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

Should you visit Bucharest or Philadelphia?

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 Philadelphia. 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 historical, less touristy, and undiscovered city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Philadelphia

Philadelphia is a historic, cultural, and diverse city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the museums, theater, and nightlife.

Bucharest and Philadelphia: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bucharest or Philadelphia?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Philadelphia than Bucharest. While Bucharest is larger than Philadelphia, Philadelphia has more sights and attractions for tourists. Philadelphia is more touristy than Bucharest and is popular for its diverse population, large number of universities, great restaurant and market scene, and its role in American history. Also, Philadelphia is famous for The Liberty Bell. Bucharest is well known for its wide avenues and longstanding religious institutions.

How is Bucharest different from Philadelphia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia are among the most recognizable in the world. The city has a rich history with a number of museums and monuments. Popular sites around the city include the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the National Museum of Jewish American History.

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 Philadelphia Better for Theater?

Philadelphia is well known for its theatre productions. However, Bucharest is not a theatre destination.

Philadelphia offers many theater and performance venues for visitors. There are major Broadway shows as well as smaller venues. Head to The Avenue of the Arts along Broad Street for a popular stretch of theaters.

Bucharest is not a theatre destination.

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

Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia. It has grown into a well-recognized food destination. It's diversity of cultures and residents have influenced the restaurant scene and you'll find many great places to dine covering a number of international flavors. The city is famous for its Philly cheesesteak and roast pork sandwich. You can also grab some local favorites at Reading Terminal Market.

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 Philadelphia Better for Nightlife?

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

Philadelphia is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The city's nightlife scene carries late into the evening with many rooftop and outdoor beer gardens. Most of the clubs and bars are found in the downtown area and you'll find places to dance, listen to live music, or sip a trendy cocktails.

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 Philadelphia Better for Music?

Philadelphia is well known for its live music scene. However, Bucharest is not a live music destination.

Music is a popular form of entertainment in Philadelphia. The city's diverse music scene includes jazz, rock, and hip hop.

Bucharest is not a live music destination.

Is Bucharest or Philadelphia Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the notable old town areas in both Bucharest and Philadelphia.

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.

Philadelphia has an old town worth visiting. The Old City has a number of Colonial-era sites including Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the Betsy Ross House.

Is the Shopping Better in Bucharest or Philadelphia?

Philadelphia is well known for its shopping opportunities. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Philadelphia is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. With all items tax-free, this city is a great place to shop. It has many boutique shops as well as name brand stores and shopping areas. For a local vibe, head to Reading Terminal Market.

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 Philadelphia Better for Christmas?

Philadelphia is well known for its Christmas activities. However, Bucharest does not offer Christmas activities.

Visitors come from all around to experience the Christmas activities in Philadelphia. There are a number of holiday events, light shows, and festivals during the holiday season.

Bucharest does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Bucharest or Philadelphia Better for Christmas Markets?

Philadelphia is a good destination for its Christmas markets. However, Bucharest does not offer Christmas markets.

Visiting the Christmas markets is popular in Philadelphia. The city has its own German style Christmas market at Love Park and City Hall. It hosts over 80 vendors.

Bucharest does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Bucharest or Philadelphia Better for Families?

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

Philadelphia is a very kid-friendly city. The city has many museums and a fascinating history that is interesting to kids and adults alike. Popular activities include a zoo and Sesame Place. Kids also love the hands-on Please Touch Museum.

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 Philadelphia Better for Couples?

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

Philadelphia makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Like many large cities, it is a fun place to explore in the evening as a couple. This is also a great foodie destination with great markets, food trucks, and diverse restaurants that reflect the city's diverse population.

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 Philadelphia Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bucharest and Philadelphia are notable places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Philadelphia. There are a few good hostels for backpackers and budget travelers to choose from.

Is Bucharest or Philadelphia Better for Students?

Philadelphia is well known for students. However, Bucharest is not popular with students.

Many students visit Philadelphia. With its many universities and diverse population, this city is a great place for international students.

Bucharest is not popular with students.

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

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

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

Philadelphia offers a very effecient public transportation network. The system includes a subway, trolleys, buses, and a commuter rail.

Is Bucharest or Philadelphia a more walkable city?

Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia on foot is easy. The Old City is particularly walkable, as is Avenue of the Arts, and Rittenhouse Square.

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 Philadelphia Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Philadelphia or Bucharest?

How long in Bucharest or Philadelphia?

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

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

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

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

One day in Bucharest or Philadelphia?

In Bucharest, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this undiscovered city offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this city.

People visit Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia?

Bucharest is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

People visit Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the charming destination of Bucharest. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the cultural city of Philadelphia. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the museums. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bucharest or Philadelphia?

Bucharest is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Philadelphia 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 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, and The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco.

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

Which is Bigger, Bucharest or Philadelphia?

Bucharest has a larger population, and is about 24% larger than the population of Philadelphia. When comparing the sizes of Bucharest and Philadelphia, 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 Philadelphia?

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 Philadelphia in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bucharest as well as Philadelphia. Many visitors come to Bucharest in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Philadelphia for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Bucharest is around the same temperature as Philadelphia in the summer. The daily temperature in Bucharest averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Philadelphia fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Philadelphia. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bucharest this time of the year. In the summer, Bucharest often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Philadelphia. Bucharest gets 289 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Philadelphia receives 273 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Philadelphia. Bucharest usually gets less rain in July than Philadelphia. Bucharest gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bucharest or Philadelphia in the Autumn?

Both Philadelphia and Bucharest are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Bucharest for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Philadelphia because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Bucharest is around the same temperature as Philadelphia. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bucharest in October average around 13°C (55°F), and Philadelphia averages at about 56°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in Philadelphia. Bucharest usually receives less sunshine than Philadelphia during autumn. Bucharest gets 177 hours of sunny skies, while Philadelphia receives 202 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Bucharest usually receives less rain than Philadelphia. Bucharest gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bucharest or Philadelphia in the Winter?

Both Philadelphia and Bucharest during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Bucharest because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Philadelphia this time of year.

It's quite cold in Philadelphia in the winter. The weather in Bucharest can be very cold. In January, Bucharest is generally much colder than Philadelphia. Daily temperatures in Bucharest average around -1°C (29°F), and Philadelphia fluctuates around 30°F (-1°C).

In the winter, Bucharest often gets less sunshine than Philadelphia. Bucharest gets 71 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Philadelphia receives 152 hours of full sun.

Bucharest usually gets less rain in January than Philadelphia. Bucharest gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bucharest or Philadelphia in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bucharest and Philadelphia. The activities around the city are the main draw to Bucharest this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Philadelphia for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Bucharest is around the same temperature as Philadelphia in the spring. The daily temperature in Bucharest averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and Philadelphia fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Philadelphia this time of the year. Bucharest usually receives less sunshine than Philadelphia during spring. Bucharest gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Philadelphia receives 216 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bucharest usually receives less rain than Philadelphia. Bucharest gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Philadelphia and Bucharest