Which place is cheaper, Bucharest or Sochi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sochi or Bucharest?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sochi or Bucharest? 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: Sochi or Bucharest?
Sochi
Located on the coast of the Black Sea, Sochi is one of the southernmost major cities in Russia. It is especially busy in the summer when native Russians and international visitors alike come to enjoy the mountainous coastline and sunny beaches. Sochi is also known as the host of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, and many of the Olympic venues can still be visited today.
Bucharest
Bucharest is the capital and largest city in the country of Romania. With about 2 million residents living in the city and about 2.4 million in the surrounding urban area, it is also one of the largest cities in Southeastern Europe. As such, it is the economic, industrial and commercial center for the country. As a visitor, you will likely enter Romania by arriving in Bucharest. The city continues to grow and change, and there are ongoing infrastructure projects that continue to modernize the city. It is not uncommon to find historic churches on the same block as modern office buildings and Communist style apartment buildings. There are also many sights around town and the city continues to grow as a trendy and fascinating city.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bucharest, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Romania.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySochi $60Bucharest $137
The average daily cost (per person) in Sochi is $60, while the average daily cost in Bucharest is $137. 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 Sochi and Bucharest in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSochi $14Bucharest $63
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSochi $28Bucharest $126
Compare Hotels in Sochi and Bucharest
Looking for a hotel in Sochi or Bucharest? 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: Bucharest Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sochi -Bucharest $26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bucharest
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bucharest:
- Bucharest Airport Private Transfer by Van : $76
- ATV Adrenaline Race in Carpathian with Private Transfer: $140
- Airport Bucharest Transfer: $54
- Airport Henri Coanda (Otopeni) to Bucharest - Private Transfer - Driver: $43
- Airport Transfer Bucharest - Brasov ,Brasov- Bucharest: $65
- Airport to Bucharest - Private Transfer from Henri Coanda Airport OTP Otopeni : $43
- Airport to Bucharest /Private Transfer from OTP Henri Coanda: $39
- Arrival Private Transfer from Bucharest Airport OTP to Brasov in Luxury Van: $162
- Arrival Private Transfers from Bucharest Airport OTP to Bucharest City: $51
- Arrival Private Transfers from Bucharest Airport OTP to Bucharest City: $65
- Bran Castle of Dracula Yourself : Private Transfer from Bucharest Airport OTP: $239
- Bucharest (Romania) to Veliko Tarnavo (Bulgaria) - Private Guided Transfer : $282
Is it cheaper to fly into Sochi or Bucharest?
Prices for flights to both Bucharest and Sochi 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 daySochi $17Bucharest $58
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bucharest
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bucharest.
- Bohemian Bucharest Markets and Mahallas Traditional Food Tour: $60
- Cooking Class traditional food: $65
- Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $74
- Unhealthy Food Tour of Bucharest – 4 hours: $75
- Bucharest Evening Tour and Traditional Dinner: $84
- Bucharest Evening Tour and Traditional Dinner - 3 hours: $86
- Private Walking Food Tour - Culture, History & Traditions: $98
- 4-Hour Walking Food Tour in the Old Town: $201
- Bucharest City Tour & Traditional Home-made Cooking Experience: $227
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sochi $112Bucharest $15
Tours and Activities in Bucharest
Here are a few actual costs in Bucharest for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Buchaest: Peles Castle, Bran Castle, & Brasov Old Town Tour: $5.31
- Tour Kings and Palaces of Bucharest: $11
- A Tale of Bucharest Old Town Walking Tour: $11
- Reptiland Bucharest Entry Ticket: $13
- Communism Walking Tour from Lenin to Ceausescu in Bucharest: $13
- City Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $17
- Bucharest Highlights Walking Tour: $17
- Calea Victoriei and Old Town Highlights Tour: $19
- Parliament Palace Skip-the-line Ticket: $20
- Guided Tour at museum Casa Storck: $21
- 2-Hour Private Walking Tour in Bucharest: $22
- Roma Culture and History Guided Walking Tour: $22
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySochi -Bucharest $9.17
Sample the Local Flavors in Bucharest
Also in Bucharest, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Weekend Pub Crawl: $23
- Bucharest Pub Crawl in the Old Town: $25
- Bachelors Party in Custom Bar Crawl: $37
- Private Bar Crawling in Bucharest Old City: $42
- Private Wine Tasting in Bucharest: $43
- From Romanian Wine Tasting Tour: $45
- Pub Crawl in the Old CIty and Rooftop Hopping in Bucharest: $47
- Romanian Wine Tasting: $48
- Private Romanian Wine Tasting in Urlați: $51
- Bucharest VIP Bar Crawl in Lipscani 'Old Town': $59
- Bucharest City Tour and Wine Tasting: $84
- Wine Tasting Tour at First Wine Bar: $85
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sochi and Bucharest, we can see that Bucharest is more expensive. And not only is Sochi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sochi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sochi 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 Bucharest would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bucharest than you might in Sochi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sochi Expensive? and Is Bucharest Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sochi or Bucharest?
Bucharest has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Sochi. When comparing the sizes of Sochi and Bucharest, 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 Sochi or Bucharest?
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 Sochi or Bucharest in the Summer?
Both Bucharest and Sochi are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Bucharest because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Sochi is around the same temperature as Bucharest in the summer. The daily temperature in Sochi averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Bucharest fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
In July, Sochi usually receives more rain than Bucharest. Sochi gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Bucharest receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySochi 23°C (73°F)Bucharest 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Sochi or Bucharest in the Autumn?
Both Bucharest and Sochi during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Bucharest this time of year.
In the autumn, Sochi is a little warmer than Bucharest. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sochi in October average around 16°C (60°F), and Bucharest averages at about 13°C (55°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sochi. Sochi usually gets more rain in October than Bucharest. Sochi gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Bucharest receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSochi 16°C (60°F)Bucharest 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Sochi or Bucharest in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sochi and Bucharest. Furthermore, many travelers come to Bucharest for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Bucharest. In January, Sochi is generally much warmer than Bucharest. Daily temperatures in Sochi average around 6°C (44°F), and Bucharest fluctuates around -1°C (29°F).
Sochi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Sochi usually receives more rain than Bucharest. Sochi gets 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Bucharest receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySochi 6°C (44°F)Bucharest -1°C (29°F)
Should I visit Sochi or Bucharest in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Sochi as well as Bucharest. Additionally, many visitors come to Bucharest in the spring for the activities around the city.
Sochi is around the same temperature as Bucharest in the spring. The daily temperature in Sochi averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Bucharest fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
Sochi receives a lot of rain in the spring. Sochi usually gets more rain in April than Bucharest. Sochi gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Bucharest receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSochi 13°C (55°F)Bucharest 12°C (54°F)
Typical Weather for Bucharest and Sochi
| Sochi | Bucharest | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 6°C (44°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | -1°C (29°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Feb | 7°C (45°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| May | 17°C (62°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jun | 20°C (68°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Sep | 20°C (68°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (60°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Dec | 9°C (47°F) | 202 mm (8 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 43 mm (1.7 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.