Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or Naples?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Naples or Cartagena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Naples or Cartagena, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Naples or Cartagena?
Naples
Naples is the most populous city in southern Italy. The city sits against the Bay of Naples, and is in close proximity to Mount Vesuvius, which is most famous for its eruption in 79 AD which destroyed the communities of Pompeii and Herculaneum.
Naples has a wonderfully sunny, Mediterranean climate, some great beaches, and beautiful architecture. The historic city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and because city officials have established strict building codes there is almost no condo style development along the coast. This helps Naples to maintain its authentic and historic atmosphere.
Many people love Naples for its history and authenticity, while others complain that it is noisy, crowded, and dirty. You can visibly see that the poverty in Southern Italy is higher than in the northern part of the country. Traffic is also chaotic, but what some travelers consider flaws, others see as benefits. Nobody can deny that Naples is truly an authentic Italian city. It has some of the country's best food and wine, the weather is ideal, and the prices are far cheaper than the northern regions. It has a large number of attractions in the form of museums and galleries, and there are some of the world's best ruins in nearby Pompeii and Herculaneum.
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 Italy, The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNaples €129Cartagena €45
The average daily cost (per person) in Naples is €129, while the average daily cost in Cartagena is €45. 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 Naples and Cartagena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNaples €66Cartagena €25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNaples €132Cartagena €50
Compare Hotels in Naples and Cartagena
Looking for a hotel in Naples 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: Naples Hotel Prices and Cartagena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Naples €21Cartagena €7.03
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Naples
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Naples:
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Subway Ticket€1.20
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Alibus From Airport€3.00
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Short Taxi Ride€7.34
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Train to Pompeii€3.20
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Taxi€15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Naples
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Naples:
- ALL INCLUSIVE tour. Pompeii excavations with transfer from Naples, guide and ticket.: $88
- Amalfi Coast: Transfer to/from Airport/Station/Porto: $269
- Aurora Car service transfer private from Positano to Naples or viceversa: $98
- Capri Island: All Inclusive private transfer from Naples : $262
- Car Private Transfer from Naples airport, train station to Sorrento (1-3 Pax): $207
- Deluxe private transfer NAPLES Train Station to SORRENTO or vv: $103
- Deluxe private transfer NAPLES Train Station to SORRENTO or vv: $109
- Deluxe private transfer from NAPLES TO POSITANO or vv : $169
- Direct Transfer from Naples to Pompeii (or viceversa): $83
- Direct Transfer from Naples to Positano (or vice versa): $151
- From private and luxury transfer to POSITANO: $109
- From Naples Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer to Amalfi Coast: $139
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- Private Transfer from Bocagrande to Port of Cartagena: $25
- 15. Transfer to SANTA MARTA from Cartagena Private or vice versa.: $290
- 18.Transfer (Rafael N-Hotel Decameron Baru Airport) or vice versa: $90
- 2. Transfer from the Airport to the Cartagena Hotel (or vice versa): $29
- 20. Transfer Rafael N. Airport-HOTEL LAS ISLAS-CALABLANCA: $142
- 8. Transfer to BARRANQUILLA from Cartagena Private or vice versa: $160
- Air Conditioning Bus transfer: $10
- Airport Hotel Transfer: $19
- Airport Transfer - Hotel Cartagena: $23
- Airport Transfer Hotel: $35
- Airport Transfers Cartagena: $38
- Arrival Private Transfer Cartagena Airport CTG to Cartagena City by Minivan: $92
Is it cheaper to fly into Naples or Cartagena?
Prices for flights to both Cartagena and Naples 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 dayNaples €40Cartagena €9.21
Typical Food Prices in Naples
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Naples:
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Casual Lunch (for Two)€28
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Three Course Dinner (for Two)€49
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Napoli Pizza€7.24
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Dinner€25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Naples
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Naples.
