Austin vs Istanbul vs Madrid vs Playa del Carmen vs Prague

Austin 🇺🇸
Remove
Istanbul 🇹🇷
Remove
Madrid 🇪🇸
Remove
Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
Remove
Prague 🇨🇿
Remove
Population 926,426 15,520,000 6,578,0179 259,453 1,305,737
Official language(s) English (de facto) Turkish Spanish Spanish Czech
Level of English Very high Low Moderate Moderate High
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Istanbul Airport (IST) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November April - June, September and October March - May, September - November January - May, October - December June - October
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) EUR - Euro (€) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) CZK - Czech Koruna (Kč)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in most places Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted most places (some places are cash only)
Remote worker visa No No Yes Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $659 $2498 $2143 $1806
Rent $1650 $354 $1174 $923 $780
Groceries $243 $44 $175 $127 $158
Dining out $396 $81 $313 $207 $240
Cafe $66 $18 $51 $42 $53
Coworking space $331 $49 $196 $160 $175
Mobile internet $40 $3 $10 $21 $24
Public transportation $110 $6 $78 $17 $61
Taxis $73 $6 $44 $9 $33
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $2 $49 $49 $19
Sport and cultural events $54 $11 $54 $97 $19
Museums and sights $11 $15 $20 $217 $35
Nightlife $124 $22 $82 $77 $50
Gym $62 $9 $44 $42 $56
Yoga $139 $23 $142 $54 $66
Massage $89 $15 $64 $101 $37
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Turkcell, Turk Telekom Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Telcel, Movistar Vodafone, T-Mobile
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. 10-15% for restaurants 10% at restaurants and bars, round up elsewhere
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft BiTaksi Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now N/A Uber, Liftago
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable 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. A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish 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 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 Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole 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 Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee 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 Pubs and taverns, street food stalls, local cafés
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 85 listings on Happy Cow 72 listings on Happy Cow 112 options on HappyCow