Berlin vs Budapest vs Istanbul vs Madrid vs Mexico City

Berlin 🇩🇪
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Budapest 🇭🇺
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Population 3,400,000 1,768,073 15,520,000 6,578,0179 8,850,000
Official language(s) German Hungarian Turkish Spanish Spanish
Level of English Very high High Low Moderate Moderate
Main airport Berlin Tegel (TXL) Budapest Ferihegy International Airport (BUD) Istanbul Airport (IST) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Mexico City International Airport (MEX)
Most common months to visit May - September March - June, September - November April - June, September and October March - May, September - November March - May, October, November
Currency EUR - Euro (€) HUF - Hungarian Forint (Ft) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) EUR - Euro (€) MXN - Mexican Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted almost everywhere, cash needed for small shops Accepted in most places Accepted everywhere Widely accepted (less with AMEX)
Remote worker visa Yes No No Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $2200 $1230 $659 $2498 $1867
Rent $939 $499 $354 $1174 $778
Groceries $188 $108 $44 $175 $281
Dining out $271 $202 $81 $313 $182
Cafe $57 $29 $18 $51 $49
Coworking space $174 $120 $49 $196 $159
Mobile internet $23 $9 $3 $10 $25
Public transportation $88 $36 $6 $78 $11
Taxis $58 $27 $6 $44 $9
Shared bicycles and scooters $17 $13 $2 $49 $24
Sport and cultural events $64 $24 $11 $54 $81
Museums and sights $37 $7 $15 $20 $20
Nightlife $63 $43 $22 $82 $64
Gym $66 $37 $9 $44 $69
Yoga $99 $48 $23 $142 $65
Massage $56 $26 $15 $64 $51
SIM card options Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Vodafone, Telenor Turkcell, Turk Telekom Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Telcel, Movistar
Tipping Round up for restaurants, not common for bars and services 10 - 15% at restaurants and bars Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services
Taxi apps Mytaxi, Uber Bolt, Fotaxi BiTaksi Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now Uber
Tap water Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable
Overall cuisine Heavy and hearty meals with plenty of meat, potatoes and bread 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. 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. Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese
Local food specialities Currywurst, spätzle, königsberger klopse, schnitzel, eisbein, doner kebab, pretzels Goulash, Fisherman's soup, Főzelék, Somloi Galuska, Pörkölt and Paprikás, Kürtös Kalács, Hungarian Lecsó, Lángos Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas
Eat like a local Brew pubs, cafes, bars, deli shops Local markets, cafés, taverns, street food, traditional restaurants 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! Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus)
Vegetarian / vegan options 844 listings on Happy Cow 47 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 85 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow