Berlin vs Buenos Aires vs Istanbul vs Lisbon vs Madrid vs Mexico City

Berlin 🇩🇪
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Buenos Aires 🇦🇷
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Lisbon 🇵🇹
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Population 3,400,000 2,900,000 15,520,000 517,000 6,578,0179 8,850,000
Official language(s) German Spanish Turkish Portuguese Spanish Spanish
Level of English Very high High Low Very high Moderate Moderate
Main airport Berlin Tegel (TXL) Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) Istanbul Airport (IST) Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Mexico City International Airport (MEX)
Most common months to visit May - September September - December April - June, September and October March - May, September, October March - May, September - November March - May, October, November
Currency EUR - Euro (€) ARS - Argentine Peso ($) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) EUR - Euro (€) EUR - Euro (€) MXN - Mexican Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) Accepted in most places Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) Accepted everywhere Widely accepted (less with AMEX)
Remote worker visa Yes No No Yes Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $2200 $1321 $659 $1984 $2498 $1867
Rent $939 $844 $354 $965 $1174 $778
Groceries $188 $98 $44 $136 $175 $281
Dining out $271 $121 $81 $271 $313 $182
Cafe $57 $25 $18 $37 $51 $49
Coworking space $174 $95 $49 $164 $196 $159
Mobile internet $23 $11 $3 $24 $10 $25
Public transportation $88 $9 $6 $63 $78 $11
Taxis $58 $9 $6 $27 $44 $9
Shared bicycles and scooters $17 $14 $2 $18 $49 $24
Sport and cultural events $64 $24 $11 $29 $54 $81
Museums and sights $37 $4 $15 $24 $20 $20
Nightlife $63 $23 $22 $47 $82 $64
Gym $66 $14 $9 $65 $44 $69
Yoga $99 $19 $23 $65 $142 $65
Massage $56 $10 $15 $50 $64 $51
SIM card options Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Movistar, Claro, Personal Turkcell, Turk Telekom Vodafone Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Telcel, Movistar
Tipping Round up for restaurants, not common for bars and services 10% at restaurants and cafés is common, not common at bars Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services
Taxi apps Mytaxi, Uber Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) BiTaksi Uber, FreeNow Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now Uber
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable
Overall cuisine Heavy and hearty meals with plenty of meat, potatoes and bread Argentinian style with an emphasis on red meats, pastries, and Italian-inspired options A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish Fresh seafood, meats, soup, sausages and famous pastries 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 Asado, empanadas (Argentinian style), locro, milanesa napolitana, facturas and alfajores Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Bacalhau à bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitão, polvo à lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana 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 restaurants serving asados grill-to-dish (Parrillas), markets (San Telmo, Recoleta) and local cafés for maté and facturas Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Tascas, snack bars, seafood restaurants 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 79 options on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 401 listings on Happy Cow 85 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow