A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mamaia vs. Potsdam for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Mamaia or Potsdam?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Mamaia or Potsdam? 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: Mamaia or Potsdam?

Mamaia

The most popular beach resort in Romania, Mamaia sits on an 8-kilometer wisp of land between Lake Siutghiol and the Black Sea. With plenty of hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, and an aqua park, the resort area is a party-goer's destination with endless opportunities for fun in the sun and nighttime merriment.

Potsdam

Before you lays a treasure chest of historic beauties. From the glimmering Renaissance Orangery Palace that overlooks its sumptuous fountains to the neoclassical Charlottenhof Castle that is surrounded by lush England gardens, you find yourself in none other than Potsdam, Germany. The capital and largest city of the German federal state of Brandenburg, Potsdam borders the German capital Berlin and is located right on the bay of the River Havel. A home for Prussian kings until 1918 and a brainchild of the Enlightenment, Potsdam was constructed thoughtfully and carefully by its architects to create what many to believe as "a picturesque, pastoral dream" and a "balance between both nature and reason." From interconnected lakes to historic landmarks, Potsdam is a city that is bursting with life all year around. With its rich history, it was no wonder various parts of the city were named a World Heritage Site. With its landscape and cityscape rivaling in beauty, Potsdam is simply a breathtaking city that must be explored!

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Romania, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bucharest, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Germany, and The Best Adventure Tours to Germany.


Which place is cheaper, Potsdam or Mamaia?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Mamaia is $64, while the average daily cost in Potsdam is $119. 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 Mamaia and Potsdam in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mamaia $25
    Potsdam $64
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mamaia $50
    Potsdam $128
Compare Hotels in Mamaia and Potsdam

Looking for a hotel in Mamaia or Potsdam? 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 Mamaia


Hotels in Potsdam


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: Potsdam Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Mamaia $27
    Potsdam $30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mamaia

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

  • Cernavoda to Bucharest - Private Guided Transfer - Car and Driver: $218
  • Constanta to Bucharest Otopeni airport - private transfers: $251
  • Mihail Kogalniceanu Constanta to Bucharest Driver - Private Guided Transfer : $272
  • Private Transfer from Constanta to Bucarest (OTP) Airport: $174

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Potsdam

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Potsdam:

  • Private Transfer from Potsdam to Berlin Tegel Airport: $160
  • Departure Airport Transfer from Potsdam Hotels to Berlin BER Airport: $174
  • Berlin Airport Departure Transfer from Potsdam Hotels: $174

Is it cheaper to fly into Mamaia or Potsdam?

Prices for flights to both Potsdam and Mamaia 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
    Mamaia $22
    Potsdam $33

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Mamaia $13
    Potsdam $27

Tours and Activities in Mamaia

For Mamaia, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Self-Guided Labyrinth in the Rocks Tour near Silistra: $21
  • Day Tour: Visit Histria Winery and Ancient Citadel: $86
  • One Day Tour to Constanta (The Ancient City of Tomis): $175

Tours and Activities in Potsdam

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

  • 2 hours: Private Harbor and Castle Sightseeing Cruise: $364
  • 4 hours Private Romantic River Boat Cruise with Wine: $620
  • 4h Private Havelland Discovery Boat Cruise with Skipper: $620
  • 8h: Private Potsdam Islands Sightseeing Boat Cruise: $1,358
  • AbenteuerPark Adventure Climbing in the Trees: $31
  • Babelsberg Park Walking Tour: $152
  • Beautiful Baroque A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • Brandenburg Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $11
  • Christmas Walking Tour of Magical Potsdam: $502
  • Christmas Walking Tour of Magical Potsdam: $257
  • City Sightseeing Potsdam Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $22
  • City and Palaces Tour Potsdam - Stadt- und Schloesserrundfahrt Potsdam: $27

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mamaia $12
    Potsdam $7.18

Sample the Local Flavors in Mamaia

Also in Mamaia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Unveilling the Essence: Gabai Winery's Captivating Wine Tours: $44


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

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



When is the best time to visit Mamaia or Potsdam?

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 Mamaia or Potsdam in the Summer?

Both Potsdam and Mamaia during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Potsdam for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

Mamaia is a little warmer than Potsdam in the summer. The daily temperature in Mamaia averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and Potsdam fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In Potsdam, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Mamaia. In the summer, Mamaia often gets more sunshine than Potsdam. Mamaia gets 320 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Potsdam receives 232 hours of full sun.

Mamaia usually gets less rain in July than Potsdam. Mamaia gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Potsdam receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Mamaia 22°C (72°F) 
    Potsdam 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Mamaia or Potsdam in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Mamaia and Potsdam. Furthermore, many visitors come to Potsdam in the autumn for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Mamaia is a little warmer than Potsdam. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mamaia in October average around 14°C (56°F), and Potsdam averages at about 10°C (51°F).

Mamaia usually receives more sunshine than Potsdam during autumn. Mamaia gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Potsdam receives 114 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Mamaia usually receives less rain than Potsdam. Mamaia gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Potsdam receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Mamaia 14°C (56°F) 
    Potsdam 10°C (51°F)

Should I visit Mamaia or Potsdam in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Mamaia as well as Potsdam. Additionally, most visitors come to Potsdam for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Potsdam can be very cold during winter. Mamaia can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Mamaia is generally much warmer than Potsdam. Daily temperatures in Mamaia average around 1°C (33°F), and Potsdam fluctuates around -0°C (31°F).

In the winter, Mamaia often gets more sunshine than Potsdam. Mamaia gets 83 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Potsdam receives 47 hours of full sun.

Mamaia usually gets less rain in January than Potsdam. Mamaia gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Potsdam receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Mamaia 1°C (33°F) 
    Potsdam -0°C (31°F)

Should I visit Mamaia or Potsdam in the Spring?

Both Potsdam and Mamaia are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Potsdam because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Mamaia is a little warmer than Potsdam in the spring. The daily temperature in Mamaia averages around 10°C (51°F) in April, and Potsdam fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Mamaia usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Potsdam during spring. Mamaia gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Potsdam receives 168 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Mamaia usually receives less rain than Potsdam. Mamaia gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Potsdam receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Mamaia 10°C (51°F) 
    Potsdam 9°C (48°F)

Typical Weather for Potsdam and Mamaia

Mamaia Potsdam
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 1°C (33°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) -0°C (31°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 2°C (36°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 1°C (34°F) 37 mm (1.5 in)
Mar 5°C (41°F) 26 mm (1 in) 5°C (40°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Apr 10°C (51°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 9°C (48°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
May 16°C (60°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 14°C (57°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 20°C (68°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 17°C (63°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Jul 22°C (72°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 19°C (66°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Aug 22°C (72°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 19°C (65°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Sep 19°C (65°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 15°C (59°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Oct 14°C (56°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 10°C (51°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
Nov 8°C (47°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 5°C (41°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Dec 4°C (38°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 1°C (34°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)