Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or Zagreb?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Zagreb or Cartagena?
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 Cartagena. 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 Cartagena?
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.
Cartagena
The capital of the Bolivar Department of Colombia, Cartagena is one of the most visited cities in the country. It sits on Colombia's northern coast by the Caribbean Sea. It's a port city with a population of almost 900,000, making it the fifth largest city in Colombia. The city has a rich history and was the first Spanish colony on the American continent. It was also one of the first sanctuaries for freed African slaves in the Americas.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Dubrovnik, The Best 2-Week Tours from Split, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZagreb $82Cartagena $48
The average daily cost (per person) in Zagreb is $82, while the average daily cost in Cartagena is $48. 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 Cartagena in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZagreb $51Cartagena $27
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZagreb $102Cartagena $54
Compare Hotels in Zagreb and Cartagena
Looking for a hotel in Zagreb or Cartagena? 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 Cartagena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zagreb $9.69Cartagena $7.49
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
- Arrival Private Transfer from Zagreb Airport ZAG to Zagreb City by luxury van: $66
- Franjo Tudman Airport (ZAG) to Zagreb-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $33
- From Sarajevo: One-Way Transfer to Zagreb & Plitvice Lakes: $431
- From Split: Transfer to Zagreb with Stop at Plitvice Lakes: $150
- From Plitvice Lakes Round-Trip Comfort Bus Transfer: $16
- From Transfer to Split & Plitvice Lakes Guided Tour: $160
- Guided transfer from Zagreb to Split with Plitvice Lakes stop: $152
- Krka National Park Private Tour from Zagreb with transfer to Sibenik: $272
- Krka National Park Private Tour from Zagreb with transfer to Split: $296
- Luxury Private Transfer Zagreb - Zagreb Airport: $40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- Private Transfer from Bocagrande to Port of Cartagena: $25
- 15. Transfer to SANTA MARTA from Cartagena Private or vice versa.: $290
- 18.Transfer (Rafael N-Hotel Decameron Baru Airport) or vice versa: $90
- 2. Transfer from the Airport to the Cartagena Hotel (or vice versa): $29
- 20. Transfer Rafael N. Airport-HOTEL LAS ISLAS-CALABLANCA: $142
- 8. Transfer to BARRANQUILLA from Cartagena Private or vice versa: $160
- Air Conditioning Bus transfer: $10
- Airport Hotel Transfer: $19
- Airport Transfer - Hotel Cartagena: $23
- Airport Transfer Hotel: $35
- Airport Transfers Cartagena: $38
- Arrival Private Transfer Cartagena Airport CTG to Cartagena City by Minivan: $92
Is it cheaper to fly into Zagreb or Cartagena?
Prices for flights to both Cartagena 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
-
Food Meals for one dayZagreb $18Cartagena $9.82
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
- Zagreb Walking Food Tour - Sightseeing - Dolac market visit: $137
- 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: $958
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cartagena
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.
