Tour, Cooking Class and Market Visit in London with a Food Expert: $315

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bucharest $11
    London $31

Tours and Activities in Bucharest

Here are a few actual costs in Bucharest for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 1 Day - 4x4 Private Tour in Transylvania: $200
  • 1 Day 4x4 JEEP Tour in Carpathian Mountains: $129
  • 1 Day ATV and Buggy Tour Carpathian Mountains: $181
  • 1 Day Castles Tour - Sinaia and Bran: $149
  • 1 Day Communist Experience: $168
  • 1 Day Private Tour-Slanic Salt Mine, Mud Vulcanos & Wine Testing From Bucharest: $160
  • 1 Day Private Tour-Slanic Salt Mine, Mud Vulcanos - From Bucharest: $187
  • 1 day Cycling Tour from Bucharest - Biking The Roads Of History: $196
  • 1-Day Private Guided Tour: The Story of 40 Years of Communism in Romania: $158
  • 1-Day Private Tour - In the Footsteps of Communism - Execution Museum Included: $188
  • 1-Day Private Tour Constanta: The Ancient City of Tomis, Seaside Tour Included: $222
  • 10 days Small Group Balkans Tour from Bucharest with Bulgaria, Macedonia, Serbia: $2,115

Typical Entertainment prices in London

For London, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Two Tickets to a Concert
    $100
  • London Symphony Orchestra
    $42
  • London Pass
    $57
  • Comedy Show
    $9.67

Tours and Activities in London

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for London.

  • Haunted Exploration Game and Tour: $5.63
  • Royal Canadian Regiment Museum: Historic Wolseley Barracks Tour: $5.64
  • Self-Guided Tour with Over 100 Sights: $5.64
  • Shakespeare's Italy Virtual Experience: $6.90
  • Queen and Freddie Mercury Exploration Game and Tour: $7.88
  • 59-Minutes British Museum Audio-guided Tour: $8.71
  • 59-Minutes National Gallery Audio-guided Tour: $9.95
  • 12 Angry Guests: The Online Jury Experience: $11
  • The Clink Prison Museum Admission Tickets: $11
  • Virtual Guided Tour of London's Off the Beaten Track Areas: $14
  • Guided Tour of Handel House: $14
  • Tiger King: The Murder Mystery Experience: $15

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bucharest $7.25
    London $15

Sample the Local Flavors in Bucharest

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

  • Pub Crawl in the Old Town: $23
  • Wine Tasting Tour of Bucharest Old Town: $61
  • Wine Tasting Tour at First Wine Bar: $61
  • Private Wine Tasting at Bucharest's First Wine Bar: $65
  • Bucharest City Tour and Wine Tasting – 2.5 hours: $88
  • Traditions in Village Museum & Wine Tasting: $93
  • 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
  • Romanian Wine Tasting Experience: $113
  • Lacerta Crama Wine Tasting: $113

Sample the Local Flavors in London

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in London:

  • The Original Shoreditch Pub Crawl: $27
  • Camden Pub Crawl with Drinks: $27
  • Sipsmith Distillery Tour and Complimentary Tasting: $35
  • Private:Brewery, Winery, and Cider & Spirit Tastings Tour in SW Ontario: $101
  • Gin Palace Crawl with Distillery Tour & Tastings: $107
  • English Sparkling Wine Tours from London: $392
  • Private London Pub History and Brewery (Full Day Tour): $621
  • Private visit to Bombay Sapphire Distillery and Stonehenge: $851

About these numbers

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.


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 are around 23°C (73°F), and London is 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.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Bucharest 23°C (73°F) 
    London 18°C (64°F)

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. Temperatures in Bucharest average around 13°C (55°F), and London stays 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.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Bucharest 13°C (55°F) 
    London 12°C (53°F)

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 temperature in Bucharest is usually -1°C (29°F) in January, and London stays 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.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Bucharest -1°C (29°F) 
    London 4°C (40°F)

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 are around 12°C (54°F), and London is 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.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Bucharest 12°C (54°F) 
    London 9°C (48°F)

Typical Weather for London and Bucharest

Bucharest London
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -1°C (29°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 4°C (40°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Feb 1°C (34°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 5°C (40°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Mar 6°C (43°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 7°C (44°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Apr 12°C (54°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 9°C (48°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 13°C (55°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Jun 21°C (70°F) 77 mm (3 in) 16°C (61°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 18°C (64°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Aug 22°C (72°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 18°C (64°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Sep 18°C (65°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 15°C (59°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Oct 13°C (55°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 12°C (53°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Nov 6°C (44°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 7°C (45°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Dec 1°C (34°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 5°C (42°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)


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Bucharest vs. London Travel Comparison

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