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Budapest price guide | calculating the daily costs to visit budapest.

The daily travel costs to visit Budapest, Hungary. How to estimate your budget for food, accommodation, attractions, alcohol, and more.

City Price Guides

Budapest is one of the biggest cities in the EU and is often called the Paris of the East. It remains a popular destination because of its low prices, beautiful architecture, youthful spirit, vibrant nightlife, and rich history. Plus, it still has that gritty Eastern Europe edge—which adds to its coolness. In this Budapest price guide, we’ll outline the estimated travel expenses for food, accommodation, attractions, alcohol, and other things to help you budget your trip.

This article is part of our Europe Price Guide Series —  Click here to see all our European City Price Guides .

Average Daily Cost For Visiting Budapest

It costs around $35-$60/day to visit Budapest as a budget-minded traveler . These prices are based on what you’ll need to visit the city comfortably as a budget traveler staying in a hostel.

If you want to stay in a nicer hotel or rental apartment you should add an extra $60-$80/night to your budget.

These prices also don’t include things like big nights out at the bar/pub, club entry fees, souvenir shopping, tours, random purchases, nicer food, etc.  Don’t forget to budget extra for those “non-essentials.”

NOTE: We’ve converted all prices to US Dollars since the Hungarian Forint (HUF) is a bit confusing to convert on the fly. Check out XE.com for the latest exchange rates.

Daily Cost of Budget Travel in Budapest: $ 40

• Attractions: $9 (one paid attraction + any free sites)
• Breakfast: $3
• Treat (dessert/beer/wine): $2
• Transportation: $2.50
• Accommodation (hostel): $23

Daily Cost of Frugal Travel in Budapest: $ 35

• Attractions: $5 (free walking tour + visit one of the free sites)
• Breakfast: $0 (free hostel breakfast)
• Lunch: $4.50 (ethnic street food or takeaway shop fare)
• Dinner: $9 (make your own meal in the hostel or grab something cheap)
• Beer: $1 (chill out at the park and have a cold one)
• Transportation: $1.50
• Accommodation (cheap hostel bed): $16

Budapest Attraction and Museum Prices

Budapest has a load of great attractions which are all affordable or free. The thermal baths are great, so bring a swimsuit or you’ll have to find someplace to buy one (which took me a while when I was there).

• Thermal Baths:  4,400-10,00 HUF ($14-$28 USD)
• Hungarian National Gallery :  2,900 HUF ($8)
• Museum of Fine Arts :  2,400 HUF ($7)
• House of Terror Museum : 4,000 HUF ($11)
• Pinball Museum : 4,200 HUF ($12) includes all-you-can-play pinball
• Walking Tours: Free (but you should tip the guides) — 6,000 HUF/$20 (for paid tours)

Budapest Food Prices

Food prices in Budapest are cheap so you should seek out as much local Hungarian food as possible. Hungarian food consists of hearty soups, stews, goulash, all sorts of meat, seasonal vegetables, fruits, fresh bread, dairy products, and cheeses—it will fill you up!

Prices are very affordable but try to find where the locals eat to get the best quality.

Budget Breakfast Prices in Budapest: Free-$ 6

• Many hostels will offer a free, simple breakfast that normally consists of cereal, bread/croissant, and maybe milk, coffee, tea, or juice.
• Breakfast is an important meal in Budapest, so you’ll find plenty of cafés serving up some good options. A pastry costs about $1.5. A bigger breakfast will run about $5-$9.
• You can also find plenty of budget-friendly options at the bakery or grocery store.

A Few Budget Breakfast Spots:

• 9BAR : Tasty cappuccino, espresso, and a few pastry options.
• VINYL & WOOD : A hip little spot serving up coffee and pastries.
• Bite Bakery Cafe : Coffee, huge cinnamon rolls, and chocolate rolls.
• Cserpes Tejivo : A cozy spot with coffee, pastries, and sandwiches.
• Duran Szendvics : Traditional Hungarian breakfast sandwiches.

Budget Lunch Prices in Budapest: $4-$10

• Super budget travelers can make a super cheap lunch of bread, lunch meat, cheese, and fruit from any grocery store for a few dollars.
• Takeaway meals (like kebabs with fries) or similar dishes from a takeaway shop will cost about 800 HUF ($3).
• Grab a soup to go for 700 HUF ($2.50).
• A pizza will cost around 2,100 HUF ($5-$7)
• Budapest has a decent number of ‘self-service restaurants’ (basically cafeterias) that hearken back to the days of communism. The meals are simple but tasty… and cheap. Expect to pay around 1,000 HUF ($5) for the main dish.
• A combo meal at McDonald’s will cost about 2100 HUF ($6).

Budget Dinner Prices in Budapest: $8-$13

• Budget travelers will want to look at the many ethnic restaurants — a bowl of Pho will be about 1790 HUF ($6).
• An average meal of meat & potatoes will set you back about 1800 HUF ($9)
• You can get a nice meal from a non-touristy restaurant for about 1800 HUF ($7.50).
• A burger from a casual restaurant are around $5.
• Many of the options from the Budget Lunch section above also work for dinner.

A Few Budget-Friendly Lunch and Dinner Spots:

• Street Food Karavan : A spot with multiple food trucks/stalls serving up different food and beer.
• Klauzal Cafe : Authentic Hungarian spot serving up traditional fare.
• Bors GasztroBar : Super tasty soups and sandwiches.
• Regos Restaurant : Hearty traditional Hungarian food.
• Hoppacska : Filling Hungarian sandwiches.
• Local Korner : Excellent pizza in a super fun atmosphere.
• Hai Nam Vietnamese Bistro & Pho Bar : Solid Pho spot.

Drinks and Alcohol Prices in Budapest

• A pint of standard beer out: 360 HUF ($1.60)
• A pint of beer from a grocery store: 225 HUF ($1)
• Bottle of (drinkable) wine from the grocery store: 1000 HUF ($5.25)
• Espresso: $1.30

Budapest Transportation Prices

Budapest has a good network of trams, buses, and subways. They’re all affordable — be sure that you always validate your ticket because they do check riders’ tickets often (and you don’t want to get a fine, which is $30-$60).

• Single Ticket:  350 HUF ($1)
• Book of 10 Single Tickets: 3,000 HUF ($8.50)
• Unlimited Day Pass:  1,650 HUF ($5)
• Train Ticket Between Airport and City:  400 HUF ($1.25)

Budapest Hostel, Hotel, & Rental Apartment Prices

Hostels and hotels are fairly cheap in Budapest. All the hostels I’ve stayed at have been very high quality, too. There are also a good number of very cheap hotels (they’ll probably be fairly bare-bones), or you can spend a little extra if you want more comfort. Rental apartments can also be a nice option in Budapest.

Hostel Prices in Budapest: $17-$35/night

Hostels are cheap in Budapest. The average price of a bed per night is about $22—although many hostels raise their prices on the weekend. Remember, these prices are for a bed in a shared dorm room. Expect to pay $65-$95/night for a private room.

A few recommended Budapest hostels [Read our full guide to the Best Hostels in Budapest ]:

• Carpe Noctem
• Pal’s Hostel
• Maverick Hostel & Ensuites
• Vitae Hostel
• 11th Hour Cinema Hostel & Apartments

I recommend booking hostels through Hostelworld because they have the best selection.

Budget Hotel Prices in Budapest: $45-$95/night

Expect to pay around $65/night for a decent budget-tier hotel and around $110-$145/night for a nice hotel.

We suggest checking out  Booking.com  to see hotel prices for your dates since they’re always changing.

Rental Apartment Prices in Budapest: $50-$130/night

Budapest has a decent amount of rental apartments throughout the city. They can be a good option for large groups or travelers who want a little more space (and a kitchen). On the other hand, you may also have to deal with inconvenient check-in processes and things like extra cleaning fees and service charges. For short stays, we prefer hotels but longer stays are ideal for rental apartments. Airbnb is always popular but you can sometimes find cheaper/better options on our list of  Airbnb Alternatives .

Learn More About the Cost of Visiting Europe

Check out our guide on  How Much It Costs To Backpack Europe  to learn more about budgeting your entire trip (including many more city price guides).

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Travel money guide: Hungary

Your guide on taking and spending money like a local in hungary.

In this guide

Travel card, debit card or credit card?

These are your options for spending money in hungary, buying euro or hungarian forint currency in the us, exchanging cash, using atms in hungary, keep your travel money safe, how much does a vacation to hungary cost.

Travel money type

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Top picks of 2024

Travel should be about adventure, discovery and relaxation. You’ll find that when you explore the largest synagogue in Europe, Memento Park and Budapest, considered the “Paris of the East.”

A credit card will serve you best during your travels, particularly one that waives foreign transaction fees. But you’ll want to keep some Hungarian forint on hand — the country’s national currency — for any stops that don’t accept plastic.

Our picks for traveling to Hungary

40+ currencies supported

• 4.85% APY on USD balances
• $0 monthly fees
• Up to $100 free ATMs withdrawals worldwide
• Hold and convert 40+ currencies

Up to $300 cash bonus

• 0.50% APY on checking balance
• Up to 4.60% APY on savings
• $0 account or overdraft fees
• Get a $300 bonus with direct deposits of $5,000 or more

Free ATM transactions

• $50 waivable monthly fee
• 0% foreign transaction fee
• Securely move money domestically and globally
• 5 monthly out-of-network ATM reimbursements
• Free international HSBC ATM transactions

The easiest and cheapest route to spending is a travel-friendly card that doesn’t charge for international ATM withdrawals — bonus if it also has no currency conversion fee. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted under the Maestro and Cirrus brands. While you can probably get by in Budapest with your card, know that most businesses are still cash-based outside the capital and some provincial cities.

Don’t rely on one product. Debit cards let you spend your own money, but a credit card will protect you in emergencies.

With so much to see and do in Hungary, it makes sense to get your finances in order before you arrive. Your budget should pay for your travel experiences, not bank fees.

Using a credit card

You won’t have any trouble using a credit card in Hungary — although American Express is accepted at fewer places. Find yourself a credit card that waives foreign transaction fees, like the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card (Terms apply, see rates & fees ).

Carrying a credit card gives you the added benefit of travel insurance and discounts, depending on your provider. Depending on your travel habits, these perks can offer a lot of value, so compare travel cards before making your final decision.

Cards that offer travel perks and waive fees often charge an annual fee, so make sure the fee is worth it before you bring it along on your travels. If you’re ever in a jam, credit cards also offer cash advances, though we don’t recommend it. You’ll pay high fees and interest rates apply the moment you get your money.

• Tip: It’s worth researching credit cards that offer travel benefits and rewards for things you’ll buy anyway — like flights and hotel stays.
• Protected by PIN and chip
• Accepted worldwide
• May come with benefits like travel insurance
• Interest-free days when you pay your account in full
• Emergency card replacement
• Withdrawing money from an ATM will be treated as a cash advance, which comes with high interest rates
• Credit card companies may block your card if they see international transactions without being notified of travel plans

Which credit card issuers are accepted in Hungary?

Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted across Hungary. American Express credit cards are more widely accepted than Discover cards. Even so, you can still find places with the Diners Club logo that accept Discover.

Citibank and Bank of Budapest ATMs accept Discover cards. OTP Bank and Euronet ATMs, among others, accept American Express credit cards.

Using a debit card

A debit card could be a good travel money choice to take to Hungary. You’ll have access to cash each time you come across an ATM without carrying lots of cash on you all at once. Because you’re spending your own money, you avoid interest charges.

To save on additional charges, find a bank that waives international ATM fees and doesn’t charge a monthly account keeping fee, like Betterment Checking . You’ll also find that some Hungarian Banks don’t charge local ATM operator fees — so you’re only on the hook for the exchange rate.

• Tip: Though Hungarian banks don’t charge ATM fees, non-Hungarian banks do.
• No fees at Citibank ATMs in Hungary
• Use at stores and hotels, online and ATMs
• Spending your own money means avoiding interest charges
• Debit cards are directly linked to your bank account if your card is lost or stolen

Using a prepaid travel card

No travel cards support Hungarian forint, so look for a card that waives currency conversion fee, such as Travelex. It won’t charge for currency conversion when you spend in lira, which can be higher than what you’d pay if you use your regular debit or credit card.

The downside is these cards charge a couple of dollars for international ATM withdrawal in Hungary. Load these cards with euros to use at some merchants— but don’t count on it. And you won’t get the best exchange rate.

• Tip: In most situations, you’ll get ripped off if you pay euros instead of Hungarian forint.
• PIN security
• Spare card if the other is lost or stolen
• Reloadable over a secure online portal
• Load with euros
• You’ll pay a currency conversion fee
• Fees to reload funds

Paying with cash in Hungary

Use the Hungarian forint when you can. Though some merchants accept euros, but you’ll get a poor exchange rate .

Using traveler’s checks

Today, traveler’s checks are unnecessary. Security is the main advantage of traveler’s checks, but now card providers have money back guarantees if you’re the victim of card fraud too. Check our guide on how to avoid credit card fraud.

If you want Hungarian currency once you arrive in Hungary, look at money exchange services like Travelex. Buy Hungarian forints and pick up the cash at major airports or from one of the many Travelex locations throughout the US.

The Hungarian forint sits at roughly 250 to 300 forint to 1 dollar. If you arrive in Hungary without cash, you can withdraw forints from an ATM or you can exchange funds at the airport — for a poor rate. Change only a small amount to get you to the main city.

Foreign currency exchange spots are very accessible in Budapest and in smaller cities, towns and frequented tourist hot spots like Lake Balaton — most will charge a small commission.

• Tip: Check out the going exchange rate on finder.com to get an idea of the current rate before you enter an office. If there’s a huge difference between the “buy” and “sell,” look elsewhere. Do your calculations before you make the exchange so you know how much you’re getting.

Refreshing in: 60s | Fri, Jul 12, 07:08PM GMT

ATMs are everywhere in Budapest and widely available in other small cities, towns and villages. Hungarian banks do not charge additional ATM usage fees, so the amount it costs to take money out from an ATM will depend on the fees from your bank. Find a bank that doesn’t charge international ATM fees, like Betterment Checking, to further save on costs.

Third-party ATMs are also common in Hungary and often found at gas stations and in bars, but many charge a flat rate for usage. Almost all ATMs will ask up front if you prefer English, German or Hungarian.

The main banks in Hungary are:

• K&H Bank
• Budapest Bank
• Raiffeisen Bank
• UniCredit Bank
• BNP Paribas Bank

Generally speaking, Hungary offers tourists safe and easygoing travel. Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse-snatching, can happen, though. Always be aware of your surroundings and take extra precaution in busy marketplaces or while using public transportation.

Never leave your belongings unattended, and keep your wallet in your pocket. One effective option is to wear a money belt to keep your funds hidden and out of reach.

Hungary is no longer the dirt-cheap destination it was before joining the EU, but it’s among the most affordable countries in Europe. But travelers to Hungary and Budapest will still be surprised how far their dollar will go, especially after leaving the big cities.

Budget travelers can get by on less than $40 a day, while mid-range travelers could budget less than $100. There are plenty of opportunities to indulge while in Budapest.

Official statistics estimate that the daily costs of living and traveling in Hungary are between one-third to one-half when compared with Western Europe. All prices are in US dollars.

Prices are approximate and are subject to change.

• Tip: How do you say “how much does it cost?” in Hungary? Mennyi bekerül (men-yii be-ke-ruul).

Case study: Kate's experience

Interview with Kate on her travel in Budapest, Hungary

What travel money tips do you have for Hungary?

• Money-changing scams. Never exchange money outside of an exchange booth. Always go inside. She says the people who want to change your cash on the street are going to give you fake notes. She also says not to change your money at a bank because they charge a much higher fee than exchange offices.
• Festivals. Sziget Festival is now completely cash-free and only accepts Metapay Festivalcard or with a bank-issued contactless-enabled card. The cash-free policy applies to other popular Hungarian festivals; Volt Festival, Balaton Sound and Budai Gourmet also.

Kyle Morgan

Kyle Morgan is SEO manager at Forbes Advisor and a former editor and content strategist at Finder. He has written for the USA Today network and Relix magazine, among other publications. He holds a BA in journalism and media from Rutgers University. See full bio

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How Much Spending Money do I need in Budapest?

Budapest is an incredible city, the history, the architecture, the wine, the bars, the arts - it's got everything. Popular for long weekends and an essential stop off when interrailing, Budapest is known for being a cheap destination. But how many Hungarian Forint do you actually need to budget?

With real data from real travellers, we’ve answered all of the important budgeting questions along with things you might not have thought of like taxis from the airport…

Average daily spend by real travellers in Budapest: 27,254Ft (£74.50)

This reflects what everyday travellers tend to spend in Budapest. Think mid-range - most of the major attractions, a few cab rides, maybe a big night out, and a bit of shopping on the side. It doesn’t include the cost of hotels or car hire as these are often booked in advance.

• Eating Out: 9,486Ft per day
• Entertainment (bars, tours & attractions): 9,639Ft per day
• Transport: 6,700Ft per day
• Shopping: 3,517Ft per day

Want to see where it all goes? Read on!

Cost of Entertainment in  Budapest

Real Traveller Average Daily Spend : 9,639Ft

• “WeSwapper Favourite” Szechenyi Bath (5,500-6,200Ft)
• House of Terror  - 2000Ft
• Parliament - 2000Ft for EU citizens
• Fisherman’s Bastion - free
• “Staff Pick” Szimpla Kert ruin pub - free

The most popular activity with WeSwap travellers in Budapest is the Szechenyi Bath - one of a number of famous outdoor Roman thermal baths in the city. Entry costs the equivalent of around £15 for the whole day which hat includes all the pools, and the steam room and sauna. A great way to relax and let off some steam (sorry, couldn't resist).

