Bangkok vs Budapest vs Cape Town vs Hanoi vs Madrid vs New York City vs Playa del Carmen vs Sofia

Bangkok 🇹🇭
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Budapest 🇭🇺
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Hanoi 🇻🇳
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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New York City 🇺🇸
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Population 5,680,000 1,768,073 4,617,560 8,053,663 6,578,0179 8,323,340 259,453 1,270,169
Official language(s) Thai Hungarian Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Vietnamese Spanish English (de facto) Spanish Bulgarian
Level of English Low High Very high Moderate Moderate Very high Moderate High
Main airport Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) Budapest Ferihegy International Airport (BUD) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Nội Bài International Airport (HAN) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Sofia International Airport (SOF)
Most common months to visit January - March, November, December March - June, September - November March - May, September - November January, February, October - December March - May, September - November April - June, September - November January - May, October - December April-June, September-October
Currency THB - Thai Baht (฿) HUF - Hungarian Forint (Ft) ZAR - South African Rand (R) VND - Vietnamese Dong (₫) EUR - Euro (€) USD - US Dollar ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere, cash needed for small shops Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted in some places. Cash often preferred. Accepted everywhere Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No No Yes No Yes No
Average monthly costs $1560 $1230 $1549 $1167 $2498 $5431 $2143 $1289
Rent $616 $499 $618 $503 $1174 $2891 $923 $567
Groceries $191 $108 $129 $151 $175 $383 $127 $10
Dining out $168 $202 $269 $134 $313 $656 $207 $227
Cafe $45 $29 $32 $39 $51 $72 $42 $27
Coworking space $127 $120 $151 $72 $196 $326 $160 $140
Mobile internet $23 $9 $27 $4 $10 $45 $21 $10
Public transportation $32 $36 $55 $20 $78 $220 $17 $30
Taxis $19 $27 $21 $13 $44 $78 $9 $12
Shared bicycles and scooters $17 $13 $49 $0 $49 $30 $49 $40
Sport and cultural events $46 $24 $19 $3 $54 $100 $97 $18
Museums and sights $21 $7 $15 $4 $20 $74 $217 $12
Nightlife $50 $43 $43 $89 $82 $195 $77 $82
Gym $96 $37 $36 $57 $44 $55 $42 $23
Yoga $98 $48 $56 $57 $142 $197 $54 $62
Massage $11 $26 $30 $21 $64 $109 $101 $29
SIM card options AIS Vodafone, Telenor MTN, Vodacom Viettel, Mobifone Orange, Movistar, Vodafone AT&T, Verizon Telcel, Movistar A1, Telenor, Vivacom
Tipping 10% for restaurants, bars and services 10 - 15% at restaurants and bars 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere Not required but appreciated, especially in taxis, restaurants and bars. Round up or add 10%. Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. 15-20% at restaurants, 1 USD per drink at bars 10-15% for restaurants 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés
Taxi apps Grab Bolt, Fotaxi Uber, Bolt Grab, GoViet Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now Uber, Lyft N/A TaxiMe, TaxiStars
Tap water Not drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable
Overall cuisine Meat and fish dishes, vegetables, noodles and soup 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. South African cuisine has been shaped by a long history of Dutch, Malay, British and Indian settlements, making the food diverse and strong in flavor. There is a strong emphasis on game in all of its different forms, as well as spicy sauces and sautéed vegetables and dry-cured meats. Creamy desserts and liqueurs compliment large and flavorful meals. 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. American. Emphasis on comfort and fast food, with some good seafood dishes. Influence from other regions of the US, North America and the world make NYC a cosmopolitan and international cuisine hub that is incredibly diverse. Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices 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 Pad thai, tom yam, kway teow reua, som tum, sooan Goulash, Fisherman's soup, Főzelék, Somloi Galuska, Pörkölt and Paprikás, Kürtös Kalács, Hungarian Lecsó, Lángos Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Pho, cha ca, Vietnamese coffee, pastries and breads Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros Pizza, clam chowder, bagels, corned beef, pastrami, cheesecake, hot dogs, and hundred of other international food options. Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator
Eat like a local Food stalls, local markets, shophouse restaurants Local markets, cafés, taverns, street food, traditional restaurants Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets 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! Delis, local pizza shops, street food stalls and food trucks, food markets, local bakeries and smaller, authentic international cuisine restaurants Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas.
Vegetarian / vegan options 416 listings on Happy Cow 47 options on HappyCow 24 options on HappyCow 104 listings on Happy Cow 85 listings on Happy Cow 309 options on HappyCow 72 listings on Happy Cow 20 options on HappyCow