Which place is cheaper, Budva or Zagreb?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Zagreb 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 Zagreb 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: Zagreb or Budva?
Zagreb
Zagreb, in central Croatia, is the country's capital. It has a wonderful old town that has cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and a great atmosphere. Many people travel to Croatia specifically for its beaches and coastal towns, but if you overlook this lovely capital city, you'll miss a large part of the culture and personality that is Croatia.
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 2-Week Tours from Dubrovnik, The Best 2-Week Tours from Split, 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 dayZagreb $82Budva $97
The average daily cost (per person) in Zagreb is $82, 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 Zagreb and Budva in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZagreb $51Budva $39
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZagreb $102Budva $78
Compare Hotels in Zagreb and Budva
Looking for a hotel in Zagreb 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: Zagreb Hotel Prices and Budva Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zagreb $9.69Budva $22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zagreb
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zagreb:
- Airport Zagreb Transfer and Shuttle : $98
- Arrival Private Transfer from Zagreb Airport ZAG to Zagreb City by Business Car: $47
- Departure Private Transfer from Zagreb City to Zagreb Airport ZAG by Minivan: $66
- Franjo Tudman Airport (ZAG) to Zagreb-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $33
- From Sarajevo: One-Way Transfer to Zagreb & Plitvice Lakes: $428
- From Split: Transfer to Zagreb with Stop at Plitvice Lakes: $149
- From Plitvice Lakes Round-Trip Comfort Bus Transfer: $16
- From Transfer to Split & Plitvice Lakes Guided Tour: $159
- Guided transfer from Zagreb to Split with Plitvice Lakes stop: $152
- Luxury Private Transfer Zagreb - Zagreb Airport: $40
- Luxury Private Transfer Zagreb Airport to Hotels and Vice Versa: $87
- One-Way Private Transfer to/from Zagreb Airport: $43
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:
- Budva to Dubrovnik one way transfer: $179
- Herceg Novi to Budva one way transfer: $144
- Montenegro Airport Transfer: $65
- Private Transfer Service in Montenegro: $29
- Private Transfer from Bar to Podgorica Airport (TGD): $97
- Private Transfer from Bar to Tivat Airport (TIV): $117
- Private Transfer from Budva or Becici to Dubrovnik airport: $240
- Private Transfer from Budva to Dubrovnik: $272
- Private Transfer from Budva to Podgorica Airport and city: $38
- Private Transfer from Petrovac to Podgorica Airport (TGD): $58
- Private Transfer from Petrovac to Tivat airport: $82
- Private Transfer from Sveti Stefan to Dubrovnik airport: $218
Is it cheaper to fly into Zagreb or Budva?
Prices for flights to both Budva and Zagreb 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 dayZagreb $18Budva $33
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zagreb
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zagreb.
- Taste Zagreb Food Tour: $74
- Taste Zagreb Food Tour: $75
- Private Authentic Croatian Cooking Class in Central Zagreb: $114
- Private Authentic Market Tour and Cooking Class in the Heart of Zagreb: $144
- PRIVATE Half-Day Food Tour: The 10 Tastings of Zagreb With Locals: $196
- Wine & Food tour of Plešivica near Zagreb: $952
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.Zagreb $13Budva $24
Tours and Activities in Zagreb
Here are a few actual costs in Zagreb for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Nikola Tesla Technical Museum Ticket: $4.28
- Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $5.35
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.42
- Skip-the-Ticket-Line Museum of Broken Relationships: $7.49
- Zagreb Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Museum of Illusions Entrance Ticket: $9.62
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Zagreb's Old Town: Walking In-App Audio Tour(ENG): $11
- Small-Group Walking Highlights Tour: $16
- City Walking Tour w/ Funicular Ride and WW2 Tunnels: $19
- City Walking Tour with Funicular Ride & WW2 Tunnels: $19
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 dayZagreb $9.49Budva $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Zagreb
Also in Zagreb, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Zagreb Pub Crawl: $16
- Zagreb:Private Bar Crawling and Alcohol Testing with a Guide: $32
- Zagreb Wine Tasting & Jarun Lake Tour: $75
- Plesivica countryside Wine Tasting: $199
- Fairytale castle & delicious wine tasting and lunch: $202
- Private Wine Tasting Tour from Zagreb: $208
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zagreb and Budva, we can see that Budva is more expensive. And not only is Zagreb much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Zagreb would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zagreb 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 Budva would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Budva than you might in Zagreb.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zagreb Expensive? and Is Budva Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zagreb or Budva?
Zagreb has a larger population, and is about 150 times larger than the population of Budva. When comparing the sizes of Zagreb 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.