A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bodrum vs. Budva for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Bodrum or Budva?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Bodrum and Budva can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Bodrum or Budva?

Bodrum

Bodrum is a city on the Bodrum Peninsula, stretching from Turkey's southwest coast into the Aegean Sea. The city features twin bays with views of Bodrum Castle. This medieval fortress was built partly with stones from the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, completed in the 4th century B.C. The city is also a gateway for nearby beach towns and resorts. Although more than a million tourists flock to its beaches, boutique hotels, trendy restaurants, and clubs each summer, the town of Bodrum (ancient Halicarnassus) never seems to lose its cool. More than any other Turkish seaside getaway, it has an enigmatic elegance that pervades it. The evocative castle and the ancient ruins around town also help keep Bodrum a discerning step above the rest.

Budva

A coastal resort in Montenegro, Budva is probably the country's most popular tourist destination. Not only does it host a number of great beaches, but it is also home to a picturesque old town center located on a small peninsula. Some of its best features include narrow winding lanes, historic buildings, churches, and small squares.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Anzac Day Tours in Turkey, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Turkey, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Montenegro, and The Best Adventure Tours to Montenegro.


Which place is cheaper, Budva or Bodrum?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Bodrum is $86, while the average daily cost in Budva is $133. 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 Bodrum and Budva in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bodrum $38
    Budva $43
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bodrum $76
    Budva $86
Compare Hotels in Bodrum and Budva

Looking for a hotel in Bodrum or Budva? 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.

Hotels in Bodrum


Hotels in Budva


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: Bodrum Hotel Prices and Budva Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bodrum $19
    Budva $24

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bodrum

Also for Bodrum, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Airport Transfer: Bodrum to Bodrum Airport BJV by Business Car: $73
  • Arrival Transfer: Bodrum Airport BJV to Bodrum by Car/Van: $78
  • Authentic Turkish Hamam and Spa Unforgettable Ritual WithTransfer: $24
  • Bodrum Adventures Buggy Safari Tour with Roundtrip Transfer: $72
  • Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers to Bitez Hotels: $86
  • Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers to Didim (Altinkum) Hotels: $149
  • Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers to Guvercinlik Hotels: $83
  • Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers to Kadikalesi Hotels: $125
  • Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers to Marmaris Hotels: $214
  • Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers to Mugla City Center Hotels: $190
  • Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers to Torba Hotels: $83
  • Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers to Turgutreis Hotels: $109

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Budva

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Budva are as follows:


  • Daily Car Rental
    $76

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Budva

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Budva:

  • Private Transfer from Bar to Tivat Airport (TIV): $168
  • Private transfer Tivat/Kotor/Budva-Podgorica: $149
  • Private Transfer from Petrovac to Tivat airport: $131
  • Kotor to Budva one way transfer: $111
  • Private Transfer from Petrovac to Tivat Airport (TIV): $111
  • Tivat to Budva private one way transfer: $107
  • AIRPORT TRANSFER Montenegro Budva Tivat Podgorica Kotor Perast: $68
  • Private Transfer from Budva to Podgorica Airport and city: $46

Is it cheaper to fly into Bodrum or Budva?

Prices for flights to both Budva and Bodrum 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Bodrum $33
    Budva $63

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bodrum

For Bodrum, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Cooking Class in Authentic Etrim Village: $59
  • Turkish Cooking Class in a Local Home: $70
  • Market Visit and Cooking Class: $152
  • Private Sunset Boat Tour in Bodrum With Dinner: $201
  • Food and Wine pairing Dinner at Karnas Vineyards Bodrum: $208
  • 3-Hour Private Sunset Boat Tour With Dinner in Bodrum: $242
  • Private Sunset Boat Tour with Optional Dinner: $388
  • From Private Sunset Boat Tour with Dinner & Swimming: $410
  • Private Sunset Yacht Tour with light Dinner: $528

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bodrum $25
    Budva $26

Tours and Activities in Bodrum

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Bodrum.

  • Turkish Bath Hamam Spa Experience: $18
  • Bodrum Boat Tour with Lunch: Beaches and Islands: $28
  • Orak Island Boat Tour with Swim Stops and Lunch: $29
  • Karaada Boat Cruise with Lunch: $29
  • Boat Tour to Orak Island: $33
  • Bodrum Orak Island Boat Cruise with Lunch and Swimming: $33
  • Pirate Boat Adventure Sail Swim and Party in Bodrum: $33
  • Cleopatra Island Tour with Lunch and Swimming Stops: $34
  • Traditional Turkish Hammam Experience: $35
  • Bodrum Cleopatra & Orak Island Mix Tour by Boat: $36
  • Bodrum Aquarium Bay Tour with Lunch & Swimming Stops: $37
  • Bodrum Aquarium Bay Boat Tour with Swimming Stops: $38

Tours and Activities in Budva

Here are a few actual costs in Budva for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Private Swimming and Boat Tour Trsteno Beach Budva: $179
  • 1-Hour Guided Lipa Cave Adventure in Montenegro: $19
  • Adrenaline Speedboat Tours through the Bay of Kotor: $118
  • Boka Bay: Kotor, Cave, Herceg Novi, & Lady of the Rocks Tour: $69
  • Budva 1 hour Private walking tour: $85
  • Budva Bay: Boat Tour with Snorkeling and Sightseeing: $76
  • Budva Bay: Kayak & SUP Tour to Coastal Caves: $54
  • Budva Diving - Scuba Diving Experience: $74
  • Budva old town private tour: $236
  • 2-Hour «Night Lights» Kayak Tour: $54
  • 3-Hour Paddle Board or Kayak Tour to Coastal Caves: $53
  • City Private Tour: $138

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bodrum $11
    Budva $17


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bodrum and Budva, we can see that Budva is more expensive. And not only is Bodrum much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bodrum would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bodrum 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 Budva would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Budva than you might in Bodrum.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bodrum Expensive? and Is Budva Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Bodrum or Budva?

Bodrum has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Budva. When comparing the sizes of Bodrum and Budva, 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.