- Featured in NYTimes > Arepas and Dancing: Danceable Cooking Class in Cartagena: $32
- Cooking class of typical food at the beach and sunset view: $39
- Taste Cartagena Food tour: $40
- Street Food Tour in Cartagena: $42
- Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $44
- Local Flavors Food Tour with Native Chef: $50
- Cooking Class: Street food & Mojito making: $50
- Cruise by the Bay with Dinner and Wine: $55
- Private Dinner at a Local Chef's House in Cartagena: $58
- Cartagena Gourmet: Cooking Class with a View, Elegance & Flavor: $59
- Street food tour: $61
- 2 hours Sibarita Express Dinner: $63
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zagreb $13Cartagena $21
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: $3.23
- Nikola Tesla Technical Museum Ticket: $4.31
- Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $5.38
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.46
- Skip-the-Ticket-Line Museum of Broken Relationships: $7.53
- Zagreb Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Museum of Illusions Entrance Ticket: $9.69
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Zagreb's Old Town: Walking In-App Audio Tour(ENG): $11
- Small-Group Walking Highlights Tour: $16
- Group walking tour of Zagreb (funicular included): $17
- City Walking Tour with Funicular Ride & WW2 Tunnels: $18
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Emeralds Tour: $0.03
- Into the Walls of The City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Cartagena de Indias: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Artists' Quarter Getsemani Self-guided Tour: $6.35
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - The Great Battle: Fort of San Felipe: $6.99
- Old Town Highlights Self-guided Tour: $8.50
- Tour the city on a rumba in a typical bus: $9.42
- Old Town & Getsemani Quarter Self-guided Tour: $9.58
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: Pirate Tales in Cartagena: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Legends of the Streets of Downtown : $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Getsemaní Neighborhood: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: The Rise of the Wall City Part II: $10
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayZagreb $9.49Cartagena $9.21
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
- Private Zagreb Walking Tour and Wine Tasting From Zagreb: $103
- Taste Zagreb Heritage Wine Tasting with Traditional Lunch: $179
- Plesivica countryside Wine Tasting: $199
- Fairytale castle & delicious wine tasting and lunch: $202
- Private Wine Tasting Tour from Zagreb: $208
- Castles & Wine Tasting - Private Day Trip from Zagreb: $235
Sample the Local Flavors in Cartagena
Also in Cartagena, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl with Dancing Lessons and Free Shots: $19
- Cartagena's Best Pub Crawl all included!: $23
- Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $24
- Pub Crawl Only Locals Have Fun In The Walled City: $35
- Nightlife Pub crawl in Cartagena: $72
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zagreb and Cartagena, we can see that Zagreb is more expensive. And not only is Cartagena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zagreb is in Europe and Cartagena is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Cartagena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cartagena 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 Zagreb would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zagreb than you might in Cartagena.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zagreb Expensive? and Is Cartagena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zagreb or Cartagena?
Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 36% larger than the population of Zagreb. When comparing the sizes of Zagreb and Cartagena, 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 Zagreb or Cartagena?
Zagreb has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Cartagena experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Zagreb or Cartagena in the Summer?
Both Cartagena and Zagreb are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Zagreb for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Zagreb is cooler than Cartagena in the summer. The daily temperature in Zagreb averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and Cartagena fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
It's quite sunny in Cartagena. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zagreb. Zagreb usually receives more sunshine than Cartagena during summer. Zagreb gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 207 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Zagreb usually receives more rain than Cartagena. Zagreb gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyZagreb 22°C (72°F)Cartagena 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Zagreb or Cartagena in the Autumn?
Both Cartagena and Zagreb during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Zagreb in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round.
In the autumn, Zagreb is much colder than Cartagena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zagreb in October average around 13°C (55°F), and Cartagena averages at about 27°C (81°F).
In the autumn, Zagreb often gets less sunshine than Cartagena. Zagreb gets 133 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 175 hours of full sun.
Cartagena gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Zagreb usually gets less rain in October than Cartagena. Zagreb gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberZagreb 13°C (55°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Zagreb or Cartagena in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Zagreb and Cartagena. Most visitors come to Zagreb for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Zagreb can be very cold during winter. In January, Zagreb is generally much colder than Cartagena. Daily temperatures in Zagreb average around 1°C (35°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cartagena this time of the year. Zagreb usually receives less sunshine than Cartagena during winter. Zagreb gets 54 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 278 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Zagreb usually receives more rain than Cartagena. Zagreb gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryZagreb 1°C (35°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Zagreb or Cartagena in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Zagreb as well as Cartagena. The spring months attract visitors to Zagreb because of the activities around the city. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.
Zagreb is much colder than Cartagena in the spring. The daily temperature in Zagreb averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Cartagena fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. In the spring, Zagreb often gets less sunshine than Cartagena. Zagreb gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 209 hours of full sun.
Zagreb usually gets more rain in April than Cartagena. Zagreb gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilZagreb 13°C (55°F)Cartagena 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Cartagena and Zagreb
| Zagreb | Cartagena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 1°C (35°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (39°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (47°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 20°C (69°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (71°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (55°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 8°C (46°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (37°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 30 mm (1.2 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.