A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Budva vs. Mont-Saint-Michel for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Budva or Mont-Saint-Michel?

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 Budva and Mont-Saint-Michel. 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: Budva or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Budva

A coastal resort in Montenegro, Budva is probably the country's most popular tourist destination. Not only does it host a number of great beaches, but it is also home to a picturesque old town center located on a small peninsula. Some of its best features include narrow winding lanes, historic buildings, churches, and small squares.

Mont-Saint-Michel

Mont Saint-Michel is an island community in Normandy, France. It is located about a half of a mile (or one kilometer) off of the country's northwest coast, at the mouth of the Couesnon River near Avranches. The population of the island, at last count, was just under 50 people. The island has been a strategic fortifications since ancient times and since the 8th century AD has been the seat of the monastery from which it was named. The structural composition of the town exemplifies the feudal society that constructed it: on top, God, the abbey and monastery; below, the great halls; then stores and housing; and at the bottom, outside the walls, houses for fishermen and farmers. One of France's most recognizable landmarks, visited by more than 3 million people each year, Mont Saint-Michel and its bay are on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Over 60 buildings within the commune are protected in France as historical monuments.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Montenegro, The Best Adventure Tours to Montenegro, The Best River Cruises in France, and The Best Bicycle Tours in France.


Which place is cheaper, Mont-Saint-Michel or Budva?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Budva is €91, while the average daily cost in Mont-Saint-Michel is €156. 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 Budva and Mont-Saint-Michel in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Budva 37
    Mont-Saint-Michel 70
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Budva 74
    Mont-Saint-Michel 140
Compare Hotels in Budva and Mont-Saint-Michel

Looking for a hotel in Budva or Mont-Saint-Michel? 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 Budva


Hotels in Mont-Saint-Michel


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: Budva Hotel Prices and Mont-Saint-Michel Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Budva 20
    Mont-Saint-Michel 70
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Budva

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Budva are as follows:


  • Daily Car Rental
    65

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Budva

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Budva:

  • Budva to Dubrovnik one way transfer: $179
  • Herceg Novi to Budva one way transfer: $144
  • Montenegro Airport Transfer: $65
  • Private Transfer Service in Montenegro: $29
  • Private Transfer from Bar to Podgorica Airport (TGD): $97
  • Private Transfer from Bar to Tivat Airport (TIV): $117
  • Private Transfer from Budva or Becici to Dubrovnik airport: $240
  • Private Transfer from Budva to Dubrovnik: $272
  • Private Transfer from Budva to Podgorica Airport and city: $38
  • Private Transfer from Petrovac to Podgorica Airport (TGD): $58
  • Private Transfer from Petrovac to Tivat airport: $82
  • Private Transfer from Sveti Stefan to Dubrovnik airport: $218

Is it cheaper to fly into Budva or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Prices for flights to both Mont-Saint-Michel and Budva 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
    Budva 31
    Mont-Saint-Michel 44

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Budva

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Budva.

  • Cooking Class with dinner/lunch in Ulcinj Montenegro : $49

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Budva 22
    Mont-Saint-Michel 30

Tours and Activities in Budva

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

  • 1-Hour Guided Lipa Cave Adventure in Montenegro: $15
  • From Day Cruise to Boka Bay: $42
  • Great Cruise From Budva to Boka Bay in a Day: $43
  • 3-Hour Paddle Board or Kayak Tour to Coastal Caves: $43
  • Night Lights Kayak and SUP Adventure: $43
  • Budva Bay SUP & Kayaking Tours to Coastal Caves: $44
  • Night Lights Kayak Adventure : $44
  • Soul of Montenegro: Kotor, Lovcen and Cetinje Day Tour: $61
  • Private Tour: Panoramic route around Skadar Lake: $65
  • Great tour of coastal monasteries in Budva - Walking on the path of history!: $65
  • Private Boat Tour Adventure In Budva - Sightseeing & Snorkeling : $65
  • Budva 1 hour Private walking tour: $66

Tours and Activities in Mont-Saint-Michel

Here are a few actual costs in Mont-Saint-Michel for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Self Guided Audio Tour around Mont Saint-Michele island: $5.45
  • Mont Saint-Michel Abbey in the Middle Ages: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
  • Airborne Museum Admission Ticket: $11
  • Entrance ticket to the Battle of the Hedges Museum: $11
  • Normandy Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey Entrance Ticket: $14
  • Abbey du Mont Saint-Michel Priority Entrance Tickets: $16
  • Walking Tour in the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel: $16
  • 2-Hour Guided Walking tour of the Mont Saint Michel : $33
  • Cherbourg Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $44
  • Mont-St-Michel: Shared Tour (10 max) "Abbey Ticket Included": $162
  • Private walking tour of Mont Saint Michel with a licensed guide: $215
  • Mont-St-Michel: Private Walking Tour "Abbey Ticket Included": $261

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Budva 14
    Mont-Saint-Michel 7.86


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Budva and Mont-Saint-Michel, we can see that Mont-Saint-Michel is more expensive. And not only is Budva much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Budva would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Budva 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 Mont-Saint-Michel would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mont-Saint-Michel than you might in Budva.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Budva Expensive? and Is Mont-Saint-Michel Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Budva or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Budva has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Mont-Saint-Michel. When comparing the sizes of Budva and Mont-Saint-Michel, 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.