Barcelona vs Bucharest vs Chiang Mai vs Hanoi vs Istanbul vs Medellin vs Seoul

Barcelona 🇪🇸
Remove
Bucharest 🇷🇴
Remove
Chiang Mai 🇹🇭
Remove
Hanoi 🇻🇳
Remove
Istanbul 🇹🇷
Remove
Medellin 🇨🇴
Remove
Seoul 🇰🇷
Remove
Population 5,585,556 1,830,000 1,166,978 8,053,663 15,520,000 2,427,000 9,963,452
Official language(s) Catalan, Spanish Romanian Thai Vietnamese Turkish Spanish Korean
Level of English High High Low Moderate Low Low Moderate
Main airport Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Nội Bài International Airport (HAN) Istanbul Airport (IST) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Most common months to visit April - June, September - November April - October November - April January, February, October - December April - June, September and October January - April, December March - May, September - November
Currency EUR - Euro (€) RON - Romanian Leu (L) THB - Thai Baht (฿) VND - Vietnamese Dong (₫) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) COP - Colombian Peso ($) KRW - South Korean won (₩)
Credit cards Accepted almost evewhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. Accepted in some places. Cash often preferred. Accepted in most places Accepted in some places Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa Yes No No No No No No
Average monthly costs $2384 $1351 $974 $1167 $659 $1293 $2184
Rent $932 $615 $274 $503 $354 $732 $797
Groceries $121 $114 $169 $151 $44 $87 $356
Dining out $403 $165 $108 $134 $81 $131 $211
Cafe $45 $38 $45 $39 $18 $18 $69
Coworking space $213 $133 $95 $72 $49 $96 $222
Mobile internet $10 $7 $11 $4 $3 $16 $40
Public transportation $127 $21 $60 $20 $6 $21 $40
Taxis $48 $9 $20 $13 $6 $14 $41
Shared bicycles and scooters $24 $25 $10 $0 $2 $0 $13
Sport and cultural events $81 $29 $8 $3 $11 $8 $39
Museums and sights $33 $29 $8 $4 $15 $9 $6
Nightlife $112 $45 $62 $89 $22 $73 $93
Gym $81 $30 $41 $57 $9 $15 $69
Yoga $93 $59 $55 $57 $23 $54 $112
Massage $59 $31 $10 $21 $15 $20 $75
SIM card options Vodafone, Movistar Vodafone, Orange AIS, DTAC Viettel, Mobifone Turkcell, Turk Telekom Claro, Tigo KT, SK Telecom, LG Uplus
Tipping 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere 5% - 10% at restaurants, 5% - 10% tip for services is appreciated but not expected, round up for taxis 10% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere Not required but appreciated, especially in taxis, restaurants and bars. Round up or add 10%. Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars Tip 10% in restaurants Not customary or expected
Taxi apps Cabify, FreeNow Star Taxi, Uber Grab Grab, GoViet BiTaksi EasyTaxi Uber, Kakao
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable
Overall cuisine 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. Wide range of meat and fish dishes, soups, salads and cheeses influenced by German, Hungarian, Turkish, Greek and Ukrainian cuisine. 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. 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 A blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, and meats Emphasis on rice, vegetables, spices and meats. Main dishes are coupled with diverse side dishes and desserts. Strong driking culture.
Local food specialities Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomáquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo Sarmale, mămăligă, mici, ciolan cu fasole, ciorbă de burtă, covrig, papanasi Khao soi, khan toke, sai oua, miang kham, nam prik, khanom jeen nam ngiaw, larb khua Pho, cha ca, Vietnamese coffee, pastries and breads Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa Kimchi, bulgogi, chap chae, mandu, sam gae tang, bossam
Eat like a local Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots Set lunch menus, cafe terraces, cofeterias Street food stalls, local markets, bakeries and smaller, traditional restaurants that serve fresh food Noodle Houses, Bakeries, Coffee and Tea Houses, street food Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food Smaller, local eateries (sikdang), street stalls and local markets
Vegetarian / vegan options 98 options on HappyCow 33 listings on Happy Cow 90 options on HappyCow 104 listings on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 153 listings on Happy Cow 57 options on Happy Cow