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

Should you visit Mostar or Budva?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Mostar and Budva can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Mostar or Budva?

Mostar

Mostar has historically been a culturally and ethnically diverse city. It was heavily bombed during the country's civil war and many of the city's most important buildings and structures were destroyed. Most significantly, the city's Old Bridge, Stari Most, was destoryed. The bridge was rebuilt through an international effort just eleven years after the war. It was completed in 2004 and included pieces of the original bridge. Today, much of the city has been rebuilt and the city is a beautiful and impressive travel destination. The old town still has much of its original charm and it is a great place to explore.

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 Budget Tours to Bosnia and Herzegowina, The Best Luxury Tours to Bosnia and Herzegowina, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Montenegro, and The Best Adventure Tours to Montenegro.


Which place is cheaper, Budva or Mostar?

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 Mostar is $97, 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 Mostar and Budva in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mostar $40
    Budva $43
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mostar $80
    Budva $86
Compare Hotels in Mostar and Budva

Looking for a hotel in Mostar 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 Mostar


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: Mostar Hotel Prices and Budva Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Mostar $9.52
    Budva $24
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Mostar

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Mostar:


  • Taxi To & From Blagaj (hiking)
    $24

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mostar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mostar:

  • Airport transfer: Capljina - Mostar - Tuzla - Mostar - Capljina: $59
  • Dubrovnik to Mostar Direct Transfer: $351
  • Dubrovnik to Mostar Transfer with Kravice, Blagaj, Pocitelj: $211
  • Private Transfer from Jablanica to Mostar Airport (OMO): $148
  • Private Transfer from Mostar Airport (OMO) to Grude: $206
  • Private Transfer from Mostar Airport (OMO) to Konjic: $282
  • Private Transfer from Mostar Airport (OMO) to Medugorje: $118
  • Private Transfer from Mostar Airport (OMO) to Metkovic: $148
  • Private Transfer from Mostar Airport (OMO) to Siroki brijeg: $149
  • Private Transfer from Mostar Airport (OMO) to Tomislav grad: $248
  • Private Transfer from Mostar to Split, Hotel-to-hotel, English-speaking driver: $179
  • Private transfer Dubrovnik and Mostar: $226

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Mostar or Budva?

Prices for flights to both Budva and Mostar 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
    Mostar $49
    Budva $63
Typical Food Prices in Mostar

Some typical examples of dining costs in Mostar are as follows:


  • A Casual Dinner Out (for 2)
    $17

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mostar

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Mostar.

  • Medieval 3 course Dinner with Drinks: $34
  • Traditional Bosnian Cooking Class in Mostar: $76
  • Traditional Bosnian Cooking Class in Mostar with Lunch and Drinks: $77
  • Traditional Bosnian Cooking Class in a Medieval Restaurant: $88
  • Cooking Class of Mostar: $179
  • Sarajevo Old Town Tour With Traditional Bosnian Cooking Class: $262

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Mostar $10
    Budva $26

Tours and Activities in Mostar

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Mostar are as follows:

  • Mostar city Tour: $23
  • War Photo Exhibition Tour in Mostar: $25
  • Mostar Street Art & Graffiti Tour : $30
  • Pocitelj City Tour: $30
  • City Tour: Mostar Medival Town: $31
  • Mostar Street Art & Graffiti Tour: $35
  • Drežnica Canyoning Adventure Tour in Mostar: $38
  • Mostar thru history -private tour: $40
  • The Death of Yugoslavia: Unique thematic Tour in Mostar: $41
  • Neretva City Rafting Tour: $41
  • Mostar Private Walking Tour: $45
  • Safari kayak adventure w BBQ & Beer: $46

Tours and Activities in Budva

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

  • 1-Hour Guided Lipa Cave Adventure in Montenegro: $19
  • Tour Cetinje, Lovćen & Mausoleum: $24
  • Kayak & Hike Experience on Sveti Nikola Island: $53
  • 3-Hour Paddle Board or Kayak Tour to Coastal Caves: $53
  • Night Lights Kayaking Tour: $53
  • Budva Bay: Kayak & SUP Tour to Coastal Caves: $54
  • 2-Hour «Night Lights» Kayak Tour: $54
  • Small group kayaking tour from Budva to Sveti Nikola island caves: $60
  • Boka Bay: Kotor, Cave, Herceg Novi, & Lady of the Rocks Tour: $69
  • Full-Day Boka Bay Cruise Tour from Budva with Guide: $70
  • Great tour of coastal monasteries in Budva - Walking on the path of history!: $72
  • Budva Diving - Scuba Diving Experience: $74

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mostar $4.08
    Budva $17
Typical Alcohol Prices in Mostar

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Mostar:


  • A Few Drinks (for 2)
    $7.21

Sample the Local Flavors in Mostar

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Mostar:

  • Afternoon Guided Tour and Wine Tasting: $18
  • Wine Tasting: $18
  • Mostar Sunset Walking Tour with Wine Tasting: $18
  • Grand City Tour with Old Bridge Wine Tasting and Hub of Fine Arts: $83
  • Wine Tour & Tasting (Herzegovina): $119
  • One Day Mostar Wine Tasting Tour: $220


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mostar and Budva, we can see that Budva is more expensive. And not only is Mostar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mostar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mostar 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 Mostar.

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


Which is Bigger, Mostar or Budva?

Mostar has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Budva. When comparing the sizes of Mostar 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.