Bucharest vs Budapest vs Istanbul vs Lisbon vs Porto vs Valencia

Bucharest 🇷🇴
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Budapest 🇭🇺
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Lisbon 🇵🇹
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Porto 🇵🇹
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Valencia 🇪🇸
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Population 1,830,000 1,768,073 15,520,000 517,000 237,559 834,000
Official language(s) Romanian Hungarian Turkish Portuguese Portuguese Spanish, Valencian
Level of English High High Low Very high Very High Moderate
Main airport Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Budapest Ferihegy International Airport (BUD) Istanbul Airport (IST) Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) Francisco Sá Carneiro International Airport (OPO) Valencia Manises Airport (VLC)
Most common months to visit April - October March - June, September - November April - June, September and October March - May, September, October May - September March - June, September, October
Currency RON - Romanian Leu (L) HUF - Hungarian Forint (Ft) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) EUR - Euro (€) EUR - Euro (€) EUR - Euro (€)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere, cash needed for small shops Accepted in most places Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No Yes Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $1351 $1230 $659 $1984 $1759 $1976
Rent $615 $499 $354 $965 $717 $869
Groceries $114 $108 $44 $136 $148 $146
Dining out $165 $202 $81 $271 $280 $292
Cafe $38 $29 $18 $37 $45 $42
Coworking space $133 $120 $49 $164 $96 $152
Mobile internet $7 $9 $3 $24 $21 $16
Public transportation $21 $36 $6 $63 $95 $38
Taxis $9 $27 $6 $27 $25 $42
Shared bicycles and scooters $25 $13 $2 $18 $10 $30
Sport and cultural events $29 $24 $11 $29 $45 $73
Museums and sights $29 $7 $15 $24 $24 $44
Nightlife $45 $43 $22 $47 $66 $66
Gym $30 $37 $9 $65 $56 $34
Yoga $59 $48 $23 $65 $82 $87
Massage $31 $26 $15 $50 $48 $45
SIM card options Vodafone, Orange Vodafone, Telenor Turkcell, Turk Telekom Vodafone Vodafone, MEO, NOS Vodafone, Orange
Tipping 5% - 10% at restaurants, 5% - 10% tip for services is appreciated but not expected, round up for taxis 10 - 15% at restaurants and bars Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars 5-10% at restaurants if happy with service, not expected at cafes or bars Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars
Taxi apps Star Taxi, Uber Bolt, Fotaxi BiTaksi Uber, FreeNow Uber, MyTaxi, Cabify Cabify, FreeNow
Tap water Not drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Drinkable Drinkable
Overall cuisine Wide range of meat and fish dishes, soups, salads and cheeses influenced by German, Hungarian, Turkish, Greek and Ukrainian cuisine. 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 seafood, meats, soup, sausages and famous pastries A variety of meats often mixed with fresh legumes and vegetables. Emphasis on rich seafood dishes and creamy desserts. Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats
Local food specialities Sarmale, mămăligă, mici, ciolan cu fasole, ciorbă de burtă, covrig, papanasi Goulash, Fisherman's soup, Főzelék, Somloi Galuska, Pörkölt and Paprikás, Kürtös Kalács, Hungarian Lecsó, Lángos Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Bacalhau à bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitão, polvo à lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana Bacalhau, Alheira de Mirandela, Francesinha, queido da serra da estrela, tripas a moda do Oporto, pasteis de chaves, tarte de amendoa Paella, fideuà, esgarrat, orxata, bunyols
Eat like a local Set lunch menus, cafe terraces, cofeterias Local markets, cafés, taverns, street food, traditional restaurants Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Tascas, snack bars, seafood restaurants Local taverns, terraces, markets, tascas, churrascarias and local sports bars Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches)
Vegetarian / vegan options 33 listings on Happy Cow 47 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 401 listings on Happy Cow 46 options on Happy Cow 98 listings on Happy Cow