Which place is cheaper, Podgorica or Rijeka?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Rijeka or Podgorica?
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 Rijeka and Podgorica can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Rijeka or Podgorica?
Rijeka
Rijeka is the main seaport city of Croatia. It is located in Kvarner on the Kvarner Bay, which is an inlet of the Adriatic Sea. There are over 100,000 residents, making it Croatia's third largest city. The city's economy is heavily dependent on shipbuilding and maritime transport. There is also the University of Rijeka, which was founded in 1973 with roots dating back to 1632.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Croatia, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Croatia, The Best Budget Tours to Montenegro, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Montenegro.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRijeka $101Podgorica $112
The average daily cost (per person) in Rijeka is $101, while the average daily cost in Podgorica is $112. 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 Rijeka and Podgorica in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRijeka $54Podgorica $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRijeka $108Podgorica $98
Compare Hotels in Rijeka and Podgorica
Looking for a hotel in Rijeka or Podgorica? 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: Rijeka Hotel Prices and Podgorica Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rijeka $17Podgorica $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Podgorica
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Podgorica:
- Private transfer from Podgorica airport to Podgorica city: $26
- Private Transfer to Budva: $39
- Podgorica Airport (TGD) to Kotor Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $47
- Private transfer to Tivat: $53
- Private transfer to Kotor: $53
- From One-Way Private Transfer to/from Virpazar: $57
- Private Transfer from Podgorica Airport (TGD) to Petrovac : $58
- Private Airport Transfer from Podgorica airport to Budva: $68
- Podgorica airport: Private Transfer to/from Budva: $75
- Private transfers from Podgorica Airport and city to Budva: $75
- Private transfers from Podgorica Airport and city to Bar: $75
- Transfer from Podgorica Airport to Budva: $87
Is it cheaper to fly into Rijeka or Podgorica?
Prices for flights to both Podgorica and Rijeka 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 dayRijeka $36Podgorica $43
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rijeka $9.48Podgorica $22
Tours and Activities in Rijeka
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Rijeka are as follows:
- Drava Sup Exploring Adventure: $44
- History of Military Forts Guided Tour: $64
- Tour the underground with no experience required: $64
- From Golden Island of Krk Tour: $93
- Pula, Rovinj, and Panoramic Istrian Coast Tour: $121
- Istria Highlights Tour from Rijeka or Pula: $122
- Private Guided Walking Tour: $127
- Private Walking Cultural Tour of Rijeka: $235
- Ucka Mountain: Guided Hiking Tour: $449
- Private Sunset Boat Tour: $631
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: $8.17
- Skadar lake - Falcon kayak tour: $13
- Lake Skadar: Guided Sightseeing Boat Tour with Refreshments: $16
- Two Hours Sightseeing Lake Cruise at Montenegro National Park: $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
- Book Your Donkey Farm Tour: $57
- Book Your Tour Ostrog Monastery: $65
- Cultural Bike Tour of Podgorica;Discovering the Ancient Treasures: $71
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRijeka $17Podgorica $21
Sample the Local Flavors in Podgorica
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Podgorica:
- Private Wine Tasting Activity at Lipovac Winery: $27
- Book Your Wine Tour: $77
- Podgorica Car Trip - Architecture, History, Wine tasting, Churches, Doclea city: $93
- Podgorica Car Trip, Doclea city, Wine tasting, Niagara falls: $106
- Wine tasting in the family winery, feel the spirit: $120
- Montenegro: Nature, Locals & Wine Tour: $128
- Skadar lake boat ride through "Montenegrin Amazon", wine tasting & Niagara falls: $196
When comparing the travel costs between Rijeka and Podgorica, 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 Rijeka Expensive? and Is Podgorica Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rijeka or Podgorica?
Rijeka has a larger population, and is about 3% larger than the population of Podgorica. When comparing the sizes of Rijeka and Podgorica, 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.
When is the best time to visit Rijeka or Podgorica?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Rijeka or Podgorica in the Summer?
Both Podgorica and Rijeka are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Rijeka this time of year.
In the summer, Rijeka is around the same temperature as Podgorica. Typically, the summer temperatures in Rijeka in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Podgorica averages at about 26°C (80°F).
It's quite sunny in Podgorica. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rijeka. Rijeka usually receives less sunshine than Podgorica during summer. Rijeka gets 288 hours of sunny skies, while Podgorica receives 341 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Rijeka usually receives more rain than Podgorica. Rijeka gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRijeka 24°C (75°F)Podgorica 26°C (80°F)
Should I visit Rijeka or Podgorica in the Autumn?
Both Podgorica and Rijeka during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Rijeka for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In October, Rijeka is generally around the same temperature as Podgorica. Daily temperatures in Rijeka average around 16°C (60°F), and Podgorica fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
In Podgorica, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Rijeka often gets less sunshine than Podgorica. Rijeka gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Podgorica receives 203 hours of full sun.
Podgorica gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Rijeka usually gets less rain in October than Podgorica. Rijeka gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 166 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRijeka 16°C (60°F)Podgorica 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Rijeka or Podgorica in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Rijeka and Podgorica. Many visitors come to Rijeka in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Rijeka is cooler than Podgorica in the winter. The daily temperature in Rijeka averages around 5°C (41°F) in January, and Podgorica fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).
Rijeka usually receives less sunshine than Podgorica during winter. Rijeka gets 96 hours of sunny skies, while Podgorica receives 121 hours of full sun in the winter.
Podgorica receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Rijeka usually receives less rain than Podgorica. Rijeka gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 192 mm (7.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRijeka 5°C (41°F)Podgorica 6°C (42°F)
Should I visit Rijeka or Podgorica in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Rijeka as well as Podgorica. Most visitors come to Rijeka for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.
In the spring, Rijeka is around the same temperature as Podgorica. Typically, the spring temperatures in Rijeka in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Podgorica averages at about 14°C (58°F).
In the spring, Rijeka often gets less sunshine than Podgorica. Rijeka gets 177 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Podgorica receives 194 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Podgorica. Rijeka usually gets less rain in April than Podgorica. Rijeka gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRijeka 13°C (56°F)Podgorica 14°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Podgorica and Rijeka
| Rijeka | Podgorica | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (41°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) |
| Feb | 7°C (44°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (49°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 159 mm (6.3 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (56°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (71°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (74°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Sep | 20°C (68°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (60°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 10°C (51°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 239 mm (9.4 in) |
| Dec | 6°C (44°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 217 mm (8.5 in) |
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.