Should I Visit Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar or Bucharest for Vacation? Which is Better? Which is Cheaper? Which is More Expensive?

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 Sightseeing Tours in Romania, The Best Tours for Seniors to Romania, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Romania, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Romania.

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.

Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar Prices
Romania Prices

Bucharest Prices
Romania Prices
Average Daily Cost Per person, per day

Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar $100

Bucharest $176

The average daily cost (per person) in Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar is $100, while the average daily cost in Bucharest is $176. 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 $48

Bucharest $61
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room

Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar $96

Bucharest $122

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

Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.

Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar $14

Bucharest $25

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar

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

Private Transfer Cluj Napoca Airport: $26

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bucharest

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bucharest:

Private Transfer and 3H Tickets to Therme Bucharest: $104
Airport Henri Coanda (Otopeni) to Bucharest - Private Transfer - Driver: $38
Airport Private Transfer - to or from any Bucharest hotel: $72
Airport Transfer with Mini-van for 8 passangers : $42
Airport to Bucharest - Private Transfer from Henri Coanda Airport OTP Otopeni : $34
Arrival Private Transfer from Bucharest Airport OTP to Brasov in Business Car: $142
Arrival Private Transfer from Bucharest Airport OTP to Brasov in Luxury Van: $158
Arrival Private Transfers from Bucharest Airport OTP to Bucharest City: $49
Arrival Private Transfers: Bucharest Airport OTP to Bran Castle of Dracula: $233
Bran Castle of Dracula Yourself : Private Transfer from Bucharest Airport OTP: $231
Bucharest Airport OTP Private Transfer to Bucharest Center: $30
Bucharest Airport Private Transfer: $36

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 $42

Bucharest $98

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bucharest

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

Dinner &tour at Museum of Communism after closing: $48
Dinner at the Museum of Communism & tour after closing: $52
5 Premium Wine Tasting with Delightful Dinner,incl Sommelier: $71
Bucharest Historical Food Tour in Old Center: $79
Bohemian Bucharest Markets and Mahallas Traditional Food Tour: $79
Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $81
Unhealthy Food Tour of Bucharest – 4 hours: $84
Cooking Class traditional food: $85
Bucharest Evening Tour and Traditional Dinner: $91
Private Bucharest Food Tour with a Local Foodie: $125
4-Hour Walking Food Tour in the Old Town: $194
Bucharest City Tour & Traditional Home-made Cooking Experience: $221

Entertainment

Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.

Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar $7.71

Bucharest $14

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: $25
Private city tour in Cluj-Napoca: $46
Cluj - walking city tour: $47
Local Tour of Cluj by Electric Bike: $47
Jewish Heritage Tour in Cluj: $53
Cluj-Napoca Walking City Tour: $56
Curly Tour - Day trip from Cluj :): $84
Night Tour in Hoia Baciu Forest: $95
CLUJ ADVENTURE TOUR ! ZIP LINE and HIKE: $95
Snowshoeing Fun Tour from Cluj Napoca: $95
Evening Culinary Experience in Rimetea (5h, from Cluj): $100
Transylvania: Dracula's Castle and Birthplace Tour: $136

Tours and Activities in Bucharest

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

Bucharest Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $4.21
Quest Experience in Bellu Cemetery Bucharest: $5.77
Ghost Hunt Quest Experience: $5.81
Life in Communist Quest Experience: $5.81
Bucharest 1989 Revolution Self-Guided Walking Tour: $6.13
Bucharest 1989 Revolution Walking Tour with Smartphone App: $6.14
Entry ticket at the Museum of Communism: $8.31
Museum of Communism Ticket with Communist Coffee: $9.23
Museum of Senses Entry Ticket: $10
Reptiland Bucharest Entry Ticket: $10
Alternative Bucharest Walking Tour: $11
Bucharest Old Centre Tour: $15

Alcohol

Alcohol Drinks for one day

Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar $6.59

Bucharest $8.98

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: $26

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: $23
Romanian Wine Tasting Experience at Corks: $27
Bachelor Party Custom Bar Crawl: $36
Bucharest Guided Pub Crawl: $37
Bar Crawling: $42
Pub Crawl in the Old CIty and Rooftop Hopping in Bucharest: $45
Private Romanian Wine Tasting in Urlați: $49
Wine Tasting in Bucharest: $53
Private Wine Tasting Experience: $53
Bucharest Private Old Town Pub and Bar Crawl with Guide: $55
Pub Crawling in Style to the Most Fancy Bars, Drinks Incl.: $56
Private Bar Crawling in Bucharest Old City: $58

How are these travel costs calculated?

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.

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?

Where Should I go: Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar or Bucharest?

Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar

Bucharest

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

Accommodation

Compare Hotels in Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar and Bucharest

Local Transportation

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bucharest

Is it cheaper to fly into Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar or Bucharest?

Food

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bucharest

Entertainment

Tours and Activities in Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar

Tours and Activities in Bucharest

Alcohol

Sample the Local Flavors in Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar

Sample the Local Flavors in Bucharest

Which is Bigger, Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar or Bucharest?

Related Articles for Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar

Related Articles for Bucharest

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?

Where Should I go: Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar or Bucharest?

Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar

Bucharest

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

Accommodation

Compare Hotels in Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar and Bucharest

Local Transportation

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bucharest

Is it cheaper to fly into Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar or Bucharest?

Food

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bucharest

Entertainment

Tours and Activities in Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar

Tours and Activities in Bucharest

Alcohol

Sample the Local Flavors in Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar

Sample the Local Flavors in Bucharest

Which is Bigger, Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar or Bucharest?

Related Articles for Cluj-Napoca / Kolozsvar

Related Articles for Bucharest

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