Which place is cheaper, Podgorica or Lake Garda?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Lake Garda or Podgorica?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Lake Garda or Podgorica? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Lake Garda or Podgorica?
Lake Garda
As a gentle Mediterranean wind touches your skin, the aromatic fragrances of olive and lemon trees fill the air. Surrounded by lush gardens and Italian architecture in its ancient tans and beiges, you look to the horizon and find a paradise before your eyes: a shimmering lake, misty mountaintops, and a clear blue sky. Lake Garda is a popular holiday destination for locals of the Lombardy region and tourists alike. It has been shown that about 7% of Italy's tourists head straight for these gleaming blue shores. The largest lake in Italy, Lake Garda is located about halfway in between Brescia and Verona and between Venezia and Milano. Because it is surrounded by several different districts - Lombardy, Trentino, Alto, and the Veneto - Lake Garda is a culmination of culture that attracts cosmopolitan crowds. The lake is an ancient natural treasure Italy holds dear, with documents referring to Lake Garda dating as far back as the eighteenth century. The name "Garda" comes from the Germanic word "warda," which means "place of guard." Whether you are staying at one of the many luxurious resorts in Riva del Garda or are simply getting a pedicure in spa town Sirmione, Lake Garda continues to preserve its elegance and sophistication throughout the years.
Podgorica
Podgorica is Montenegro's capital city, and also its largest. Dating back to the Ottoman Empire, World War II destroyed much of this history, but there are a few Turkish remnants worth visiting. Podgorica's central location often makes the city a good starting point for day trips to coastal cities or mountain resorts.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy, The Best Historical Tours in Italy, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Montenegro, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Montenegro.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLake Garda €166Podgorica €105
The average daily cost (per person) in Lake Garda is €166, while the average daily cost in Podgorica is €105. 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 Lake Garda and Podgorica in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLake Garda €84Podgorica €46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLake Garda €168Podgorica €92
Compare Hotels in Lake Garda and Podgorica
Looking for a hotel in Lake Garda or Podgorica? 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: Podgorica Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lake Garda €66Podgorica €20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lake Garda
Also for Lake Garda, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Verona VRN Airport to Lake Garda: $109
- Verona Opera Arena: Transfer from Lake Garda & Opera Ticket: $128
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Podgorica
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Podgorica:
- VAN Private transfers from Airport Podgorica and city to Budva: $120
- Transfer from Podgorica to Sarajevo: $251
- Transfer from Podgorica Airport to Budva (and viceversa): $91
- Transfer from Podgorica Airport to Budva: $87
- Transfer from Podgorica Airport to Bar (and viceversa): $91
- Transfer from Podgorica Airport and city to Tivat : $108
- Private transfers from Podgorica Airport and city to Budva: $75
- Private transfers from Podgorica Airport and city to Bar: $75
- Private transfer from Podgorica to Ostrog monastery (minivan): $117
- Private transfer from Podgorica airport to Podgorica city: $26
- Private Transfer from Podgorica Airport (TGD) to Ulcinj : $107
- Private Transfer from Podgorica Airport (TGD) to Tivat downtown: $117
Is it cheaper to fly into Lake Garda or Podgorica?
Prices for flights to both Podgorica and Lake Garda 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 dayLake Garda €42Podgorica €41
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lake Garda
For Lake Garda, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 3 Hour Fresh Pasta and Tiramisù Private Cooking Class with Meal : $65
- Valpolicella Wine and Food Tour: $75
- Cusina - Cooking Class: Fresh Pasta with wine tasting: $86
- Dining Experience at a local's Home in Cecina with Show Cooking: $93
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lake Garda €30Podgorica €21
Tours and Activities in Lake Garda
For Lake Garda, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Gardaland SEA LIFE Aquarium: Open Date Entry Ticket: $9.62
- Lake Garda Mini Cruise: Sirmione Peninsula: $13
- Hotel Villa Cariola Pool Entry Ticket: $20
- From San Felice del Benaco: Islands Boat Tour: $27
- Sunset Tour in Sirmione : $27
- Tour in the Winery and tasting: $32
- Bardolino: Vineyard Tour with Wine, Olive Oil & Food Tasting: $37
- Lazise: Beekeeping Farm Tour and Tasting Experience: $42
- Beekeeping Farm Tour and Tasting Experience in Lazise: $43
- Winery Tour and Tasting of Garda Wines in Lazise: $44
- Guided Boat Cruise to Sirmione from Garda/Bardolino: $48
- From Garda/Bardolino: 4-hour Guided Boat Cruise to Sirmione: $49
Tours and Activities in Podgorica
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Podgorica are as follows:
- ATV Private Tour Montenegro – Žabljak Crnojevića: $333
- ATV Tour Montenegro - Žabljak Crnojevića: $195
- Bar and Ulcinj Private Tour - Oriental Montenegro Experience: $240
- Bay of Kotor hiking experience - Montenegro Travel Club private tour: $185
- Biogradska Gora - Biograd Lake & Moraca canyon - Skadar Lake tour: $156
- Book Your Donkey Farm Tour: $57
- Book Your Montenegro Tour: $99
- Book Your Sunset in Budva Tour : $93
- Book Your Tour Ostrog Monastery: $65
- Book Your Tour Podgorica by walk: $36
- Cheese farm tour in the katun: $279
- Cultural Bike Tour of Podgorica;Discovering the Ancient Treasures: $71
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLake Garda €19Podgorica €20
Sample the Local Flavors in Lake Garda
