A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Catania vs. Budva for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Catania or Budva?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Catania and Budva can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Catania or Budva?

Catania

Located on the east coast of Sicily, Catania is at the base of Mount Etna, which is the largest volcano in Europe. It's also the island's second largest city and a major transportation center for the area. With almost one million residents in the metropolitan area, the city serves as an important economic base and university town for Sicily. It's a vibrant city with a young population, a lively downtown, and an excellent nightlife. The city has an abundance of Sicilian Baroque architecture and the downtown area, where much of it is this architecture is concentrated, has been declared a World Heritage Site.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, The Best Walking Tours in Italy, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Montenegro, and The Best Adventure Tours to Montenegro.


Which place is cheaper, Budva or Catania?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Catania is €120, while the average daily cost in Budva is €91. 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 Catania and Budva in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Catania 65
    Budva 37
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Catania 130
    Budva 74
Compare Hotels in Catania and Budva

Looking for a hotel in Catania or Budva? 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 Catania


Hotels in Budva


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: Catania Hotel Prices and Budva Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Catania 20
    Budva 20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Catania

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Catania:

  • Catania Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer to Palermo by Car: $722
  • Catania Airport: Private Transfer to Catania and Acireale: $52
  • Catania International Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Syracuse: $6.63
  • Catania International Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Taormina: $7.49
  • Catania Private Transfer (Taormina, Siracusa, Noto, Messina, Naxos, Etna, etc): $71
  • Catania Airport to/from Verdura Resort Transfer: $321
  • From Catania Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer to Agrigento: $373
  • From Catania Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer to Catania: $63
  • From Catania Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer to Siracusa: $134
  • From Catania Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer to Siracusa: $155
  • From Catania Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer to Taormina: $155
  • From Catania Airport: 1-Way Private Van Transfer to Taormina: $176

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:

  • Private Transfer Service in Montenegro: $29
  • Private Transfer from Budva to Podgorica Airport and city: $38
  • Private Transfer from Petrovac to Podgorica Airport (TGD): $58
  • Tivat to Budva private one way transfer: $58
  • Montenegro Airport Transfer: $65
  • Private Transfer from Petrovac to Tivat airport: $82
  • Private Transfer from Bar to Podgorica Airport (TGD): $97
  • Tivat to Budva one way transfer: $102
  • Private Transfer from Bar to Tivat Airport (TIV): $117
  • Transfer from Podgorica Airport to Kotor: $139
  • Herceg Novi to Budva one way transfer: $144
  • Budva to Dubrovnik one way transfer: $179

Is it cheaper to fly into Catania or Budva?

Prices for flights to both Budva and Catania 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
    Catania 41
    Budva 31

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Catania

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

  • Catania Street Food Tour: Fish Market & City Centre: $38
  • Catania Street Food Tour: $52
  • Cooking class & visit to the Catania Historical market: $59
  • Patisserie Food tour: $60
  • Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $63
  • Food tour of Catania by night: $64
  • Catania Street Food Tour: $67
  • Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $73
  • Aci Trezza boat tour with dinner on board: $85
  • Cooking Class Tiramisù: $95
  • Cooking Class Arancini in Catania: $96
  • Cooking class Pizza: $96

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.
    Catania 19
    Budva 22

Tours and Activities in Catania

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Catania are as follows:

  • One-way tickets to travel between airport and city: $2.69
  • Benedictine Monastery of Guided tour in English: $11
  • Heart of the City Guided Walking Tour: $21
  • The heart of the City - Guided tour in Italian: $21
  • Underground Catania Tickets and Guided Tour: $21
  • the heart of the City - Guided Walking Tour: $21
  • City Highlights Walking Tour: $24
  • City Highlights Tour with Guide: $27
  • Food Tasting Tour in an ancient church: $35
  • Tasting tour in the ancient church of Piazza Scammacca: $35
  • Pozzo di Gaspare Farm Guided Tour with Tastings: $37
  • 2 hours guided tour of Catania: $40

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Catania 18
    Budva 14

Sample the Local Flavors in Catania

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

  • Volcanic Wine Tasting in a Metropolitan Market: $48
  • Wine Tasting in the South Slope of Etna: $50
  • Etna: Urban Winery, Vineyards Walk & Wine Tasting at Sunset: $62
  • Wine tour in Catania: $102
  • Mt Etna and Wine tasting tour from Catania: $116
  • Full-Day Etna and Wine Tour from Catania: $126
  • From Mt.Etna picnic and wine tasting: $128
  • Guided Tour of Etna with Wine Tasting & Appetizers: $139
  • Etna trekking and wine tasting: $147
  • Tour Etna & Wine Tasting: $158
  • Etna Tour and Lunch in a Winery with Wine Tasting: $265
  • From Catania/Taormina: Mount Etna Private Wine Tasting Tour: $433


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


Which is Bigger, Catania or Budva?

Catania has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Budva. When comparing the sizes of Catania and Budva, 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.