Which place is cheaper, Budva or Rhodes?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Rhodes or Budva?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Rhodes and Budva. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Rhodes or Budva?
Rhodes
Rhodes Island is one of the largest and most visited islands in Greece both because of its diversity of sights and its wonderful climate. On the island are some beautiful beaches, well preserved historic sights, and lovely towns. Rhodes City is the capital city on the island of Rhodes and is famous as the former site of the Colossus. Colossus is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and the oldest inhabited medieval town in Europe. Today Rhodes City has an interesting old town that is surrounded by the medieval wall. Inside you'll find countless souvenir shops and restaurants that cater to tourists. Cruise ships also frequent the island, so it's best visited during the off season when the crowds may be slightly less. You will also find that prices drop when the crowds are thinner and the cruise ships are scarce.
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 2-Week Tours in Greece, The Best Bicycle Tours in Greece, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Montenegro, and The Best Adventure Tours to Montenegro.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRhodes €135Budva €91
The average daily cost (per person) in Rhodes is €135, 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 Rhodes and Budva in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRhodes €58Budva €37
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRhodes €116Budva €74
Compare Hotels in Rhodes and Budva
Looking for a hotel in Rhodes 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: Rhodes Hotel Prices and Budva Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rhodes €48Budva €20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rhodes
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Rhodes:
-
Taxi Ride€7.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rhodes
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rhodes:
- Rhodes Airport Transfer to Rhodes Town city or Faliraki (ONE WAY: $55
- Airport Transfer - From/To Airport - From/To Rhodes: $52
- Diagoras Airport: Private One-Way Transfer to/from Rhodes: $33
- East Coast Bay to Bay Full-Day Boat Trip with Transfers: $71
- From Lindos Round-Trip Bus Transfer with Free Time: $26
- Lindos Day Cruise from Rhodes Town with Swimming stops and Hotel Transfers: $55
- Lindos comfortable Transfer with aprx 5hrs Free Time: $21
- Lindos: Transfer to Lindos with 4-Hour Stop (Small Group): $24
- One Way Private Airport Transfers Rhodes Island: $60
- One Way Private Transfer Rhodes Airport to / from Faliraki: $36
- One Way Private Transfer Rhodes Airport to / from Ialyssos - Ixia: $24
- One Way Private Transfer Rhodes Airport to / from Lindos: $73
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:
- Budva to Dubrovnik one way transfer: $179
- Herceg Novi to Budva one way transfer: $144
- Montenegro Airport Transfer: $65
- Private Transfer Service in Montenegro: $29
- Private Transfer from Bar to Podgorica Airport (TGD): $97
- Private Transfer from Bar to Tivat Airport (TIV): $117
- Private Transfer from Budva or Becici to Dubrovnik airport: $240
- Private Transfer from Budva to Dubrovnik: $272
- Private Transfer from Budva to Podgorica Airport and city: $38
- Private Transfer from Petrovac to Podgorica Airport (TGD): $58
- Private Transfer from Petrovac to Tivat airport: $82
- Private Transfer from Sveti Stefan to Dubrovnik airport: $218
Is it cheaper to fly into Rhodes or Budva?
Prices for flights to both Budva and Rhodes 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 dayRhodes €47Budva €31
Typical Food Prices in Rhodes
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rhodes:
-
Coffee€1.95
-
Dinner for Two€23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rhodes
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rhodes.
- Rhodes Sunset Cruise - Dinner with Live Music set: $44
- Sunset Catamaran Cruise with Dinner: $53
- Guided Rhodes City By Night with Live Music & Dinner: $70
- Rhodes by Night With Dinner - Laterna: $72
- Food & Wine Tour: 11- Course Lunch, Cooking Class, Wine Tasting: $75
- Vine & Dine Tale: 11-Plate Lunch, Wine Discovery, Cooking Mastery: $75
- 3-Hours Sunset Catamaran Cruise with Dinner all Inclusive: $76
- Sunset Cruise w/ Gourmet Dinner, Drinks & Live Music: $77
- 11 Course Lunch with Cooking Mastery and Wine Tasting in Rhodes: $84
- Rhodes Wine & Food Tour: 10 Meal Course Lunch, Wine Tasting, Cooking Class : $85
- Traditional Greek COOKING class and Wine Tasting in Rhodes: $86
- Winery Tour, Tasting and cooking with the Winemaker in Rhodes: $86
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.Rhodes €19Budva €22
Tours and Activities in Rhodes
Here are a few actual costs in Rhodes for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Escape Game and Tour: $6.95
- Rhodes Old Town Highlights Self-Guided Treasure Hunt & Tour: $6.95
- Palace of the Grand Master Admission Ticket: $11
- Palace of the Grand Master E-Ticket & Optional Audio: $11
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Outdoor Scavenger Hunt and Tour of Rhodes Old Town: $11
- Submarine Cruise with Underwater Views from Rhodes: $11
- Rhodes Town: Yellow Submarine Cruise with Underwater Views: $11
- Medieval City Self-Guided Game & Tour: $12
- The Palace of the Grand Master. Self-guided Audio Tour: $13
- The Palace of the Grand Master E-Ticket with Audio Tour: $13
- Throne of Helios: The History of Rhodes 9D Experience: $14
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
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayRhodes €12Budva €14
Sample the Local Flavors in Rhodes
Also in Rhodes, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Private Wine Tasting Experience for Beginners: $37
- Rhodian Wines - Private Wine Tasting Under a Sommelier: $53
- 1 Day Rhodes Island Tour with Olive Oil, Honey and Wine Tasting : $55
- Enchanting Lindos, Old Town, History, Culture & Wine Tour: $56
- Full Day Guided Rhodes Island Cultural & Wine Tour: $56
- Rhodes Shore Excursion Including Olive Oil, Honey & Wine Tasting: $59
- Wine tasting in Rhodes, inside the vineyards with the Producer: $60
- Rhodes Island Tour: Lindos, Old Town, Pottery Workshop, Wine Tasting : $60
- Full-Day Rhodes Island Tour with Wine Tasting Experience: $62
- Private Wine Tasting Experience for Wine Lovers: $64
- Rhodes Deluxe Tour including Lindos, Old Town, Wine Tasting : $64
- Full-Day Сomprehensive Tour of Rhodes including Wine Tasting : $67
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rhodes and Budva, we can see that Rhodes 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 Rhodes would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rhodes 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 Rhodes Expensive? and Is Budva Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rhodes or Budva?
Rhodes has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of Budva. When comparing the sizes of Rhodes 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.