A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Pamukkale vs. Budva for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Pamukkale or Budva?

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 Pamukkale and Budva can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Pamukkale or Budva?

Pamukkale

Pamukkale is in southeastern Aegean Turkey and is historically a spa town that has been in existence since the 2nd century BC. It is popular with tourists for its beautiful hot springs and travertines, or pools that are coated in a very unique calcium covering. The area is very rich in mineral content and the water, which has been flowing for thousands of years, has deposited calcium in each pool. This unique whiteness creates an unworldly beauty that draws visitors from around the world. If you're visiting during the summer months when the sun is out in full force, don't forget the sunscreen, as the white reflects the light and you can end up with a sunburn quite quickly. You'll also want to make sure you have sunglasses available because the glare can be quite extreme.

Budva

A coastal resort in Montenegro, Budva is probably the country's most popular tourist destination. Not only does it host a number of great beaches, but it is also home to a picturesque old town center located on a small peninsula. Some of its best features include narrow winding lanes, historic buildings, churches, and small squares.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Turkey, The Best G Adventures Tours to Turkey, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Montenegro, and The Best Adventure Tours to Montenegro.


Which place is cheaper, Budva or Pamukkale?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Pamukkale is $156, while the average daily cost in Budva is $97. 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 Pamukkale and Budva in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Pamukkale $56
    Budva $39
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Pamukkale $112
    Budva $78
Compare Hotels in Pamukkale and Budva

Looking for a hotel in Pamukkale or Budva? 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 Pamukkale


Hotels in Budva


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: Pamukkale Hotel Prices and Budva Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Pamukkale $35
    Budva $22

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pamukkale

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

  • Antalya: Guided Pamukkale Tour w/Lunch/Transfer: $84
  • Antalya; Pamukkale Hot Air Balloon Tour with Transfer: $280
  • City of Pamukkale/Denizli: Antalya Airport Private Transfer: $165
  • Denizli Cardak Airport Transfers to Denizli City Hotels: $104
  • Denizli Cardak Airport Transfers to Pamukkale Karahayit Hotels: $104
  • Denizli Cardak Airport Transfers to Pamukkale Saraykoy Hotels: $81
  • Denizli City Hotels to Denizli Cardak Airport Transfers: $136
  • Pamukkale - Karahayit Transfer from Denizli Cardak Airport: $100
  • Pamukkale Hot Air Balloon w/Flight Certificates,Champagne Toast & Hotel Transfer: $90
  • Pamukkale Saraykoy Hotels to Denizli Cardak Airport Transfers: $109
  • Pamukkale to Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport-Departure Transfer: $125
  • Private Denizli Pamukkale Airport Transfer Service: $98

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Budva

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Budva are as follows:


  • Daily Car Rental
    $70

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Budva

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Budva:

  • Taxi Transfer Budva to Tirana: $294
  • Private Transfer from Budva to Dubrovnik: $272
  • Private Transfer from Budva or Becici to Dubrovnik airport: $240
  • Private Transfer from Sveti Stefan to Dubrovnik airport: $218
  • Budva to Dubrovnik one way transfer: $179
  • Herceg Novi to Budva one way transfer: $144
  • Transfer from Podgorica Airport to Kotor: $139
  • Private Transfer from Bar to Tivat Airport (TIV): $117
  • Tivat to Budva one way transfer: $102
  • Private Transfer from Bar to Podgorica Airport (TGD): $97
  • Private Transfer from Petrovac to Tivat airport: $82
  • Montenegro Airport Transfer: $65

Is it cheaper to fly into Pamukkale or Budva?

Prices for flights to both Budva and Pamukkale 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
    Pamukkale $69
    Budva $33

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Budva

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Budva.

  • Cooking Class with dinner/lunch in Ulcinj Montenegro : $49

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Pamukkale $54
    Budva $24
Typical Entertainment Prices in Pamukkale

For Pamukkale, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Entrance fees Travertines & Pool
    $2.01

Tours and Activities in Pamukkale

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Pamukkale.

  • Antalya: Pamukkale Guided Tour With Optional Balloon Flight: $37
  • Pamukkale City Highlights Small Group Guided Tour with Lunch: $40
  • Full Day Pamukkale City Tour From Pamukkale And Karahayit Hotels: $45
  • Pamukkale Paragliding Experience By Local Expert Pilots: $48
  • From Antalya: Pamukkale and Hierapolis Tour with Lunch: $48
  • Shared Pamukkale Group Tour from Pamukkale: $57
  • From Bodrum: Pamukkale & Hierapolis Guided Tour with Lunch: $63
  • Kusadasi or Selcuk: Pamukkale Guided Group Tour: $67
  • Pamukkale Tour From Pamukkale : $71
  • Antalya: Full-Day Pamukkale Tour: $80
  • Shared Cultural Tour in Pamukkale and Hierapolis: $81
  • Pamukkale and Hierapolis Tour: $85

Tours and Activities in Budva

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

  • 1-Hour Guided Lipa Cave Adventure in Montenegro: $15
  • Blue Cave Tour on Kayaks in Montenegro: $82
  • Budva 1 hour Private walking tour: $66
  • Budva Bay Boat Tour - Exploring Budva With A Local: $70
  • Budva Bay SUP & Kayaking Tours to Coastal Caves: $44
  • Budva old town private tour: $172
  • Budva private day tour from Kotor: $310
  • Budva/Petrovac: Premium Paragliding Experience: $107
  • 3-Hour Paddle Board or Kayak Tour to Coastal Caves: $43
  • City Private Tour: $126
  • Exploring Caves & Private Boat Tour: $70
  • Hidden paradise tour with snorkeling and lunch: $214

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Pamukkale $15
    Budva $15


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

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


Which is Bigger, Pamukkale or Budva?

Pamukkale has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Budva. When comparing the sizes of Pamukkale and Budva, 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.