Should you visit Zurich or Bratislava?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the prices of travel for Zurich and Bratislava. 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. So, let's dig into it.
Zurich
Zurich has the biggest connection for trains in Switzerland. It also has the country's biggest and busiest airport. Because of its importance as a transportation center, it is likely to be the first place you visit in Switzerland. It is the financial capital of the country (although, contrary to what you may have thought, not the political capital). It has many international companies, and is home to the country's stock exchange.
Bratislava
The capital and largest city of Slovakia, Bratislava is set on the shores of the Danube River near the borders of Austria and Hungary. While the city is skirted by mountains and vineyards, its 18th century old town center is crossed with cobbled walkways and surrounded by historic landmarks and architecture. One such monument is the Bratislava Castle, set atop a hill overlooking it all-the old town, the river, and the bustle of people in the charming city below.
Which city is cheaper, Bratislava or Zurich?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Zurich is $199, while the average daily cost in Bratislava is $103. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Zurich and Bratislava in more detail.
Accommodation
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $252 for a double occupancy room in Zurich.
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around $42. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Bratislava the cost is $84 on average.
Local Transportation
The average price of local transportation around Zurich is $27 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
The cost of a taxi ride in Bratislava is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $22 per person, per day, on local transportation in Bratislava.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Zurich
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Zurich:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zurich
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zurich:
-
Ultra - Zurich Private Airport Transfer from Train Station to Zurich Airport ZRH:
$9.41
-
Ultra - Zurich Private Transfer from Train Station to Zurich City Centre:
$9.41
-
Ultra - Zurich Private Transfer from Zurich City Centre to Train Station:
$9.41
-
Ultra - Davos Private Airport Transfer from Zurich Airport ZRH to Davos:
$9.41
-
Ultra - Zurich Private Airport Transfer from Zurich Airport ZRH to City Centre:
$9.41
-
Ultra - Zurich Private Airport Transfer from City Centre to Zurich Airport ZRH:
$9.41
-
Ultra - Zurich Private Airport Transfer from Zurich Airport ZRH to Train Station:
$9.41
-
Shared Arrival Transfer: Zurich Airport to Hotel:
$31
-
Shared Departure Transfer: Hotel to Zurich Airport:
$31
-
Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: Zurich Airport:
$39
-
Private Departure Transfer from Zurich City to ZRH Zurich Airport:
$39
-
Private Arrival Transfer from ZRH Zurich Airport to Zurich City:
$39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bratislava
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bratislava:
-
Private Airport Transfer: Bratislava Airport (BTS) to Bratislava:
$18
-
Private Airport Transfer: from Bratislava to Bratislava Airport (BTS):
$18
-
Arrival Private Transfer Bratislava Airport to Bratislava City by Business Car:
$19
-
Departure Private Transfer Bratislava City to Bratislava Airport by Business Car:
$19
-
Private arrival OR departure transfer in Bratislava (hotel OR airport pick-up):
$22
-
Airport to Hotel Private Transfer Service:
$25
-
Arrival Private Transfer Bratislava Airport to Bratislava City by Luxury Van:
$25
-
Arrival Private Transfer Bratislava Airport to Bratislava City by Luxury Car:
$37
-
Departure Private Transfer Bratislava City to Bratislava Airport by Luxury Car:
$37
-
Deluxe Private Transfer from Bratislava City to Vienna City:
$50
-
Private Transfer Bratislava Airport BTS to Vienna Airport or City - Business Car:
$52
-
Departure Private Transfer Bratislava City to Vienna Airport VIE by Luxury Van:
$67
Is it cheaper to fly into Zurich or Bratislava?
Prices for flights to both Bratislava and Zurich 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
Zurich food costs typically run travelers around $46 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
The price of a meal in Bratislava can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $38 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $15 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Zurich $46
Bratislava $38
Typical Food prices in Zurich
Some typical examples of dining costs in Zurich are as follows:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zurich
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zurich.
-
Culinary Tour from Zurich with Traditional Swiss Cheese Fondue Dinner:
$154
-
Overnight Mount Titlis including 4-course dinner:
$545
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bratislava
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bratislava.
-
Bratislava Traditional Food Tour:
$102
-
Traditional Food Tour:
$118
-
Vegan Bratislava Food Tour:
$118
-
Local Beer & Food Tour:
$128
Entertainment
Zurich's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $27 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Entertainment and activities in Bratislava typically cost an average of $26 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Tours and Activities in Zurich
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zurich are as follows:
-
Zurich Private Tour: Albert Einstein Old Town Exploration Game:
$7.45
-
Historical Zürich: An audio tour through the city of a thousand fountains:
$9.99
-
Lindt Home of Chocolate Museum Entry Ticket:
$16
-
Museum Rietberg Zurich Entrance Ticket:
$21
-
Zurich Old Town Walking Tour: 2-Hours:
$27
-
Shopping and History Tour of Zurich:
$30
-
Zurich Old Town Walking Tour:
$30
-
Zürich Historic District Tour:
$30
-
Swiss Chocolate Walking Tour of Zurich:
$36
-
Zurich Highlights Tour:
$40
-
Zurich City Tour Experience:
$40
-
Zurich Like a Local: Customized Private Tour:
$45
Tours and Activities in Bratislava
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bratislava are as follows:
-
Bratislava Self-Guided Audio Tour:
$11
-
Old Town Cake Tasting Experience:
$11
-
Bratislava by Sightseeing Bus:
$14
-
Bratislava Nightlife Ticket:
$14
-
Old Town Tour in Bratislava by Prešporáčik Oldtimer:
$15
-
Nedbalka Gallery with Coffee and Cake Ticket:
$16
-
1-Hour Small Group Walking Tour:
$18
-
City Sightseeing Afternoon Walking Tour:
$18
-
City Highlights Running Tour:
$18
-
Bratislava Classical Walking Tour:
$21
-
Bratislava City Private Walking Tour:
$22
-
Best customized walking tour with bonus:
$25
Alcohol
The average person spends about $22 on alcoholic beverages in Zurich per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
The average person spends about $16 on alcoholic beverages in Bratislava per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Sample the Local Flavors in Zurich
Also in Zurich, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
Sample the Local Flavors in Bratislava
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bratislava:
-
Modra: Private Wine Tasting at a Family-Operated Winery:
$28
-
Burlesque show:
$37
-
3 Hours Bratislava Pub Crawl Walking Tour with Beers & Bites:
$55
-
Bratislava Wine Tour:
$75
-
Bratislava 3-Hour Wine Tasting:
$93
-
Bratislava Food and Wine Tour:
$100
-
Bratislava Half Day Hubert Sparkling Wine Tasting:
$115
-
Private Wine Tour to Small Carpathians:
$156
-
Devin Castle Tour With Currant Wine Tasting:
$163
-
Private Small Carpathian Wine Tour:
$214
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zurich and Bratislava, we can see that Zurich is more expensive. And not only is Bratislava much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bratislava would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bratislava 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 Zurich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zurich than you might in Bratislava.
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