Berlin vs Budapest vs Istanbul vs Medellin vs Prague vs Sofia

Berlin 🇩🇪
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Budapest 🇭🇺
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Prague 🇨🇿
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Population 3,400,000 1,768,073 15,520,000 2,427,000 1,305,737 1,270,169
Official language(s) German Hungarian Turkish Spanish Czech Bulgarian
Level of English Very high High Low Low High High
Main airport Berlin Tegel (TXL) Budapest Ferihegy International Airport (BUD) Istanbul Airport (IST) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) Sofia International Airport (SOF)
Most common months to visit May - September March - June, September - November April - June, September and October January - April, December June - October April-June, September-October
Currency EUR - Euro (€) HUF - Hungarian Forint (Ft) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) COP - Colombian Peso ($) CZK - Czech Koruna (Kč) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв)
Credit cards Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted almost everywhere, cash needed for small shops Accepted in most places Accepted in some places Accepted most places (some places are cash only) Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa Yes No No No Yes No
Average monthly costs $2200 $1230 $659 $1293 $1806 $1289
Rent $939 $499 $354 $732 $780 $567
Groceries $188 $108 $44 $87 $158 $10
Dining out $271 $202 $81 $131 $240 $227
Cafe $57 $29 $18 $18 $53 $27
Coworking space $174 $120 $49 $96 $175 $140
Mobile internet $23 $9 $3 $16 $24 $10
Public transportation $88 $36 $6 $21 $61 $30
Taxis $58 $27 $6 $14 $33 $12
Shared bicycles and scooters $17 $13 $2 $0 $19 $40
Sport and cultural events $64 $24 $11 $8 $19 $18
Museums and sights $37 $7 $15 $9 $35 $12
Nightlife $63 $43 $22 $73 $50 $82
Gym $66 $37 $9 $15 $56 $23
Yoga $99 $48 $23 $54 $66 $62
Massage $56 $26 $15 $20 $37 $29
SIM card options Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Vodafone, Telenor Turkcell, Turk Telekom Claro, Tigo Vodafone, T-Mobile A1, Telenor, Vivacom
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 Tip 10% in restaurants 10% at restaurants and bars, round up elsewhere 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés
Taxi apps Mytaxi, Uber Bolt, Fotaxi BiTaksi EasyTaxi Uber, Liftago TaxiMe, TaxiStars
Tap water Drinkable Drinkable Not 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 A blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, and meats 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! 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 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 Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa Vepřo knedlo zelo, Česnečka, Guláš, Svíčková na smetaně, Ovocné Knedlíky. Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator
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 Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food Pubs and taverns, street food stalls, local cafés Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas.
Vegetarian / vegan options 844 listings on Happy Cow 47 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 153 listings on Happy Cow 112 options on HappyCow 20 options on HappyCow