Although the name makes it sound lame, the House of Terror is a dark and poignant look at the relatively recent history of Budapest. Located at the former Nazi and Soviet headquarters, this place gives a small glimpse into the horrors of the past. Make sure to visit the dungeons - truly harrowing.

Parliament and Fisherman's Bastion are both incredibly beautiful buildings and both can be experienced with cheap entry. The Parliament building will cost to go inside but the Danube night-time river cruise shows it at it's illuminated best. Go for a coffee in one of Fisherman Bastion's turrets and see the Danube and over into Pest from a killer vantage point.

Szimpla Kert is the city's best ruin pub. And that's saying something. Known locally as “kerts”, ruin pubs are dilapidated buildings (often old apartment blocks) that were hanging on by a thread, before some really stylish threads were added… and they re-opened as bars. Ultimately, they’re just cool places to eat, drink, relax, dance, or do whatever the heck you please. If you only visit one, make sure it's Szimpla Kert. Beer is cheap. Like £1.50 (or less) a pint, cheap. Check out this post about uber-trendy District VII  for a detailed guide on the area.

Cost of food and drink in  Budapest

Real Traveller Average Daily Spend: 9,486Ft

• “WeSwapper Favourite” Gozsdu Udvar 5,183Ft  average transaction
• Menza Etterem - 11,788Ft average transaction
• Boscolo Cafe - 10,786Ft average transaction
• Cocktail - Tuk Tuk bar
• Glass of wine/beer in the bar - 400Ft
• Cup of coffee - 380Ft
• Staff pick: KonyvBar & Restaurant 4,600Ft

Gozsdu Udvar is a passage at the heart of the Jewish district. choc-a-bloc with cafés, restaurants and tiny bars, you'll find something you like here. The district is full of great spots so if nothing takes your fancy here, you'll soon find something.

The Boscolo, formerly the New York Palace is Hungarian opulence x 10. The interior is absolutely stunning and it's a place that's always busy. Go for coffee and a cake because in a city well known for being cheap, this is quite pricey and the food isn't exceptional. But the cake is.

Best cocktail in town? The guys at Tuk Tuk really know what they are doing and if nothing on the excellent menu tickles your fancy, they will make you anything at all that you want. Don't ask us about the bizarre Thai theme (given the location) but they know how to mix their drinks so we'll let them off.

Decorated like a library, KonyvBar & Restaurant is a quirky little restaurant that first and foremost serves delicious food at incredible prices. There aren't many tables in the restaurant but there will be book theme every night. When I went the theme was an American Psycho a theme. Check out the photo. A must-visit.

Cost of Transport in  Budapest

Real Traveller Average Daily Spend : 3,517Ft

• Taxi from Airport to the centre: 7,500Ft
• Bus into city from the airport: 700Ft
• 24-hour public transport pass: 1,650Ft

Budapest is one of those rare places where you can walk everywhere. It doesn't matter if you're in Buda, or over the Danube in PEst, everywhere is accessible on foot. It's actually really refreshing not having to get the train or bus anywhere. IF you want to get out of the city then sure, you'll need to get a train but otherwise, stay on foot. Bikes are also cheap to hire if you want to get around that little bit faster and Budapest makes a popular stopping point for those  cycling around Eastern Europe .

Cost of a Shopping Trip in  Budapest

Real Traveller Average Daily Spend: 6,700Ft

WeSwapper favourite:  Central Market Hall (Központi Vásár csarnok)

This is the largest indoor market in Budapest. There is a huge variety of vegetables, fruits, cheeses and meats. On the second floor you'll find vendors selling folk art, as well as a small food-court and a restaurant serving traditional Hungarian dishes.

Money in Budapest

Both cash and card are widely accepted in Budapest with ATMs all over the city and the majority of shops and restaurants taking Mastercard and Visa. Small businesses might have minimum payments or only accept cash so it is best to have a little of both. When using ATMs try and find a major bank and remember to decline the Dynamic Currency Conversion . Most debit and credit cards will incur fees abroad so it is always best to compare travel money options before you go.

Last checked and updated: 30.05.2018. All travel, accommodation, and entertainment costs are taken from the provider’s official website – but don’t forget to double check yourself first before you head off.

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Cost of a Trip to Budapest, HU & the Cheapest Time to Visit Budapest

The average price of a 7-day trip to Budapest is $1,118 for a solo traveler, $2,008 for a couple, and $3,764 for a family of 4 . Budapest hotels range from $32 to $186 per night with an average of $81, while most vacation rentals will cost $130 to $340 per night for the entire home. Average worldwide flight costs to Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport ( BUD ) are between $655 and $994 per person for economy flights and $2,055 to $3,119 for first class. Depending on activities, we recommend budgeting $25 to $58 per person per day for transportation and enjoying local restaurants.

See below for average , budget , and luxury trip costs. You can also look up flight costs from your airport for more tailored flight pricing.

The Cheapest Times to Visit Budapest, HU

On average, these will be the cheapest dates to fly to BUD and stay in a Budapest hotel:

• January 1st to April 1st
• September 10th to December 9th

The absolute cheapest time to take a vacation in Budapest is usually mid January .

Average Budapest Trip Costs

Average solo traveler.

The average cost for one person to visit Budapest for a week is $857-$1,627 ($122-$232 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $25 to $58 per day for one person’s daily expenses

Flights : $370 to $825 for economy

Lodging : $52 to $66 per night for one 2 or 3-star hotel room

or $52 to $64 per night for a 1-bed vacation rental

Average Couple’s Trip

The average cost for a couple to visit Budapest for a week is $1,972-$3,196 ($282-$457 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $50 to $116 per day for two people’s daily expenses

Flights : $740 to $1,650 for economy

Average Family Vacation

The average cost for 4 people to visit Budapest for a week is $2,648-$5,716 ($378-$817 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $100 to $232 per day for four people’s daily expenses

Flights : $1,480 to $3,300 for economy

Lodging : $104 to $132 per night for two 2 or 3-star hotel rooms

or $78 to $96 per night for a 2-bed vacation rental

Traveling Cheap to Budapest

How cheap can you make a vacation to Budapest? The cheapest trip to Budapest is about $87 per person per day for travelers willing to take standby flights, deal with inconvenience, and otherwise limit travel expenses. About 1% of rentals are available in the $0 to $100 range for an entire place, and vacation rentals can be booked for as low as $21 per night. These inexpensive rentals must be booked as early as possible and may not be in the most desirable areas. 1-star hotels are more likely to be available, with rooms starting at around $27.

Even cheaper trips are possible depending on where you live and whether you can drive. Check the cheapest times to fly for more saving ideas.

Budget Solo Traveler

The lowest cost for one person to visit Budapest for a week is $608-$1,348 ($87-$193 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $16 to $31 per day for one person’s daily expenses

Lodging : $27 to $32 per night for one 1-star hotel room

or $21 to $51 per night for a 1-bed vacation rental

Budget Couple’s Trip

The lowest cost for a couple to visit Budapest for a week is $1,090-$2,390 ($156-$341 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $32 to $62 per day for two people’s daily expenses

Budget Family Vacation

The lowest cost for 4 people to visit Budapest for a week is $2,102-$4,660 ($300-$666 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $64 to $124 per day for four people’s daily expenses

Lodging : $54 to $64 per night for two 1-star hotel rooms

or $29 to $82 per night for a 2-bed vacation rental

Overall it is very possible to travel to Budapest cheaply.

The Cost of a Luxury Budapest Trip

There is no true ceiling on the cost of a luxury trip, so our estimates are based on what most people do in Budapest.

Luxury Solo Traveler

The high-end price for one person to visit Budapest for a week is $1,898-$7,020 ($271-$1,003 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $55 to $110 per day for one person’s daily expenses

Flights : $973 to $2,170 for first class

Lodging : $90 to $186 per night for one 4 or 5-star hotel room

or $340 to $680 per night for a preferred vacation rental

Luxury Couple’s Trip

The high-end price for a couple to visit Budapest for a week is $3,256-$9,960 ($465-$1,423 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $110 to $220 per day for two people’s daily expenses

Flights : $1,946 to $4,340 for first class

Luxury Family Vacation

The high-end price for 4 people to visit Budapest for a week is $6,512-$18,288 ($930-$2,613 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $220 to $440 per day for four people’s daily expenses

Flights : $3,892 to $8,680 for first class

Lodging : $180 to $372 per night for two 4 or 5-star hotel rooms

or $544 to $1,088 per night for a preferred vacation rental

Budapest Hotel Prices

The cost of staying in Budapest is slightly lower than the average city. On average hotels are less expensive than vacation rentals. Luxury vacation rentals are more expensive in Budapest due to very high property costs. The graphs below show how much cost can vary depending on the type of experience you’re looking for.

Budapest Lodging Cost by Star Status

The average price for the class of hotel is on the (y) axis. The hotel class (out of 5 stars) is on the (x) axis.

Prices are based on Budapest hotel averages and may not reflect current prices. In some cases, we extrapolate prices to estimate costs, and hotels with your desired star rating may not be available.

Vacation Rental Prices

The percent of vacation rentals in the price range is on the left (y) axis. Price range is on the bottom (x) axis.

There are a healthy amount of vacation rentals serving all budgets in Budapest.

Flight Costs to Budapest

Averaging flights around the world, prices go from a high of $994 average in early August to a low of $655 in mid January. Median flight price is $794. These prices are based on millions of flights. For Budapest our data includes 314 originating airports, and 151 airlines. The area has average variance in price compared with other locations. Flying to Budapest from an airport like Savoonga ( SVA ) in Savoonga, AK (the United States) for an average $9,063 trip fare will obviously cost a lot more than from an airport like Schoenefeld ( SXF ) in Berlin (Germany) at an average of just $85.

Average Flight Cost by Season

Average flight cost by day of week.

The cheapest day to fly in is typically Tuesday, and the cheapest day to fly back is usually Tuesday. Click here to see data for the cost of flights from your airport. In Budapest, the difference between the cheapest and the most expensive week is about $339, so you can easily save about 52% simply by using our free flight guides and booking in advance.

Daily Expenses Budget

Daily vacation expenses vary more based on what you’re interested in doing. A fine dining restaurant with drinks around Budapest can easily cost $240 per person or more, while a standard nice meal might be about $16 per person. Private tours can cost $472 per day, but self-guided tours to see the outdoor sights can be free. Costs vary wildly, so recommendations are made based on the cost of living and averages we see for this type of vacation.

Other Budapest Guides

Travel costs nearby.

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• Gellert Hill, Hungary
• Erzsebetvaros, Hungary
• Castle Hill, Hungary
• Ferencvaros, Hungary
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• Rozsadomb, Hungary

Travel Costs in Popular Places

• Krakow, Poland
• Tbilisi, Georgia
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Is Budapest Expensive? A Budapest Trip Cost Guide

Last Updated on October 9, 2023

by Maggie Turansky

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. That means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may make a small commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, see our privacy policy.

As one of the top destinations to visit in the entirety of Europe, the Hungarian capital of Budapest has so much to offer visitors. But is Budapest expensive to visit? When viewing photos of the grand cityscapes and thinking of all of the incredible things to do in the city, it can be hard to know what you can expect your overall Budapest trip cost to be.

Budapest has a reputation for being quite a budget-friendly city, but does that stand up to the test? Can you stretch your hard-earned cash further here than you can in other European capitals?

In general, Budapest is not an expensive city with an average daily travel cost of €45-155 ($48-164 USD) per person per day.

Before booking a trip to Budapest , it’s essential to figure out a rough budget and be aware of how much various things are going to cost you. Here, we will outline the average costs of accommodation, transportation, food, activities, and entertainment so nothing comes as a surprise when you visit the beautiful capital city of Hungary.

Table of Contents

Budapest Trip Cost Guide

The costs below are just averages and how much your average daily costs are in Budapest are highly dependent on your individual travel style and interests. In general, however, you will find that the city has quite affordable prices and that it is quite feasible to visit Budapest on a budget.

The currency in Hungary is the Hungarian Forint (HUF), however, all prices here are listed in Euro to make things a bit easier to understand.

Accommodation Prices in Budapest

The cost of accommodation in Budapest generally makes the biggest dent in any travel budget, so it’s something that needs consideration.

Luckily, you can get quite good value for money in the Hungarian capital there is ample choice for affordable accommodation close to all of the major attractions and public transport links on both the Buda and Pest sides .

On the budget end, you will find a lot of different options for hostels such as the Lavender Circus Hostel with most dorm beds starting at an average price of about €15-20 per night. This does depend on the season you’re travelling, with prices being lower in the winter and higher in the summer.

On the mid-range, there are plenty of lovely hotels — such as Butterfly Home Danube — that range from around roughly €50-80 per night. If you’re splitting the costs between two people, this can work out to be quite affordable.

Even if you’re looking for something a bit more plush than a mid-range hotel, you will find that some 4-star hotels that are centrally located and boast plenty of amenities are not as pricey as those in many other European cities may be.

If you’re looking to stay in a luxury hotel such as the Maison Bistro & Hotel , expect those to start at around €120-150 per night and can go up from there. This, again, depends on the time of year, day of the week and lots of other variables, as well. However, you generally don’t need to break the bank to stay in style while visiting Budapest.

So, depending on the type of accommodation that you’re after, I’d recommend planning around €15-75 per person per night in this area of your daily budget when you travel to Budapest.

Transportation Prices in Budapest

If you arrive into Budapest airport, then you need to account for the cost of getting from the airport to the city centre. If you go by the direct airport bus, then plan to spend under €5 for this privilege. You can also opt to take a Bolt or taxi or book a private transfer for around €25-30.

Budapest has an extensive public transport system that includes multiple metro, bus, and tram lines. That being said, many of the major sites in the city are quite close together and Budapest itself is quite walkable. However, it is still quite a large city so using the public transport system can be useful and affordable.

If you’re planning on visiting a number of paid attractions, it can be worth it to purchase a Budapest Card . This includes unlimited public transportation along with free and discounted entry into the majority of Budapest’s top attractions. There are lots of different options available, but the savings can be significant if you choose to purchase one.

If you don’t go for the card, you will still find public transit to be quite affordable. Figure out how much you plan to use the metro or tram and make a decision on whether purchasing single-ride tickets or a longer travel card makes sense for you.

A single ticket costs about €1.15 and a 24-hour travel card costs about €6.50 and they are valid on all modes of transport within the city. You can find detailed information about the pricing for Budapest’s public transit on their official website .

If you don’t want to use public transportation or simply want the option of jumping in a taxi, there are a few ride-hailing apps available in Budapest. There is no Uber in Budapest, however, Bolt operates in the city and rides can be affordable.

In general, plan to budget around €5-10 per person per day on transportation, assuming you use the public transport system but throw in a Bolt ride here and there for convenience.

Food Prices in Budapest

The cost of food can really vary in Budapest depending on your habits and where/when you choose to eat out. If you’re really looking to pinch some pennies, you can eat very cheap in Budapest and not go hungry.

If you avoid the tourist trap restaurants along the river or near Castle Hill, eating out in Budapest can be incredibly affordable for visitors. Hungarian food is also unique to that of other Central and Eastern European cuisines so it is very much worth sampling.

There are a number of cheap, international fast food options available for budget travellers as well. For instance, a kebab or falafel from a fast food restaurant will only cost a few euro for a sizable portion. If you want to eat local, expect a langos (a Hungarian-style pizza kind of dish) to also cost around €4-6 depending.

If you’d prefer to eat at a sit-down, mid-range restaurant, a two-course meal will only cost about €10-15 per person and a meal at a budget restaurant will be even less. You can obviously spend more if you’re looking to eat at more upmarket spots or do a food tour but these are just some starting-off figures.

If you are staying in a place that has self-catering facilities and would prefer to cook your own meals, groceries are also quite affordable in Budapest and you won’t have to spend much to eat.

On average, plan to spend about €10-20 per person per day on food in Budapest depending on your habits and preferences.

Activities Prices in Budapest

While it is incredibly possible to experience Budapest to its fullest without spending a cent on activities, sometimes it is nice to visit a museum or historical landmark and most do charge admission fees.

Most museum tickets cost around €10 at full price, and there are a number of discounts available as well. For example, most places offer significant discounts for students, youths (under 25’s), and seniors (over 65’s). You can also get entry to a number of museums for free with a purchase of a Budapest Card.

Some of the top museums in Budapest include the House of Terror (with entry at around €10 full-price) and the Budapest History Museum at the Buda Castle, which is also around €10 for entry. Other museums, like the Hospital in the Rock museum, can be more expensive at around €25. Entry into the Dohany Street Synagogue is similarly priced.

There are also plenty of great free walking tours to take advantage of in Budapest, for which you are only financially responsible for the guide’s tip. In general, plan to tip at least €5-10 per person depending on the quality of the tour – or more, if you think it’s worth it!

If you want to go on a more specialised, paid walking tour, expect these to start at around €10-15 and to go up from there, depending on the type of tour and the group size, particularly for Jewish history or communism tours.

One of the most popular activities in Budapest includes going to one of its many thermal bathhouses, and admission to these can range in price depending on where you go. The popular Széchenyi Thermal Baths , for example, are also among the most expensive, starting at around €25 for basic entry.

