Which place is cheaper, Novi Sad or Bucharest?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Bucharest or Novi Sad?
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 Novi Sad. 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.
Where Should I go: Bucharest or Novi Sad?
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.
Novi Sad
Novi Sad is the capital city of Vojvodina, the northern Autonomous Province of Serbia. Novi Sad has a population of about 400,000 people and is located on the Danube River near Budapest and Belgrade.
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 Budget Tours to Serbia, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Belgrade.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBucharest $137Novi Sad $20
The average daily cost (per person) in Bucharest is $137, while the average daily cost in Novi Sad is $20. 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 Novi Sad in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBucharest $63Novi Sad $11
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBucharest $126Novi Sad $22
Compare Hotels in Bucharest and Novi Sad
Looking for a hotel in Bucharest or Novi Sad? 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.
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 Novi Sad Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bucharest $26Novi Sad -
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bucharest
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bucharest:
- Therme Bucharest Express Shuttle Transfer: $7.60
- Bucharest Airport Transfer: $11
- Bucuresti: Transfer Therme Bucuresti different hours: $12
- Bucharest Transfer Service: $17
- Bucharest Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Tecuci: $21
- Airport Transfer: $21
- Private Bucharest Otopeni Airport (OTP) Transfer: $22
- Bucharest Private Airport Transfer from or to City Center Hotel: $22
- Bucharest Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Barlad: $23
- Bucharest Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Vaslui OMV: $26
- Bucharest Otopeni Airport OTP to Bucharest City Center Hotel - private transfer: $27
- Transfer from Otopeni Airport to Bucharest: $29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Novi Sad
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Novi Sad:
- Airport transfer from/to Novi Sad: $107
- Belgrade airport transfers: $30
- Belgrade to Sarajevo via Novi Sad Private Transfer Tour: $286
Is it cheaper to fly into Bucharest or Novi Sad?
Prices for flights to both Novi Sad 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
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Food Meals for one dayBucharest $58Novi Sad $8.20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bucharest
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bucharest.
- Bohemian Bucharest Markets and Mahallas Traditional Food Tour: $60
- Cooking Class traditional food: $65
- Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $74
- Unhealthy Food Tour of Bucharest – 4 hours: $75
- Bucharest Evening Tour and Traditional Dinner: $84
- Bucharest Evening Tour and Traditional Dinner - 3 hours: $86
- Private Walking Food Tour - Culture, History & Traditions: $98
- 4-Hour Walking Food Tour in the Old Town: $201
- Bucharest City Tour & Traditional Home-made Cooking Experience: $227
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bucharest $15Novi Sad -
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: $5.31
- Tour Kings and Palaces of Bucharest: $11
- A Tale of Bucharest Old Town Walking Tour: $11
- Reptiland Bucharest Entry Ticket: $13
- Communism Walking Tour from Lenin to Ceausescu in Bucharest: $13
- City Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $17
- Bucharest Highlights Walking Tour: $17
- Calea Victoriei and Old Town Highlights Tour: $19
- Parliament Palace Skip-the-line Ticket: $20
- Guided Tour at museum Casa Storck: $21
- 2-Hour Private Walking Tour in Bucharest: $22
- Roma Culture and History Guided Walking Tour: $22
Tours and Activities in Novi Sad
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Novi Sad are as follows:
- The city center and fortress Private Walking Tour: $29
- Novi Sad & Sremski Karlovci shared tour: $64
- Novi Sad city center and Petrovaradin fortress tour: $80
- Fruska Gora and Novi Sad Heritage & Gastro Private Tour: $170
- Private Customized Tour with a car: $208
- Novi Sad Private Walking Tour: $253
- From Belgrade: Novi Sad and Fruska Gora National Park Tour: $320
- City Highlights Walking Tour with Local Guide: $510
- Private Romantic Tour: $511
- 2-Hour Christmas Walking Tour: $767
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBucharest $9.17Novi Sad -
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: $23
- Bucharest Pub Crawl in the Old Town: $25
- Bachelors Party in Custom Bar Crawl: $37
- Private Bar Crawling in Bucharest Old City: $42
- Private Wine Tasting in Bucharest: $43
- From Romanian Wine Tasting Tour: $45
- Pub Crawl in the Old CIty and Rooftop Hopping in Bucharest: $47
- Romanian Wine Tasting: $48
- Private Romanian Wine Tasting in Urlați: $51
- Bucharest VIP Bar Crawl in Lipscani 'Old Town': $59
- Bucharest City Tour and Wine Tasting: $84
- Wine Tasting Tour at First Wine Bar: $85
Sample the Local Flavors in Novi Sad
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Novi Sad:
- From Belgrade: Sremski Karlovci & Novi Sad with Wine Tasting: $80
- From Belgrade or Private Wine Tour in Fruska Gora: $184
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bucharest and Novi Sad, we can see that Bucharest is more expensive. And not only is Novi Sad much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Novi Sad would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Novi Sad 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 Bucharest would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bucharest than you might in Novi Sad.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bucharest Expensive? and Is Novi Sad Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bucharest or Novi Sad?
Bucharest has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Novi Sad. When comparing the sizes of Bucharest and Novi Sad, 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 Novi Sad?
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 Novi Sad in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bucharest and Novi Sad. Most visitors come to Bucharest for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Bucharest is around the same temperature as Novi Sad. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bucharest in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Novi Sad averages at about 22°C (71°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Novi Sad this time of the year. In Bucharest, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bucharest usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Novi Sad during summer. Bucharest gets 289 hours of sunny skies, while Novi Sad receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Bucharest usually receives around the same amount of rain as Novi Sad. Bucharest gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Novi Sad receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBucharest 23°C (73°F)Novi Sad 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Bucharest or Novi Sad in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Bucharest as well as Novi Sad. The autumn months attract visitors to Bucharest because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In October, Bucharest is generally around the same temperature as Novi Sad. Daily temperatures in Bucharest average around 13°C (55°F), and Novi Sad fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
In the autumn, Bucharest often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Novi Sad. Bucharest gets 177 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Novi Sad receives 168 hours of full sun.
Bucharest usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Novi Sad. Bucharest gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Novi Sad receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBucharest 13°C (55°F)Novi Sad 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Bucharest or Novi Sad in the Winter?
Both Novi Sad and Bucharest are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bucharest this time of year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Novi Sad. It's quite cold in Bucharest in the winter. Bucharest is much colder than Novi Sad in the winter. The daily temperature in Bucharest averages around -1°C (29°F) in January, and Novi Sad fluctuates around -0°C (31°F).
Bucharest usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Novi Sad during winter. Bucharest gets 71 hours of sunny skies, while Novi Sad receives 71 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Bucharest usually receives around the same amount of rain as Novi Sad. Bucharest gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Novi Sad receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBucharest -1°C (29°F)Novi Sad -0°C (31°F)
Should I visit Bucharest or Novi Sad in the Spring?
Both Novi Sad and Bucharest during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Bucharest for the activities around the city.
In the spring, Bucharest is around the same temperature as Novi Sad. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bucharest in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Novi Sad averages at about 12°C (54°F).
In the spring, Bucharest often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Novi Sad. Bucharest gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Novi Sad receives 178 hours of full sun.
Bucharest usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Novi Sad. Bucharest gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Novi Sad receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBucharest 12°C (54°F)Novi Sad 12°C (54°F)
Typical Weather for Novi Sad and Bucharest
| Bucharest | Novi Sad | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -1°C (29°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | -0°C (31°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 1°C (34°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (54°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 83 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (55°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (44°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Dec | 1°C (34°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.