Which place is cheaper, Bucharest or Timisoara / Temesvar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Timisoara / Temesvar or Bucharest?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Timisoara / Temesvar 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: Timisoara / Temesvar or Bucharest?
Timisoara / Temesvar
A very cosmopolitan city, Timisoara has become the main social, economic, and cultural center in western Romania. It is sometimes called little Vienna due to its impressive architecture from the Austria Empire era and abundance of museums.
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 Adventure Tours to Romania, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Romania, The Best Luxury Tours to Romania, and The Best Budget Tours to Romania.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTimisoara / Temesvar $63Bucharest $144
The average daily cost (per person) in Timisoara / Temesvar is $63, while the average daily cost in Bucharest is $144. 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 Timisoara / Temesvar and Bucharest in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTimisoara / Temesvar $25Bucharest $66
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTimisoara / Temesvar $50Bucharest $132
Compare Hotels in Timisoara / Temesvar and Bucharest
Looking for a hotel in Timisoara / Temesvar 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: Timisoara / Temesvar Hotel Prices and Bucharest Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Timisoara / Temesvar $27Bucharest $27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Timisoara / Temesvar
Also for Timisoara / Temesvar, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Timisoara Aurel Vlaicu Airport to Timisoara: $56
- Timisoara Airport transfer to the city: $22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bucharest
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bucharest:
- Bucharest to Sofia Private Transfer: $656
- Bucharest to Sofia - Private Transfer: $594
- Private Transfer From Cluj to Bucharest: $514
- Bucharest Airport: Private Transfer To / From Pitesti: $459
- Bucharest to Mihail Kogalniceanu - Private Transfer: $352
- Mihail Kogalniceanu to Bucharest - Private Transfer: $352
- Bucharest to Veliko Tarnovo - Private Transfer: $330
- Bucharest to Fetesti - Private Transfer: $330
- Bucharest to Craiova - Private Transfer: $308
- Transfer From Bucharest Airport To Sofia Bulgaria: $298
- Transfer Bucharest Airport to Brasov: $294
- Bucharest (Romania) to Veliko Tarnavo (Bulgaria) - Private Guided Transfer : $291
Is it cheaper to fly into Timisoara / Temesvar or Bucharest?
Prices for flights to both Bucharest and Timisoara / Temesvar 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 dayTimisoara / Temesvar $22Bucharest $61
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Timisoara / Temesvar
For Timisoara / Temesvar, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Taste Romania - Timisoara's Food Tour : $134
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bucharest
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bucharest.
- Dinner and tour inside the Museum of Communism: $51
- Dinner at the Museum of Communism & tour after closing: $55
- Bohemian Bucharest Markets and Mahallas Traditional Food Tour: $62
- Cooking Class traditional food: $67
- Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $86
- Bucharest Evening Tour and Traditional Dinner: $86
- Bucharest Evening Tour and Traditional Dinner - 3 hours: $88
- Unhealthy Food Tour of Bucharest – 4 hours: $88
- Historical and Cultural Tour with Romanian Cuisine dinner: $144
- 4-Hour Walking Food Tour in the Old Town: $207
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Timisoara / Temesvar $9.29Bucharest $15
Tours and Activities in Timisoara / Temesvar
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Timisoara / Temesvar.