My recommendation would be to head to the more local, less touristy bathhouses such as the Rudas Baths where entry prices start at around €15.

Of course, another popular activity in Budapest is to go on a cruise along the mighty Danube. These are frequent and won’t break the bank depending on the type of cruise you book. Expect prices to average around €10-15.

In general, plan to spend roughly €10-30 per person per day on activities for your Budapest travel costs, depending on how many things you want to do and if you choose to purchase any discount cards.

Entertainment Prices in Budapest

Budapest is becoming internationally recognised for its unique nightlife and it is incredibly accessible to experience all the Hungarian capital has to offer while visiting Budapest on a budget. Whether you’re looking to hop from ruin bar to ruin bar until the wee hours of the night or grab a solitary beer or coffee, entertainment prices are something you need to be aware of.

Budapest has some affordably priced alcohol and it doesn’t cost much to grab a pint of beer. Expect a half-litre of local lager to cost roughly €2.50 depending on where you are.

A glass of local wine is priced similarly, however, a basic cocktail such as a gin and tonic or an Aperol Spritz will cost somewhere around €5-8 depending on the establishment. These prices are what you can expect at some of Budapest’s famous ruin bars, like Szimpla Kert, or at other bars and restaurants as well.

If you’re looking to grab a coffee out, plan for an espresso drink like a cappuccino to cost around €2.50, as well.

How much you end up spending on the entertainment end really depends on the kind of holiday you’re looking to have. If you’re the type who wants to enjoy a coffee or a beer at the end of the day, then you will only need to budget about €5 per day. If you’re visiting Budapest to party, plan to budget a bit more.

Average Budapest Budget

To sum it up, this is how much you should expect to spend daily while visiting Budapest. This is assuming that you’re splitting some costs like accommodation and intend to use public transportation.

Accommodation : €15-75 / night

Transport : €5-10 / day

Food : €10-20 / day

Activities : €10-30 / day

Entertainment : €5-20 / day

All in all, your average Budapest cost per day to land somewhere around €45-155 per person, factoring in all of the aforementioned costs. This means that if you’re planning a 4-day budget for Budapest, then expect to spend around €180-620 per person.

Budapest can be an affordable city to visit if you know how much to budget and where to spend your money. In general, you can have a great trip to the Hungarian capital even if you don’t have a lot of extra cash to spend!

Are you planning a trip to Budapest? Have any questions? Let us know in the comments!

Related Posts:

The Perfect 2, 3 or 4 Days in Budapest Itinerary

Prague or Krakow or Budapest: Which City to Visit?

10 Things To Do In Pecs, Hungary: A One-Day Itinerary

About Maggie Turansky

Maggie is a co-founder and writer for The World Was Here First. Originally from the US, she has lived in five different countries and has travelled to dozens more, both solo and with her partner, Michael. She particularly loves exploring Spain and spending time in the Caucasus and the Baltics. Read more about Maggie

hey guys, I’m living in Bucharest (do not confuse it with Budapest, please) and YES, I do plan to visit Budapest in a few years with my girlfriend. We plan to start a lifestyle blog as well.

Keep up the great job! 🙂

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Is Budapest Cheap? (A 2024 Cost Breakdown)

So, you’re planning a trip to the stunning capital of Hungary, but you have one question before you commit and book your flight. ‘Is Budapest Cheap to Visit?’. Well, in this post we are going to break it down.

Let’s take a look at just how much a trip to Budapest costs, from accommodation and food to transportation and sightseeing. This guide will be your one-stop shop for all things costs related.

I have also provided a table of just how much I spent on my recent trip to Budapest.

Section 1: Budget for Budapest Accommodation

Accommodation plays a big role in any travel budget and Budapest is no different. However, the beauty of this city is that it caters to everyone – from backpackers on a shoestring budget to luxury seekers who want nothing but the best.

Let’s dive in and see what to expect when it comes to the cost of accommodation in Budapest. Whether you’re seeking a hostel dormitory or a 5-star suite.

Average Cost of Accommodation in Budapest

Luxury Travel: Those looking for a splash of luxury can expect to pay around € 250+ per night at a 5-star hotel.

Mid-Range Hotel: If you’re looking for something a bit more comfortable, the average cost of a mid-range hotel is around €100-€150 per night.

Budget Hotel: For those on a budget, there are plenty of budget hotels available for around €50-€80 per night but sometimes these tend to be further away from major attractions.

Hostels: Hostels are the most budget-friendly option, with prices ranging from €25 to €45 per night for a dormitory bed. Private rooms in hostels will cost you around €50-65 per night.

Cheap Accommodation in Budapest

If you’re on the hunt for pocket-friendly accommodations, Budapest won’t disappoint. Here are a few options that are not only affordable but also come highly recommended by past guests.

• Wombats Hostel: Located in the heart of Budapest, this hostel offers both dormitory and private rooms at affordable prices. It also has a bar and communal areas for socializing. I have stayed here twice and loved it both times.
• Marco Polo Top Hostel: Known for its friendly staff and clean facilities, Marco Polo Top Hostel is another great choice for budget-conscious travellers. A night here will set you back about €15 (off-season) and €40 (peak season).
• Ibis Budapest City : If you prefer a hotel over a hostel, Ibis Budapest City is worth considering. It’s a budget hotel that doesn’t compromise on comfort. The average cost per night is around €75-100.

Remember, prices may vary depending on the season and availability. Always book in advance to secure the best rates!

Tips on Finding Cheap Place to Stay in Budapest

• Book in Advance: Accommodation prices in Budapest can skyrocket during peak tourist seasons. To ensure you get the best deal, try to plan your trip and book your stay well in advance.
• Compare Prices: Use online comparison sites to check the prices of different hostels, hotels, and apartments. Sites like Booking.com , Expedia , and Airbnb can help you find the best deals.
• Consider Location: Staying in the city centre may be more expensive, however, staying further outside the city isn’t always cheaper. Consider the cost of transportation to and from your accommodations before booking.
• Look for Package Deals: Sometimes, travel agencies offer package deals that include accommodation, meals, and excursions. These can often work out cheaper than booking everything separately. Check out companies such as lastminute.com and Travelocity for package deals.
• Be Flexible: If you have a flexible schedule, consider travelling during off-peak seasons to save on accommodation costs. You’ll also avoid the crowds and enjoy a more authentic experience
• Stay in Hostels: Hostels are a great option for budget travellers, offering dormitory-style rooms and communal spaces for socialising. They can be found all over Budapest with prices starting at around €30 per night. Check out my guide on the top hostels in Europe for some inspiration.

Section 2: Budapest Food and Drink Prices

The next thing you need to consider when determining your Budget for Budapest is the cost of food and drink. Budapest is known for its mouth-watering national dishes, energetic boat party’s and famous ruin bars. So, it is safe to say food and drink are a highlight of any Budapest Itinerary .

How much is a meal in Budapest?

Breakfast: In Budapest, a typical breakfast at a local café would cost around 1,000-1,500 HUF (€2.5/3), which includes pastries, eggs, coffee, or tea.

Lunch: In a local eatery or bistro where a soup, main course, and a drink would cost somewhere between 1,500-3,000 HUF (€3-5). If you opt for a more high-end restaurant, expect to pay around 5,000-7,000 HUF (€15-20).

Dinner: This is usually the most expensive meal of the day. In a local restaurant, you can expect to spend around 3,000-5,000 HUF (€8-15) for a main course. However, in fancier restaurants, prices can go up to 10,000-12,000 HUF (€25-30) per dish.

Street Food: If you are looking to keep costs down then why not check out Budapest’s incredible street food scene? You can find bites for as cheap as 500-1,000 HUF (€1.5-3). They usually have a range of food, from delicious Hungarian sausages to langos (deep-fried flatbread). If you’re looking for something a little heavier then expect to pay slightly more.

Budapest Beer Prices

Budapest is a city that loves its beer, and you’ll be able to find a pint to quench your thirst without breaking the bank.

Local Beer: If you’re in one of the city’s many bars or pubs, a pint of local beer, such as Dreher or Borsodi, will usually set you back around 500-600 HUF (€1.5-2).

Imported Beer: For international beer enthusiasts, imported beers are slightly more expensive, somewhere in the range of 800-1,000 HUF (€2.5-3).

Craft Beer: Budapest also has a burgeoning craft beer scene. Expect to pay anywhere from 1,000-1,500 HUF (€3-5) for these artisanal brews.

All these prices are only estimates

Where to Find Traditional Hungarian Dishes

If you’re in Budapest and looking to try some traditional Hungarian dishes, you’re in luck. The city is teeming with restaurants that serve authentic local cuisine.

Langos: This deep-fried flatbread is best enjoyed at local street food markets. Check out Karavan Street Food, located in the Jewish Quarter, for some of the best Langos in town. This typically costs around 500-800 HUF (€1.5-2.5), depending on the toppings.

Goulash: This hearty stew is a staple of Hungarian cuisine. Most traditional Hungarian restaurants will have it on their menu, but for an exceptional experience, visit ‘ Getto Gulyas ‘ in the 7th district. Expect to pay 1,500-2,500 HUF (€4.5-7.5) for Goulash.

Dobos Torte: For dessert, make your way to ‘ Auguszt Cukrászda ‘, a historic pastry shop in Budapest, to try Dobos Torte, a Hungarian sponge cake layered with chocolate buttercream and topped with caramel. Dobos range from 500-1,000 HUF (€1.5-3) each.

Section 3: Transport Prices in Budapest

Another element you need to consider when determining if Budapest is cheap enough for you Budget in the cost of transportation. Budapest has a fantastic transport system, with a variety of options to choose from including busses, trams and taxis.

Here’s a brief overview of the current prices (at the time of writing):

• Single Ticket: This costs 450 HUF, which roughly translates to about €1.30.
• 30-Minute Ticket: If you’re planning to use multiple modes of transport in a short period this could be a good option, costing 530 HUF or approximately €1.6.
• 60-Minute Ticket: For longer journeys, the 60-minute ticket might be more economical at 750 HUF, equal to around €2.2.

They also have multi travel day options, you can check the prices out here but in my opinion you will not need it as Budapest is an extremely walkable city. The only time I used public transport was taking part in my caving tour , the perfect activities for any adrenaline junkies out there! And visiting the Zugliget Chairlift (one of my favourite hidden gems ).

Are Taxi’s Cheap in Budapest?

Ok, so what happens when you are in a rush? You frantically need to get somewhere while in Budapest but don’t want to break the bank. Well, I have some good news for you, while Budapest does not have Uber , their taxi service tends to be rather affordable.

All taxi drivers need to have a license and are regulated by the government. The base fare when entering a taxi is 1000HUF (2.90€), with an additional 400HUF (€1.15) charged per kilometre. They also charge a waiting rate of 100HUF(€0.30) per minute.

If you decide to get a taxi from the Airport expect to pay around 9000HUF (€25), depending on traffic conditions and the exact location of your destination.

Tips on keeping transportation cheap in Budapest

To keep your travel expenses low in Budapest, consider utilizing the local bike-sharing system, known as MOL Bubi . It’s an affordable and eco-friendly alternative to taxis or public transportation.

For short trips around the city centre, the first 30 minutes of each ride are free. After that, small fees apply, making it still a cost-effective solution for longer journeys.

Lastly, walking is not only free, but it also allows you to truly soak in the city’s charm and discover hidden gems you might miss otherwise.

Budapest is an extremely walkable city , yes your step count may be high and your feet may be sore at the end of the day but the memories and experiences you will gain are priceless. Plus, it’s a great way to burn off all of that delicious Hungarian food you’ll be indulging in.

Section 4: Average Prices in Budapest for Attractions & Activities

Visiting Budapest is not just about exploring the city, but also about immersing yourself in its rich culture through the various attractions and activities it offers. Below is a list of some of the cities main paid attractions and their cost.

Szechenyi Baths: This beautiful thermal bath complex is one of the largest in Europe and a must-visit when in Budapest. The entrance fee varies depending on which package you choose, with the basic ticket costing around 5600HUF (€16) for weekdays and 5800HUF (€17) for weekends.

Parliament Building Tour: The iconic Parliament building is a popular tourist spot, and for good reason. The guided tour costs around 5000HUF (approximately €16) for EU citizens and 10000HUF (approximately €32) for non-EU citizens.

Danube River Cruise: A great way to see the city from a different perspective, a Danube river cruise can cost anywhere between 2000HUF (€6) for a basic one-hour tour to 7900HUF (€23) or more for a luxury dinner cruise.

List of 11 Cheap Things to Do in Budapest

If you are looking for affordable things to do in Budapest then the below list is perfect for you! Budapest is a wonderful city, one that should be on everyones Europe Itinerary , and the best part is you do not need to break the bank to visit.

1. Budapest City Park: 

The Budapest City Park is a haven for budget travellers. If you are looking for a tranquil green space to explore, then this is the perfect spot for you. Take some time to admire the beauty of Vajdahunyad Castle, or take a leisurely stroll around the picturesque lake, or just take a minute to yourself to relax.

For those planning a trip to Budapest in the winter months, you may be lucky enough to witness the frozen lake and stunning scenery.

The famous Szechenyi Thermal Bath are also located in the park, and while they do cost to visit, they are rather affordable for a spa experience. Also, they are a MUST when visiting Budapest for the first time.

2. Discover Gellért Hill: 

If you’re up for a little more adventure, put on your comfy shoes and head towards Gellért Hill. While it does require a bit of a hike, believe me, the views from atop are worth every step. You won’t have to spend a dime relish in the panoramic view of Budapest’s stunning skyline, the winding Danube, and the city’s remarkable architectural marvels. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a glorious sunset painting the city in golden hues. 

Moreover, tucked beneath the hill, you’ll find the historic Gellért Hill Cave Church which has witnessed the tumultuous past of the city. And did I mention the grandeur of the Liberty Statue that stands tall at the top, symbolizing freedom and offering a constant reminder of Hungary’s tumultuous past? 

3. Explore the Ruin Bars: 

Even if you’re travelling on a budget, Budapest’s famous ruin bars are an experience you won’t want to miss. These are some of the most famous aspects of the city. A truly unique pub experience, featuring abandoned buildings, factories, or warehouses.

It is no wonder travellers from all over the world keep on coming back. Budapest’s nightlife is one of the best in Europe.

From chill vibes during the day to lively DJ sets at night, there’s always something happening. And the best part? The prices are surprisingly pocket-friendly. 

Whether you’re ordering local beers, and wines, or trying out the traditional Hungarian Palinka, these ruin bars will add a spark to your Budapest adventure without burning a hole in your wallet.

4. Discover Budapest’s Street Art:

If you’re a traveller on a budget, Budapest’s colourful street art is another must-do that won’t cost a dime. Take some time to walk around the city’s districts, admiring some of the talented work displayed by famous street artists. Each tells a unique story about the city’s history, culture, and the local’s way of life. 

These wall murals quite literally turn the city into an open-air museum, one of my favourite things about this activity is you can explore at your own pace.

Keep an eye out for the rubrics cube, my favourite mural in Budapest.

5. Take a Stroll Along the Danube:

For those travelling on a budget, a walk along the iconic Danube River presents an unbeatable opportunity to soak in the beauty of Budapest. This isn’t just a leisurely stroll; it’s a journey through the city’s historical heart, and guess what? It’s absolutely free. 

As you walk, you’ll marvel at the sight of the majestic Hungarian Parliament Building, an architectural masterpiece that stands proudly on the river’s bank. A bit further, you’ll come across the symbolic Chain Bridge, a testament of Budapest’s resilience and progress.

Not to forget, the captivating Buda Castle sitting on the higher bank, offering magnificent views if you’re up for a little climb. One of the most meaningful landmarks in Budapest also lies on the banks of the Danube, the Shoes on the Danube is a memorial for the lives lost in the war.

6. Explore Margaret Island: 

Next on our no-cost journey is the tranquil oasis of Margaret Island, right in the heart of the bustling city. Surrounded by the gentle flow of the Danube, this island offers a peaceful retreat – a place to unwind amidst nature, without reaching for your wallet. 

The island’s vast parkland is dotted with stunning flower gardens, enchanting musical fountains, and even some surprising wildlife. If you’re up for a leisurely stroll, the island’s 5.3-kilometre rubber-coated jogging track is perfect. 

Or maybe you’re in the mood for some history? Venture towards the ruins of a 13th-century Dominican convent and marvel at the island’s ancient past. 

As the day fades away, the rhythm of the island changes, the light softens and you might find yourself experiencing one of the most serene sunsets of your life – right in the midpoint of the Danube.

7. Uncover the Charm of the Castle District:

The next stop in our cost-free adventure is the enchanting Castle District. Picture this – cobblestone streets lined with quaint houses, showcasing hues of pastel colours, and rich history etched in every corner. It’s like stepping into a fairytale , and guess what? It’s absolutely free to explore! 

As you wander through the narrow streets, you’ll find yourself beneath the magnificent Buda Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site that reigns supreme over the city. The architectural brilliance of the castle blends harmoniously with the panoramic city views, creating a sight that remains etched in memory.

Don’t forget to stroll down to the Matthias Church & Fisherman Batsion with its striking gothic architecture, telling tales of the past.

8. Free Walking Tours – A Budget Traveler’s Best Friend:

If you’re travelling on a budget, free walking tours are a fantastic option. They are a fantastic way to explore the city without having to eat too much into your budget. 

