Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or London?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit London or Cartagena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between London and Cartagena can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: London or Cartagena?
London
The capital of the United Kingdom is a thriving multicultural metropolis. Steeped in iconic landmarks, world-class museums and royal parks, London is energetic, majestic, ambitious and one of the world's greatest cities. London is a cultural and fashion capital, a great place to go out, an amazing place to eat and one of those cities that is constantly changing with new and exciting things sprouting up almost every day. History and tradition greet you at every turn in the UK's capital. London is also a city with an edgy underbelly, delighting in neon pink dive bars, cheeky graffiti and mind-blowing street food. When you need a break from the action, pop into a pub or relax in one of the city's many parks. Blow through the city on a double-decker bus, and take a pinch-me-I'm-in-London walk through the West End. As one of the most visited cities in the world, London is busy, vibrant and very tourist friendly. The only problem with London is that it's very expensive; it can eat away at your budget if you aren't careful. Luckily, there are also tons of free or cheap things to do in London that can fill your time.
Cartagena
The capital of the Bolivar Department of Colombia, Cartagena is one of the most visited cities in the country. It sits on Colombia's northern coast by the Caribbean Sea. It's a port city with a population of almost 900,000, making it the fifth largest city in Colombia. The city has a rich history and was the first Spanish colony on the American continent. It was also one of the first sanctuaries for freed African slaves in the Americas.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Kingdom, The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLondon £190Cartagena £37
The average daily cost (per person) in London is £190, while the average daily cost in Cartagena is £37. 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 London and Cartagena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLondon £123Cartagena £21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLondon £246Cartagena £42
Compare Hotels in London and Cartagena
Looking for a hotel in London or Cartagena? 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: London Hotel Prices and Cartagena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.London £26Cartagena £5.89
Typical Local Transportation Prices in London
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in London:
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Taxi Ride£15
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Heathrow Express£18
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Luggage Storage£8.00
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London Map£1.29
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Oyster Card£36
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Train to Gatwick Airport (2)£22
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Oyster Card£27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in London
Also for London, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Chauffeur Car Transfer Services from London To Gatwick Airport: $292
- Chauffeur Limo Transfer Services from Heathrow Airport To London: $229
- "Private Group Transfer: Heathrow Airport to City of London": $173
- "Private Transfer: Heathrow Airport to Central London Hotel": $70
- "Private Transfer: Heathrow Airport to Dover Cruise Port": $147
- "Private Transfer: London Heathrow Airport to Bath".: $163
- "Private Transfer: London Heathrow Airport to Bournemouth".: $153
- "Private Transfer: London Heathrow Airport to Cambridge.": $107
- "Private Transfer: London Heathrow Airport to Crawley.": $94
- "Private Transfer: London Heathrow Airport to Dorking.": $83
- "Private Transfer: London Heathrow Airport to Dorking.": $82
- "Private Transfer: London Heathrow Airport to Guildford.": $78
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- 15. Transfer to SANTA MARTA from Cartagena Private or vice versa.: $290
- Cartagena to Santa Marta Private Transfer Service: $268
- Cartagena to Santa Marta (or vice versa) Private Transfer : $265
- 8. Transfer to BARRANQUILLA from Cartagena Private or vice versa: $160
- San Diego to Long Beach Airport (LGB) - Departure Private Transfer: $157
- Cartagena to or from Tayrona Park Private Transfer: $156
- 20. Transfer Rafael N. Airport-HOTEL LAS ISLAS-CALABLANCA: $142
- Cartagena to or from Tayrona Park Private Transfer: $136
- Cartagena to or from Santa Marta Private Transfer: $125
- Full-Day in Isla del Encanto with Lunch and Transfer to the Pier: $114
- Walking Tour with Transfers - Gabriel García Márquez & Cartagena Walled City: $110
- Cartagena Rafael Nunez Airport (CTG): Transfer to Cartagena: $109
Is it cheaper to fly into London or Cartagena?
Prices for flights to both Cartagena and London 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 dayLondon £34Cartagena £7.72
Typical Food Prices in London
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to London:
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Lunch at Starbucks£13
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Tea£6.00
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Afternoon Tea at Fortnum & Mason£39
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Morning Tea£6.35
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Pastry£5.00
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Sushi Dinner for One£18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in London
For London, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Borough Market Self-guided food tour: $5.76
- Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $35
- Picadilly Circus: Hard Rock Cafe Set Menu Lunch or Dinner: $36
- Hard Rock Cafe Piccadilly Circus with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $38
- Traveling Spoon Nepalese Momos Private Online Cooking Class: $40
- Pizza Making Cookery Class: $53
- No Diet Club - Best food Tour in East London: $68
- African & Caribbean Food Tour in Multi-Cultural Brixton: $74
- Borough Bites, The London Food Tour: $74
- Borough Market Flavors of London Food Tour: $74
- Plant Power - Vegan Food Tour: $88
- Traditional English Walking Food Tour With London Food Tours: $95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cartagena
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.
