A Travel Price Comparison for Montenegro Podgorica vs. Budva for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Podgorica or Budva?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Podgorica or Budva, 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: Podgorica or Budva?

Podgorica

Podgorica is Montenegro's capital city, and also its largest. Dating back to the Ottoman Empire, World War II destroyed much of this history, but there are a few Turkish remnants worth visiting. Podgorica's central location often makes the city a good starting point for day trips to coastal cities or mountain resorts.

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 Budget Tours to Montenegro, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Montenegro, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Montenegro, and The Best Adventure Tours to Montenegro.


Which place is cheaper, Budva or Podgorica?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Podgorica is €105, while the average daily cost in Budva is €91. 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 Podgorica and Budva in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Podgorica 46
    Budva 37
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Podgorica 92
    Budva 74
Compare Hotels in Podgorica and Budva

Looking for a hotel in Podgorica 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 Podgorica


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: Podgorica Hotel Prices and Budva Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Podgorica 20
    Budva 20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Podgorica

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Podgorica:

  • Budva to Podgorica one way transfer: $117
  • From One-Way Private Transfer to/from Virpazar: $56
  • Podgorica airport: Private Transfer to/from Budva: $75
  • Private Transfer to Budva: $38
  • Private transfer to Kotor: $53
  • Private transfer to Tivat: $53
  • Private Airport Transfer from Podgorica airport to Budva: $67
  • Private Transfer From Podgorica Airport TGD To Kotor Cruise Port: $47
  • Private Transfer from Podgorica Airport (TGD) to Bar : $97
  • Private Transfer from Podgorica Airport (TGD) to Herceg Novi: $154
  • Private Transfer from Podgorica Airport (TGD) to Petrovac : $58
  • Private Transfer from Podgorica Airport (TGD) to Tivat downtown: $116

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Budva

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


  • Daily Car Rental
    65

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Budva

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Budva:

  • Private Transfer from Budva to Podgorica Airport and city: $38
  • Private Transfer from Petrovac to Podgorica Airport (TGD): $58
  • Tivat to Budva private one way transfer: $58
  • Private Transfer from Sveti Stefan to Tivat airport: $71
  • Private Transfer from Petrovac to Tivat airport: $81
  • Private Transfer from Petrovac to Tivat Airport (TIV): $87
  • Private Transfer from Bar to Podgorica Airport (TGD): $97
  • Private transfer from Budva to Dubrovnik City: $98
  • Budva to Podgorica one way transfer: $113
  • Transfer from Podgorica Airport to Kotor: $139
  • Herceg Novi to Budva one way transfer: $144
  • Private Transfer from Budva or Becici to Dubrovnik airport: $239

Is it cheaper to fly into Podgorica or Budva?

Prices for flights to both Budva and Podgorica 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
    Podgorica 41
    Budva 31

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Podgorica

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

  • Hard Rock Cafe Podgorica with Set Lunch or Dinner: $17

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.
    Podgorica 21
    Budva 22

Tours and Activities in Podgorica

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Podgorica are as follows:

  • Skip The Line: National Park Skadar Lake - Tickets: $8.15
  • Skadar lake - Falcon kayak tour: $13
  • Two Hours Sightseeing Lake Cruise at Montenegro National Park: $13
  • Lake Skadar: Guided Sightseeing Boat Tour with Refreshments: $16
  • Lake Skadar Grmozur Fortress and Monastery Cruise: $16
  • Podgorica City Walking Tour: $22
  • Lake Skadar: Guided Panoramic Boat Tour to Kom Monastery : $22
  • Lake Skadar: Early-morning Birdwatching and Photography Tour: $27
  • From Virpazar: Guided Lake Skadar cruise and Crnojevića River: $33
  • Book Your Tour Podgorica by walk: $36
  • Private Podgorica City Walking Tour: $38
  • Skadar Lake Cruise with Onboard Lunch: $41

Tours and Activities in Budva

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

  • Skip The Line Tickets: Budva Citadela Fortress : $6.52
  • 1-Hour Guided Lipa Cave Adventure in Montenegro: $15
  • From Day Cruise to Boka Bay: $42
  • Great Cruise From Budva to Boka Bay in a Day: $42
  • Night Lights Kayak and SUP Adventure: $43
  • 3-Hour Paddle Board or Kayak Tour to Coastal Caves: $43
  • Budva Bay SUP & Kayaking Tours to Coastal Caves: $43
  • Night Lights Kayak Adventure : $43
  • Soul of Montenegro: Kotor, Lovcen and Cetinje Day Tour: $61
  • Private Boat Tour Adventure In Budva - Sightseeing & Snorkeling : $65
  • Great tour of coastal monasteries in Budva - Walking on the path of history!: $65
  • Budva 1 hour Private walking tour: $66

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Podgorica 20
    Budva 14

Sample the Local Flavors in Podgorica

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Podgorica:

  • Podgorica Car Trip - Architecture, History, Wine tasting, Churches, Doclea city: $92
  • Podgorica Car Trip, Doclea city, Wine tasting, Niagara falls: $105
  • Wine tasting in the family winery, feel the spirit: $119
  • Montenegro: Nature, Locals & Wine Tour: $128
  • Skadar lake boat ride through "Montenegrin Amazon", wine tasting & Niagara falls: $196

Sample the Local Flavors in Budva

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Budva:

  • Full Day Private Skadar Lake Wine Tour Experience from Budva: $177


When comparing the travel costs between Podgorica and Budva, we can see that Podgorica is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Podgorica or Budva?

Podgorica has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Budva. When comparing the sizes of Podgorica 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.