Is Budva expensive to visit?
In Budva, budget travelers spend $60 (€51) per day on average, mid-range travelers spend $133 (€113) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $291 (€248) per day. These costs are calculated from the reported expenses of previous travelers to Budva.
Budva is a smaller destination that invites a diverse group of visitors, each with unique travel styles, spending behaviors, and budget levels. Accommodation options range from budget-friendly hostels to mid-range hotels to high-end luxury properties.
You can find Budva to be very expensive if you're not careful, but methods like looking for discounts and coupons can help you save money.
Within Europe, which is known to be an expensive region, Budva is a reasonably affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in Europe for its affordability. You can find more affordable cities such as Novi Sad, but there are also more expensive cities, such as Avignon.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Budva Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Budva?
The average Budva trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Budva travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Budva cost?
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
Setting realistic expectations for your travel budget is important. While some think they can visit Budva with minimal expenses, most people don't enjoy traveling that frugally. Consider what you prioritize on vacation. Do you prefer luxury hotels or budget stays? Hostels or hotels or vacation rentals? Are fun activities and dining out important to you? Your overall budget will depend on all of these questions.
What Defines a Budget Traveler?
Although you may consider yourself a budget traveler, unless you're ready to cut out many creature comforts, you'll likely spend much more than the $60 per day that young budget travelers often get by on.
For backpackers, this tight budget typically involves staying in hostel dorms, eating at the cheapest eateries or fast food joints, using public transportation, and sticking to free attractions.
Fortunately, Budva has plenty of hostels such as Freedom Hostel, Newborn Hostel Budva, and Mahakala Center. At hostels like these, you can find cheap accommodation in a dorm as well as a social atmosphere, but with very little amenities.
So, are you average?
If you're traveling for leisure as a couple or family, you'll likely opt for a mid-range hotel, dine at trendy restaurants, and visit the main museums and attractions that require entry fees. When visiting Budva, most people will want to check out the major attractions, museums, and iconic landmarks. Remember, most activities come at a cost. Hence, it's realistic to anticipate your daily budget will be about $133 per person, per day.
Budva offers a fantastic variety of hotels and vacation rentals. When traveling with others, you can share your hotel with a partner, friend, or your children, which can help save money. Families should focus on hotels and restaurants that cater to kids. Hotel Budva is an excellent choice, while Avala Resort & Villas is also a great option. To find more accommodations that are family and couple-friendly, check our hotel guide for Budva.
What Luxury Travel Looks Like
If a complete vacation with all amenities and a higher level of service is what you want, expect to allocate around $291 per day. To stay in nicer hotels, dine at award-winning establishments, treat yourself to extravagant excursions, and hire taxis or private drivers to navigate the destination, a luxury budget will be necessary. Many high-end visitors also prefer unique experiences such as Private Boat Tour Adventure In Budva - Sightseeing & Snorkeling - offered by Viator.
Accommodation Budget in Budva
The cost of hotels in Budva can be surprisingly wide-ranging. Some hotels charge a lot more because they offer extra luxury and amenities. Prices are also much higher during peak season. Off-season rooms average $46, but the demand in peak season pushes that average to around $86. Budget hotels range from $28 to $153, and hostels provide a cheaper option, especially in dorms. Booking early, traveling off-season, or finding special deals can help save money.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Budva for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $86 (€73). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $43 (€37) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Budva? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in Budva include:
- Hotel Budva starting at $84
- Avala Resort & Villas starting at $121
- Hotel Astoria Budva starting at $50
- Hotel Oliva starting at $48
- Garni Hotel Fineso starting at $58
Visiting in the low or shoulder season, rather than , will allow you to find cheaper accommodation and fewer tourists.
Transportation Budget in Budva
Calculated from travelers like you
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On average, past travelers have spent $24 (€20) per person, per day, on local transportation in Budva. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Budva is significantly more than public transportation.
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Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$24
€20
By plane, Podgorica Airport is Montenegro’s main international airport, located about 65 kilometers from Budva, serving as a hub for Montenegro Airlines. Tivat Airport is closer to Budva, about 20 kilometers away from town. It has regular flights to Belgrade and Moscow throughout the year, and charter flights to major European destinations during the summer. Another possible flight option is Dubrovnik Airport in Croatia, about 80 kilometers away from Budva. It is served by many major airlines, making it a good option for tourists coming by plane.
By bus, Budva is well-connected to other Montenegrin cities as well as major cities in neighboring countries. Budva can also be reached by car using the coastal road.
Make sure your hotel provides easy parking options if you're driving.