- Napoli: Traditional Tiramisu Cooking Class with Limoncello: $37
- Naples Street Food Tour with a Native & Top Rated Expert: $41
- Naples Street Food Tour With Local Expert: $46
- Tasty Naples Street Food Tour of MustEat Gourmet Specialties and MustSee Sites: $46
- Eating Naples Street Food Tour with Guided Tasting and Sightseeing: $46
- Enjoy an Authentic Pizza-Making Workshop with Drinks: $46
- Authentic Pizza Class with Drinks Included in the Center of Naples: $47
- Small Group Naples Pizza Making Class with Drink Included: $48
- Be my Guest at Dinner ! Taste and experience an authentic Neapolitan dinner !: $49
- No Diet Club - Unique Food Tour in Napoli: $53
- Food Tour with Davide: $54
- The Neapolitan culinary art Street Food Tour: $57
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.Naples €30Cartagena €20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Naples
Here are a few typical costs in Naples for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Museo Archeologico Nazionale Entrance€9.00
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Castelnuovo Museum Entrance€5.00
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Entrance to Pompeii€11
Tours and Activities in Naples
Here are a few actual costs in Naples for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Pompeii Self Guided Audio Tour: $4.29
- Monuments and Historic District Self-Guided Tour: $4.29
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $5.38
- Napoli: Museodivino Entrance Ticket and Guided Tour: $6.46
- Napoli: Entrance Tickets to Sant'Anna dei Lombardi Complex: $6.46
- City Highlights Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $6.99
- Naples from Ancient Greece to today: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Naples Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- San Lorenzo Maggiore and Neapolis Sotterrata Ticket: $9.69
- Città della Scienza Interactive Museum Entry Ticket: $11
- Castel Sant'Elmo Ticket and Pemcards: $11
- The Bourbon Tunnel Guided Tour with Entrance Ticket: $12
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Emeralds Tour: $0.03
- Into the Walls of The City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Cartagena de Indias: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Artists' Quarter Getsemani Self-guided Tour: $6.35
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - The Great Battle: Fort of San Felipe: $6.99
- Old Town Highlights Self-guided Tour: $8.50
- Tour the city on a rumba in a typical bus: $9.42
- Old Town & Getsemani Quarter Self-guided Tour: $9.58
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: Pirate Tales in Cartagena: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Legends of the Streets of Downtown : $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Getsemaní Neighborhood: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: The Rise of the Wall City Part II: $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNaples €21Cartagena €8.63
Typical Alcohol Prices in Naples
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Naples:
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Beer€4.10
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Beer€4.00
Sample the Local Flavors in Naples
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Naples:
- Napoli Pub Crawl in the Old Town: $15
- Guided Pub Crawl in the Old Town: $16
- Vesuvius wine tasting with company tour: $29
- Private WINE Tasting in Napoli with BOOKS: $44
- Mount Vesuvius: Vineyard Tour with Wine Tasting and Lunch: $52
- Regional food and wine tasting: $54
- Guided, FUN Wine Tasting in Napoli: $63
- Full-Day Bike Guided Tour in Napoli with Wine Tasting: $64
- Guided, FUN Wine Tasting in Naples City Center: $65
- Vesuvius Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch Included: $76
- Mount Vesuvius 4-Hour Volcano Tour with Wine Tasting: $80
- Vesuvius Half-Day Trip with Lunch and Wine Tasting: $96
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 Naples and Cartagena, we can see that Naples is more expensive. And not only is Cartagena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Naples 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 Naples would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Naples 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 Naples Expensive? and Is Cartagena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Naples or Cartagena?
Naples has a larger population, and is about 4% larger than the population of Cartagena. When comparing the sizes of Naples 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 Naples or Cartagena?
Naples 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 Naples or Cartagena in the Summer?
Both Cartagena and Naples are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Naples for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In July, Naples is generally cooler than Cartagena. Daily temperatures in Naples average around 23°C (74°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
It's quite sunny in Cartagena. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Naples. Naples usually receives more sunshine than Cartagena during summer. Naples gets 313 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 207 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Naples usually receives less rain than Cartagena. Naples gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyNaples 23°C (74°F)Cartagena 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Naples or Cartagena in the Autumn?
Both Cartagena and Naples during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Naples because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round.
Naples is much colder than Cartagena in the autumn. The daily temperature in Naples averages around 17°C (63°F) in October, and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
In the autumn, Naples often gets more sunshine than Cartagena. Naples gets 189 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 175 hours of full sun.
Cartagena gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Naples. Naples usually gets less rain in October than Cartagena. Naples gets 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNaples 17°C (63°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Naples or Cartagena in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Naples and Cartagena. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Naples this time of year. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the winter, Naples is much colder than Cartagena. Typically, the winter temperatures in Naples in January average around 8°C (47°F), and Cartagena averages at about 27°C (81°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cartagena this time of the year. Naples usually receives less sunshine than Cartagena during winter. Naples gets 115 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 278 hours of full sun in the winter.
Naples gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Naples usually receives more rain than Cartagena. Naples gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNaples 8°C (47°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Naples or Cartagena in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Naples as well as Cartagena. Many travelers come to Naples for the activities around the city. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.
In April, Naples is generally much colder than Cartagena. Daily temperatures in Naples average around 13°C (55°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. In the spring, Naples often gets less sunshine than Cartagena. Naples gets 189 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 209 hours of full sun.
Naples usually gets more rain in April than Cartagena. Naples gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilNaples 13°C (55°F)Cartagena 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Cartagena and Naples
| Naples | Cartagena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 8°C (47°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 9°C (48°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 11°C (51°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 52 mm (2.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (74°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (74°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (63°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 9°C (49°F) | 118 mm (4.6 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.