Austin vs Bangkok vs Barcelona vs Berlin vs Budapest vs Buenos Aires vs Hanoi vs Madrid vs Playa del Carmen

Austin 🇺🇸
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Bangkok 🇹🇭
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Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Berlin 🇩🇪
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Budapest 🇭🇺
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Buenos Aires 🇦🇷
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Hanoi 🇻🇳
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Population 926,426 5,680,000 5,585,556 3,400,000 1,768,073 2,900,000 8,053,663 6,578,0179 259,453
Official language(s) English (de facto) Thai Catalan, Spanish German Hungarian Spanish Vietnamese Spanish Spanish
Level of English Very high Low High Very high High High Moderate Moderate Moderate
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Berlin Tegel (TXL) Budapest Ferihegy International Airport (BUD) Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) Nội Bài International Airport (HAN) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Cancun International Airport (CUN)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November January - March, November, December April - June, September - November May - September March - June, September - November September - December January, February, October - December March - May, September - November January - May, October - December
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) THB - Thai Baht (฿) EUR - Euro (€) EUR - Euro (€) HUF - Hungarian Forint (Ft) ARS - Argentine Peso ($) VND - Vietnamese Dong (₫) EUR - Euro (€) MXN - Mexican Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost evewhere Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted almost everywhere, cash needed for small shops Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) Accepted in some places. Cash often preferred. Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No No Yes Yes No No No Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $1560 $2384 $2200 $1230 $1321 $1167 $2498 $2143
Rent $1650 $616 $932 $939 $499 $844 $503 $1174 $923
Groceries $243 $191 $121 $188 $108 $98 $151 $175 $127
Dining out $396 $168 $403 $271 $202 $121 $134 $313 $207
Cafe $66 $45 $45 $57 $29 $25 $39 $51 $42
Coworking space $331 $127 $213 $174 $120 $95 $72 $196 $160
Mobile internet $40 $23 $10 $23 $9 $11 $4 $10 $21
Public transportation $110 $32 $127 $88 $36 $9 $20 $78 $17
Taxis $73 $19 $48 $58 $27 $9 $13 $44 $9
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $17 $24 $17 $13 $14 $0 $49 $49
Sport and cultural events $54 $46 $81 $64 $24 $24 $3 $54 $97
Museums and sights $11 $21 $33 $37 $7 $4 $4 $20 $217
Nightlife $124 $50 $112 $63 $43 $23 $89 $82 $77
Gym $62 $96 $81 $66 $37 $14 $57 $44 $42
Yoga $139 $98 $93 $99 $48 $19 $57 $142 $54
Massage $89 $11 $59 $56 $26 $10 $21 $64 $101
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. AIS Vodafone, Movistar Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Vodafone, Telenor Movistar, Claro, Personal Viettel, Mobifone Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Telcel, Movistar
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars 10% for restaurants, bars and services 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere Round up for restaurants, not common for bars and services 10 - 15% at restaurants and bars 10% at restaurants and cafés is common, not common at bars Not required but appreciated, especially in taxis, restaurants and bars. Round up or add 10%. Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. 10-15% for restaurants
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Grab Cabify, FreeNow Mytaxi, Uber Bolt, Fotaxi Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) Grab, GoViet Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now N/A
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable
Overall cuisine Emphasis on barbecued meats (beef and pork) as well as corn-based dishes and tex-mex, and rich American-style desserts. Meat and fish dishes, vegetables, noodles and soup Catalan cuisine makes extensive use of Mediterranean vegetables, legumes mixed with pork in its many varieties, chicken and fish. Regularly mixes sweet and savory flavors in specific dishes. This cuisine is known for being bold in flavor and striking in color, with a variety of specific regional dishes found the culinary hub that is Barcelona. Heavy and hearty meals with plenty of meat, potatoes and bread Magyar cuisine makes extensive use of creams, cheeses and sauces primarily in beef, chicken and pork dishes, mixed with seasonal vegetables, fruits and rich desserts. Argentinian style with an emphasis on red meats, pastries, and Italian-inspired options A mix of French, Southeast Asian and Chinese with lots of fresh herbs and spices. Northern Vietnam cuisine includes a lot of fish and noodles. Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices
Local food specialities Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos Pad thai, tom yam, kway teow reua, som tum, sooan Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomáquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo Currywurst, spätzle, königsberger klopse, schnitzel, eisbein, doner kebab, pretzels Goulash, Fisherman's soup, Főzelék, Somloi Galuska, Pörkölt and Paprikás, Kürtös Kalács, Hungarian Lecsó, Lángos Asado, empanadas (Argentinian style), locro, milanesa napolitana, facturas and alfajores Pho, cha ca, Vietnamese coffee, pastries and breads Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole
Eat like a local Local tex-mex restaurants, lunch BBQ joints, taquerias, food trucks, local breweries Food stalls, local markets, shophouse restaurants Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots Brew pubs, cafes, bars, deli shops Local markets, cafés, taverns, street food, traditional restaurants Local restaurants serving asados grill-to-dish (Parrillas), markets (San Telmo, Recoleta) and local cafés for maté and facturas Noodle Houses, Bakeries, Coffee and Tea Houses, street food Have some tapas and sangria at a tasca and paella at an authentic eatery. Keep an eye on the time and visit a cafeteria for a mid-afternoon merienda and some churros! Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 416 listings on Happy Cow 98 options on HappyCow 844 listings on Happy Cow 47 options on HappyCow 79 options on Happy Cow 104 listings on Happy Cow 85 listings on Happy Cow 72 listings on Happy Cow