Which place is cheaper, Budva or Sibenik?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sibenik 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 Sibenik 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: Sibenik or Budva?
Sibenik
Sibenik is a city on the Adriatic coast of Croatia. It's known as a gateway to the Kornati Islands. The 15th-century stone Cathedral of St. James is decorated with 71 sculpted faces. Nearby, the Sibenik City Museum, in the 14th-century Prince's Palace, has exhibits ranging from prehistory to the present. The white stone St. Michael's Fortress has an open-air theater, with views of Sibenik Bay and neighboring islands. The city's magnificent medieval heart, gleaming white against the placid waters of the bay is enough to excite any traveler, and you won't be disappointed with your trip here. The stone labyrinth of steep backstreets and alleys are a joy to explore. Sibenik is also an important access point for Krka National Park and the Kornati Islands.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Dubrovnik, The Best 2-Week Tours from Dubrovnik, 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 daySibenik $100Budva $97
The average daily cost (per person) in Sibenik is $100, while the average daily cost in Budva is $97. 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 Sibenik and Budva in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSibenik $58Budva $39
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSibenik $116Budva $78
Compare Hotels in Sibenik and Budva
Looking for a hotel in Sibenik 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: Sibenik Hotel Prices and Budva Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sibenik $14Budva $22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sibenik
Also for Sibenik, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport transfer from Split to Šibenik or vice versa: $164
- Private transfer from Sibenik to Split: $262
- Private transfer from Sibenik to Split airport: $126
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Budva
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Budva are as follows:
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Daily Car Rental$70
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Budva
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Budva:
- Transfer from Podgorica Airport to Kotor: $139
- Tivat to Budva private one way transfer: $58
- Tivat to Budva one way transfer: $102
- Taxi Transfer Budva to Tirana: $294
- Private Transfer from Sveti Stefan to Dubrovnik airport: $218
- Private Transfer from Petrovac to Tivat airport: $82
- Private Transfer from Petrovac to Podgorica Airport (TGD): $58
- Private Transfer from Budva to Podgorica Airport and city: $38
- Private Transfer from Budva to Dubrovnik: $272
- Private Transfer from Budva or Becici to Dubrovnik airport: $240
- Private Transfer from Bar to Tivat Airport (TIV): $117
- Private Transfer from Bar to Podgorica Airport (TGD): $97
Is it cheaper to fly into Sibenik or Budva?
Prices for flights to both Budva and Sibenik 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 daySibenik $31Budva $33
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.Sibenik $13Budva $24
Tours and Activities in Sibenik
For Sibenik, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Discover Šibenik - Evening walking tour : $38
- Daily or night walking tour through Medieval Šibenik: $45
- Private Sibenik Walking Historical Morning or Evening Tour: $49
- Via Ferrata tour - Čikola Canyon: $74
- Krka Waterfalls National Park Boat Tour from Vodice: $76
- Kornati island National Park & Telascica Nature Park Boat Tour from Vodice: $76
- Šibenik Riviera boat tour: Zlarin + Prvić + Tijat: $120
- Kornati Experience small group (12 pax) boat tour: $137
- Sibenik Private Combined Food & Drink and Historical Tour: $152
- Full-Day Sailing Tour in Šibenik Archipelago: $164
- The Best of Sibenik Private Walking Tour: $164
- Private walking tour of Sibenik: $164
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
- Blue Cave Tour on Kayaks in Montenegro: $82
- Budva 1 hour Private walking tour: $66
- Budva Bay Boat Tour - Exploring Budva With A Local: $70
- Budva Bay SUP & Kayaking Tours to Coastal Caves: $44
- Budva old town private tour: $172
- Budva private day tour from Kotor: $310
- Budva/Petrovac: Premium Paragliding Experience: $107
- 3-Hour Paddle Board or Kayak Tour to Coastal Caves: $43
- City Private Tour: $126
- Exploring Caves & Private Boat Tour: $70
- Hidden paradise tour with snorkeling and lunch: $214
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySibenik $17Budva $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Sibenik
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Sibenik:
- Vinoplod Winery - Wine Tasting Tour: $29
- Private Krka Waterfalls Tour with Wine Tasting from Sibenik: $213
- From Split or Trogir: Krka National Park & Wine Tasting Tour: $1,069
When comparing the travel costs between Sibenik and Budva, we can see that Sibenik 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 Sibenik Expensive? and Is Budva Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sibenik or Budva?
Sibenik has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Budva. When comparing the sizes of Sibenik 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.