Generally, the tours are led by locals who are passionate about their city and history, offering insights you won’t find in guidebooks. 

It is also a great way of getting a feel for the city on the first day you arrive. Test out where you would like to explore more.

9. Discover Heroes’ Square:

I couldn’t leave out the wonderful Heroes’ Square. Imagine this – you’re standing in one of Budapest’s largest squares, surrounded by iconic statues depicting the Seven Chieftains of the Magyars and other important national leaders. 

Just like in the Castle District, you’ll be struck by the sheer beauty of the place.

The square is also home to the Museum of Fine Arts and the Palace of Arts, so if you were looking for an extra activity these are great options,  But it’s not just about the buildings and statues here. 

The Square itself is a symbol of the country’s pride in its history and the heroes of Hungary’s past. 

10. Snap a Picture at the Chain Bridge:

Just wait until you see the Chain Bridge! This iconic suspension bridge is a must-visit spot in Budapest, especially for the camera-happy among us. 

Connecting the sides of Buda and Pest across the River Danube, the bridge offers breathtaking views of the cityscape. 

Its majestic stone lions and stunning architecture make it an ideal backdrop for your travel photos. 

Plus, at night, the illuminated bridge against the dark river is just uber-romantic. Whether you’re a photography enthusiast or just love capturing memories, the Chain Bridge is a spot you’ll definitely want to hit.

11. Visit the Central Market Hall: 

The Central Market Hall is a paradise for savvy travellers looking to experience Budapest’s vibrant culture without overspending. 

Here you can find an array of local goods, from fresh produce, and traditional Hungarian spices to artisan crafts and souvenirs. It’s a great spot to pick something up for loved ones out have to break the bank

Foodies will particularly love the opportunity to sample authentic local cuisine at extremely affordable prices.

Whether you’re picking up ingredients for a picnic in the City Park or hunting for unique, budget-friendly keepsakes, the Central Market Hall offers an authentic slice of Budapest life that won’t strain your wallet.

Section 5: The Breakdown of My Budapest Trip Cost

I spent 4 months backpacking across Europe and took careful note of how much I spent on the trip so I could report back with a budget for each destination. Below is my exact spending while in Budapest for 5 days. It is important to note, I didn’t do too many paid activities as this was my 4th time in the city and I cooked most of my own meals. So, if you do intend on visiting you may need to increase your budget according to your spending habits.

Hostel Stay (4 Nights): €84 Food: €79 Alcohol: €26.31 Activities (Just the chair lift): €10.12 Transport: €39.62 Total: €239 (€48 a day)

Section 6: Why is Budapest so Cheap?

Budapest is often considered a budget-friendly destination due to a number of factors.

The cost of living and the value of the local currency, the Hungarian Forint, compared to popular currencies like the Euro or US Dollar, makes it more affordable for tourists.

Moreover, the local economy is designed to accommodate a wide range of income levels, creating a substantial number of options that cater to budget travellers.

Whether it’s the cost of food, accommodation, or tourist activities, you’re likely to find that your money goes a lot further in Budapest than in many other European capitals.

But with that being said, while Budapest may seem affordable to tourists, that is not always the reality for locals. The average salary in Hungary is significantly lower than in other European countries, making it difficult for locals to afford the same luxuries and experiences that tourists may enjoy at a fraction of the cost.

Section 7: Tips for Visiting Budapest Cheap

If you’re planning on visiting Budapest and want to stay within a tight budget, here are some tips to help you save money!

• Consider Public Transport: Budapest’s public transport system is efficient and affordable, reducing the need for taxis. You can travel by metro, tram, or bus to reach most parts of the city.
• Eat at Local Markets: Local markets, like the Central Market Hall, offer a variety of fresh and inexpensive Hungarian dishes.
• Free Walking Tours: There are several free walking tours that provide an excellent overview of the city’s history and culture. Remember to tip your guide according to your budget!
• Take Advantage of Free Attractions: Budapest has many free attractions, such as parks and historical monuments, that can be enjoyed without spending a penny.
• Visit in the Off-Season: Budapest experiences peak tourist seasons during the summer and Christmas holidays, resulting in higher prices. Consider visiting during the off-season to get better deals on accommodation and activities.
• Stay in Hostels: Hostels are a budget-friendly option for accommodation, especially for solo travellers. They also offer a great opportunity to meet other travellers and share tips on how to save money.
• Use Discount Cards: Many cities offer discount cards that provide discounted or free entry to popular tourist attractions and transport options. Check if Budapest has a similar option before you arrive.
• Bring a Reusable Water Bottle: Instead of constantly buying bottled water, bring a reusable water bottle and fill it up at public drinking fountains found throughout the city.

Section 9: Cost of Flights to Budapest

So, you’ve decided to take a trip to the beautiful city of Budapest. You’ve planned your itinerary and figured out how to do it all on a budget. But, one vital piece of the puzzle remains, and that’s your flight. The cost of flights will vary depending on when and where you’re booking from. But don’t worry, I’ve compiled some estimates to give you a general idea of what to expect.

• From New York City, USA: You can find round-trip flights ranging from $450 to $750.
• From London, UK: Prices for round-trip fares generally fall in the range of £50 to £200.
• From Sydney, Australia: Expect to pay between AUD 1,000 and AUD 1,500 for a round-trip ticket.
• From Tokyo, Japan: Round-trip flights usually cost between ¥60,000 and ¥120,000.
• From Johannesburg, South Africa: You can get a round-trip ticket for between ZAR 7,000 and ZAR 12,000.

Of course, these are all estimates, for finding the best flight deals I recommend using skyscanner and be flexible with your dates.

Section 8: Is Budapest Cheaper than Other European Cities

Yes, Budapest is generally cheaper than many other European cities. While it’s true that prices have been steadily climbing over the years, especially in the more touristy areas, you can still find plenty of good deals.

The cost of living in Hungary is still relatively low, which means you can enjoy local meals, public transportation, and accommodation for less than what you’d pay in cities such as Dublin or Paris.

That said, it’s always a good idea to budget wisely and keep an eye out for discounts and deals to maximize your savings.

Section 9: Budapest Cheap FAQ

How expensive is budapest.

Budapest is quite affordable when compared to other European cities. On average, you can expect to spend around 15000 HUF (Hungarian Forint) per day, which includes meals, transportation, and sightseeing.

If you opt for budget-friendly options, you could manage to bring down your daily costs even further.

However, it’s also possible to indulge in more luxurious experiences, which will naturally incure a higher cost. At the end of the day it all comes down to your spending habits.

Can you visit Budapest on a Budget?

Absolutely! Visiting Budapest on a budget is quite feasible and doesn’t mean you’ll miss out on a memorable experience. The city is abundant with free or low-cost attractions.

You can explore the city’s history at the Buda Castle Quarter, stroll along the picturesque Danube promenade, or simply take in the city vibes at one of the numerous parks.

Food and accommodation prices are also considerably lower than in many other European cities. If you plan your trip wisely and are willing to do some cost-saving research, you’ll find that Budapest offers great value for the money.

How much will I spend after 2 days in Budapest?

If you’re planning to spend two days in Budapest, your expenses will largely depend on your budget and preferences. However, on average, you can expect to spend around 30000 HUF, which includes meals, sightseeing, and transportation. This estimate assumes you’re choosing moderately priced restaurants and using public transportation. Remember, this is just an estimate and the actual cost could be less if you’re thrifty or more if you prefer luxury. Planning ahead, looking for deals, and being mindful of your spending can help you save money and enjoy your Budapest experience without breaking the bank.

Sure, it’s possible to have a budget-friendly trip in Budapest! The city is brimming with affordable and even free attractions. You can delve into Budapest’s rich history at the Buda Castle Quarter, wander the scenic Danube promenade, or simply soak in the city’s ambience at one of the many parks.

Compared to many other European cities, Budapest offers more affordable food and accommodation options. With careful planning and some cost-saving strategies, you’ll discover Budapest is quite a bargain.

The amount of money you’ll spend on a two-day trip to Budapest largely depends on your budget and tastes.

But to give you a ballpark figure, you can expect to spend around €200-350, including accommodation, meals, sightseeing, and transportation.

Of course, this comes down to personal spending habits but it is definitely doable for this price.

How much would it cost to spend one week in Budapest?

A week-long stay in Budapest will undoubtedly offer a more immersive experience, allowing you to explore the city’s hidden gems at your own pace.

Depending on your budget and personal preferences, the average cost for a week can range from €500 to €1500. This estimate includes accommodation in a budget or mid-range hotel, meals at moderate to high-end restaurants, public transportation, and entrance fees to various attractions.

As you can see, the cost varies greatly as it is nearly impossible to suggest a budget without knowing individual circumstances and travel style.

Should I book a trip to Budapest?

Yes, without a doubt, Budapest is a city that is worth the visit . It is a fun, safe and unique place to explore with an array of things to see and do. You could be busy for days! The city is known for its stunning architecture, delicious food and thermal baths. Whether you’re a solo traveller, couple or family, Budapest caters to all types of travellers. And is sure to make lasting memories for those who decide to visit.

Conclusion: Is Budapest Cheap?

In conclusion, Budapest offers a cost-effective travel experience compared to many other European cities. Despite gradual price increases, particularly in tourist hotspots, Budapest continues to offer value for money.

The lower cost of living in Hungary allows for more affordable local eating experiences, public transport, and accommodation than you would typically find in cities like Dublin or Paris.

However, it’s important for travelers to budget wisely and be on the lookout for discounts and deals to make the most of their money.

As always, try to walk as much as possible, eat at local restaurants, and be open to exploring beyond the popular tourist spots for a truly budget-friendly experience.

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Hungary Travel Guide

Last Updated: April 29, 2024

Hungary is one of the many underrated gems of Europe . Compared to pricey Western Europe, Hungary offers incredible value. It boasts beautiful landscapes, rich history, hearty food, and affordable nightlife ( Budapest is one of the best nightlife spots on the continent).

You’ll also find fewer crowds, cheaper prices, beautiful national parks, historic city centers, and friendly people.

It’s one of my favorite places to explore in Europe!

While most visitors only visit Budapest, there is so much to see elsewhere around the country. It always surprises me that, for a country in the middle of Europe, so few people actually bother to explore it!

This travel guide to Hungry can help you visit the country on a budget and ensure you have an epic trip without breaking the bank.

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Hungary

Click Here for City Guides

Top 5 things to see and do in hungary.

1. Explore Budapest

With its cheap accommodation, a multitude of thermal baths, and historic castles, Budapest is always a big hit with travelers. On a visit to Hungary’s capital city, you can explore underground caves, marvel at the stunning architecture, and enjoy the incredible nightlife. Cruise the river Danube on a riverboat to check out the views during the day, and then dance the night away when the boats turn into some of the city’s best late-night clubs. It has lots to do, cheap food, and a lively atmosphere. It’s one of my favorite cities in the world!

2. Visit the ruin bars

After World War II, many buildings in the city were left ruined and abandoned. Squatters, then artists, and now hipsters moved into them and have turned them into eclectic “ruin bars” that even the locals love. The atmosphere is grungy and unique with rundown exteriors that open into hip spaces for dancing, performance art, and theater. Decorated with reclaimed materials and quirky antiques, the ruin bars are an iconic part of Hungary’s nightlife. Szimpla Kert and Fogasház are among my favorites.

3. Soak in the largest thermal lake in the world

Hévíz is located near Lake Balaton and is home to the largest swimmable thermal lake in the world, Lake Hévíz. Whatever the season, the lake remains a perfect temperature for taking a dip in the therapeutic waters which are rich in minerals like magnesium, calcium, sulfur, and hydrogen carbonate (Hungary’s thermal waters have been used for thousands of years for their health benefits). In the early 1900s the area became a popular spa resort destination, with visitors flocking from all around Europe. There isn’t much to the town beyond this, but it makes for a neat day trip if you’re in the area. Single entry tickets are 3,500 HUF for three hours and there is a range of spa services available too.

4. Hike Gulács Hill

This inactive volcano stands around 400 meters (1,312 feet) high and makes for a wonderful hike. The path is rugged and often covered in dense forests or fallen trees, so it’s not ideal for children. Various trails snake up the mountain, and on the way, you can visit other landmarks like an old, abandoned quarry. Mysterious paths continuously intersect and lead to nowhere, so it’s easy to get a little lost, and dense woods add to the mystique of the hike. From the first observation point, you can see all the way to Lake Balaton. You’ll get stunning views of the entire area and it’s only a 3-kilometer (2-mile) trek. It makes for an easy day trip from Budapest.

5. Take a trip to Eger

Tucked away in northern Hungary near the Bükk Mountains, this town dates all the way back to the 10th century. It is known for its historic castle, which was originally a manor house and chapel that overlooked the valley. Throughout the 11th and 12th centuries, the castle suffered major damage and was rebuilt and fortified multiple times until the church began to demolish the structure in the late 1700s. Luckily, the demolition was stopped, and archeological digs and excavations began in the 20th century. Today, visitors can explore the remains of the medieval bishop’s castle for 2400 HUF. Eger is also famous for its stunning Baroque and architecture and Turkish ruins, thermal baths, and the best red wine in the country. You can buy wine directly from those who make it, so this is a good place for souvenirs — or to stock up for yourself!

Other Things to See and Do in Hungary

1. dance at the sziget music festival.

The Sziget Music Festival is one of the largest music festivals in Europe. It takes place every August for one week on Margaret Island in Budapest, right on the Danube River. Because of its size and international popularity, tourists and locals alike flock to Budapest to take in the scene. With over 1,000 performances, there is something for most musical tastes. You can book tickets online. Prices start around 132,000 HUF for a full festival pass.

2. Relax at Lake Balaton

Lake Balaton is the biggest freshwater lake in Central Europe and is known affectionately as the Hungarian inner sea. It’s a popular tourist destination both for visitors and nationals thanks to its beaches and volcanic hills. In Tihany, you can visit a Benedictine Abbey that dates to 1065 CE (admission is 2,200 HUF). Towards the north of the lake is a wine-growing region, wetlands, and some epic hiking trails. For those looking for more relaxation, you’ll find over 1,000 hot springs famed for their medicinal properties here. One of the most popular is Héviz Lake (mentioned above) which also offers visitors a whole range of different spa treatments. Treatments start from 3,900 HUF for a 35-minute massage.

3. Cruise along the Danube

The Danube is the second-longest river in Europe (the Volga is the longest). The river runs through the entire country and you can visit many of the small towns that line its coast by taking a boat cruise (you can even cruise into Germany if you have time). Expect to pay around 22,000 HUF for a full-day cruise that includes lunch. For a shorter 4-hour cruise without food included, prices start at 4,000 HUF.

4. Visit the Necropolis in Pécs

Located just a couple hours from Budapest, this UNESCO World Heritage Site dates to the 4th century. It’s the largest necropolis in Europe, with several burial chambers open to the public, including multi-level chambers. Admission is 1,700 HUF. It’s currently closed for renovations and expected to reopen in early 2023.

5. Take a food tour

Hungarian cuisine is both delicious and hearty. If you’re a foodie like me and want to sample the country’s most popular dishes (while learning about their cultural importance), take a food tour. Food Tour Budapest runs in-depth guided tours around Budapest that can introduce you to the region’s best dishes and teach you how they came to be. Tours last a few hours and start at 18,200 HUF.

6. Admire the National Gallery

Established in 1957 and located in the Royal Palace in Budapest, the National Gallery is home to works from prominent Hungarian and European artists. There are a lot of paintings and sculptures here, as well as a collection of altarpieces from the 1400s. You can also tour the building’s dome for views of the city. It’s not a huge gallery, so you only need a few hours to take it in. Admission to the gallery is 3,400 HUF per person and an audio guide is 1,100 HUF.

7. Go birdwatching

Hungary is home to a surprising number of bird species. Hot spots for birding include Hortobágy, Lake Ferto, Kiskunság, Lake Tisza, Bükk, and the Zemplén Mountains. In these places, you have a fair chance of seeing great bustards, sakers, imperial eagles, pygmy cormorants, woodpeckers, and even Ural owls. There are several companies that can arrange small group trips to these places (often combined with other activities, like wine tastings). Tours aren’t cheap, though — multi-day tours cost upwards of 240,000 HUF — so consider a self-guided trip if you’re on a budget.

8. Visit the House of Terror museum

Hungary is infamous for the brutality of its leaders under the Nazi and Soviet regimes. This building is both a museum and a memorial paying homage to the thousands of people who were tortured and brutally killed here. It’s not a light way to spend your afternoon, but you’ll get heaps of insight into Hungary’s complex history. Admission is 4,000 HUF.

9. Cycle the countryside

There are over 2,000 kilometers (1,243 miles) of cycling paths in the Hungarian countryside (and 200 kilometers/125 miles around Budapest). Lake Balaton has a popular cycling route that runs all the way around its perimeter. For those looking to go further afield on a multi-day excursion, the paths in Hungary also connect with routes in Germany and Austria . The routes are easy to navigate, though if you prefer to take a guided tour there are plenty available. A one-day guided tour costs between 22,220-55,550 HUF per person. If you are traveling with a bicycle, it can be transported by train within Hungary.

10. Explore Tengerszem Nature Preserve

This nature preserve is in an old stone mine, which closed in 1907. Nature has slowly reclaimed the area and water has filled the massive gorge. The site was declared the most beautiful area in all of Hungary in 2011. It’s a unique location to spend the day as its protected status means there are all kinds of incredible flora and fauna to be seen. The preserve is near Sarospatak in the northeast of the country (it’s just 20 minutes from the border with Slovakia ).

