A Travel Price Comparison for Romania Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar vs. Bucharest for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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.

Which place is cheaper, Bucharest or Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar is $85, while the average daily cost in Bucharest is $140. 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
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar $50
    Bucharest $64
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar $100
    Bucharest $128
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.

Hotels in Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar


Hotels in Bucharest


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar $14
    Bucharest $26

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar:

  • Private Transfer Cluj Napoca Airport: $28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bucharest

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bucharest:

  • ATV Adrenaline Race in Carpathian with Private Transfer: $109
  • Airport Bucharest Transfer: $54
  • Airport Henri Coanda (Otopeni) to Bucharest - Private Transfer - Driver: $44
  • Airport Private Transfer - to or from any Bucharest hotel: $65
  • Airport Transfer - Bucharest Otopeni Henri Coandă Airport : $18
  • Airport Transfer Bucharest - Brasov ,Brasov- Bucharest: $66
  • Airport Transfer with Mini-van for 8 passangers : $44
  • Airport to Bucharest - Private Transfer from Henri Coanda Airport OTP Otopeni : $44
  • Airport to Bucharest /Private Transfer from OTP Henri Coanda: $39
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Bucharest Airport OTP to Brasov in Business Car: $148
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Bucharest Airport OTP to Brasov in Luxury Van: $164
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Bucharest BBU Airport to Bucharest by Luxury Car: $66

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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar $25
    Bucharest $59

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: $54
  • Bohemian Bucharest Markets and Mahallas Walking Food Tour: $61
  • Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $67
  • Bucharest Historical Food Tour in Old Center: $72
  • Bucharest Evening Tour and Traditional Dinner: $73
  • Mystical beliefs, traditions & history - Walking Food Tour: $83
  • Private Bucharest Food Tour with a Local Foodie: $130
  • Historical and Cultural Tour with Romanian Cuisine dinner: $142
  • Cooking Class in Transylvania - Day Tour from Bucharest: $184
  • 4-Hour Walking Food Tour in the Old Town: $205

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar $8.00
    Bucharest $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-Napoca: 2.5-Hour Guided Walking Tour: $26
  • Cluj : Private Walking Tour with Guide ( Private Tour ): $33
  • Cluj-Napoca Walking City Tour: $39
  • Local Tour of Cluj by Electric Bike: $50
  • Cluj walking city tour: $58
  • Private Climbing OR Hiking Experience in Cheile Turzii: $77
  • Curly Tour - Day trip from Cluj :): $88
  • Night Tour in Hoia Baciu Forest: $94
  • CLUJ ADVENTURE TOUR ! ZIP LINE and HIKE: $99
  • Snowshoeing Fun Tour from Cluj Napoca: $99
  • Transylvania: Dracula's Castle and Birthplace Tour: $120
  • Private Full Day Green Tour: $121

Tours and Activities in Bucharest

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

  • Reptiland Bucharest Entry Ticket: $13
  • Communism Walking Tour from Lenin to Ceausescu in Bucharest: $17
  • City Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $17
  • Calea Victoriei and Old Town Highlights Tour: $20
  • Parliament Palace Skip-the-line Ticket: $21
  • Palace of Parliament Bucharest 1 Hour Guided Tour: $21
  • Guided Tour at museum Casa Storck: $22
  • Communism and History Guided City Walking Tour: $23
  • Palace of Parliament Tickets and Guide: $24
  • 3-Hour Guided Tour of Communist Bucharest: $24
  • The Real tour of Communism: $24
  • Palace of Parliament in Bucharest - fast-track tickets and guide: $24

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar $6.83
    Bucharest $9.32

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: $23

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
  • Pub Crawl Bucuresti Experientã de top în Bucuresti: $33
  • Bachelors Party in Custom Bar Crawl: $38
  • Private Bar Crawling in Bucharest Old City: $43
  • Private Wine Tasting in Bucharest: $43
  • Bar Crawling: $44
  • Pub Crawl in the Old CIty and Rooftop Hopping in Bucharest: $44
  • Wine Tasting in Bucharest: $45
  • Pub Crawl in the Old CIty and Rooftop Hopping in Bucharest: $48
  • Private Romanian Wine Tasting in Urlați: $52
  • Bucharest VIP Bar Crawl in Lipscani 'Old Town': $59


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.