Austin vs Bangkok vs Barcelona vs Chiang Mai vs Madrid vs Prague vs Sofia

Austin 🇺🇸
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Bangkok 🇹🇭
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Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Chiang Mai 🇹🇭
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Prague 🇨🇿
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Population 926,426 5,680,000 5,585,556 1,166,978 6,578,0179 1,305,737 1,270,169
Official language(s) English (de facto) Thai Catalan, Spanish Thai Spanish Czech Bulgarian
Level of English Very high Low High Low Moderate High High
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) Sofia International Airport (SOF)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November January - March, November, December April - June, September - November November - April March - May, September - November June - October April-June, September-October
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) THB - Thai Baht (฿) EUR - Euro (€) THB - Thai Baht (฿) EUR - Euro (€) CZK - Czech Koruna (Kč) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost evewhere Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. Accepted everywhere Accepted most places (some places are cash only) Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No Yes No Yes Yes No
Average monthly costs $3484 $1560 $2384 $974 $2498 $1806 $1289
Rent $1650 $616 $932 $274 $1174 $780 $567
Groceries $243 $191 $121 $169 $175 $158 $10
Dining out $396 $168 $403 $108 $313 $240 $227
Cafe $66 $45 $45 $45 $51 $53 $27
Coworking space $331 $127 $213 $95 $196 $175 $140
Mobile internet $40 $23 $10 $11 $10 $24 $10
Public transportation $110 $32 $127 $60 $78 $61 $30
Taxis $73 $19 $48 $20 $44 $33 $12
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $17 $24 $10 $49 $19 $40
Sport and cultural events $54 $46 $81 $8 $54 $19 $18
Museums and sights $11 $21 $33 $8 $20 $35 $12
Nightlife $124 $50 $112 $62 $82 $50 $82
Gym $62 $96 $81 $41 $44 $56 $23
Yoga $139 $98 $93 $55 $142 $66 $62
Massage $89 $11 $59 $10 $64 $37 $29
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. AIS Vodafone, Movistar AIS, DTAC Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Vodafone, T-Mobile A1, Telenor, Vivacom
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 10% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. 10% at restaurants and bars, round up elsewhere 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Grab Cabify, FreeNow Grab Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now Uber, Liftago TaxiMe, TaxiStars
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable 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. Combines salty, sweet, spicy and sour flavors to create bold and colorful dishes. Meals typically include a mixture of meat and seafood dishes, as well as noodles or soups recipes. Strong emphasis on local spices and vegetables. Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. Thick soups are often combined with stewed vegetables and baked meats to produce rich dishes. Gravies and creams are popular in Czech cuisine, as is beer! Vegetables and mild spices are often mixed with dairy products to create rich chicken and pork products. Seafood dishes also popular in some regions of the country, making them popular in the capital.
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 Khao soi, khan toke, sai oua, miang kham, nam prik, khanom jeen nam ngiaw, larb khua Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros Vepřo knedlo zelo, Česnečka, Guláš, Svíčková na smetaně, Ovocné Knedlíky. Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator
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 Street food stalls, local markets, bakeries and smaller, traditional restaurants that serve fresh 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! Pubs and taverns, street food stalls, local cafés Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas.
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 416 listings on Happy Cow 98 options on HappyCow 90 options on HappyCow 85 listings on Happy Cow 112 options on HappyCow 20 options on HappyCow