A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hondarribia vs. Kotor for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Hondarribia or Kotor?

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 Hondarribia and Kotor. 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: Hondarribia or Kotor?

Hondarribia

The characteristic Spanish buildings painted in the brightest, most vibrant of colors only match the true spirit of the town, Hondarribia, Spain. Hondarribia is located on the west shore of Bidasoa river's mouth in Gipuzkoa of Basque Country. The town is rich in its Spanish history, holding both an ancient old quarter with walls and a castle within. Hondarribia is also known for its gorgeous beach of bright blue water across the Bidasoa alongside the fertile, roaming mountain of Jaizkibel. What's more, Hondarribia faces the border of Hendaye, France, so if you are yearning to expand your cultural learning, take a service boat over to Spain's friendly neighbor! No matter if you want to explore the ancient architecture or enjoy the cooling waters of the bay, Hondarribia is definitely a location known for its beauty and activity!

Kotor

A coastal town of Montenegro, Kotor is also a beautifully-preserved fortified, medieval town, featuring a labyrinth of cobbled streets, lively piazzas, historic churches, and a spread of bars and restaurants throughout its historic Old Town.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Spain, The Best 10-Day Tours in Spain, The Best Luxury Tours to Montenegro, and The Best Budget Tours to Montenegro.


Which place is cheaper, Kotor or Hondarribia?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Hondarribia is €132, while the average daily cost in Kotor is €100. 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 Hondarribia and Kotor in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hondarribia 70
    Kotor 49
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hondarribia 140
    Kotor 98
Compare Hotels in Hondarribia and Kotor

Looking for a hotel in Hondarribia or Kotor? 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 Hondarribia


Hotels in Kotor


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: Hondarribia Hotel Prices and Kotor Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hondarribia 32
    Kotor 9.26

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kotor

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kotor:

  • Transfer service: $131
  • Transfer from Tivat airport to Dubrovnik city: $96
  • Transfer from Tivat Airport to Budva: $65
  • Transfer from Kotor to Podgorica: $58
  • Transfer Tivat Airport to Kotor old town : $55
  • Transfer Tivat Airport - Kotor Old Town (and viceversa): $53
  • Transfer Portonovi / Herceg Novi to Dubrovnik Old Town: $251
  • Tivat to Kotor one way transfer: $102
  • Tivat hotels to Kotor Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $16
  • Tivat Airport (TIV): Private Transfer to Kotor Cruise Port: $90
  • Private transfer from Kotor to Dubrovnik: $240
  • Private transfer from Herceg Novi to Dubrovnik airport: $119

Is it cheaper to fly into Hondarribia or Kotor?

Prices for flights to both Kotor and Hondarribia 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
    Hondarribia 41
    Kotor 43

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kotor

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

  • Kotor City Tour and Cooking Class : $203
  • Kotor private cooking class with lunch and Old town guided tour: $226
  • Kotor and Perast Private Tour with Cooking Class and Boat Ride: $262
  • Cooking class in a local home & old town walking tour: $306

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hondarribia 22
    Kotor 8.32

Tours and Activities in Kotor

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

  • Blue Cave, Lady of Rocks and Mamula Speed Boat Tour : $44
  • "Adriatic Adventure: Blue Cave & Islands Speedboat Tour": $46
  • 1-Day Montenegro Hiking Tour to Durmitor National Park : $119
  • 3 Hour Speed Boat Tour to Blue Cave with WiFi and Drinks: $55
  • 3-Hour Blue Cave and Our Lady of the Rocks Private Speedboat Tour: $294
  • Adventure park ’Lovcen’ and Njegos’s Mausoleum : $198
  • All inclusive - Lovcen tour: $131
  • Bay of 2-Hour Stand Up Paddle Board Tour: $53
  • Bay of 2.5-Hour Kayak Tour: $53
  • Bay of 2.5-Hour Kayak Tour : $55
  • Bike & hike tour : $82
  • Bike tour - Downhill from Njegos Mausoleum to Kotor bay: $134

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hondarribia 18
    Kotor 8.51

Sample the Local Flavors in Kotor

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Kotor:

  • Private tour: Homemade food and wine tasting at my family home: $125
  • Private National Park Lovcen with food and wine tasting: $136
  • Wine tasting and magical tour from Kotor, Budva, Tivat (Lovcen,Skadar lake): $251
  • National Parks Skadar Lake and Lovcen+Wine tasting (Private tour): $260
  • Skadar Lake National Park with Wine Tasting: $428


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

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


Which is Bigger, Hondarribia or Kotor?