Some of the standard transportation options and hotel transfers include:
- Private Transfer from Budva to Podgorica Airport and city for $46 details
- Private Transfer from Petrovac to Tivat airport for $131 details
- Private transfer Tivat/Kotor/Budva-Podgorica for $149 details
How much does it cost to go to Budva? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Budva will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Typical prices for transit in Budva are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the overall transportation costs in Budva. Keep in mind that your individual costs will vary based on your method of transit, as hired cars such as taxis are generally much more expensive than public transportation.
Food Budget in Budva
Tasting the local cuisine is a key reason for travel, so be sure to sample the unique dishes offered in the area.
Calculated from travelers like you
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While restaurant and meal prices in Budva can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Budva is $63 (€53) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
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Food2
Meals for one day
$63
€53
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Budva is around $63 (€53) per person, with previous travelers spending from $25 to $154. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Budva are as follows:
- Breakfast: $6 to $19
- Lunch: $9 to $25
- Dinner: $19 to $44
- Coffee: $5
- Fast Food or Street Food: $9
Because of its proximity to the sea, Montenegro has plenty of fresh fish and seafood dishes with fresh catches like prawns, mussels, clams, shrimp, and octopus. These dishes are typically garnished with polenta, blitva (a kind of spinach), or broiled potatoes. Drying fish is also traditionally practiced along the coast. Another specialty of Montenegrin cuisine is a variety of soups: 'supa' for clear soup, '?orba' for a thick soup or stew, and 'kaša' for a porridge-style dish. For dessert, there is an assortment of local sweets, including pala?inke (a large pancake filled with jam, chocolate or cream), baklava with raisins and walnuts, krofne (doughnut filled with jam or chocolate), and a cream layered cake called krempita. Most sweets are served with coffee. Budva has a wide variety of places to eat from seafood and national cuisine like the dishes mentioned above to western food like pizza, barbeque, and other fast food. Dining options can be found just about anywhere, especially in the downtown, old town, and Slovenska Plaza.
A lot of hotels include breakfast in their price, but some may add it as an extra charge. The price and quality can differ from one hotel to the next. Being aware of this ahead of time can help you figure out if you'll need to shell out more money. The hotel buffet could be delicious, or you might opt for a more affordable treat at a nearby bakery or cafe.
Instead of buying drinks, bring a water bottle. It's also an environmentally friendly option.
Before embarking on a tour, ensure you know which meals are included. You might have to pay for some food yourself, and that can add to your travel expenses.
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Budva
Calculated from travelers like you
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Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Budva typically cost an average of $26 (€22) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
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Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$26
€22
Mostly known as a vacation resort, Budva's Mediterranean climate draws visitors to its beaches. There are many, mostly rocky beaches with some sand, but the most visited are Slovenska Plaza and Mogren Beach. Slovenska is the largest and most popular beach, often compared to Miami. It is soft and sandy, has a sidewalk nearby with cafes, bars, restaurants, and vendors selling cold drinks and snacks-but it does get very crowded, so arrive early to pick your spot for the day. Mogren is one of the more beautiful, natural beaches, which can be reached by a pedestrian boardwalk from old town. It has two beaches connected by a small tunnel, and surrounded by tall cliffs and greenery.
The town itself also has a few sights worth seeing. One of the most popular is a medieval fortress ruin known as the Citadel. From the Citadel's terrace are some of the best views of Budva. Other nearby points of interest include the historic Holy Trinity Church, Church of Saint Ivan, and the Church of Saint John, all of which have some combination of unique medieval architecture, icons, and artwork. For more history, visitors can also see archaeological findings at the Museum of the Town of Budva.
Many visitors come to relax by day on one of Budva's Mediterranean beaches, and party by night at the many bars and nightclubs. There is also something to be said for exploring Budva's charming old town and learning a little bit about its ancient and medieval history. Once you have experienced the culture of old town, diving and water sports such as kayaking, scuba, waterskiing, jet skiing are popular activities along the coast. For a unique day on the water head to Ulcinj (65 kilometers south of Budva), where one dive will take you along portions of a sunken ancient Roman city and shipwrecks from the 1700s.
A nice way to explore destinations in Budva is with local tours that last just a few hours. This way you can see as much as possible in an efficient way with knowledgable guides. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- Unique gastro experience with locals in high hills above Budva! For $173 details
- TASTE OF MONTENEGRO - Gastro Tour of Montenegrian Wine and food for $283 details
- 2-Hour «Night Lights» Kayak Tour for $54 details
Budva, Montenegro
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.