Which place is cheaper, Podgorica or Bucharest?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Bucharest or Podgorica?
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 Podgorica. 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 Podgorica?
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.
Podgorica
Podgorica is Montenegro's capital city, and also its largest. Dating back to the Ottoman Empire, World War II destroyed much of this history, but there are a few Turkish remnants worth visiting. Podgorica's central location often makes the city a good starting point for day trips to coastal cities or mountain resorts.
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 Montenegro, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Montenegro.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBucharest $137Podgorica $112
The average daily cost (per person) in Bucharest is $137, while the average daily cost in Podgorica is $112. 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 Podgorica in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBucharest $63Podgorica $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBucharest $126Podgorica $98
Compare Hotels in Bucharest and Podgorica
Looking for a hotel in Bucharest or Podgorica? 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 Podgorica Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bucharest $26Podgorica $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bucharest
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bucharest:
- Therme Bucharest Express Shuttle Transfer: $7.63
- Bucharest Airport Transfer: $11
- Bucuresti: Transfer Therme Bucuresti different hours: $12
- Therme Bucuresti Transfer with Optional Ticket: $13
- 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: $24
- Bucharest Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Vaslui OMV: $26
- Bucharest Otopeni Airport OTP to Bucharest City Center Hotel - private transfer: $27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Podgorica
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Podgorica:
- Podgorica Airport (TGD) to Kotor Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $47
- Podgorica Airport (TGD) to Kotor Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $94
- Budva to Podgorica one way transfer: $118
- From One-Way Private Transfer to/from Virpazar: $57
- Podgorica airport: Private Transfer to/from Budva: $75
- Private Transfer to Budva: $39
- Private transfer to Kotor: $53
- Private transfer to Tivat: $53
- Private Airport Transfer from Podgorica airport to Budva: $68
- Private Transfer from Podgorica Airport (TGD) to Lustica: $262
- Private Transfer from Podgorica Airport (TGD) to Petrovac : $58
- Private Transfer from Podgorica Airport (TGD) to Tivat downtown: $117
Is it cheaper to fly into Bucharest or Podgorica?
Prices for flights to both Podgorica 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 $58Podgorica $43
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bucharest
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bucharest.
- Dinner at the Museum of Communism - Traditional Food Tour: $53
- 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
- Historical and Cultural Tour with Romanian Cuisine dinner: $141
- Cooking Class in Transylvania - Day Tour from Bucharest: $182
- 4-Hour Walking Food Tour in the Old Town: $202
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bucharest $15Podgorica $22
Tours and Activities in Bucharest
Here are a few actual costs in Bucharest for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Tour Reyes y Palacios Bucarest: $11
- Reptiland Bucharest Entry Ticket: $13
- Communism Walking Tour from Lenin to Ceausescu in Bucharest: $13
- A Tale of Bucharest Old Town Walking Tour: $16
- 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
- Palace of Parliament Bucharest 1 Hour Guided Tour: $21
- Virtual Reality Experience: $21
- Buchaest: Peles Castle, Bran Castle, & Brasov Old Town Tour: $21
- Guided Tour at museum Casa Storck: $21
Tours and Activities in Podgorica
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Podgorica are as follows:
- Skip The Line: National Park Skadar Lake - Tickets: $8.17
- Skadar lake - Falcon kayak tour: $13
- Lake Skadar: Guided Sightseeing Boat Tour with Refreshments: $16
- Two Hours Sightseeing Lake Cruise at Montenegro National Park: $16
- Podgorica City Walking Tour: $22
- Lake Skadar: Guided Panoramic Boat Tour to Kom Monastery : $22
- Lake Skadar: Early-morning Birdwatching and Photography Tour: $27
- From Virpazar: Guided Lake Skadar cruise and Crnojevića River: $33
- Book Your Tour Podgorica by walk: $36
- Book Your Donkey Farm Tour: $57
- Book Your Tour Ostrog Monastery: $65
- Cultural Bike Tour of Podgorica;Discovering the Ancient Treasures: $71
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBucharest $9.17Podgorica $21
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: $24
- Bucharest Pub Crawl in the Old Town: $25
- From Romanian Wine Tasting Tour: $26
- Bachelors Party in Custom Bar Crawl: $37
- Private Bar Crawling in Bucharest Old City: $43
- Private Wine Tasting in Bucharest: $43
- Pub Crawl in the Old CIty and Rooftop Hopping in Bucharest: $47
- Romanian Wine Tasting: $49
- Private Romanian Wine Tasting in Urlați: $51
- Bucharest Old Town Pub and Bar Crawl with Guide: $57
- Bucharest VIP Bar Crawl in Lipscani 'Old Town': $59
