Which place is cheaper, Novalja or Novi Sad?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Novi Sad or Novalja?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Novi Sad and Novalja can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Novi Sad or Novalja?
Novi Sad
Novi Sad is the capital city of Vojvodina, the northern Autonomous Province of Serbia. Novi Sad has a population of about 400,000 people and is located on the Danube River near Budapest and Belgrade.
Novalja
Novalja is a Croatian town in the north of the island of Pag in the Adriatic Sea. Novalja is known internationally as party central because of the infamous party beach, Zrce, which boasts 4 clubs open around the clock. The pumping house/techno music and dance parties typically start at around 4 pm and continue well past 2 in the morning. During the summer, many well-known DJs and groups from around the world, including Benni Benassi, Jamie Jones, and Swanky Tunes, host concerts in these nightclubs. Zrce is not just for party-goers though. Many families lay out their towels for a day at the beautiful stone beach. This Novalja beach has cafe-bars and restaurants so you can easily grab a bite to eat or quick drink at your convenience. In addition to Zrce, Novalja offers tourists a number of other gorgeous beaches. Cista and Babe and both are perfect if you're looking for a calmer location. Both of these beaches have a lot less activity than Zrce, making for a relaxing afternoon, and their waters tend to be a bit warmer too.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Serbia, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Belgrade, The Best 2-Week Tours from Dubrovnik, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Split.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNovi Sad $20Novalja $62
The average daily cost (per person) in Novi Sad is $20, while the average daily cost in Novalja is $62. 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 Novi Sad and Novalja in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNovi Sad $11Novalja $34
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNovi Sad $22Novalja $68
Compare Hotels in Novi Sad and Novalja
Looking for a hotel in Novi Sad or Novalja? 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: Novi Sad Hotel Prices and Novalja Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Novi Sad -Novalja $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Novi Sad
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Novi Sad:
- Airport transfer from/to Novi Sad: $107
- Belgrade airport transfers: $30
- Belgrade to Sarajevo via Novi Sad Private Transfer Tour: $287
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Novalja
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Novalja:
- Private Transfer from Crikvenica to Rijeka Airport (RJK): $74
- Zrce, Private Transfer to/from Zadar Airport: $170
Is it cheaper to fly into Novi Sad or Novalja?
Prices for flights to both Novalja and Novi Sad 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 dayNovi Sad $8.20Novalja $21
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Novi Sad -Novalja $6.48
Tours and Activities in Novi Sad
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Novi Sad are as follows:
- The city center and fortress Private Walking Tour: $29
- Novi Sad & Sremski Karlovci shared tour: $64
- Novi Sad city center and Petrovaradin fortress tour: $80
- Fruska Gora and Novi Sad Heritage & Gastro Private Tour: $171
- Private Customized Tour with a car: $209
- Novi Sad Private Walking Tour: $254
- From Belgrade: Novi Sad and Fruska Gora National Park Tour: $321
- City Highlights Walking Tour with Local Guide: $512
- Private Romantic Tour: $513
- 2-Hour Christmas Walking Tour: $770
Tours and Activities in Novalja
Here are a few actual costs in Novalja for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Bungee Tower Ticket with Zrce Beach Panoramic Views: $32
- From Svetojanj Bike Tour: $47
- Standup Paddleboard Guided Tour: $47
- From Kolan Bike Tour: $47
- From Metajna/Pag Bay Guided Sea Kayaking Tour: $49
- Zrce Booze Cruise - Novalja Boat Party: $52
- Glowing Standup Paddleboard Guided Night Tour: $58
- Pag Island Light-Up Kayak Night Tour: $62
- Kayak and Via Ferrata Adventure: $71
- Zrce Beach Bungee Jumping Experience: $74
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNovi Sad -Novalja $7.76
Sample the Local Flavors in Novi Sad
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Novi Sad:
- From Belgrade: Sremski Karlovci & Novi Sad with Wine Tasting: $80
- From Belgrade or Private Wine Tour in Fruska Gora: $185
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Novi Sad and Novalja, we can see that Novalja is more expensive. And not only is Novi Sad much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Novi Sad would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Novi Sad 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 Novalja would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Novalja than you might in Novi Sad.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Novi Sad Expensive? and Is Novalja Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Novi Sad or Novalja?
Novi Sad has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Novalja. When comparing the sizes of Novi Sad and Novalja, 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.
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.