- Featured in NYTimes > Arepas and Dancing: Danceable Cooking Class in Cartagena: $32
- Cooking class of typical food at the beach and sunset view: $39
- Taste Cartagena Food tour: $40
- Street Food Tour in Cartagena: $42
- Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $44
- Local Flavors Food Tour with Native Chef: $50
- Cooking Class: Street food & Mojito making: $50
- Cruise by the Bay with Dinner and Wine: $55
- Private Dinner at a Local Chef's House in Cartagena: $58
- Cartagena Gourmet: Cooking Class with a View, Elegance & Flavor: $59
- Street food tour: $61
- 2 hours Sibarita Express Dinner: $63
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.London £33Cartagena £17
Typical Entertainment Prices in London
For London, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Two Tickets to a Concert£83
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London Symphony Orchestra£34
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London Pass£47
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Comedy Show£8.00
Tours and Activities in London
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for London.
- London's Hidden Gems Self Guided City Tour: $3.26
- London Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $3.28
- Harry Potter Movie Locations Self Walking Tour: $3.77
- Jack the Ripper Self Guided Audio Tour in London: $4.91
- Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in London: $5.45
- Soho's Contribution to Health Care History Walking Audio Tour: $5.48
- Bloomsbury's Contribution to Health Care History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.48
- Covent Garden: A Self-Guided Photography Tour : $5.54
- Brick Lane: A self-guided audio tour of East London's vibrant jewel: $5.54
- Camden Town's Quirky Characters: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.54
- London Lights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of the Cultural Capital of the World: $5.54
- Secret An audio tour about the heritage of the city's Russian immigrants: $5.54
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Beach Buggy ATV Adventure Tour CARTAGENA: $135
- Eco cultural Historical Tour beyond Old City! + Pool: $98
- Exciting Beach Buggy ATV Tour in Cartagena : $165
- Palenque Native Guide, free entrance tickets, dance show & lunch: $110
- Playa Morena Beach Club Whith Lunch And Walking tour of fort San Fernando: $39
- Private Beach Tour in Barú and Optional Bird Aviary: $120
- Private Tour & the best coffee of the world in Cartagena (Also for cruisers): $250
- Private city tour: $197
- Shore excursion Accessible sightseeing tour : $250
- Tour around the Rosario Islands 4 islands: $65
- "Essential Cartagena" Private Tour. : $70
- 16. Punta Arena Tour (Tierra Bomba Island): $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLondon £15Cartagena £7.24
Sample the Local Flavors in London
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in London:
- Self Guided Audio Tour in London Old Pub Crawl: $7.63
- Fun London Pub Crawl Treasure Hunt with 20% off ALL drinks!: $13
- 2-Hour Haunted Pub Walking Tour: $20
- Haunted London Pub Walking Tour: $20
- 1 Big Night Out Weekday Pub Crawl: $24
- Craft Brewery Tour with Tasting of 4 Beers: $25
- Shoreditch Pub Crawl in London: $25
- Guided Historic Pub Tour (London): $27
- Pub Crawl of Central London: $29
- Camden Pub Crawl & Bar Tour London: $31
- Pub Crawl and Nightlife Tour: $31
- Burlesque Cabaret Show in Covent Garden: $31
Sample the Local Flavors in Cartagena
Also in Cartagena, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl with Dancing Lessons and Free Shots: $19
- Cartagena's Best Pub Crawl all included!: $23
- Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $24
- Pub Crawl Only Locals Have Fun In The Walled City: $35
- Nightlife Pub crawl in Cartagena: $72
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between London and Cartagena, we can see that London is more expensive. And not only is Cartagena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since London is in Europe and Cartagena is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Cartagena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cartagena 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 London would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in London than you might in Cartagena.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is London Expensive? and Is Cartagena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, London or Cartagena?
London has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Cartagena. When comparing the sizes of London and Cartagena, 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 London or Cartagena?
London has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Cartagena experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit London or Cartagena in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to London as well as Cartagena. The summer months attract visitors to London because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.
In July, London is generally much colder than Cartagena. Daily temperatures in London average around 18°C (64°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. In the summer, London often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Cartagena. London gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 207 hours of full sun.
London usually gets less rain in July than Cartagena. London gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLondon 18°C (64°F)Cartagena 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit London or Cartagena in the Autumn?
Both Cartagena and London are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to London this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
London is much colder than Cartagena in the autumn. The daily temperature in London averages around 12°C (53°F) in October, and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
London usually receives less sunshine than Cartagena during autumn. London gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 175 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. In October, London usually receives less rain than Cartagena. London gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLondon 12°C (53°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit London or Cartagena in the Winter?
Both Cartagena and London during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to London for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round.
Be prepared for some very cold days in London. In the winter, London is much colder than Cartagena. Typically, the winter temperatures in London in January average around 4°C (40°F), and Cartagena averages at about 27°C (81°F).
In Cartagena, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, London often gets less sunshine than Cartagena. London gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 278 hours of full sun.
London usually gets more rain in January than Cartagena. London gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLondon 4°C (40°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit London or Cartagena in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both London and Cartagena. Many visitors come to London in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, London is generally much colder than Cartagena. Daily temperatures in London average around 9°C (48°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cartagena this time of the year. London usually receives less sunshine than Cartagena during spring. London gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 209 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, London usually receives more rain than Cartagena. London gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLondon 9°C (48°F)Cartagena 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Cartagena and London
| London | Cartagena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 4°C (40°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (40°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 7°C (44°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 9°C (48°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 13°C (55°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 16°C (61°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (64°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 15°C (59°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (53°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (42°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 30 mm (1.2 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.