Barcelona vs Budapest vs Chiang Mai vs Istanbul vs Medellin

Barcelona 🇪🇸
Remove
Budapest 🇭🇺
Remove
Chiang Mai 🇹🇭
Remove
Istanbul 🇹🇷
Remove
Medellin 🇨🇴
Remove
Population 5,585,556 1,768,073 1,166,978 15,520,000 2,427,000
Official language(s) Catalan, Spanish Hungarian Thai Turkish Spanish
Level of English High High Low Low Low
Main airport Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Budapest Ferihegy International Airport (BUD) Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Istanbul Airport (IST) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE)
Most common months to visit April - June, September - November March - June, September - November November - April April - June, September and October January - April, December
Currency EUR - Euro (€) HUF - Hungarian Forint (Ft) THB - Thai Baht (฿) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) COP - Colombian Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted almost evewhere Accepted almost everywhere, cash needed for small shops Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. Accepted in most places Accepted in some places
Remote worker visa Yes No No No No
Average monthly costs $2384 $1230 $974 $659 $1293
Rent $932 $499 $274 $354 $732
Groceries $121 $108 $169 $44 $87
Dining out $403 $202 $108 $81 $131
Cafe $45 $29 $45 $18 $18
Coworking space $213 $120 $95 $49 $96
Mobile internet $10 $9 $11 $3 $16
Public transportation $127 $36 $60 $6 $21
Taxis $48 $27 $20 $6 $14
Shared bicycles and scooters $24 $13 $10 $2 $0
Sport and cultural events $81 $24 $8 $11 $8
Museums and sights $33 $7 $8 $15 $9
Nightlife $112 $43 $62 $22 $73
Gym $81 $37 $41 $9 $15
Yoga $93 $48 $55 $23 $54
Massage $59 $26 $10 $15 $20
SIM card options Vodafone, Movistar Vodafone, Telenor AIS, DTAC Turkcell, Turk Telekom Claro, Tigo
Tipping 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere 10 - 15% at restaurants and bars 10% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars Tip 10% in restaurants
Taxi apps Cabify, FreeNow Bolt, Fotaxi Grab BiTaksi EasyTaxi
Tap water Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable
Overall cuisine Catalan cuisine makes extensive use of Mediterranean vegetables, legumes mixed with pork in its many varieties, chicken and fish. Regularly mixes sweet and savory flavors in specific dishes. This cuisine is known for being bold in flavor and striking in color, with a variety of specific regional dishes found the culinary hub that is Barcelona. 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. 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 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
Local food specialities Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomáquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo Goulash, Fisherman's soup, Főzelék, Somloi Galuska, Pörkölt and Paprikás, Kürtös Kalács, Hungarian Lecsó, Lángos Khao soi, khan toke, sai oua, miang kham, nam prik, khanom jeen nam ngiaw, larb khua Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa
Eat like a local Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots Local markets, cafés, taverns, street food, traditional restaurants Street food stalls, local markets, bakeries and smaller, traditional restaurants that serve fresh food Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food
Vegetarian / vegan options 98 options on HappyCow 47 options on HappyCow 90 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 153 listings on Happy Cow