Also in Lake Garda, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Bardolino: Wine tasting at Cantina Valetti: $26
- Wine Tasting and Tour of Lugana Wines in Sirmione: $32
- Wine Tasting with Local Food in Lazise Countryside: $32
- Vineyards Tour and Wine Tasting: $42
- Garda Hills Wine Tour and Tasting: $42
- Wine Tasting in Historical Center of Lazise: $44
- Art Experience with Food and Wine Tasting in Lazise: $55
- E-Bike Tour and wine tasting in Lazise Countryside: $87
- E-Bike Tour and Wine Tasting in Lazise: $87
- Lazise: Bike Tour and Wine Tasting: $90
- Castles boat tour with Bardolino wine tasting and nibbles: $98
Sample the Local Flavors in Podgorica
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Podgorica:
- Private Wine Tasting Activity at Lipovac Winery: $27
- Book Your Wine Tour: $77
- Podgorica Car Trip - Architecture, History, Wine tasting, Churches, Doclea city: $93
- Podgorica Car Trip, Doclea city, Wine tasting, Niagara falls: $106
- Wine tasting in the family winery, feel the spirit: $120
- Montenegro: Nature, Locals & Wine Tour: $128
- Skadar lake boat ride through "Montenegrin Amazon", wine tasting & Niagara falls: $196
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lake Garda and Podgorica, we can see that Lake Garda is more expensive. And not only is Podgorica much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Podgorica would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Podgorica 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 Lake Garda would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lake Garda than you might in Podgorica.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lake Garda Expensive? and Is Podgorica Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Lake Garda or Podgorica?
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 Lake Garda or Podgorica in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Lake Garda as well as Podgorica. Many travelers come to Lake Garda for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Lake Garda is generally cooler than Podgorica. Daily temperatures in Lake Garda average around 24°C (75°F), and Podgorica fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Podgorica. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lake Garda this time of the year. In the summer, Lake Garda often gets less sunshine than Podgorica. Lake Garda gets 286 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Podgorica receives 341 hours of full sun.
Lake Garda usually gets more rain in July than Podgorica. Lake Garda gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLake Garda 24°C (75°F)Podgorica 26°C (80°F)
Should I visit Lake Garda or Podgorica in the Autumn?
Both Podgorica and Lake Garda are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Lake Garda in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Lake Garda is cooler than Podgorica in the autumn. The daily temperature in Lake Garda averages around 14°C (57°F) in October, and Podgorica fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
It's quite sunny in Podgorica. Lake Garda usually receives less sunshine than Podgorica during autumn. Lake Garda gets 137 hours of sunny skies, while Podgorica receives 203 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Podgorica. In October, Lake Garda usually receives less rain than Podgorica. Lake Garda gets 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 166 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLake Garda 14°C (57°F)Podgorica 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Lake Garda or Podgorica in the Winter?
Both Podgorica and Lake Garda during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Lake Garda for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Lake Garda can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Lake Garda is much colder than Podgorica. Typically, the winter temperatures in Lake Garda in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Podgorica averages at about 6°C (42°F).
In the winter, Lake Garda often gets less sunshine than Podgorica. Lake Garda gets 98 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Podgorica receives 121 hours of full sun.
Podgorica gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Lake Garda usually gets less rain in January than Podgorica. Lake Garda gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 192 mm (7.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLake Garda 2°C (36°F)Podgorica 6°C (42°F)
Should I visit Lake Garda or Podgorica in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Lake Garda and Podgorica. The spring months attract visitors to Lake Garda because of the beaches and the natural beauty.
In April, Lake Garda is generally cooler than Podgorica. Daily temperatures in Lake Garda average around 13°C (55°F), and Podgorica fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).
Lake Garda usually receives less sunshine than Podgorica during spring. Lake Garda gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Podgorica receives 194 hours of full sun in the spring.
Podgorica receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Lake Garda usually receives less rain than Podgorica. Lake Garda gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLake Garda 13°C (55°F)Podgorica 14°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Podgorica and Lake Garda
| Lake Garda | Podgorica | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 2°C (36°F) | 55 mm (2.1 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (40°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (47°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 159 mm (6.3 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Sep | 19°C (67°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (57°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 8°C (46°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 239 mm (9.4 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (37°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 217 mm (8.5 in) |
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.