Budapest vs Cape Town vs Chiang Mai vs Hanoi vs Sofia

Budapest 🇭🇺
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Chiang Mai 🇹🇭
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Hanoi 🇻🇳
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Population 1,768,073 4,617,560 1,166,978 8,053,663 1,270,169
Official language(s) Hungarian Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Thai Vietnamese Bulgarian
Level of English High Very high Low Moderate High
Main airport Budapest Ferihegy International Airport (BUD) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Nội Bài International Airport (HAN) Sofia International Airport (SOF)
Most common months to visit March - June, September - November March - May, September - November November - April January, February, October - December April-June, September-October
Currency HUF - Hungarian Forint (Ft) ZAR - South African Rand (R) THB - Thai Baht (฿) VND - Vietnamese Dong (₫) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere, cash needed for small shops Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. Accepted in some places. Cash often preferred. Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No No No
Average monthly costs $1230 $1549 $974 $1167 $1289
Rent $499 $618 $274 $503 $567
Groceries $108 $129 $169 $151 $10
Dining out $202 $269 $108 $134 $227
Cafe $29 $32 $45 $39 $27
Coworking space $120 $151 $95 $72 $140
Mobile internet $9 $27 $11 $4 $10
Public transportation $36 $55 $60 $20 $30
Taxis $27 $21 $20 $13 $12
Shared bicycles and scooters $13 $49 $10 $0 $40
Sport and cultural events $24 $19 $8 $3 $18
Museums and sights $7 $15 $8 $4 $12
Nightlife $43 $43 $62 $89 $82
Gym $37 $36 $41 $57 $23
Yoga $48 $56 $55 $57 $62
Massage $26 $30 $10 $21 $29
SIM card options Vodafone, Telenor MTN, Vodacom AIS, DTAC Viettel, Mobifone A1, Telenor, Vivacom
Tipping 10 - 15% at restaurants and bars 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere 10% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere Not required but appreciated, especially in taxis, restaurants and bars. Round up or add 10%. 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés
Taxi apps Bolt, Fotaxi Uber, Bolt Grab Grab, GoViet TaxiMe, TaxiStars
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable
Overall 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. South African cuisine has been shaped by a long history of Dutch, Malay, British and Indian settlements, making the food diverse and strong in flavor. There is a strong emphasis on game in all of its different forms, as well as spicy sauces and sautéed vegetables and dry-cured meats. Creamy desserts and liqueurs compliment large and flavorful meals. 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. 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 Goulash, Fisherman's soup, Főzelék, Somloi Galuska, Pörkölt and Paprikás, Kürtös Kalács, Hungarian Lecsó, Lángos Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Khao soi, khan toke, sai oua, miang kham, nam prik, khanom jeen nam ngiaw, larb khua Pho, cha ca, Vietnamese coffee, pastries and breads Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator
Eat like a local Local markets, cafés, taverns, street food, traditional restaurants Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets Street food stalls, local markets, bakeries and smaller, traditional restaurants that serve fresh food Noodle Houses, Bakeries, Coffee and Tea Houses, street food Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas.
Vegetarian / vegan options 47 options on HappyCow 24 options on HappyCow 90 options on HappyCow 104 listings on Happy Cow 20 options on HappyCow