11. Soak in the baths

Thermal baths are a big part of Hungarian culture. Whether you’re relaxing in the famous Szechenyi Baths in Budapest or checking out a small hot pool in the countryside, you can’t leave Hungary without partaking in this local pastime (there are over 1,300 thermal baths in the entire country). Weekday admission is around 3,800 HUF per person, with prices rising slightly on the weekend.

12. Visit the Royal Palace (Buda Castle)

They call it a castle, but the Royal Palace in Budapest is more of a palace complex than a proper ‘castle.’ Though it was originally constructed in the 13th century, the huge Baroque complex you see today was built between 1749 and 1769. The palace’s days of being a luxurious living space ended in World War II when Nazi (and then Russian) troops looted it. Today, it’s home to a collection of museums. Beneath the castle, there is a spooky labyrinth that tourists can explore for 3,000 HUF.

13. Wander the Great Market Hall

At the head of Budapest’s Vaci Utca, the kitschy shopping street in town, is the Great Market Hall. Built in 1897, this is the oldest and largest indoor market in the country. Its incredible exterior is covered in the same ceramic tiles as are on the roof of Matthias Church on the top of Buda Hill. Walk the aisles and check out local produce and artisanal crafts, buy local spices like paprika, and sample the tasty food stalls. This is the perfect place to people-watch, have lunch, and pick up souvenirs. Food tours are also available at 11am every Saturday and cost around 13,300 HUF for a two-hour tour. The market is open Monday-Saturday.

14. Soak in the Cave Bath

If you enjoy spas and are in need of some pampering, the Cave Bath at Miskolctapolca is a must. Located within a natural cave system two hours east of Budapest, here the water is rich in natural minerals and is said to contain healing properties. The water is a relaxing 30°C (86°F) and there are several different pools to enjoy as well as reasonably priced spa treatments available. The baths are open year-round (except January) and admission starts at 3,500 HUF.

15. Attend the Busójárás Festival

This slightly scary festival happens annually in the lead-up to Ash Wednesday in the town of Mohács. During this time, locals parade through the town dressed in traditional clothing and wearing demonic face masks. No one is 100% certain where the tradition comes from as there are two very different stories, so it really depends on who you ask. One story is that it stems from an attempt to frighten off the Ottoman invaders. The other is that it’s part of a pagan tradition to frighten away the winter. Either way, it’s an interesting festival to witness. The dates of the festival change each year to coincide with Easter.

16. Tour the wine region

If you are a wine fan, the region of Eger in northern Hungary is where you’ll find the country’s best wines. There are many vineyards here where you can take a tour as well as sample and buy wine. A private wine tour and tasting costs upwards of 60,000 HUF so if you are on a tight budget keep an eye out for special wine-tasting evenings. Here you can tour the cellars and enjoy plenty of samples at a discount. Two of the most popular wineries to visit are the Gál Tibor winery and Bolyki Pincészet.

17. Explore the Caves of Aggtelek Karst

The Caves of Aggtelek Karst are part of Aggtelek National Park, one of the only UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the country. There are 712 caves spread out over 138,000 acres that run along the border of Hungary and Slovakia. The site is made up of seven areas with five in Hungary and two in neighboring Slovakia. Within the caves, you can see some of the largest stalactites and stalagmites in Europe. You can also book a tour that takes you across the border to see the caves in Slovakia. To enter the caves, you must be part of a guided tour. Admission is 2,200 HUF. For more information on tour times check the official website .

18. Go hiking in Hortobágy National Park

Located in the eastern part of Hungary, this is the largest protected landscape in the country. The park was created in the 1970s and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. The grassy plains (also known as a steppe) are home to all sorts of domestic animals, including cattle, horses, and water buffalo tended to by traditional herdsmen. Some of the rarest animal breeds can be found here, including great bustards, lesser white-fronted geese, white-tailed eagles, and falcons. The landscape is incredibly stunning.

19. See the Bokod Floating Houses

Bokod and Oroszlány are two towns located outside Budapest. The towns are home to a collection of cottages and cabins on stilts that line the coast of Lake Bokodi. The cabins and cottages are popular with the locals in the summer months, though there are some fishermen who spend time here in the winter as well (the lake is famous for almost never freezing, even though Hungary has cold winters). It’s an off-the-beaten-path destination that few tourists visit.

20. Visit the Hungarian Versailles

Eszterháza is a vast palace located near the border with Austria and is often considered the Hungarian version of France’s Versailles . Constructed in the late Baroque style, the palace was built throughout the 18th century after being commissioned by Prince Nikolaus Esterházy, who wanted a palatial getaway for his hunting expeditions. There are 126 rooms in the palace and the library houses over 22,000 books. Daily tours are available in English if you want to see this decadent getaway with your own eyes. Admission is 6,000 HUF and guided tours are 7,300 HUF.

For information on specific cities in Hungary, check out these guides:

• Budapest Travel Guide

Hungary Travel Costs

Accommodation – Hostels are incredibly affordable in Hungary, costing around 3,200 HUF per night for a bed in a dorm with 6-8 beds. Private rooms can be found for as little as 9,000 HUF per night. Free Wi-Fi is common, and a few hostels also offer free breakfast. Most hostels have kitchens if you plan on cooking your own meals.

Campsites can be found around the country, usually costing 3,500 HUF for a basic tent plot for two people without electricity. Wild camping is not legal.

Budget hotels can be found for as little as 9,800 HUF per night. For a double room with Wi-Fi and free breakfast, expect to pay closer to 15,300 HUF.

Airbnb is available around the country, with private rooms starting at 7,000 HUF per night (though they average 15,000 HUF). For an entire home or apartment, expect to pay closer to 15,000-20,000 HUF.

Food – Traditional Hungarian food is inexpensive and hearty. It’s very much a “meat and potatoes” country, with popular dishes being meat stew, smoked meats, casseroles, and dumplings. Túró is a popular local cheese and fruit pastries are a popular (and traditional) dessert. Be sure to try halászlé , a hot and spicy fish soup with paprika.

A meal at a restaurant serving traditional cuisine costs around 2,000 HUF. For a multi-course meal and a drink at a restaurant with table service, expect to pay closer to 6,000 HUF. In the larger cities, fast food (think McDonald’s) can be found for around 2,200 HUF.

You can find pizza for around 2,100 HUF for a medium while Chinese food costs around 2,900 HUF. Beer costs around 500 HUF while a latte/cappuccino is 450 HUF. Bottled water is 275 HUF.

If you plan on cooking your own meals, a week’s worth of groceries costs around 12,000 HUF. This gets you basic staples like rice, pasta, seasonal produce, and some meat.

Backpacking Hungary Suggested Budgets

On a backpacking budget of 11,500 HUF per day, you can stay in a hostel dorm, cook most of your meals and eat a little fast food, limit your drinking, use public transportation to get around, and do mostly free activities like walking tours and hiking. If you plan on drinking, add another 600-1,200 HUF to your daily budget.

On a mid-range budget of 29,500 HUF per day, you can stay in a private hostel room or Airbnb, eat out at cheap restaurants serving traditional cuisine, have a few drinks, take the occasional taxi to get around, and do more paid activities like visiting museums and lounging in the thermal baths.

On a “luxury” budget of 48,000 HUF per day, you can stay in a hotel, eat out anywhere you want, drink as much as you want, rent a car for day trips, and do more guided tours and paid tours. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages — some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in HUF.

Hungary Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Hungary is a very affordable destination. It’s hard to spend money here unless you’re out partying all the time or splashing out to visit spas. That said, it never hurts to save more money! Here are some tips to help you make the most of your budget in Hungary:

• Take a free walking tour – Free walking tours are available in Budapest and are the best way to get the lay of the land for cheap. You’ll learn a lot about the city and get access to an expert local guide who can answer your questions. Be Original Tours runs an interesting tour to get you started. Just be sure to tip your guide!
• Stay with a local – Staying with a local via Couchsurfing is a great way to save money and meet a knowledgeable local who can share their insider tips and advice.
• Cook your own meals – While eating out isn’t too expensive here, if you’re on a budget it’s cheaper if you cook your own meals. Head to a local grocery store and save money!
• Rideshare – Ridesharing apps like BlaBlaCar allow you to share rides with locals in order to get around the country (it’s best for medium and long distances). Everyone is registered and verified so it’s quite safe, and while it isn’t free it’s likely more interesting (and faster) than taking a train or bus.
• Walk everywhere – Most cities in Hungary are quite walkable (even Budapest). Plan your days strategically so you can limit your use of public transportation and capitalize on the opportunity to explore on foot.
• Get the Budapest Card – The Budapest Card is a travel pass that provides discounts and deals on attractions and activities in the city. You get free public transport, entry to the Lukács thermal baths, and entry to 17 museums. A 24-hour card costs 11,870 HUF, a 48-hour card costs 17,600 HUF, and a 72-hour card costs 23,000 HUF.
• Bring a water bottle – The tap water here is safe to drink so bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your plastic use. LifeStraw is my go-to brand as their bottles have built-in filters to ensure your water is always clean and safe.

Where to Stay in Hungary

Hungary has lots of hostels in its major cities. Here are some of my suggested places to stay in Hungary:

• Vitae Hostel (Budapest)
• Carpe Noctum Original (Budapest)
• Wombats City Hostel (Budapest)
• Tisza Corner (Szeged)
• Active Hostel & Guesthouse Keszthely (Keszthely)
• Nap Hostel Pecs (Pécs)

How to Get Around Hungary

Public transportation – Public transport is well developed in Hungary. Most cities have buses and trams, and Budapest has an underground. Single-journey tickets vary by city but expect to pay around 350 HUF, while a day pass costs around 1,650 HUF.

When using the local public buses in Hungary, you need to validate your ticket when you board. Traveling without a ticket is a fineable offense so be sure to validate your ticket before you ride.

Train – Hungary’s train network is still being modernized and there is a big difference in comfort between local trains and long-distance and international trains. As the Hungarian rail network was built around Budapest, most long-distance journeys take you through one of the capital’s three train stations (Keleti, Nyugati, or Deli).

When traveling by rail in Hungary you can choose to take the cheaper and slower local trains, or pay extra for more modern and faster InterCity rail services (be sure to reserve a seat in advance if you’re taking the InterCity train).

From Budapest to Lake Balaton, the train takes around 90 minutes and costs 3,000 HUF. From Budapest to Pécs, the journey takes around 2.5 hours and costs just 4,000 HUF. If you want to take the train into Slovakia, the train from Budapest to Bratislava takes around 2.5 hours and costs 3,500 HUF.

To find routes and prices for trains around Europe, use Trainline .

Bus – Volánbusz is the main bus company in Hungary. It’s cheap and is sometimes even faster than the train. Flixbus also has routes that connect to nearby countries like Austria, Czechia, and Slovakia.

The ride from Budapest to Pécs takes around 4.5 hours and costs around 3,500 HUF. The 2.5-hour bus from Budapest to Bratislava costs around 3,200 HUF.

To find bus routes and prices, use BusBud .

Flying – Flying around Hungary will not save you any time or money compared to the train so I’d avoid it. You can fly to nearby countries though, such as Austria, Czechia, Slovakia, and Poland, for under 18,000 HUF with Ryanair or Wizz Air (if you book early).

Car rental – Car rentals can be found for as little as 6,500 HUF per day for a multi-day rental, though this isn’t necessarily the most economical way to get around as the buses and trains here are super affordable. If you’re driving, make sure to bring an International Driving Permit (IDP) — you’ll need one for any car rental.

For the best car rental prices, use Discover Cars .

When to Go to Hungary

The most popular time to visit Hungary is June-August. Temperatures hover around 23-29°C (73-84°F) and Hungary (especially Budapest) experiences an influx of visitors. Prices increase during this time as well, but the cities are lively and there are lots of events and festivals.

Winter stretches from November to March. Expect rain and snow, with many tourist attractions shutting down for the season. Temperatures drop below freezing so it’s too cold for hiking and exploring on foot. That said, November-December brings Christmas markets galore, so it’s a fun time for shorter city trips.

Personally, I think the best time to visit Hungary is the shoulder season in the spring and fall. Temperatures hover between 10-17°C (50-62°F) so it’s still warm enough to hike and explore but prices are a little lower and there are fewer crowds.

How to Stay Safe in Hungary

Hungary is a safe country and travelers shouldn’t worry about violent crimes here. However, in the tourist areas of Budapest (as well as on crowded public transportation), scams and pick-pocketing can occur. Avoid flashing your valuables around and always keep an eye on your things when on the bus or train.

If you head out to the ruin bars, only bring enough cash for the night. Take a taxi home if you’re intoxicated.

For more information on potential scams in Hungary, here is my list of common travel scams to avoid

Solo female travelers should feel safe here but will want to take the standard precautions (avoid walking alone at night while intoxicated, keep an eye on your drink at the bar, etc.).

If you rent a vehicle, don’t leave any valuables in it overnight. Break-ins are rare but it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Members of the LGBTQ community will want to be mindful here as the government has been cracking down on the LGBTQ community in recent years.

If you experience an emergency, dial 112 for assistance.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance protects you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Hungary Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• HostelPass – This new card gives you up to 20% off hostels throughout Europe. It’s a great way to save money. They’re constantly adding new hostels too. I’ve always wanted something like this and glad it finallt exists.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• The Man in Seat 61 – This website is the ultimate guide to train travel anywhere in the world. They have the most comprehensive information on routes, times, prices, and train conditions. If you are planning a long train journey or some epic train trip, consult this site.
• Rome2Rio – This website allows you to see how to get from point A to point B the best and cheapest way possible. It will give you all the bus, train, plane, or boat routes that can get you there as well as how much they cost.
• FlixBus – Flixbus has routes between 20 European countries with prices starting as low 5 EUR! Their buses include WiFi, electrical outlets, a free checked bag.
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!
• BlaBlaCar – BlaBlaCar is a ridesharing website that lets you share rides with vetted local drivers by pitching in for gas. You simply request a seat, they approve, and off you go! It’s a cheaper and more interesting way to travel than by bus or train!

Hungary Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on backpacking/traveling Europe and continue planning your trip:

The 7 Best Hotels in London

10 Scotland Road Trip Tips You Need to Know Before You Go

The Perfect 7-Day Croatia Itinerary

The 6 Best Hotels in Copenhagen

The 6 Best Hotels in Florence

The 7 Best Hotels in Madrid

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Home » Europe » Is Budapest Expensive? (Save Money in 2024)

Is Budapest Expensive? (Save Money in 2024)

Budapest is an amazing destination that’s actually split into two halves — Buda & Pest. The city’s ancient history and modern marvels mash together, creating a delicious cocktail of travel adventures!

Add in all the fun times to be had at its ruin bars, and good food at its historic local eateries, and you’ve got a real charmer of a city.

Now, Budapest has always had a reputation for being a cheap place to visit. But as it became increasingly popular over the years, does that statement still remain true? In general, yes, but, it all depends on where you put yourself (& your money) into.

Our plan with this guide is to give you all the tools for an inexpensive budget trip to Budapest. We’ll be covering cheap accommodation, cheap eats and how to sightsee without breaking the bank. We want to make sure you get a true experience while still keeping your wallet happy.

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So, How Much Does a Trip to Budapest Cost on Average?

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No matter how budget-friendly you may think it is, the cost of a trip to Budapest is still going to depend on a bunch of different things. You’ve got accommodation, flights, food & drinks, sightseeing/souvenirs… It’s surprisingly easy to go overboard — especially when “everything’s cheap”.

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Travel costs listed in this guide are estimates and subject to change. Prices throughout are listed in US Dollars (USD).

Budapest is the capital of Hungary, of course, which uses the Forint (HUF). Find out how much your money is worth today by using the up-to-date converter below.

We’ve summarized the general expenses of a 3-day trip to Budapest to give you a quick first glimpse:

3 Days in Budapest Travel Costs

ESTIMATED EXPENSE : $102 – $1200 USD for a roundtrip ticket.

How expensive is Budapest to fly to? It depends. Which season are you planning to travel in? June and July tend to be the most expensive — book it for February if you really need to cut costs.

The main airport serving the Hungarian Capital is Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport, aka Budapest Airport (BUD). The city centre is around 15.5 miles away from the airport, so you’ll have to factor in getting there by public transport or taxi into the cost of your trip, too.

Check out our breakdown below for an estimate of Budapest ticket prices from a handful of global transport hubs:

• New York to Budapest Airport: 531 – 820 USD
• London to Budapest Airport: 83 – 190 GBP
• Sydney to Budapest Airport: 756 – 1,410 AUD
• Vancouver to Budapest Airport: 938 – 1,303 CAD

The further away you are, the more expensive it’s going to be to fly to Budapest (duh), but there are still ways to find cheap flights . If you’ve never used it before, be sure to give Skyscanner a try when looking for deals.

Opting for a connecting flight via another European destination with a bigger international airport, such as London or Paris, can also make your flight cheaper.

ESTIMATED EXPENSE: $14 – $150 USD per night

Picking your timing right is key to being able to travel to Budapest cheaply. While things tend to get more expensive in the summer, travelling during the off and shoulder seasons will help keep things cheap.

But more than when you stay, where you stay in Budapest is a big element of it all. There are pros and cons of both hotels & hostels, and even Airbnbs.

Below, we’ll dive into more detail of each accommodation option so you can see which one is best for your budget (and travel style).

