Which place is cheaper, Novi Sad or Zagreb?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Zagreb or Novi Sad?
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 Novi Sad. 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 Novi Sad?
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.
Novi Sad
Novi Sad is the capital city of Vojvodina, the northern Autonomous Province of Serbia. Novi Sad has a population of about 400,000 people and is located on the Danube River near Budapest and Belgrade.
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 Serbia, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Belgrade.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZagreb $82Novi Sad $20
The average daily cost (per person) in Zagreb is $82, while the average daily cost in Novi Sad is $20. 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 Novi Sad in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZagreb $51Novi Sad $11
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZagreb $102Novi Sad $22
Compare Hotels in Zagreb and Novi Sad
Looking for a hotel in Zagreb or Novi Sad? 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 Novi Sad Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zagreb $9.69Novi Sad -
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Novi Sad
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Novi Sad:
- Airport transfer from/to Novi Sad: $107
- Belgrade airport transfers: $30
- Belgrade to Sarajevo via Novi Sad Private Transfer Tour: $287
Is it cheaper to fly into Zagreb or Novi Sad?
Prices for flights to both Novi Sad 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 $18Novi Sad $8.20
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zagreb $13Novi Sad -
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 Novi Sad
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Novi Sad are as follows:
- The city center and fortress Private Walking Tour: $29
- Novi Sad & Sremski Karlovci shared tour: $64
- Novi Sad city center and Petrovaradin fortress tour: $80
- Fruska Gora and Novi Sad Heritage & Gastro Private Tour: $171
- Private Customized Tour with a car: $209
- Novi Sad Private Walking Tour: $254
- From Belgrade: Novi Sad and Fruska Gora National Park Tour: $321
- City Highlights Walking Tour with Local Guide: $512
- Private Romantic Tour: $513
- 2-Hour Christmas Walking Tour: $770
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZagreb $9.49Novi Sad -
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Novi Sad
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Novi Sad:
- From Belgrade: Sremski Karlovci & Novi Sad with Wine Tasting: $80
- From Belgrade or Private Wine Tour in Fruska Gora: $185
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zagreb and Novi Sad, we can see that Zagreb is more expensive. And not only is Novi Sad much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Novi Sad would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Novi Sad 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 Novi Sad.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zagreb Expensive? and Is Novi Sad Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zagreb or Novi Sad?
Zagreb has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Novi Sad. When comparing the sizes of Zagreb and Novi Sad, 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 Novi Sad?
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 Novi Sad in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Zagreb and Novi Sad. Most visitors come to Zagreb for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Zagreb is around the same temperature as Novi Sad. Typically, the summer temperatures in Zagreb in July average around 22°C (72°F), and Novi Sad averages at about 22°C (71°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Novi Sad this time of the year. In Zagreb, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zagreb usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Novi Sad during summer. Zagreb gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while Novi Sad receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Zagreb usually receives more rain than Novi Sad. Zagreb gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Novi Sad receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyZagreb 22°C (72°F)Novi Sad 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Zagreb or Novi Sad in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Zagreb as well as Novi Sad. The autumn months attract visitors to Zagreb because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In October, Zagreb is generally around the same temperature as Novi Sad. Daily temperatures in Zagreb average around 13°C (55°F), and Novi Sad fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
In the autumn, Zagreb often gets less sunshine than Novi Sad. Zagreb gets 133 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Novi Sad receives 168 hours of full sun.
Zagreb usually gets more rain in October than Novi Sad. Zagreb gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Novi Sad receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberZagreb 13°C (55°F)Novi Sad 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Zagreb or Novi Sad in the Winter?
Both Novi Sad and Zagreb are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Zagreb this time of year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Novi Sad. It's quite cold in Zagreb in the winter. Zagreb is much warmer than Novi Sad in the winter. The daily temperature in Zagreb averages around 1°C (35°F) in January, and Novi Sad fluctuates around -0°C (31°F).
Zagreb usually receives less sunshine than Novi Sad during winter. Zagreb gets 54 hours of sunny skies, while Novi Sad receives 71 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Zagreb usually receives more rain than Novi Sad. Zagreb gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Novi Sad receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryZagreb 1°C (35°F)Novi Sad -0°C (31°F)
Should I visit Zagreb or Novi Sad in the Spring?
Both Novi Sad and Zagreb during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Zagreb for the activities around the city.
In the spring, Zagreb is around the same temperature as Novi Sad. Typically, the spring temperatures in Zagreb in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Novi Sad averages at about 12°C (54°F).
In the spring, Zagreb often gets less sunshine than Novi Sad. Zagreb gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Novi Sad receives 178 hours of full sun.
Zagreb usually gets more rain in April than Novi Sad. Zagreb gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Novi Sad receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilZagreb 13°C (55°F)Novi Sad 12°C (54°F)
Typical Weather for Novi Sad and Zagreb
| Zagreb | Novi Sad | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 1°C (35°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | -0°C (31°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (39°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (47°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Jun | 20°C (69°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 83 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (71°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (55°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Nov | 8°C (46°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (37°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 45 mm (1.8 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.