Which place is cheaper, Budva or San Sebastian?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit San Sebastian or Budva?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Sebastian 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: San Sebastian or Budva?
San Sebastian
San Sebastián is a city in northern Spain very well known for its summertime fun in the sun. While the streets are cool and happening at night, they take on a different charm by day. Beautiful beaches line the city's edge, right next to elegant historic architecture and churches, topping charts as some of the best city beaches in Europe. The food, too, is said to be some of the best with traditional Basque cuisine as well as the popular pintxo (tapas) bites. San Sebastián is a place of lively culture, teeming with beauty, flavors, and colors.
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 Sightseeing Tours in Spain, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, 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 daySan Sebastian €90Budva €91
The average daily cost (per person) in San Sebastian is €90, 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 San Sebastian and Budva in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Sebastian €40Budva €37
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Sebastian €80Budva €74
Compare Hotels in San Sebastian and Budva
Looking for a hotel in San Sebastian 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: San Sebastian Hotel Prices and Budva Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Sebastian €14Budva €20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Sebastian
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Sebastian:
- Private Transfer from San Sebastian Airport to Pamplona city: $247
- Private Transfer from San Sebastian city to Bilbao Airport: $268
- Private Transfer from San Sebastian city to Pamplona Airport : $245
- Private Transfer from San Sebastian to Bilbao: $268
- Private Transfer from San Sebastian to Vitoria: $291
- Private Transfer from the Airport to San Sebastian City: $84
- San Sebastián-Bilbao city or airport private transfer: $273
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 San Sebastian or Budva?
Prices for flights to both Budva and San Sebastian 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 daySan Sebastian €31Budva €31
Typical Food Prices in San Sebastian
Some typical examples of dining costs in San Sebastian are as follows:
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Dinner for 2€55
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Lunch for 2€10
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Lunch for 2€31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Sebastian
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Sebastian.
- San Sebastian Walking and Food Tour: $104
- Insider Best Culinary Gems Guided Food Tour in San Sebastian: $109
- Basque Cuisine Cooking Class with Market Visit: $148
- Full Day San Sebastian Food Tour : $150
- I travel for Food Tour in San Sebastian: $152
- Authentic Basque Cooking Class in the Old Town: $152
- Private San Sebastian Walking Food Tour: $158
- Michelin Star Secrets Cooking Class in San Sebastian: $213
- Food tour in San Sebastian and Visit to a Gastronomical Club: $224
- History and flavors of San Sebastian for Dinner with Eskerne Falcón: $235
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.San Sebastian €33Budva €22
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Sebastian
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in San Sebastian are as follows:
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Valle de los Caídos Monument€6.00
Tours and Activities in San Sebastian
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for San Sebastian are as follows:
- San Sebastian Walking Tour With Pintxo And Drink: $16
- Guided tour of San Sebastián: $19
- Walking Tour in San Sebastian: $43
- Electric scooter city tour: $45
- City tour, bike ride: $45
- San Sebastian : Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $49
- City tour, by electric bicycle: $50
- Private Walking Tour in San Sebastian with Pintxo and Drink: $54
- San Sebastián City Bike tour : $54
- Private Guided Sightseeing Bike Tour of San Sebastian: $60
- Hondarribia, S.Juan & S.Pedro Small Group Tour from San Sebastian: $60
- Small-Group Electric Bike Tour in San Sebastián : $61
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 daySan Sebastian €20Budva €14
Sample the Local Flavors in San Sebastian
Also in San Sebastian, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Ultimate San Sebastian Pintxos & Wine Tour (Evening): $141
- Getaria Txakoli Wine Tour with Hotel Pick-up from San Sebastian: $148
- Best quality food & wine tasting tour in San Sebastian. : $191
- Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries Visit with Tasting from San Sebastian: $240
- Rioja Wine Tour: Winery, Tasting & Lunch from San Sebastian: $251
- Full Rioja Wine Tour with Lunch from San Sebastian Private Tour: $298
When comparing the travel costs between San Sebastian and Budva, we can see that Budva 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 San Sebastian Expensive? and Is Budva Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Sebastian or Budva?
San Sebastian has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Budva. When comparing the sizes of San Sebastian 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.