Hostels in Budapest

Hostels have been the mainstay of Budapest’s budget accommodation for years and years. But they’re not all backpacker-style digs, there’s actually a lot to choose from! And beds go for as low as $14.

They offer plenty of perks for the solo traveller or curious folk that wants to meet other travellers while roaming around. Some will even have free breakfast, free tours… or the occasional pub crawl!

For now, here are some of our favourite Budapest hostels :

• Maverick City Lodge : Part of the trusted Hostelling International group, this is a modern, trendy hostel situated in the historic Jewish Quarter of Budapest. They’ve got clean rooms, a communal kitchen and plenty of social events.
• The Hive Party Hostel Budapest : For those who want to join in the nightlife of Budapest, this adults-only hostel will ensure you get to party the night away. Complete with its rooftop bar and large courtyard, it hosts live music and boasts a full itinerary of evening escapades.
• Onefam Budapest : A great option for solo travellers, Onefam Budapest is centrally located & a good balance between sociable and laid-back. Free communal dinner served daily!

Airbnbs in Budapest

There are a ton of Airbnbs in Budapest. And unlike many European cities, they’re not expensive at all. You can grab yourself a stay in a cool Airbnb in Budapest for about $40 per night.

They’re great for couples who want the privacy of a hotel, but the freedom (and affordability) of a hostel. Extra budgeting points go to Airbnbs with kitchens stocked with basics to help your money go further.

Sounds good, right? Try out these Airbnbs for size:

• Chic Minimal Apartment : A historic apartment that’s been gloriously updated, this place comes with period features like large windows and parquet floors. This newly renovated apartment has good connections to the metro and is situated in a quiet, safe neighbourhood.
• Central Modern Budapest Airbnb : Boasting beautifully designed interiors, this apartment is ideal for a group of friends, with enough room to sleep up to four guests. It’s situated close to public transport, with restaurants, bars and famous city sights on the doorstep.
• Colourful Unique Apartment in the 6th District : This hip and stylish studio is a great budget option for a couple. Great use of space and comes with two bikes that you can use to explore the city!

Hotels in Budapest

How expensive is Budapest when it comes to hotels? Allow us to help out.

While you’ve got fancy hotels here that go up to the multiple hundreds, the majority of hotels in Budapest are mercifully affordable. We’re talking around $80 a night for a very decent high-quality option.

A hotel is for you if want absolutely nothing to do with chores. Add in the glorious breakfasts, on-site restaurants/bars, maybe a gym or a pool…

Here are a few of the best cheap hotels in Budapest:

• T62 Hotel : This contemporary hotel features bold interior design throughout. It boasts its own bar lounge and the boutique style rooms are truly eye-catching. Perfect for a couple on a city break. 
• Boutique Hotel Budapest : Sleek and stylish, this hotel offers great value for money. Rooms are minimalist and modern, and amenities include an on-site atrium bar and a bistro where the free breakfast is served daily.
• Vagabond Downtown : This is an aparthotel, so it’s more like self-catering accommodation but with hotel conveniences. Each room comes with a kitchen diner and lounge for a real home away from home feeling.

ESTIMATED EXPENSE : $0 – $7.60 USD per day

Budapest is a pretty compact city, which means getting around on foot isn’t too difficult. But like we’ve said before, it’s still a city of two halves. And that means getting between them will probably involve some form of transportation.

With a metro, bus, tram, trolleybus, suburban railway lines and boats, Budapest has a comprehensive network that can get you anywhere in the city for a pretty affordable price.

So without further ado, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of the transportation options in the Hungarian capital.

Train and Metro Travel in Budapest

Budapest boasts the oldest underground railway line in continental Europe. It was built in 1896 and it’s part of the city’s heritage!

There are four metro lines in total, with a fifth currently in the works. It’s an easy system to use, and a convenient one too. The M1 line, for example, connects some of the most iconic sights in the city, such as the Opera House, Hero’s Square and City Park.

The cost of a single trip on Budapest’s metro costs $1.20. Tickets are available at metro stations but can be used on all forms of transport across the city, minus transfers (except on the metro).

The suburban rail line is called HEV. This links central Budapest to the suburbs and downtown destinations. You’ll probably only use it to get to locations outside of the city, such as the Roman ruins at Aquincum.

If you do leave the city limits, however, you’ll need a special ticket.

It’s possible to buy travelcards from the metro stations, too. Not only are these a good way to save money, but they can also save you the hassle of having to validate a ticket every time you travel. Check the options:

• 24-hour ticket : $5.50
• 72-hour ticket : $14
• Weekly ticket : $17
• Monthly ticket : $32

It’s also possible to buy tickets in “blocks” of 10 tickets, which cost around $10. If you’re travelling in a group (of up to five), you may want to consider a group travelcard; for 24 hours this costs around $11.

Bus and Tram Travel in Budapest

Trams are an iconic sight in Budapest and one of the best ways to get around. These yellow vehicles trundle around 32 routes, linking spots where the metro doesn’t actually go to.

Some of the tram lines are particularly attractive and make for a good way to glimpse the city — a good hack for some cheap sightseeing in Budapest! Tram 2 (on the Pest side) zooms you past the Chain Bridge and the Hungarian Parliament; trams 19 and 41 (Buda side) are also pretty cool.

The bus network in Budapest is even more extensive. There are about 200 routes with blue buses weaving around the entire city. They can get busy with commuters and locals, but they do run frequently.

The city’s environmentally-friendly red trolleybuses run throughout downtown Pest and in the Zuglo area. Working much like trams and buses, it’s maybe not something you’ll use that much, but they’re fun to see.

Tickets for all the above are the same as those used on the metro and work in the same way, too. One ride costs $1.20; you have to validate your ticket with the machine onboard (or face the wrath of ticket inspectors), and travelcards can also be used.

Renting a Scooter or Bicycle in Budapest

Budapest is a busy city with a confusing network of roads, often heavy traffic, and trolleybuses and trams to contend with. It’s not a great idea to be driving around the city.

And to be honest, you don’t really need to. Public transportation is inexpensive, much better for the environment (and easy on the ol’ wallet) and can connect you to wherever you may want to go.

You could, however, opt to see the city with pedal power.

Budapest has been developing a network of dedicated bike lines, and cycling has become much more of a viable option. While the main roads can be busy and hazardous, there are some awesome areas that are perfect for cycling. Margaret Island is a haven for cyclists, as is City Park.

There’s a bike-sharing system in Budapest called MOL Bubi Bike. These eye-catching bright green bikes — over 1,500 of them — are stashed in over 120 docking stations at major transport hubs and around the city centre.

Simply release your bike using the app and off you go! The first 30 minutes are free; up to one hour of use costs $1.70. From then on it’s an extra $1.70 per hour. It’s also possible to get a 24-hour pass for around $11.

ESTIMATED EXPENSE: $10 – $30 USD per day

You may not know it, but Budapest has a thriving food scene that ranges from delicious, down-to-earth homespun meals from local food joints, to cool street food and plenty of international eateries.

In recent years, the city has been through a gastronomic revolution. You’ve got a selection of vegan and vegetarian joints added into its traditional mix — and most places that you stumble across will be delicious and cheap.

Make sure you don’t miss… 

• Goulash : Hungary’s iconic red-hued dish is a beef and vegetable stew with plenty of paprika. This is a staple eaten in homes and restaurants across the country. You can grab a bowl that’ll fill you up for as low as $4.
• Paprikás csirke : Another fairly famous dish, you’ll find paprikás csirke (chicken paprikash) on many a menu throughout the city. It’s creamy and packed with Hungary’s favourite spice, with chicken simmered for a long period of time, and usually served with broad egg noodles. Also ~$4.
• Langos : These deep-fried flatbreads are a dream. Traditionally topped with sour cream and cheese, you’ll probably want to have plenty. You can get them from various street vendors for as little as $2.50.

In order to keep the costs of your trip to Budapest low, avoid eating at places close to the tourist sights — look for self-serve joints that provide an array of freshly prepared Hungarian dishes for a bargain and stick to low-priced districts.

Where to Eat Cheaply in Budapest

Most people will be able to enjoy Budapest on the cheap even while eating out the whole time. It’s an inexpensive city for food, with a wide choice of restaurant types and cuisines on offer. 

That said, some areas are cheaper than others. The centre is bound to be more expensive than the surrounding districts, so it’s best to do some research and go on a foodie odyssey to find some truly tasty and amazingly affordable eats. These include:

• An étkezdes : Much like the UK’s greasy spoon cafes, or mom-and-pop diners in the US, étkezdes are a window into the past. With tables adorned with checked tablecloths and rustic interiors, these usually cosy eateries boast a local atmosphere and inexpensive, homespun dishes.
• Food stalls in markets : When you’re on the go and don’t have time to sit down for a meal, Budapest has a ton of food stalls. One example is the Great Market Hall. There’s a selection of stalls with a few casual seating areas so you can wolf down your snack and then get on with your day.
• A picnic : During the summer, do as the Budapestians do and head out somewhere green space for a picnic. There are multiple spots along the River Danube for this, but Margaret Island is particularly nice!

If you’re truly on a shoestring budget, you’ll probably want to cook for yourself at your hostel or Airbnb. Some of the cheapest supermarkets are:

• Aldi : An European chain of low-priced stores with a few locations around the city. They stock budget fruit and vegetables, as well as cheeses and meats, among other staples.
• Prima : Prima is possibly the most well-known grocery store in Budapest, boasting multiple locations. You can pick up anything and everything for affordable prices, particularly fruit and vegetables.

ESTIMATED EXPENSE: $0 – $20 USD per day

Is Budapest expensive when it comes to alcohol? Absolutely-fucking-not , mate!

The reputation for stag and hen parties in Budapest may give you an inkling as to how cheap it is to drink here. And yes, it’s very cheap. In fact, Budapest is one of the cheapest European capitals when it comes to alcohol.

But it’s not just about it being cheap , though — the alcohol is pretty good. And plentiful! A bottle of Dreher, Hungary’s most popular beer, can be picked up for around $1 and so can a glass of wine.

Cocktails like a cosmopolitan or a mojito, for example, cost around $5 each and are generally considered the most expensive drinks. If you’re not a fan of beer, keep things cheap and go for: 

• Wine : It’s little known, but Hungary is a major wine producer, with 22 wine-producing regions (the most famous being Tokaj). You don’t have to break the bank with fancy wine; there are plenty of cheap options.
• Pálinka : This is for you if you like the strong stuff. Pálinka is a fruit brandy that really packs a punch. Usually about 50% ABV, this thing is potent and can definitely get the party going.

One extra tip is to check out Budapest’s famous “ruin bars”, low-priced establishments that have grown out of cool kids setting up shop in open-air courtyards and old run-down buildings. Some hostels will also have free pub crawls that’ll take you around the city’s best (and cheap) bars.

ESTIMATED EXPENSE : $0 – $25 USD per day

There are a whole load of places to visit in Budapest . From its famous thermal baths (there are many) to the crumbling Jewish Quarter with the Dohány Street Synagogue, you could spend entire days exploring and still leave things out.

It’s a historic city with roots dating back to the Roman era, so naturally, there are some Roman ruins here to check out, too.

The most historic part of the city is found in hilly Buda, while Pest is where you’ll find more recent attractions. These include the opulent Opera House and the majestic Hungarian Parliament… 

Getting into all of Budapest’s historic sights can come at a cost, but that’s where these money-saving tips come in handy… 

• Hit up free sights : You don’t always have to shell out to see the top sights that Budapest has to offer. Some of the best free locations include the picturesque Fisherman’s Bastion, the Chain Bridge and the poignant Shoes on the Danube; Margaret Island is also free to explore.
• Keep your ID handy : Cheaper prices for travel and entrance fees are available for certain demographics. There are a number of passes available for students, too — just make sure you’ve got your student ID.

A new country, a new contract, a new piece of plastic – booooring. Instead, buy an eSIM!

An eSIM works just like an app: you buy it, you download it, and BOOM! You’re connected the minute you land. It’s that easy.

Is your phone eSIM ready? Read about how e-Sims work or click below to see one of the top eSIM providers on the market and  ditch the plastic .

Accommodation, transport, food, drink and all the other stuff we’ve gone through already add up to the cost of a trip to Budapest. But what’s easy to forget is that your trip will more than likely include some extra unexpected business… 

A t-shirt you’ve just got to buy, a keyring for that collection you’ve been adding to since age 10… maybe just luggage storage. Whatever it may be, it’s best to plan ahead and save around 10% of your budget to cover this.

Tipping in Budapest

It is commonplace to tip for services in Hungary, so you should definitely factor it into the cost of your trip to Budapest.

At restaurants, for starters, you should leave a tip between 10 and 15% of the final bill, depending on the level of service you got. In more high-end restaurants, you can expect to have a service charge included in the bill of around 12.5%; you can choose to tip on top of this if you like.

In smaller, more local restaurants, tipping isn’t really done. But if you do see a tip jar, or if you want to leave a few hundred Forints on the table, that’s totally fine obviously.

When opting for table service in bars (rather than standing up), you may have 10% of the total added to your bill. If that’s not the case, you can choose to tip the bartender if you want to, but it’s not always necessary.

Elsewhere, attendants — such as those at gas stations and thermal spas — will expect a discretionary amount of loose change for their services. For taxis, just round up the fare so that the driver can keep the change.

Get Travel Insurance for Budapest

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

If you’ve started to master the art of budget travel , you can try these additional tips for travelling in Budapest even cheaper… 

• Search out free sights : There are a ton of free things to do in Budapest. Often the free stuff is more kooky and off-the-beaten track, too. Climb up Castle Hill for an awesome view of the city, chill on Margaret Island, or simply stroll around the Jewish Quarter — see where your feet take you!
• Get a Budapest Card : Budget travel in Budapest doesn’t get much better than enjoying free rides on public transport, joining free walking tours, or getting discounted entry to some of the city’s top sights (20 museums to start with). For a 72-hour Budapest Card, it costs around $50. 
• Try out Couchsurfing : If you really are travelling on a tight budget, then you may be interested in giving Couchsurfing a try. Find a local that can host you and/or show you around — it’s great!
• Get out of the centre : The core of the city is interesting, of course, but there’s more to Budapest than the very heart of it. Branch your rip out and head to District II for a taste of the great outdoors, District VIII to feel mighty trendy, and District III for the history.
• Carry a water bottle : Stop wasting money on plastic, bottled waters; carry your own and refill it in the fountains and the tap. Better for the environment, better for your wallet! A filtered bottle, like the GRAYL, will filter out 99% of viruses and bacteria.
• Earn money while you travel :  Teaching English while travelling is a great way to make ends meet! If you find a sweet gig, you may even end up living in Hungary.
• Become a volunteer with Worldpackers : Give back to the local community and, in exchange, your room and board will often be covered. It’s not always free, but it’s still a cheap way to travel in Budapest.

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A couple of my friends asked me “Why Is Budapest so expensive?” The truth is Budapest is not expensive, at all. But it’s possible for things to get pretty pricey if you don’t watch out for your budget — things are cheap, so you might naturally feel like you can get more of everything!

For optimum money-saving goodness, here’s a round-up of all the best ways to stick to your budget during a trip to Budapest: 

• Stay in hostels or Airbnbs : 9 times out of 10, both these options will come out cheaper than hotels. The rewards are very in your face, too!
• Go local : Take thermal baths, for example. Szechenyi and Gellért are great but pricey, whereas Palatinus on Margaret Island is a local hotspot. It’s retro, it’s got a wave machine & a beach, too!
• Get a travelcard : Budapest’s public transport may be cheap, but you can probably make it even cheaper with a travelcard if you’re planning to travel around a lot.
• Explore on foot : Not only is the power of your own two feet free , it can also get you discovering some of the more interesting parts of the city. 
• Avoid tourist restaurants : The more old-school and local a place looks, the better. You should go in, these places are super cheap and will often have English menus. Look away from main tourist areas for your grub.

With the help of this epic budget guide, you can easily make your average daily budget for Budapest fall between $30 to $65 USD per day.

To ensure you’re not spending more money replacing stuff on arrival, make sure you pack properly in the first place! We have a helpful packing list guide you can use, created from almost 10 years of life on the road.

Have a great one!

Made it this far? You get 15% OFF to book a place to stay ! Offer valid exclusively for Broke Backpackers 😉

Agness and Cez

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Budapest Travel Guide

Your guide to Budapest by Danubius Hotels

• Food & Drink / Things to do

How much money you need to visit Budapest

Budapest’s tourism has been on the rise for years making more and more people around the World want to visit our beautiful capital. One of the most frequently asked questions is what budget they need to spend a long weekend or a whole week here. Budapest is thought to be a “cheap” destination, but this, of course depends on your needs. The city is more affordable than most European cities, offering a very wide variety of fun things to do to the budget traveler as well as the luxury jet-setter.

Table of Contents

Budapest is still one of the cheapest cities to travel in Europe, partially because Hungary is not part of the Eurozone, and the Forint, the Hungarian national currency has decreased in value in the past years to increase the attractiveness for companies to start open up businesses in Hungary.

Hungarian currency

Hungary’s official currency is Hungarian Forint (Ft or HUF). 1 Euro is usually between 380 to 400 Ft (currently 395 HUF, as of June 2024) depending on current economics. 1 GBP is usually between 460 to 470 Ft

However, shops and restaurants in the city centre commonly accept EUR and US Dollar, but typically at a higher exchange rate, so you end up paying more than you would in local currency. For this reason, it is better to exchange local currency and always keep some Forint on you.