- Ecumenical Tour of Timisoara: $17
- Timisoara Downtown Dream Tour: $22
- Timisoara: Shared Guided Tour in English: $22
- The Classic Tour of Timisoara: $37
- City Tour Timisoara: $39
- Private ATV Adventures in Petrovaselo: $45
- Timişoara: Private Walking Tour with Local Guide: $55
- The Jewish Heritage Tour of Timisoara: $58
- The Grand Tour of Communist Ages at Timisoara: $62
- Timisoara City Tour - A Day To Remember: $67
- Timisoara Grand Tour : $84
- Timisoara All in One - Walking and Tram Tour: $86
Tours and Activities in Bucharest
Here are a few actual costs in Bucharest for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Bears Sanctuary, Dracula's Castle, Brasov Day Trip Private Tour from Bucharest: $256
- Bucharest Panoramic Sightseeing - Private City Tour: $106
- Dracula's Castle & Peles Palace Tour from Bucharest Including Brasov Old Town: $190
- 1 Day ATV Tour in Carpathian Mountains: $212
- 1 Day Castles Tour - Sinaia and Bran: $141
- 1-Day Guided Tour: Bucharest-Peles, Dracula Castle & Brassov: $27
- 1-Day Private Car Tour: Peles, Dracula Castle & Brasov: $220
- 10 h Ceausescu Communism Private Tour in Bucharest plus Dracula's Grave : $246
- 10 hours Private Apiary Tour in Romania - From Bucharest: $280
- 10h Bucharest City Tour & Snagov Monastery (Dracula's Grave): $264
- 14 Days Private Tour in Romania, Moldova & Transnistria: $4,838
- 2 Days Private Tour - The Romanian Caves from Bucharest: $572
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTimisoara / Temesvar $8.65Bucharest $9.61
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: $24
- Romanian Wine Tasting Experience at Corks: $29
- Bachelors Party in Custom Bar Crawl: $38
- Bucharest Guided Pub Crawl: $39
- Bar Crawling: $45
- Pub Crawl in the Old CIty and Rooftop Hopping in Bucharest: $48
- Wine Tasting in Bucharest: $53
- Private Wine Tasting Experience: $55
- Guided Pub Crawl in Bucharest: $57
- Wine Tasting in Bucharest long version: $65
- Bucharest VIP Bar Crawl in Lipscani 'Old Town': $76
- Private Wine Tasting and Cheese Platter: $85
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Timisoara / Temesvar and Bucharest, we can see that Bucharest is more expensive. And not only is Timisoara / Temesvar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Timisoara / Temesvar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Timisoara / Temesvar 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 Timisoara / Temesvar.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Timisoara / Temesvar Expensive? and Is Bucharest Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Timisoara / Temesvar or Bucharest?
Bucharest has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Timisoara / Temesvar. When comparing the sizes of Timisoara / Temesvar 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 Timisoara / Temesvar or Bucharest?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Timisoara / Temesvar or Bucharest in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Timisoara / Temesvar as well as Bucharest. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Bucharest because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Timisoara / Temesvar is generally around the same temperature as Bucharest. Daily temperatures in Timisoara / Temesvar average around 22°C (71°F), and Bucharest fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bucharest. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Timisoara / Temesvar this time of the year. In the summer, Timisoara / Temesvar often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bucharest. Timisoara / Temesvar gets 301 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bucharest receives 289 hours of full sun.
Timisoara / Temesvar usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Bucharest. Timisoara / Temesvar gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Bucharest receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyTimisoara / Temesvar 22°C (71°F)Bucharest 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Timisoara / Temesvar or Bucharest in the Autumn?
Both Bucharest and Timisoara / Temesvar are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Bucharest this time of year.
Timisoara / Temesvar is around the same temperature as Bucharest in the autumn. The daily temperature in Timisoara / Temesvar averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and Bucharest fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
Timisoara / Temesvar usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bucharest during autumn. Timisoara / Temesvar gets 177 hours of sunny skies, while Bucharest receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Timisoara / Temesvar usually receives more rain than Bucharest. Timisoara / Temesvar gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Bucharest receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberTimisoara / Temesvar 13°C (55°F)Bucharest 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Timisoara / Temesvar or Bucharest in the Winter?
Both Bucharest and Timisoara / Temesvar during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Bucharest for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Bucharest. It's quite cold in Timisoara / Temesvar in the winter. In the winter, Timisoara / Temesvar is much warmer than Bucharest. Typically, the winter temperatures in Timisoara / Temesvar in January average around -1°C (31°F), and Bucharest averages at about -1°C (29°F).
In the winter, Timisoara / Temesvar often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bucharest. Timisoara / Temesvar gets 72 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bucharest receives 71 hours of full sun.
Timisoara / Temesvar usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Bucharest. Timisoara / Temesvar gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Bucharest receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryTimisoara / Temesvar -1°C (31°F)Bucharest -1°C (29°F)
Should I visit Timisoara / Temesvar or Bucharest in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Timisoara / Temesvar and Bucharest. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bucharest in the spring for the activities around the city.
In April, Timisoara / Temesvar is generally around the same temperature as Bucharest. Daily temperatures in Timisoara / Temesvar average around 12°C (54°F), and Bucharest fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
Timisoara / Temesvar usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bucharest during spring. Timisoara / Temesvar gets 186 hours of sunny skies, while Bucharest receives 185 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Timisoara / Temesvar usually receives around the same amount of rain as Bucharest. Timisoara / Temesvar gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Bucharest receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilTimisoara / Temesvar 12°C (54°F)Bucharest 12°C (54°F)
Typical Weather for Bucharest and Timisoara / Temesvar
| Timisoara / Temesvar | Bucharest | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -1°C (31°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | -1°C (29°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Feb | 2°C (36°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Mar | 7°C (45°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (54°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jun | 20°C (68°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (71°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (71°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (55°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (44°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Dec | 2°C (35°F) | 50 mm (2 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.