Hondarribia has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Kotor. When comparing the sizes of Hondarribia and Kotor, 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 Hondarribia or Kotor?

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 Hondarribia or Kotor in the Summer?

Both Kotor and Hondarribia during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Kotor in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Hondarribia is cooler than Kotor in the summer. The daily temperature in Hondarribia averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Kotor fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).

In Kotor, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Hondarribia. In the summer, Hondarribia often gets less sunshine than Kotor. Hondarribia gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kotor receives 341 hours of full sun.

Hondarribia usually gets more rain in July than Kotor. Hondarribia gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Kotor receives 47 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Hondarribia 20°C (68°F) 
    Kotor 26°C (80°F)

Should I visit Hondarribia or Kotor in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hondarribia and Kotor. Also, most visitors come to Kotor for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Hondarribia is around the same temperature as Kotor. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hondarribia in October average around 16°C (60°F), and Kotor averages at about 17°C (63°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kotor this time of the year. Hondarribia usually receives less sunshine than Kotor during autumn. Hondarribia gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Kotor receives 203 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Kotor receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Hondarribia gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Hondarribia usually receives less rain than Kotor. Hondarribia gets 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Kotor receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Hondarribia 16°C (60°F) 
    Kotor 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Hondarribia or Kotor in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Hondarribia as well as Kotor. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Kotor because of the cuisine.

In January, Hondarribia is generally a little warmer than Kotor. Daily temperatures in Hondarribia average around 8°C (47°F), and Kotor fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In the winter, Hondarribia often gets less sunshine than Kotor. Hondarribia gets 85 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kotor receives 121 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Kotor. Hondarribia receives a lot of rain in the winter. Hondarribia usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Kotor. Hondarribia gets 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Kotor receives 186 mm (7.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Hondarribia 8°C (47°F) 
    Kotor 6°C (42°F)

Should I visit Hondarribia or Kotor in the Spring?

Both Kotor and Hondarribia are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Kotor this time of year.

Hondarribia is cooler than Kotor in the spring. The daily temperature in Hondarribia averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and Kotor fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

Hondarribia usually receives less sunshine than Kotor during spring. Hondarribia gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Kotor receives 194 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kotor. It's quite rainy in Hondarribia. In April, Hondarribia usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kotor. Hondarribia gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Kotor receives 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Hondarribia 12°C (54°F) 
    Kotor 14°C (58°F)

Typical Weather for Kotor and Hondarribia

Hondarribia Kotor
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 8°C (47°F) 183 mm (7.2 in) 6°C (42°F) 186 mm (7.3 in)
Feb 9°C (49°F) 147 mm (5.8 in) 8°C (46°F) 172 mm (6.8 in)
Mar 10°C (51°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 11°C (51°F) 173 mm (6.8 in)
Apr 12°C (54°F) 163 mm (6.4 in) 14°C (58°F) 154 mm (6.1 in)
May 15°C (59°F) 139 mm (5.5 in) 19°C (67°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Jun 18°C (64°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 23°C (73°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 20°C (68°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 26°C (80°F) 47 mm (1.8 in)
Aug 20°C (68°F) 115 mm (4.5 in) 26°C (79°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Sep 18°C (65°F) 134 mm (5.3 in) 22°C (72°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Oct 16°C (60°F) 155 mm (6.1 in) 17°C (63°F) 174 mm (6.9 in)
Nov 11°C (52°F) 190 mm (7.5 in) 11°C (53°F) 224 mm (8.8 in)
Dec 9°C (49°F) 184 mm (7.2 in) 7°C (45°F) 215 mm (8.5 in)