Popular tourist places like Vaci Street sometimes have people on the street offering to exchange your foreign money to Forints – they most probably offer you a fake exchange rate, so be careful with giving them money. We recommend you always use the official Exchange Offices that are found all over the city, especially at the airports, train stations and popular tourists destinations.

On the other hand, even in small shops and restaurants you can pay by debit card so you don’t need to exchange a lot of cash.

Accommodation

As every big European city, Budapest offers a wide variety of accommodations. Danubius Hotel’s an excellent place to start as the group has plenty to offer from 3 start hotels up to high end luxury just like the Hilton hotel Budapest in the Castle District. But you can also stay in the city centre for less money. Should you wish to extend your search, the best available Budapest city break deals  are right here waiting for you.

The best hotels for your budget

Wishing to stay close to the beating heart of the city centre, and enjoy the modern comfort of a hotel? Radisson Blu Béke Hotel is an ideal choice for everyone who wants to explore the rich cultural life of the capital. The hotel is located just a few steps from the beautifully lit up Andrássy Avenue, and easily accessible by car or public transport. The theatres, museums, restaurants and cafés located nearby guarantee that those interested in high-end entertainment will not be bored for a moment. Rooms available from 97 EUR per night.

Hotel Astoria City Center that opened in 1914 as one of the city’s most elegant hotels, and – over a century later – it stays true to that original character. Guests have always been attracted by its sublime fin-de-siècle architecture and comfortable rooms. The location of the hotel is perfect if you want to stay close to the city centre as it is only a 5-minute walk from prime attractions like the Hungarian National Museum , the Great Synagogue, the Danube promenade and the famous Váci Street. Rooms are available from €95 per night.

Average Daily Costs for food

Depending on your needs, Budapest can be extremely affordable. If you’re on a budget you can visit the city with just as little as 30 EUR a day, excluding accommodation. You can have lovely local or international food the whole day on a tight budget and it would be still one to remember! Hungary’s a great place to eat and drink well on any budget.

Example of a day of food on a budget:

Breakfast pastry 300-480 HUF (around €1,2)

Easy lunch: 2300 HUF & (small beer) 470 HUF (€7)

Dinner: 3400 HUF & (small wine) 700 HUF (€10)

However, of course the city has a touch of luxury hidden between its walls so you can live like Kings and Queens for a couple of days. There are lovely, high end restaurants waiting for you all over the city.

Cooked breakfast with a large latte: 4000 HUF per person (€10.5)

Lunch in a restaurant 6000 HUF &  glass of wine 1.500 HUF (€20)

Fancy dinner in the city centre (two courses) 12.000-15.000 HUF per person & bottle of wine from 5.900 HUF (€50)

Restaurant prices

Budapest’s food scene is technically a metaphor of the city itself: authentic, spicy and sprinkled with plenty of surprises as a new generation of Hungarians turned the traditional cuisine into an avant-garde dining experience whilst staying true to real local flavors. Hungarian food will take you far away from what you know by serving you unexpected flavors and hearty, quality wines.

As most things, how much you spend on your dining experience can vary based on your taste and preference. Hungary, especially Budapest is one of the good Heavens of Europe and as the exchange rate works for your favor, even luxurious or more expensive restaurants are more affordable than anywhere else in Europe.

Restaurants for the best value for your money

Our recommendations go from low to high price, based on our Hungarian standards, however the dining experience can still remain between €15 to €40 per person.

Danubius Hotel Helia’s  Yellow Bistro serves not only hotel guests, but also the general public, so that anyone can drop in any time for a pleasant gastronomic adventure.

Yellow Bistro & Bar’s selection includes healthy and quick meals, delicious sandwiches and pastries, but also a great soft drink and wine selection, specialty coffees, and for those with a sweet tooth, the newly introduced bright Yellow Cake. In the summer season, you can also enjoy an evening with friends on the terrace of the Bistro by the bank of the Danube. Tasty coctails, local dishes, a large selection of street food and perfect summer vibes await you!

Prices vary from 1700 HUF (~€4,5) for Snacks and Sweets to 7.400 HUF (~€19) for Grilled salmon steak asparagus risotto. Average price for dessert is 1.400 HUF (~€3.5).

Zsolnay Cafe is a little oasis on the busy Teréz körút, located in the Radisson Blue Béke Hotel. It’s the perfect place for a warm-up hot drink, a romantic bottle of champagne or even a late-night cocktail with friends. The pastry assortment takes the place to another level which also includes lactose- and sugar-free options. Just recently refurnished the café with a gorgeous interior is open from 10 am to 10 pm, catering for all meals and drinks of the day. If you plan a romantic dinner come and immerse yourself in the joys of our candlelit dinner offering three-course of seasonal dishes. Or try the  Classic English afternoon high tea we serve for two in stylish handmade Zsolnay porcelain.

Modern and elegant, the stunning Lang Bistro and Grill embraces the future and yet pays homage to the history of the Royal Castle District. Icon has introduced a contemporary décor of warmness to create a relaxed, friendly and informal atmosphere located in Hilton Hotel in a truly premium location right next to Matthias Church. Featuring an upscale 240-seat restaurant with a private saloon and 16 panoramic windows, guests of the Icon can choose from a distinctive Hilton breakfast to an extraordinary a la carte lunch and dinner menu as well as a sumptuous weekend brunch. Appetizers from 4.490 HUF (~€11), soups from 2.990 HUF (~€7,5) or you can go for delicious meat right off the grill, Angus steak for 17.490 HUF (€45).

In Hungary gratuities are appreciated but the general tipping etiquette is not set in stone. People will appreciate it if you tip them for good service, but there won’t be the expectation like there is in the USA for example. You should know that many venues have door and bathroom attendants and tipping these people is good practice, usually 100-200 HUF which is less than a €1.

Tipping in hotels

Again, tipping at hotels is not expected, but it is appreciated. So, if the bellhop helps bring your luggage to your room from the front desk, it is normal to tip him around 500 HUF. Similarly, housekeepers will not mind if you don’t tip them, but will appreciate it if you do. It is common for foreign travelers to tip housekeepers 200-300 HUF each day of their stay at the hotel. If you decide to sign up for the hotel’s concierge services, it will be normal if you tip your concierge 1000 HUF for the services offered.

Tipping in restaurants

When you talk about sit-down eateries in Budapest, the standard tip rate for a good service is 10% of the bill and 15% for an exceptional service. However, many restaurants in Budapest charge an avarage of 10-13% service charge on the total bill. So, you don’t need leave anything extra. But it is important that you never leave your tips on the table when you decide to leave. Always tip your waiter directly or drop it in a tipping jar.

Sightseeing

Budapest is rich in attractions and most of them are free which makes your budget even lower. However, if you do decide to visit some museum or exhibitions, calculate with €3-10€ each average.

• Thermal Baths: 3.600-12.000 HUF(€10-30)
• Hungarian National Gallery: 4.800 HUF (€13)
• Museum of Fine Arts: 5.400 HUF (€12)
• House of Terror Museum: 4.000 HUF (€10,5)
• Escape room for 2 people: from 9.000 HUF (€23)

Most of Budapest’s inner city and historic districts are best to explore by foot. There are pedestrian precincts in downtown Pest and traffic is restricted on Castle Hill, so walking is probably the best way to get around. Great news, however that the city is very well connected by public transportation, too. Budapest has a fast and efficient metro system as well as many trams (streetcars), trollies and buses. Outer suburbs are served by the local suburban railway called HÉV.

Ticket prices and ticket prices

If you’re visiting the city for a couple of days your best option is to purchase a 72-hour or a 7 day pass, even a Budapest card which will give you plenty of benefits when visiting attractions in the city as well. You can of course always decide to go with the single tickets which are valid for one single journey and cost 450 HUF. The official ticket prices are available on BKK’s Official website.

Budapest card

Budapest Card is an excellent option if we you wish to have unlimited travel and planning to visit some attractions as well. Cards can be purchased with 24-hour, 48-hour, 72-hour, 96-hour or 120-hour validity and all of them come with great additional benefits. All cards include unlimited travel on public transportation, free entry to several museums, two free walking tours, and 10%-50% discounts at baths, museums, restaurants and spas.

Taxis can be fast in the city, especially late at night when there is limited public transportation. Taxis can be hailed on the street, but it is cheaper to call ahead of time. All taxis must have a yellow registration plate, as opposed to the white background on regular car plates. All taxameters are equipped with a receipt-printing function, displaying the fares charged and identification of the driver.

Base fare: HUF 1100

Price per minute: HUF 110

Price per kilometer: HUF 440

How much money you need for 3 days in Budapest?

Depending on your needs and taste, the minimum budget you need for visiting Budapest is €40-€55 including all meals of the day and at least one attraction. From here the limit is the sky as the city is offering luxurious accommodation, dining and sightseeing options. With a 72 hour Budapest card (€53) and a comfortable room in one of Danubius Hotels cosy hotels (€60-€120/day), your budget should end up around €330 for one person.

Visiting Budapest will be always the one to remember. So much to see and experience which gets even better with the great exchange rate and affordable prices in one of the best cities in Europe. The young buzz, that cool Eastern European spirit, amazing food, excellent wine paired up with low costs and a great, ever-changing atmosphere. Do you want to have it all? Yes, Budapest is the place to be.

How much forint do you need for a day in budapest?

Depending on your needs, Budapest can be extremely affordable. If you’re on a budget you can visit the city with just as little as 10.000 forints a day excluding accommodation. From this budget you will get access to public transportation and have some simple, but delicious Hungarian meals.

Tags: Budapest EN-Budapest EN-BudapestDeszt EN-Home Forint Hungarian currency

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Travel Economics for Expats and Travelers

Budapest Travel Budget per Day

This budapest travel budget per day report is ideal for anyone visiting the hungarian capital and controlling expenses while enjoying the city.

Learn below with our Budapest travel budget per day guide covering the main aspects of your travel in Hungary. We cover the costs in Budapest for accommodation, transport, attractions and eating in this guide.

Budapest is one of the most visited cities in Central and Eastern Europe, it attracts millions of tourist for a number of favorable factor that increase the appeal of the Hungarian capital, here are some of them:

Location : Budapest is located near a number of of important and interesting cities in Central Europe. From the Hungarian capital you have easy access to Prague, Krakow, Lviv, Vienna, Bratislava, Belgrade and Zagreb. To all these destinations, Budapest is easily reachable by train or bus. For most places farther away, air travel is recommended.

Price : Budapest is still one of the cheapest cities to travel in Europe, partially because Hungary is not part of the Eurozone. The Forint, the Hungarian national currency has lost value constantly in the past years. This fact increases the attractiveness of whoever is interested in visiting Hungary.

Culture : Budapest was the capital of the Austro-Hungarian empire and it is has some of the most beautiful architectonic estates in all Europe, especially its famous Hungarian parliament.

Nightlife : Thousands of youngster flock every year to Budapest to enjoy its nightlife which is very active in each and every day of the week. Apart from that, Budapest hosts the Sziget festival during summer, one of the biggest music festivals in the world.

Now that we pointed out the most attractive reasons bringing visitors to Budapest, let’s check the daily travel budget. Below you will find options for all kinds of tourists in Budapest (prices are per day per person).

Budapest Travel Budget Types

Below we have separated our Budapest travel budget in different levels:

Ultra budget level (backpackers, cheapskate, obsessive saving experts)

Accommodation: you can easily find a hostel in Budapest almost year round for 7$ Food: buffet style restaurants for your main meal + supermarkets for breakfast and dinner ill get you by for 5$ Transport: Budapest is quite spread out, but if you like to walk, it’s 0$. You can also use the bikes from Molbubi, but they require a Hungarian phone number to work. Having fun: assuming you will do at least one fun activity, the cheapest option is probably enjoying a free entry nightclub or bar. With 10$ you can get up to 5 beers. Although it is more realistic to get beers around $2-4 Total: 20-30$

Reasonably priced budget (whoever wants minimum levels of privacy and is not so worried about spending to have a good time)

Accommodation: assuming you are travelling in a group of at least 2 persons, you can find a decent room with private shower for 30$ per person (the room would be 50$ for 2). This tends to be higher in July and August. Food: even if you are not in a budget you can have very decent meals and cover all your stomach needs for about 10-15$ a day. Transport: a day ticket to access to Budapest travel network will set you back 6 dollars (1750 HUF). Having fun: if you want to do some paid activities like visiting museums, plus enjoying the nightlife without worrying to much about costs, you can easily solve this on 15-20$ Total: 50-100$

Expensive day for a lavish tourists (rich people, megalomaniacs, lotto winners)

Hotels in Budapest

Ibis Budapest Heroes Square – the perfect hotel in Budapest if you want to stay near the Heroes’ Square.

Roombach Hotel Budapest Center – another excellent choice in one of the best areas to stay in Budapest, close to the Deak Ferenc Square.

Other resources for travelling in Budapest

If you traveling in Central Europe you might want to check some of our other guides to Hungary. Check the best places to stay in Budapest and our guide to travel by train from Vienna to Budapest .

For those considering a longer stay in the region you might want to check our post on the average and minimum salary in Budapest , and the cost of living in Budapest .

Already in Budapest? Leave your thoughts and questions in the comment box below.

• Destinations
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How much does a trip to Budapest cost?

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• Budapest travel costs

If you’re planning on travelling to Budapest, you’re probably wondering how much you need to budget for your trip. While your travel costs will depend on your travel style, generally speaking Budapest is perfect for a budget trip.

Accommodation costs are generally really low and food and drinks are very cheap. Many of Budapest’s best attractions are very affordable or even free and, while some activities could set you back a fair amount, there’s plenty to do at lower price points too.

How much should I budget for a trip to Budapest?

A reasonable budget for two for a weekend in Budapest is around HUF 141,500 . This assumes you’ll be spending two nights and three days in the city.

The above cost is based on staying in good, mid-range accommodation and going to a mix of restaurants and cafes for meals . It makes allowances for a couple of sightseeing activities, but doesn’t take into account expensive activities like adventure sports or private tours.

How much does accommodation cost?

You can expect to spend between HUF 23,096-HUF 39,086 a night, per couple, on accommodation in Budapest. This will get you a private room with your own bathroom in a 3-4-star hotel or apartment rental.

Hostels are, of course, cheaper, but a private room with a shared bathroom will still cost around HUF 14,213 per night. A bed in a dorm room also averages around HUF 6,395 per night, per person, although there are definitely cheaper options out there.

How much should I budget for food and drinks in Budapest?

Budget to spend around HUF 85,639 for two for a weekend in Budapest. This assumes you’re eating out and drinking some alcohol.

If you enjoy eating out, you can expect to pay around HUF 9,793 for a nice dinner for two, including an alcoholic drink. A meal at a pub is likely to be around HUF 6,348 for two, with cheaper meals available (especially for lunch) for around HUF 2,149 each. You can buy a beer from a bar for around HUF 500 and you can expect to pay around HUF 631 for a cappuccino from a local café.

How much does it cost to get around Budapest?

Getting around Budapest is easiest with a train. Transport costs fluctuate depending how much you travel, but budgeting around HUF 8,500 for two is a good starting point. This should allow you to take a couple of intercity train routes. If you’re planning on doing any tours or using hop-on hop-off buses, you’ll need to up your budget a bit.

The metro is a great way to get around Budapest. You can buy a TravelCard for unlimited travel or, if you enjoy exploring a city by foot, paying as you go could be a cheaper way to go. BKK, the Budapest transport agency, also has a useful guide for tourists wanting to use the metro during their visit.

What should I expect to spend on activities?

A lot of the best things to do in Budapest are free. However, there definitely are some attractions that cost money – entry fees to a museum or an art gallery are usually around HUF 5,400 - HUF 6,800 per person. If you want to do organised day trips or join smaller tour groups to learn more about some of the sites, budget around HUF 23,372 per activity per person.

Budapest is a beautiful destination to visit and is a great place for a cheap trip. Cooking your own meals, carefully selecting accommodation or limiting meals out will definitely help you to reduce your travel costs. And, if you're wanting to treat yourself, there are many luxury options available.

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Last Updated 26 May 2022

FootLoose Dev

Travel blog by an Indian travel blogger.

Budapest Travel Costs – All You Need To Know

Wondering what’s the cost of travelling in Budapest? This blog is all you need!

You don’t need to travel all the way to Hungary to figure out that Budapest is one of the cheapest travel destinations in Europe. Just Google and you will find hundreds of blog posts talking about its affordability.

Where a story on Guardian would encourage you to travel Budapest by stating that it is one of the cheapest destinations in Europe to buy alcohol, a niche travel blog would give you a dozen more reasons to go there.

Cost of Travelling In Budapest

Before I start with particulars, let me give you the biggest motivation for planning a trip to Budapest — a great currency conversion rate.

Where a Euro leaves travellers with a poor currency conversion rate and thus makes the cost of travelling unbearably high before they even arrive in Europe, Hungarian Forint (HUF) makes things rather hopeful.

As an Indian currency holder, it felt amazingly good when I received nearly 4 HUF for every Indian Rupee. It kind of (almost) absorbed the shock of losing 70 Rupees to a Euro, as I did while travelling across other Schengen states.

If you are planning a trip to Europe from India , and you are on a tight budget, there cannot be a better place than Budapest.

Accommodation In Budapest

Budapest is amazingly cheap to stay in, compared to all its neighbours in Europe, including Vienna and Bratislava (which are already considered as cheap travel destinations in Europe).