- Bucharest City Tour and Wine Tasting: $84
Sample the Local Flavors in Podgorica
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Podgorica:
- Private Wine Tasting Activity at Lipovac Winery: $27
- Book Your Wine Tour: $77
- Podgorica Car Trip - Architecture, History, Wine tasting, Churches, Doclea city: $93
- Podgorica Car Trip, Doclea city, Wine tasting, Niagara falls: $106
- Wine tasting in the family winery, feel the spirit: $120
- Montenegro: Nature, Locals & Wine Tour: $128
- Skadar lake boat ride through "Montenegrin Amazon", wine tasting & Niagara falls: $196
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bucharest and Podgorica, we can see that Bucharest is more expensive. And not only is Podgorica much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Podgorica would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Podgorica 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 Podgorica.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bucharest Expensive? and Is Podgorica Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bucharest or Podgorica?
Bucharest has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Podgorica. When comparing the sizes of Bucharest and Podgorica, 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 Podgorica?
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 Podgorica in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bucharest and Podgorica. Many visitors come to Bucharest in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Bucharest is generally cooler than Podgorica. Daily temperatures in Bucharest average around 23°C (73°F), and Podgorica fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Podgorica this time of the year. In Bucharest, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bucharest usually receives less sunshine than Podgorica during summer. Bucharest gets 289 hours of sunny skies, while Podgorica receives 341 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Bucharest usually receives more rain than Podgorica. Bucharest gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBucharest 23°C (73°F)Podgorica 26°C (80°F)
Should I visit Bucharest or Podgorica in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Bucharest as well as Podgorica. Most visitors come to Bucharest for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.
Bucharest is cooler than Podgorica in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bucharest averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and Podgorica fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Podgorica. In the autumn, Bucharest often gets less sunshine than Podgorica. Bucharest gets 177 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Podgorica receives 203 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Podgorica. Bucharest usually gets less rain in October than Podgorica. Bucharest gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 166 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBucharest 13°C (55°F)Podgorica 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Bucharest or Podgorica in the Winter?
Both Podgorica and Bucharest are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Bucharest because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Bucharest can be very cold. In the winter, Bucharest is much colder than Podgorica. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bucharest in January average around -1°C (29°F), and Podgorica averages at about 6°C (42°F).
Bucharest usually receives less sunshine than Podgorica during winter. Bucharest gets 71 hours of sunny skies, while Podgorica receives 121 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Podgorica. In January, Bucharest usually receives less rain than Podgorica. Bucharest gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 192 mm (7.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBucharest -1°C (29°F)Podgorica 6°C (42°F)
Should I visit Bucharest or Podgorica in the Spring?
Both Podgorica and Bucharest during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city are the main draw to Bucharest this time of year.
In April, Bucharest is generally cooler than Podgorica. Daily temperatures in Bucharest average around 12°C (54°F), and Podgorica fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).
In the spring, Bucharest often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Podgorica. Bucharest gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Podgorica receives 194 hours of full sun.
Podgorica gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Bucharest usually gets less rain in April than Podgorica. Bucharest gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBucharest 12°C (54°F)Podgorica 14°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Podgorica and Bucharest
| Bucharest | Podgorica | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -1°C (29°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) |
| Feb | 1°C (34°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 159 mm (6.3 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (54°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (55°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (44°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 239 mm (9.4 in) |
| Dec | 1°C (34°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 217 mm (8.5 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.