Austin vs Bangkok vs Hanoi vs Istanbul vs Mexico City vs Prague

Austin 🇺🇸
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Bangkok 🇹🇭
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Hanoi 🇻🇳
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Prague 🇨🇿
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Population 926,426 5,680,000 8,053,663 15,520,000 8,850,000 1,305,737
Official language(s) English (de facto) Thai Vietnamese Turkish Spanish Czech
Level of English Very high Low Moderate Low Moderate High
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) Nội Bài International Airport (HAN) Istanbul Airport (IST) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November January - March, November, December January, February, October - December April - June, September and October March - May, October, November June - October
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) THB - Thai Baht (฿) VND - Vietnamese Dong (₫) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) CZK - Czech Koruna (Kč)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in some places. Cash often preferred. Accepted in most places Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted most places (some places are cash only)
Remote worker visa No No No No Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $1560 $1167 $659 $1867 $1806
Rent $1650 $616 $503 $354 $778 $780
Groceries $243 $191 $151 $44 $281 $158
Dining out $396 $168 $134 $81 $182 $240
Cafe $66 $45 $39 $18 $49 $53
Coworking space $331 $127 $72 $49 $159 $175
Mobile internet $40 $23 $4 $3 $25 $24
Public transportation $110 $32 $20 $6 $11 $61
Taxis $73 $19 $13 $6 $9 $33
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $17 $0 $2 $24 $19
Sport and cultural events $54 $46 $3 $11 $81 $19
Museums and sights $11 $21 $4 $15 $20 $35
Nightlife $124 $50 $89 $22 $64 $50
Gym $62 $96 $57 $9 $69 $56
Yoga $139 $98 $57 $23 $65 $66
Massage $89 $11 $21 $15 $51 $37
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. AIS Viettel, Mobifone Turkcell, Turk Telekom Telcel, Movistar Vodafone, T-Mobile
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars 10% for restaurants, bars and services Not required but appreciated, especially in taxis, restaurants and bars. Round up or add 10%. Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10% at restaurants and bars, round up elsewhere
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Grab Grab, GoViet BiTaksi Uber Uber, Liftago
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable 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 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. A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese 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!
Local food specialities Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos Pad thai, tom yam, kway teow reua, som tum, sooan Pho, cha ca, Vietnamese coffee, pastries and breads Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Vepřo knedlo zelo, Česnečka, Guláš, Svíčková na smetaně, Ovocné Knedlíky.
Eat like a local Local tex-mex restaurants, lunch BBQ joints, taquerias, food trucks, local breweries Food stalls, local markets, shophouse restaurants Noodle Houses, Bakeries, Coffee and Tea Houses, street food Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) Pubs and taverns, street food stalls, local cafés
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 416 listings on Happy Cow 104 listings on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 112 options on HappyCow