Which place is cheaper, Mostar or Zagreb?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Zagreb or Mostar?
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 Mostar. 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 Mostar?
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.
Mostar
Mostar has historically been a culturally and ethnically diverse city. It was heavily bombed during the country's civil war and many of the city's most important buildings and structures were destroyed. Most significantly, the city's Old Bridge, Stari Most, was destoryed. The bridge was rebuilt through an international effort just eleven years after the war. It was completed in 2004 and included pieces of the original bridge. Today, much of the city has been rebuilt and the city is a beautiful and impressive travel destination. The old town still has much of its original charm and it is a great place to explore.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Dubrovnik, The Best 2-Week Tours from Split, The Best Budget Tours to Bosnia and Herzegowina, and The Best Cultural Tours in Bosnia and Herzegowina.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZagreb $82Mostar $70
The average daily cost (per person) in Zagreb is $82, while the average daily cost in Mostar is $70. 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 Mostar in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZagreb $51Mostar $36
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZagreb $102Mostar $72
Compare Hotels in Zagreb and Mostar
Looking for a hotel in Zagreb or Mostar? 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 Mostar Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zagreb $9.69Mostar $8.65
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zagreb
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zagreb:
- Bus transfer from/to Rijeka: $6.95
- From Plitvice Lakes Round-Trip Comfort Bus Transfer: $16
- Zagreb to Franjo Tudman Airport(ZAG) - Departure Private Transfer: $16
- Private Transfer to/from Zagreb Airport: $20
- One-Way Private Transfer to/from Zagreb Airport: $32
- Franjo Tudman Airport (ZAG) to Zagreb-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $33
- Luxury Private Transfer Zagreb - Zagreb Airport: $40
- Zagreb Airport: One-Way Private transfer To/From Airport: $41
- One-Way Private Transfer to/from Zagreb Airport: $43
- Private Transfer from Zagreb City to Zagreb Train or Bus Station by car or van: $47
- Arrival Private Transfer from Zagreb Airport ZAG to Zagreb City by Business Car: $47
- Private Transfer: Zagreb to Zagreb International Airport (ZAG): $52
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Mostar
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Mostar:
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Taxi To & From Blagaj (hiking)$22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mostar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mostar:
- From Scenic Private Transfer to Dubrovnik: $267
- Private Transfer from Mostar Airport (OMO) to Bugojno: $291
- Private Transfer from Mostar Airport (OMO) to Grude: $117
- Private Transfer from Mostar Airport (OMO) to Jablanica: $135
- Private Transfer from Mostar Airport (OMO) to Konjic: $174
- Private Transfer from Mostar Airport (OMO) to Medugorje: $291
- Private Transfer from Mostar Airport (OMO) to Tomislav grad: $214
- Private Transfer from Mostar to Sarajevo Airport (SJJ): $291
- Split to Dubrovnik via Mostar Private Transfer: $524
- Transfer Mostar to Dubrovnik with Kravice Waterfalls, Blagaj and Počitelj tour: $122
- Transfer Sarajevo ⇄ Dubrovnik + Herzegovina Tour: $196
- Transfer from Sarajevo to Mostar: $160
Is it cheaper to fly into Zagreb or Mostar?
Prices for flights to both Mostar 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 $18Mostar $26
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
Typical Food Prices in Mostar
Some typical examples of dining costs in Mostar are as follows:
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A Casual Dinner Out (for 2)$15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mostar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Mostar.
- Mostar street food tour: $57
- Traditional Bosnian Cooking Class in Mostar: $80
- Tastes and Tales of Traditional Bosnian Cooking Class: $82
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zagreb $13Mostar $9.37
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 Mostar
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Mostar are as follows:
- Museum of War and Genocide Victims 1992-1995 Entrance Ticket: $5.94
- Walking tour in Old Town Mostar: $18
- Walking Tour in Old Town Mostar: $20
- Mostar city Tour: $22
- Mostar Walking Tour: Orient in the West: $22
- Mostar in War: Historical Walking Tour: $22
- Street Art Guided Tour in Mostar: $22
- Mostar Private Walking Tour - where East meets West: $32
- Mostar Shelters tour in Mostar: $37
- The Ottoman Experience Tour in Mostar: $37
- The Death of Yugoslavia Tour in Mostar: $38
- Private Half-Day Oriental Tour of Mostar with Food Tasting: $38
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZagreb $9.49Mostar $3.71
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
Typical Alcohol Prices in Mostar
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Mostar:
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A Few Drinks (for 2)$6.55
Sample the Local Flavors in Mostar
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Mostar:
- 1-Hour Wine Tasting Tour in Medjugorje: $16
- Wine Tour & Tasting (Herzegovina): $91
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zagreb and Mostar, we can see that Zagreb is more expensive. And not only is Mostar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mostar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mostar 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 Mostar.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zagreb Expensive? and Is Mostar Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zagreb or Mostar?
Zagreb has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Mostar. When comparing the sizes of Zagreb and Mostar, 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 Mostar?
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 Zagreb or Mostar in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Zagreb and Mostar. Many travelers come to Zagreb for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Zagreb is cooler than Mostar. Typically, the summer temperatures in Zagreb in July average around 22°C (72°F), and Mostar averages at about 26°C (78°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mostar this time of the year. In Zagreb, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zagreb usually receives less sunshine than Mostar during summer. Zagreb gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while Mostar receives 323 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Zagreb usually receives more rain than Mostar. Zagreb gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Mostar receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyZagreb 22°C (72°F)Mostar 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Zagreb or Mostar in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Zagreb as well as Mostar. Many visitors come to Zagreb in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In October, Zagreb is generally cooler than Mostar. Daily temperatures in Zagreb average around 13°C (55°F), and Mostar fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).
In the autumn, Zagreb often gets less sunshine than Mostar. Zagreb gets 133 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mostar receives 178 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Mostar. Zagreb usually gets less rain in October than Mostar. Zagreb gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Mostar receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberZagreb 13°C (55°F)Mostar 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Zagreb or Mostar in the Winter?
Both Mostar and Zagreb are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Zagreb for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Zagreb can be very cold during winter. Zagreb is much colder than Mostar in the winter. The daily temperature in Zagreb averages around 1°C (35°F) in January, and Mostar fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).
Zagreb usually receives less sunshine than Mostar during winter. Zagreb gets 54 hours of sunny skies, while Mostar receives 113 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Mostar. In January, Zagreb usually receives less rain than Mostar. Zagreb gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Mostar receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryZagreb 1°C (35°F)Mostar 6°C (42°F)
Should I visit Zagreb or Mostar in the Spring?
Both Mostar and Zagreb during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Zagreb because of the activities around the city.
In the spring, Zagreb is cooler than Mostar. Typically, the spring temperatures in Zagreb in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Mostar averages at about 14°C (58°F).
In the spring, Zagreb often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mostar. Zagreb gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mostar receives 174 hours of full sun.
Mostar gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Zagreb usually gets less rain in April than Mostar. Zagreb gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Mostar receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilZagreb 13°C (55°F)Mostar 14°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Mostar and Zagreb
| Zagreb | Mostar | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 1°C (35°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (39°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (47°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 20°C (69°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (71°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 65 mm (2.5 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (55°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Nov | 8°C (46°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 203 mm (8 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (37°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 196 mm (7.7 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.