Budapest vs Istanbul vs Mexico City vs Playa del Carmen vs Prague vs Sofia

Budapest 🇭🇺
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Prague 🇨🇿
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Population 1,768,073 15,520,000 8,850,000 259,453 1,305,737 1,270,169
Official language(s) Hungarian Turkish Spanish Spanish Czech Bulgarian
Level of English High Low Moderate Moderate High High
Main airport Budapest Ferihegy International Airport (BUD) Istanbul Airport (IST) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) Sofia International Airport (SOF)
Most common months to visit March - June, September - November April - June, September and October March - May, October, November January - May, October - December June - October April-June, September-October
Currency HUF - Hungarian Forint (Ft) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) CZK - Czech Koruna (Kč) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere, cash needed for small shops Accepted in most places Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted almost everywhere Accepted most places (some places are cash only) Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No Yes Yes Yes No
Average monthly costs $1230 $659 $1867 $2143 $1806 $1289
Rent $499 $354 $778 $923 $780 $567
Groceries $108 $44 $281 $127 $158 $10
Dining out $202 $81 $182 $207 $240 $227
Cafe $29 $18 $49 $42 $53 $27
Coworking space $120 $49 $159 $160 $175 $140
Mobile internet $9 $3 $25 $21 $24 $10
Public transportation $36 $6 $11 $17 $61 $30
Taxis $27 $6 $9 $9 $33 $12
Shared bicycles and scooters $13 $2 $24 $49 $19 $40
Sport and cultural events $24 $11 $81 $97 $19 $18
Museums and sights $7 $15 $20 $217 $35 $12
Nightlife $43 $22 $64 $77 $50 $82
Gym $37 $9 $69 $42 $56 $23
Yoga $48 $23 $65 $54 $66 $62
Massage $26 $15 $51 $101 $37 $29
SIM card options Vodafone, Telenor Turkcell, Turk Telekom Telcel, Movistar Telcel, Movistar Vodafone, T-Mobile A1, Telenor, Vivacom
Tipping 10 - 15% at restaurants and bars Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10-15% for restaurants 10% at restaurants and bars, round up elsewhere 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés
Taxi apps Bolt, Fotaxi BiTaksi Uber N/A Uber, Liftago TaxiMe, TaxiStars
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable 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. A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices 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 Goulash, Fisherman's soup, Főzelék, Somloi Galuska, Pörkölt and Paprikás, Kürtös Kalács, Hungarian Lecsó, Lángos Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole 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 Local markets, cafés, taverns, street food, traditional restaurants Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's 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 47 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 72 listings on Happy Cow 112 options on HappyCow 20 options on HappyCow