As a self-confessed city break addict; my happiness levels hugely depend on whether or not I have a holiday booked. And despite the weather in London finally deciding to (somewhat) cooperate; I still spend more time than I’d like to admit frantically trawling the internet for cheap flights whilst day-dreaming of sipping al-fresco pints in beautiful European cities.
Luckily for me (and my bank balance), we’ve discovered a city within fairly easy reach of London that might just be the most cheap and cheerful in the whole of Europe. We’re talking £2.50 pints, 50p public transport, cups of coffee that don’t require you to take out a small mortgage. Folks, it’s time for you to add Bucharest straight to the top of your must-visit list.
The Romanian capital if full of affordable things to do, see, eat and drink. Once hailed as the ‘Paris of the East’ the city is renowned for it’s beautiful Parisian architecture and Beaux-Arts buildings. Home to one of the largest buildings in the world (the Palace of the Parliament) and the biggest spa in Europe (Therme); Bucharest is one of Europe’s twinkling cultural gems. And it’s a complete and utter bargain to visit.
So, let’s get down to the numbers. What can you expect to spend on a trip to Bucharest? We’ll start with food and drink. According to cost of living database, Numbeo, visitors can enjoy a three-course meal in a mid-range restaurant for just over £20 per person. A meal for one at an inexpensive restaurant, however, averages at under £9. And a pint of local beer – on average – costs under £2.50. Yes, you read that correctly.
Bucharest is rather wallet-friendly on the travel front too. It’s a city that can definitely be explored on foot, but if you did want to experience the public transport, you can do so at a fraction of London’s prices. According to Numbeo, a one-way ticket on the local transport will set you back just over 50p, whilst taxis average out at around 52p per km – an impressively low price compared to London’s average of £1.92 per km.
Flight prices from London to Bucharest are – of course – dependent on what time of year you visit and how far in advance you book – but a quick rummage around Skyscanner can usually find you a return flight for less than £100 per person. There are also a plethora of budget-friendly hotels in the city, plenty of which are as cheap as £24 a night.
Bucharest is (understandably) starting to gain some social media fame for being such a bloomin’ bargain, so there’s every chance that the prices might start to creep up over the next few years. But for now, the gorgeous architecture, the delicious food and drink, the buzzing nightlife, and the fascinating history can all be enjoyed without breaking the bank.
So, I guess we know where I’ll be heading on my next adventure, hey?