Which place is cheaper, Bucharest or Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar or Bucharest?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar and Bucharest can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar or Bucharest?
Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar
Located in northeast Romania, Cluj-Napoca is the capital of the Transylvania region and one of the nation's most-visited cities. Many visitors come to experience the modern Transylvanian university culture, admire historic churches and other landmarks, see fortress ruins, and visit museums.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Romania, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Romania, The Best Luxury Tours to Romania, and The Best Budget Tours to Romania.
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Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar Prices
Romania PricesBucharest Prices
Romania Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar $106Bucharest $186
The average daily cost (per person) in Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar is $106, while the average daily cost in Bucharest is $186. 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 Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar and Bucharest in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar $51Bucharest $65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar $102Bucharest $130
Compare Hotels in Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar and Bucharest
Looking for a hotel in Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar or Bucharest? 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: Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar Hotel Prices and Bucharest Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar $15Bucharest $27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar:
- Private Transfer Cluj Napoca Airport: $29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bucharest
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bucharest:
- Airport Henri Coanda (Otopeni) to Bucharest - Private Transfer - Driver: $47
- Airport Transfer: Airport OTP to Bucharest by Business Car: $65
- Airport Transfer: Airport OTP to Bucharest by Luxury Car: $110
- Airport Transfer: Airport OTP to Bucharest by Luxury Van: $71
- Airport Transfer: Bucharest to Airport OTP by Luxury Van: $71
- Airport to Bucharest - Private Transfer from Henri Coanda Airport OTP Otopeni: $47
- Airport transfer Otopeni to Bucharest: $70
- Arrival Transfer: Airport OTP to Bucharest by Business Car: $58
- Arrival Transfer: Airport OTP to Bucharest by Luxury Van: $71
- Arrival Transfer: Bucharest Airport OTP to Brasov by Luxury Van: $176
- Bucharest Airport OTP Private Transfer to Bucharest Center: $34
- Bucharest Airport Transfers: $53
Is it cheaper to fly into Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar or Bucharest?
Prices for flights to both Bucharest and Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar 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 dayCluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar $45Bucharest $104
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 & tour after closing: $58
- Wine Tasting and Dinner with Certified Sommelier: $105
- Bucharest Historical Food Tour in Old Center: $106
- Discover Private Highlights and Traditional Food Tour: $140
- Bucharest Home Dinner;Authentic Romanian Food with a Local Family: $171
- Private Bucharest Food Tour with a Local Foodie: $212
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar $8.17Bucharest $15
Tours and Activities in Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar
Here are a few actual costs in Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cluj - walking city tour: $29
- Cluj Must-See Attractions Walking Tour With A Guide: $29
- Cluj-Napoca: 2.5-Hour Guided Walking Tour: $40
- Clasic Tour of Cluj Napoca: $47
- Private city tour in Cluj-Napoca: $52
- Local Tour of Cluj by Electric Bike: $53
- Cluj Comunism Walking Tour: $59
- Cluj-Napoca Walking City Tour: $63
- Turda salt mine 4h tour from Cluj: $71
- Half-Day Tour to Salt Mine, Imersiv Art and SteamPunk: $81
- Buggy & ATV Off-Road Tour in the Hills of Cluj-Napoca: $94
- Evening Culinary Experience in Rimetea (5h, from Cluj): $112
Tours and Activities in Bucharest
Here are a few actual costs in Bucharest for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Quest Experience in Bellu Cemetery Bucharest: $6.01
- Bucharest 1989 Revolution GPS App Walking Tour Mobile Game: $6.83
- Bucharest Old Town Treasure Hunt: Walking Tour & Game: $7.82
- Bucharest Beyond the Boulevards: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Bucharest Old Centre Historical One Hour Tour: $17
- Bucharest Walking Tour: $20
- Bucharest Highlights Walking Tour: $22
- Walking Tour- Delightful Bucharest (Highlights, Stories, Sights): $22
- Bucharest Essential Tour: Old Town, Calea Victoriei & Communism: $24
- Communism Walking Tour from Lenin to Ceausescu in Bucharest: $24
- Bucharest to Dracula Castle, Peles Castle and Brasov Guided Tour: $25
- The Man Behind Dracula: Legends, power and Truth Bucharest Tour: $26
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar $6.98Bucharest $9.52
Sample the Local Flavors in Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar:
- Pub Crawl in Cluj: $29
- Sibiu and wine tasting, day tour from Cluj: $199
- Sighisoara and wine tasting, day tour from Cluj: $272
Sample the Local Flavors in Bucharest
Also in Bucharest, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Bucharest Pub Crawl in the Old Town: $26
- Bar Crawling: $47
- Wine Tasting in Bucharest: $59
- Bucharest Private Old Town Pub and Bar Crawl with Guide: $68
- Mud Volcanoes and Dealu Mare Wine Tasting Late Start 1 Day Trip: $84
- Salt Mine Exploration and Wine Tasting: PREMIUM TOUR small group: $129
- Traditions in Village Museum and Wine Tasting Tour: $159
- Wine tasting in Bucharest Old town - bonus cheese platter: $163
- Antique ruins, Mamaia Beach and Wine tasting from Bucharest to Constanta: $178
- Salt Mine, the Muddy Volcanoes and Wine Tasting Private Day Tour from Bucharest!: $189
- Wine tasting - 1 Day Tour: $200
- Prahova Salt Mine & Wine Tasting - Private day tour from Bucharest: $200
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar and Bucharest, we can see that Bucharest is more expensive. And not only is Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar 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 Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar Expensive? and Is Bucharest Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar or Bucharest?
Bucharest has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar. When comparing the sizes of Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar and Bucharest, 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.
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.