Which place is cheaper, Budva or Portofino?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Portofino or Budva?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Portofino or Budva? 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: Portofino or Budva?
Portofino
Located on the Italian Riviera coastline just southeast of Genoa, Portofino is known first and foremost as a resort town and popular yachting destination. The half-moon village sits in pastels, curving into a beautiful harbor of fishing boats and luxury yachts. A castle on a hill overlooks it all, while shops, restaurants, cafes, and luxury hotels make up the spread down below. Portofino also has opportunities for hiking, diving, and boating.
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 Historical Tours in Italy, The Best 10-Day Tours in Italy, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Montenegro, and The Best Adventure Tours to Montenegro.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPortofino €326Budva €91
The average daily cost (per person) in Portofino is €326, 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 Portofino and Budva in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPortofino €190Budva €37
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPortofino €380Budva €74
Compare Hotels in Portofino and Budva
Looking for a hotel in Portofino 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.
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: Portofino Hotel Prices and Budva Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Portofino €23Budva €20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Portofino
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Portofino:
- CAR 3 PAX TRANSFER TO AIRPORT MILANO MALPENSA: $876
- Portofino hotels to Genoa Airport (GOA) - Departure Private Transfer: $54
- Private Transfer - Portofino Cruise Port to Florence Airport(FLR): $158
- Private Transfer from Portofino Cruise Port to Florence hotels: $158
- Private Transfer from Portofino Cruise Port to Genoa Airport(GOA): $49
- Private Transfer from Portofino Cruise Port to Genoa city hotels: $49
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Budva
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Budva are as follows:
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Daily Car Rental€65
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Budva
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Budva:
- Private Transfer Service in Montenegro: $29
- 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
- Montenegro Airport Transfer: $65
- Private Transfer from Petrovac to Tivat airport: $82
- Private Transfer from Bar to Podgorica Airport (TGD): $97
- Tivat to Budva one way transfer: $102
- Private Transfer from Bar to Tivat Airport (TIV): $117
- Transfer from Podgorica Airport to Kotor: $139
- Herceg Novi to Budva one way transfer: $144
- Budva to Dubrovnik one way transfer: $179
Is it cheaper to fly into Portofino or Budva?
Prices for flights to both Budva and Portofino 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 dayPortofino €118Budva €31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Portofino
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Portofino.
- Portofino Boat and Walking Tour with Pesto Cooking & Lunch: $246
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Portofino €27Budva €22
Tours and Activities in Portofino
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Portofino are as follows:
- 1-Hour Snorkeling Tour in Paraggi Bay, Portofino: $42
- Snorkel Tour in Paraggi Bay: $43
- Portofino Stand Up Paddleboard Experience: $52
- Easy Kayak Tour to Portofino with Optional Snorkeling: $52
- Paddle Boarding Experience in Portofino: $54
- Portofino Kayak Tour: $54
- Coasteering Tour: $74
- Portofino and San Fruttuoso Boat Experience: $107
- Portofino Private Walking Tour: $267
- White Boat Tour Tigullio Portofino: $449
- Private Sunset Boat Tour with Aperitif of Ligurian goods: $481
- Private Tour of Genoa and Portofino from Genoa: $713
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
- From Day Cruise to Boka Bay: $42
- Great Cruise From Budva to Boka Bay in a Day: $43
- 3-Hour Paddle Board or Kayak Tour to Coastal Caves: $43
- Night Lights Kayak and SUP Adventure: $43
- Budva Bay SUP & Kayaking Tours to Coastal Caves: $44
- Night Lights Kayak Adventure : $44
- Soul of Montenegro: Kotor, Lovcen and Cetinje Day Tour: $61
- Private Tour: Panoramic route around Skadar Lake: $65
- Great tour of coastal monasteries in Budva - Walking on the path of history!: $65
- Private Boat Tour Adventure In Budva - Sightseeing & Snorkeling : $65
- Budva 1 hour Private walking tour: $66
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPortofino €16Budva €14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Portofino and Budva, we can see that Portofino 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 Portofino would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Portofino 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 Portofino Expensive? and Is Budva Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Portofino or Budva?
Budva has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Portofino. When comparing the sizes of Portofino 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.
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.