A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Heidelberg vs. Novi Sad for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Heidelberg or Novi Sad?

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 Heidelberg and Novi Sad. 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: Heidelberg or Novi Sad?

Heidelberg

Heidelberg, in the state of Baden-Wurttemberg, is a top travel destination in Germany. It's picturesquely situated in the Neckar River Valley and is a wonderful place to spend a few days. The city has a population of over 148,000 and it's home to Germany's oldest university, the Ruprecht-Karls-Universitat, which has a student population of approximately 28,000.

Novi Sad

Novi Sad is the capital city of Vojvodina, the northern Autonomous Province of Serbia. Novi Sad has a population of about 400,000 people and is located on the Danube River near Budapest and Belgrade.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Germany, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Germany, The Best Budget Tours to Serbia, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Belgrade.


Which place is cheaper, Novi Sad or Heidelberg?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Heidelberg is €142, while the average daily cost in Novi Sad is €19. 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 Heidelberg and Novi Sad in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Heidelberg 93
    Novi Sad 11
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Heidelberg 186
    Novi Sad 22
Compare Hotels in Heidelberg and Novi Sad

Looking for a hotel in Heidelberg or Novi Sad? 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 Heidelberg


Hotels in Novi Sad


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: Heidelberg Hotel Prices and Novi Sad Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Heidelberg 17
    Novi Sad -

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Heidelberg

Also for Heidelberg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Karlsruhe Airport (FKB) to Baden-Baden - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
  • Karlsruhe Airport (FKB) to BadenBaden Round-Trip Private Transfer: $46
  • Private Transfer from Badenweiler Thermal to Basel EuroAirport: $63
  • Private Transfer from Heidelberg City to Mannheim City by Van: $64
  • Airport transfer from Karlsruhe Airport to Baden-Baden: $105
  • Privat Transfer From Basel EuroAirport BSL To Badenweiler : $126
  • One Way Private Transfer from Mannheim to Frankfurt : $251

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Novi Sad

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Novi Sad:

  • Belgrade to Sarajevo via Novi Sad Private Transfer Tour: $287
  • Airport transfer from/to Novi Sad: $107
  • Belgrade airport transfers: $30

Is it cheaper to fly into Heidelberg or Novi Sad?

Prices for flights to both Novi Sad and Heidelberg 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
    Heidelberg 37
    Novi Sad 7.68

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Heidelberg

For Heidelberg, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Heidelberg crime dinner to solve the mystery with a delicious 3-course menu: $64
  • Craft Beer and Street Food Tour: $598

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Heidelberg 11
    Novi Sad -

Tours and Activities in Heidelberg

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Heidelberg.

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • Heidelberg's Altstadt: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.20
  • Heidelberg's Altstadt: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.41
  • Pure experience: Original Black Forest farmer smoke tour: $6.54
  • Heidelberg Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.54
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.95
  • Heidelberg Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & City Tour: $6.95
  • Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $8.02
  • Complete Self-guided Audio Tour on your Phone: $8.54
  • Uncover A Self-Guided Audio Tour Through Time: $11
  • Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $11

Tours and Activities in Novi Sad

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

  • From Belgrade: Novi Sad and Fruska Gora National Park Tour: $321
  • Fruska Gora and Novi Sad Heritage & Gastro Private Tour: $171
  • Novi Sad & Sremski Karlovci shared tour: $64
  • Novi Sad Private Walking Tour: $254
  • Novi Sad city center and Petrovaradin fortress tour: $80
  • 2-Hour Christmas Walking Tour: $770
  • City Highlights Walking Tour with Local Guide: $512
  • Private Customized Tour with a car: $209
  • Private Romantic Tour: $513
  • The city center and fortress Private Walking Tour: $29

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Heidelberg 17
    Novi Sad -

Sample the Local Flavors in Heidelberg

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Heidelberg:

  • Highlights of the romantic Black Forest & brewery, private tour: $295

Sample the Local Flavors in Novi Sad

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Novi Sad:

  • From Belgrade: Sremski Karlovci & Novi Sad with Wine Tasting: $80
  • From Belgrade or Private Wine Tour in Fruska Gora: $185


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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Heidelberg Expensive? and Is Novi Sad Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Heidelberg or Novi Sad?

Novi Sad has a larger population, and is about 50% larger than the population of Heidelberg. When comparing the sizes of Heidelberg and Novi Sad, 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.


When is the best time to visit Heidelberg or Novi Sad?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Heidelberg or Novi Sad in the Summer?

Both Novi Sad and Heidelberg during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Heidelberg for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Heidelberg is around the same temperature as Novi Sad in the summer. The daily temperature in Heidelberg averages around 21°C (69°F) in July, and Novi Sad fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

In Novi Sad, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Heidelberg. In the summer, Heidelberg often gets less sunshine than Novi Sad. Heidelberg gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Novi Sad receives 285 hours of full sun.

Heidelberg usually gets more rain in July than Novi Sad. Heidelberg gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Novi Sad receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Heidelberg 21°C (69°F) 
    Novi Sad 22°C (71°F)

Should I visit Heidelberg or Novi Sad in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Heidelberg and Novi Sad. The autumn months attract visitors to Heidelberg because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Heidelberg is around the same temperature as Novi Sad. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Heidelberg in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Novi Sad averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Heidelberg usually receives less sunshine than Novi Sad during autumn. Heidelberg gets 102 hours of sunny skies, while Novi Sad receives 168 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Heidelberg usually receives more rain than Novi Sad. Heidelberg gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Novi Sad receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Heidelberg 12°C (54°F) 
    Novi Sad 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Heidelberg or Novi Sad in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Heidelberg as well as Novi Sad. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Heidelberg this time of year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Novi Sad. It's quite cold in Heidelberg in the winter. In January, Heidelberg is generally much warmer than Novi Sad. Daily temperatures in Heidelberg average around 3°C (37°F), and Novi Sad fluctuates around -0°C (31°F).

In the winter, Heidelberg often gets less sunshine than Novi Sad. Heidelberg gets 38 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Novi Sad receives 71 hours of full sun.

Heidelberg usually gets more rain in January than Novi Sad. Heidelberg gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Novi Sad receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Heidelberg 3°C (37°F) 
    Novi Sad -0°C (31°F)

Should I visit Heidelberg or Novi Sad in the Spring?

Both Novi Sad and Heidelberg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Heidelberg for the natural beauty.

Heidelberg is around the same temperature as Novi Sad in the spring. The daily temperature in Heidelberg averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Novi Sad fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Heidelberg usually receives less sunshine than Novi Sad during spring. Heidelberg gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Novi Sad receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Heidelberg usually receives more rain than Novi Sad. Heidelberg gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Novi Sad receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Heidelberg 11°C (52°F) 
    Novi Sad 12°C (54°F)

Typical Weather for Novi Sad and Heidelberg

Heidelberg Novi Sad
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (37°F) 52 mm (2 in) -0°C (31°F) 37 mm (1.5 in)
Feb 4°C (39°F) 52 mm (2 in) 2°C (36°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Mar 7°C (45°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 7°C (45°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Apr 11°C (52°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 12°C (54°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
May 16°C (60°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 17°C (63°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Jun 19°C (65°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 20°C (68°F) 83 mm (3.2 in)
Jul 21°C (69°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 22°C (71°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 20°C (68°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 21°C (70°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Sep 17°C (63°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 18°C (64°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Oct 12°C (54°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 13°C (55°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Nov 7°C (44°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 7°C (44°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Dec 4°C (38°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 2°C (35°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)