Which place is cheaper, Bucharest or Ankara?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Ankara or Bucharest?
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 Ankara and Bucharest. 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: Ankara or Bucharest?
Ankara
Located at the heart of Turkey near Central Anatolia, Ankara is the capital city and second largest city in the country after Istanbul. Formerly known for its long-haired goats and textiles, the city has since developed into a metropolitan mix of modern cultures with historic landmarks.
Bucharest
Bucharest is the capital and largest city in the country of Romania. With about 2 million residents living in the city and about 2.4 million in the surrounding urban area, it is also one of the largest cities in Southeastern Europe. As such, it is the economic, industrial and commercial center for the country. As a visitor, you will likely enter Romania by arriving in Bucharest. The city continues to grow and change, and there are ongoing infrastructure projects that continue to modernize the city. It is not uncommon to find historic churches on the same block as modern office buildings and Communist style apartment buildings. There are also many sights around town and the city continues to grow as a trendy and fascinating city.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Turkey, The Best Tours for Seniors to Turkey, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bucharest, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Romania.
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Ankara Prices
Turkey PricesBucharest Prices
Romania Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAnkara $110Bucharest $194
The average daily cost (per person) in Ankara is $110, while the average daily cost in Bucharest is $194. 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 Ankara and Bucharest in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAnkara $45Bucharest $68
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAnkara $90Bucharest $136
Compare Hotels in Ankara and Bucharest
Looking for a hotel in Ankara or Bucharest? 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: Ankara Hotel Prices and Bucharest Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ankara $29Bucharest $28
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ankara
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Ankara:
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Metro Ride$0.03
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Short Taxi Ride$0.12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ankara
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ankara:
- Ankara Airport & Hotel Transfers : $48
- Ankara City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels to Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers: $114
- Ankara Esenboga Airport to City Hotels Transfer: $46
- Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers to Ankara City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels: $114
- Ankara Esenboğa Airport From/To City Center Private Transfer: $50
- Ankara Private Transfer from central Ankara hotels to Ankara Airport (ESB): $54
- Private Airport Transfer From/To Ankara Airport to Cankaya Hotels: $42
- Private Transfer Ankara Esenboga Airport ESB to Keçiören Ankara: $40
- Private Transfer from Ankara Esenboga Airport (ESB) to Central Ankara: $54
- Private Transfers Ankara City or Esenboga Airport to/from Beypazari Town: $185
- Private Transfers Ankara City or Esenboga Airport to/from Gordion Ancient City: $185
- Private Transfers Ankara City or Esenboga Airport to/from Kizilcahamam Town: $185
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bucharest
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bucharest:
- Bucharest Private Transfer Service for Individuals/Small Groups: $35
- Airport Henri Coanda (Otopeni) to Bucharest - Private Transfer - Driver: $48
- Airport Transfer -One way Bucharest Otopeni Henri Coandă Airport : $27
- Airport Transfer: Bucharest to Airport OTP by Luxury Car: $112
- Airport Transfer: Bucharest to Airport OTP by Luxury Van: $72
- Airport to Bucharest - Private Transfer from Henri Coanda Airport OTP Otopeni : $48
- Airport transfer Otopeni to Bucharest : $63
- Arrival Transfer: Airport OTP to Bucharest by Business Car: $58
- Arrival Transfer: Airport OTP to Bucharest by Luxury Van: $72
- Arrival Transfer: Bucharest Airport OTP to Brasov by Luxury Van: $178
- Bucharest Airport OTP Private Transfer to Bucharest Center: $35
- Bucharest Airport Transfer – Private Mercedes V Class: $78
Is it cheaper to fly into Ankara or Bucharest?
Prices for flights to both Bucharest and Ankara 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 dayAnkara $44Bucharest $108
Typical Food Prices in Ankara
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Ankara:
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A Quick Lunch$0.28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ankara
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ankara.
- Turkish Cuisine Cooking Class at Local Home with Family: $49
- Baklava Cooking Class: $61
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bucharest
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bucharest.
- Dinner at the Museum of Communism & tour after closing: $58
- Eat Like a Local: Food Tour in Bucharest Obor Market: $89
- Unhealthy Food Tour of Bucharest – 4 hours: $94
- Bucharest Historical Food Tour in Old Center: $107
- Bucharest Evening Tour and Traditional Dinner - 3 hours: $118
- Discover Private Highlights and Traditional Food Tour: $137
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ankara $27Bucharest $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Ankara
Here are a few typical costs in Ankara for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Underground City$0.19
Tours and Activities in Ankara
Here are a few actual costs in Ankara for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Private Guided Walking Tour: $35
- Ankara : Private Walking Tour With A Guide ( Private Tour ) : $36
- Private Walking Tour with a Local: $41
- Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $66
- 6-Hour Private Tour with Guide, Car, and Lunch: $175
- Private Ankara Sightseeing Tour: $235
- Ankara Private Walking Tour with a Professional Guide: $239
- Half Day Private Tour in Ankara: $249
- Private Ankara City Tours by an Archaeologist Tour Guide : $280
- Full Day Cappadocia Private Tour: $300
Tours and Activities in Bucharest
Here are a few actual costs in Bucharest for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Bucharest 1989 Revolution GPS App Walking Tour Mobile Game: $6.91
- Bucharest Beyond the Boulevards: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Interbelic Bucharest GPS App Walking Tour Mobile Game: $8.32
- Bucharest Self Guided Audio Experience: $9.00
- Jewish Bucharest GPS App Walking Tour Mobile Game: $9.53
- Alternative Bucharest Walking Tour: $12
- Bucharest Essential Tour: Old Town, Calea Victoriei & Communism: $16
- Bucharest Old Centre Tour: $17
- Bucharest Highlights Walking Tour: $21
- Walking Tour- Delightful Bucharest (Highlights, Stories, Sights): $23
- Dracula's Castle, Brasov and Peles Full-Day Tour from Bucharest: $23
- Walking tour of Bucharest: $24
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAnkara $12Bucharest $9.92
Sample the Local Flavors in Bucharest
Also in Bucharest, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Private Bucharest Pub Crawl: $36
- Bar Crawling: $48
- Wine Tasting in Bucharest: $59
- Bucharest Private Old Town Pub and Bar Crawl with Guide: $62
- Wine Tasting in Bucharest long version: $69
- Private Wine Tasting at Bucharest's First Wine Bar: $106
- Romanian Wine Tasting: $106
- PREMIUM TOUR small group: Salt Mine Exploration and Wine Tasting : $113
- PREMIUM TOUR small group: Salt Mine in Prahova and Wine Tasting: $113
- PREMIUM TOUR small group: Wine Tasting and Salt Mine experience: $113
- Sip & Stroll: Wine Tasting and History Private Tour of Bucharest: $125
- Vineyards and wine tasting experience: $139
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ankara and Bucharest, we can see that Bucharest is more expensive. And not only is Ankara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ankara would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ankara 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 Bucharest would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bucharest than you might in Ankara.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ankara Expensive? and Is Bucharest Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ankara or Bucharest?
Ankara has a larger population, and is about 87% larger than the population of Bucharest. When comparing the sizes of Ankara and Bucharest, 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.
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.