A 6 or 8-bed dormitory in Budapest costs just as much as it does somewhere in Southeast Asia. Despite a very central location, the place I was staying at (called Avenue Hostel) charged only 6 Euros per night, including free breakfast.

If you can stay outside of the main town, you can find something for an even lesser price, say about 3 or 3 Euros a night.

Consider paying nearly double for everything for a similar experience in Vienna or Bratislava. Or perhaps three or four times more if you’re visiting Zurich, or Munich, or someplace in France.

Transportation in Budapest

Budapest has cheap public transport too.

For 1500 HUF (less than 5 Euros) you get a day ticket that allows you unlimited use of public transport for 24 hours on all city buses, trams and metros. Now compare it with a single 10-minute train journey in Zurich that can cost nearly 7 Euros.

Though I understand Budapest stands nowhere near Zurich in terms of cost of living, I’d still like to give an idea about how brutal prices in Europe can be. And the cost of travelling in Budapest feels like a bargain.

Check this article by lonely planet if you want to know more about public transportation in Hungary.

How Much Does A Beer Costs In Budapest

Beer in Budapest is so cheap that it sometimes cost more to buy a similar brand in Southeast Asian. Even Thailand has some European brands costing more for a pint than it does in Budapest.

A pint of lager in Budapest in a supermarket can cost as low as 200 HUF (or 50 Cents).

Drinking in pubs in Budapest is not too costly either. Most of the ruin pubs offer cheap beers (for about 2 Euros).

Food Expenses In Budapest

If you buy your groceries from a supermarket and cook/process your own meals expect paying for not more than 4 Euros a day. If you are going to eat out, expect your food costs to be somewhere near 6 or 7 Euro a day.

1 Week Budapest Travel Budget

During my 7-day stay in Budapest, I spent just a little over 100 euros. And this included my stay, my food (including 1 or 2 meals in a restaurant every day), public transportation, and fee for a few museums/attractions.

Speaking of how much did I spend in a day, let’s divide the costs per day, per activity basis.

Accommodation : 6 Euros (please note that you can stay in hostels costing around 3 or 4 Euros a day and save a little more. Most of the cheap backpacker hostels are located in Pest).

Transportation : 5 Euros

Food & Beer : 5 Euros

Total  = 16 Euros PER DAY!

Please note that this is only a rough estimation of costs. You may end up spending more (or less) depending upon your expenses. If you dine out more and take taxis rather than public transport, you will end up spending a bit more than what I did.

Budapest Visa

Since Hungary is a part of Schengen territory, Indians needs Schengen Visa to travel to Budapest.

A short term single-entry tourist visa costs 60 EUR on top of additional costs by vfs. The maximum time period you’re entitled to visit Schengen territory, on a short term tourist visa is three months.

It may take as long as a month to get the Schengen visa after the application was submitted, so plan well in advance.

For Indian Passport Holders, Schengen Visa is one of the toughest visas to obtain.

Read: How to apply for Schengen Visa in India

Useful Travel Tips

Divided by the ever blissful Dunabe river , there are two (nearly equal) parts of Budapest: Buda and Pest.

Buda is more local and serves as a residential colony for local people. Whereas Pest is the tourism highlight. It is in Pest where most backpackers hostels and tourist attractions like the St Stephen’s Basilica, Old street Market Hall, and the Parliament are located.

Make Pest as your base. Find a hostel near the city center if you want quick transportation options, or a few kilometres away from it, to find a comparatively cheaper option.

Those staying in Budapest for only a few days and wanting to shop and explore tourist highlights on a fast track should consider investing in a Budapest Card available for 48 and 72 hours. It gives free (or a discounted) entry to many attractions/museums, unlimited free travel on public transport, and even a couple of free guided walking tours.

It is possible to reach Budapest from Ljubljana or Vienna or Prague in under 20 Euros by taking the bus service called Flixbus that offer some of the cheapest transportation options and travel-cards for backpackers. You can also read about my travel experience with Flixbus .

Hungary’s official currency is Forint which usually gives nearly 300 Forint against 1 Euro. It is very unlikely to find Forint in your country, so buy some Euros and change them in Hungary. If you’re landing at Budapest airport, be advised that the airport doesn’t give the best conversion rates, so change only a few Euros, take public transport to the city centre and find a conversion shop somewhere in the city center. You will find enough agents converting Euros into Forint for a good price in Budapest city center.

Also read: Budget travel tips for Europe

That’s all in this blog about the cost of travelling in Budapest. If you have more questions, please leave a comment below, or write me a message on Instagram .

What was your total expense of Budapest including all that you have mentioned above ?

Budapest is very amazing place to visit. I already visit there.

My name is Brian and I have been living in Budapest as an expat for over two years now. Most travellers who visit Budapest spend heaps on drinking and going out but if one tries to save money Budapest is actually a very cheap travel destination. Not sure if I can travel for about 16 euros a day here but yes it is indeed possible to live off under 30 eurs a day. Thanks for sharing your wonderful experience.

Super informative post. Hopefully we will get to travel soon.

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Cost of Living in Hungary

How much does it cost to live in hungary.

Hungary is famous for its unique customs and interesting history.

Budapest , Debrecen, Szeged, and Miskolc, the largest Hungarian cities, are important economic, cultural, and industrial centers.

These cities offer great employment opportunities, especially since the rapid increase in the IT technology sphere.

Hungary offers good salaries as part of working conditions.

The country has been constantly increasing its education and healthcare systems too.

Among the other strong sides of the country, there are an outstanding infrastructure and an enjoyable lifestyle.

The climate in Hungary is typically Eastern European.

Hungary : Cost of Living by City

Restaurants.

Meeting the national cuisine of Hungary will be an interesting and exciting event.

Hungarian restaurants are the only ones in Europe where you can try the foie gras cooked by the classic recipe.

The national cuisine is very delicious and healthy.

It is based on rich soups, fish dishes, and sweet pastries.

Hungary has farmer product markets in every city and village.

The largest cities like Budapest have central markets too which are very neat and logically organized.

Many markets are open Sundays which is not typical for most of Europe.

The prices are very affordable, but they don’t accept credit cards.

TRANSPORTATION

Public transport in Hungary is cheap and reliable.

You can use buses, metro, trains, and trams, or go to the airport if you need to fly elsewhere.

The monthly pass is cheap, and there are lots of different discount programs for kids, students, and retired people.

UTILITIES (MONTHLY)

The utilities in Hungary are not so cheap if you consider the average or the minimum monthly salary.

That is why people learn to save water, electricity, or gas and still make their homes comfortable to live in.

The actual sum always depends on individual consumption, but the average prices are given below.

SPORTS & LEISURE

Hungary is a country of lakes, so it offers a lot of water sports along with the traditional methods of keeping your body fit.

The other popular place of destination in Hungary is a spa resort.

Just like any other European country, Hungary has concert halls, theatres, museums, restaurants, and clubs where you can spend your leisure time and money.

CLOTHING & SHOES

Hungary is not that popular for shopping for clothes and shoes, but it has really low prices in the chain stores and many modern shopping malls, designer stores, and fashion boutiques to visit.

You can pay in cash only in the small shops while the large malls accept credit cards.

The prices are always lower on the markets so if you do not have much to spend you should better head there.

RENT PER MONTH

The apartments in Hungary can be rented from the landlord directly or through the agency where you assign an official rental contract and make it legal according to Hungarian laws.

The prices for housing are often the highest for both native Hungarians and travelers or expatriates.

The latter are often paid much higher salaries than the natives, so the prices of dwellings seem rather low.

Cost of Living Averages Table for Hungary

How does the average person spend their money in hungary.

The biggest part of the budget of an average Hungarian is put off to be spent on the markets.

This is one of the most common things for most world countries.

People want to eat fresh and high-quality food from the market.

The second big issue for those who do not own their private house or apartment is accommodation rental.

An average Hungarian pays 21.1% of their money to the landlords.

The percentage is given excluding the expenses for education, childcare, and healthcare.

The least money is traditionally spent on shoes and clothes.

Utilities seem quite expensive because they take as much as 7.4% of people’s income.

Average Costs Breakdown

Hungary: average salary, minimum wage & mortgages.

In Hungary, mortgages can be taken at a local bank for under 6.97% of the yearly interest rate.

You get only 50% – 70% of the purchase price of the property for 20 years and the percentage is fix

Most of the property is offered for a much longer period of 35 years.

The sums and conditions should be checked by a citizen personally, as there are many factors affecting the mortgage price.

The average monthly salary in Hungary is $859.32 but this highly depends on the city you live in and the kind of job you are doing.

The minimum wage was fixed at a level of $714.8 per month.

Hungary Safety Overview

READ THE FULL REPORT: Hungary Safety Review

• OVERALL RISK: LOW
• TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
• PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
• NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
• MUGGING RISK: LOW
• TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
• SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
• WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Cost of Living by City in Hungary

Where to next.

See these related locations:

• Ann Arbor, MI

Or, browse the country/city indexes:

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Hungary’s nationalist leader visits Trump at Mar-a-Lago following NATO summit

Then-President Donald Trump welcomes Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to the White House in May 2019. (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP)

NEW YORK — Hungary’s nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orbán, traveled to Florida on Thursday and met with former President Donald Trump following a NATO summit in Washington, a move likely to aggravate frustrations among Western allies over similar secretive trips he made to Russia and China in recent days.

Orbán met with Trump at the former president’s beachside compound Mar-a-Lago and shared a photo of the two on Instagram.

The Hungarian leader has openly endorsed Trump’s candidacy in this year’s presidential election and expressed hopes that the Republican will be able to bring an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The European Union’s longest-serving leader has become an icon to some conservative populists for championing what he calls “illiberal democracy,” which includes restrictions on immigration and LGBTQ+ rights. He has also cracked down on the press and judiciary in Hungary and been accused by the EU of violating rule-of-law and democracy standards.

The Mar-a-Lago meeting — Orbán’s second since March — came as the latest stop on what he calls a “peace mission” aimed at finding a path toward ending Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Widely considered to have the warmest relations with the Kremlin among all EU leaders, Orbán made an unannounced visit last week to Kyiv, where he held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Some of his critics interpreted the Kyiv visit as a sign that Hungary could take steps closer to the EU mainstream’s pro-Ukraine stance as it took over the bloc’s six-month rotating presidency earlier this month.

But those hopes were dashed when he made an unannounced trip to Moscow days later to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a rare trip to Russia by a European leader that drew condemnation from Kyiv and other European capitals.

After that, he flew to Beijing to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, where he described China as a stabilizing force amid global turbulence and praised its “constructive and important” peace initiatives.

Zelenskyy said that when Orbán visited Kyiv, he didn’t know that the Hungarian leader would also travel to Moscow.

“Where he will go tomorrow? I don’t know. I don’t know. Maybe he will come again to Ukraine,” said Zelenskyy at the NATO summit in Washington.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg added that it wasn’t up to the military alliance to decide whom member countries meet with.

“What matters for NATO is that all NATO allies agree on the policy. And we have yesterday agreed a very strong declaration from the 32 allies expressing our support to Ukraine,” Stoltenberg said Thursday.

Speaking as he arrived at the NATO summit Thursday, Finnish President Alexander Stubb rebuked Orbán for his visits to Moscow and Beijing, which EU leaders have rushed to clarify were not endorsed by other European leaders.

“I’ll say it out loud, I don’t think there’s any point in having conversations with authoritarian regimes that are violating international law,” Stubb said. “He can do it on his own behalf. But I fundamentally disagree about doing that. I simply do not see the purpose.”

Orbán has sought close ties to Trump and other conservative Republicans, and expressed his belief that a new Trump presidency was the “only serious chance” for an end to the war in Ukraine.

Trump has repeatedly said he could settle the war “in 24 hours” if he’s elected president again by meeting with both Putin and Zelenskyy — a claim Russia’s United Nations ambassador has disputed.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan on Thursday signaled concern that a Trump-Orbán meeting would run counter to Ukraine’s interests, saying, “The U.S. position — the Biden administration position — is nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.”

“Whatever adventurism that is being undertaken without Ukraine’s consent or support, you know, is not something that’s consistent with our policy, the foreign policy of the United States,” Sullivan told reporters, adding that he “can’t speculate as to what Orbán is up to exactly.”

Some observers have raised concerns that Orbán’s pursuit of a separate foreign policy on Russia and China than that of his EU and NATO partners threatens to undermine those groups’ unity.

European governments, meanwhile, have engaged in deep consultations on what they could do to ensure that NATO, Western support for Ukraine and the security of individual NATO countries will endure should Trump — one of the military alliance’s most prominent critics — win back the presidency in November and temper U.S. contributions.

Daniel Fried, a former longtime diplomat and expert on Eastern Europe in the U.S. government, said that Orban’s links with China could be hard for Trump to defend given his own get-tough messages toward Beijing.

Otherwise, however, it’s entirely natural, and good leadership, for foreign governments to be reaching out to possible next presidents of the U.S., Fried said.

“A lot of the foreign ministers and other people are probably having side meetings with people near Trump World” on the summit sidelines, he said. “In their place, I would do the same.”

Spike reported from Budapest, Hungary. AP reporters Aamer Madhani, Ellen Knickmeyer and Rebecca Santana in Washington and Lorne Cook in Brussels contributed to this report.

related stories

• Hungary’s Orbán meets Putin for talks in Moscow in rare visit by European leader

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• Travel Planning Guide

Travel Budget for Pecs Visit Pecs on a Budget or Travel in Style

• Pecs Hotel Prices
• Best Hotels for One Night in Pecs
• Best Romantic Hotels for Couples in Pecs
• Best Family-Friendly Hotels in Pecs
• Best Business Hotels in Pecs
• Best Hotels for One Week in Pecs
• Best Hotels for a Weekend Getaway in Pecs
• Best Pet-Friendly Hotels in Pecs
• Best Hotels for First Time Visitors in Pecs
• Is Pecs Expensive?
• How much does a trip to Pecs cost?
• Hungary Costs
• Balaton Lake
• How much does it cost to travel to Pecs? (Average Daily Cost)
• Pecs trip costs: one week, two weeks, one month

Is Pecs expensive to visit?

• How much do I need for a trip to Pecs?
• Accommodation, Food, Entertainment, and Transportation Costs
• Travel Guide

How much does it cost to travel to Pecs?

You should plan to spend around $81 (Ft29,354) per day on your vacation in Pecs. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.

Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:

• $30 (Ft10,718) on meals
• $18 (Ft6,457) on local transportation
• $76 (Ft27,637) on hotels

A one week trip to Pecs for two people costs, on average, $1,135 (Ft410,960) . This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.

• Travel Style: All Budget (Cheap) Mid-Range Luxury (High-End)
• Average Daily Cost Per person, per day $ 81 Ft 29,354
• One Week Per person $ 568 Ft 205,480
• 2 Weeks Per person $ 1,135 Ft 410,960
• One Month Per person $ 2,432 Ft 880,628
• One Week For a couple $ 1,135 Ft 410,960
• 2 Weeks For a couple $ 2,270 Ft 821,919
• One Month For a couple $ 4,865 Ft 1,761,255

How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Pecs cost?

A one week trip to Pecs usually costs around $568 (Ft205,480) for one person and $1,135 (Ft410,960) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

A two week trip to Pecs on average costs around $1,135 (Ft410,960) for one person and $2,270 (Ft821,919) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Pecs will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.

A one month trip to Pecs on average costs around $2,432 (Ft880,628) for one person and $4,865 (Ft1,761,255) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.

Independent Travel

Traveling Independently to Pecs has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.

All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.

Pecs is a reasonably affordable place to visit. Located in Hungary, which is a reasonably affordable country, visitors will appreciate the relatively low cost of this destination. It is in the top 25% of cities in the country for its overall travel expenses. If you're traveling on a budget, then this is a good destination with affordable accommodation, food, and transportation.

Within Europe, which is known to be an expensive region, Pecs is a reasonably affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in Europe for its affordability. You can find more affordable cities such as Novi Sad, but there are also more expensive cities, such as Avignon.

For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Pecs Expensive?

How much money do I need for a trip to Pecs?

The average Pecs trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Pecs travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.

Accommodation Budget in Pecs

Average daily costs.

Calculated from travelers like you

The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Pecs is $38 (Ft13,819). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Pecs is $76 (Ft27,637). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.

• Accommodation 1 Hotel or hostel for one person $ 38 Ft 13,819
• Accommodation 1 Typical double-occupancy room $ 76 Ft 27,637

Hotel Prices in Pecs

Looking for a hotel in Pecs? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.

Find the best hotel for your travel style.

Actual Hotel Prices The average hotel room price in Pecs based on data provided by Kayak for actual hotel rooms is $43. (Prices in U.S. Dollars, before taxes & fees.)

Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world.

Recommended Properties

• Ciszterci Haz Pecs Budget Hotel - Kayak $ 26
• Hotel Makar Sport & Wellness Luxury Hotel - Kayak $ 60

Transportation Budget in Pecs

The cost of a taxi ride in Pecs is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $18 (Ft6,457) per person, per day, on local transportation in Pecs.

• Transportation 1 Taxis, local buses, subway, etc. $ 18 Ft 6,457

Recommended Services

• Pécs - Budapest Transfer Viator $ 151

Flights to Pecs

Rental cars in pecs, food budget in pecs.

While meal prices in Pecs can vary, the average cost of food in Pecs is $30 (Ft10,718) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Pecs should cost around $12 (Ft4,287) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Pecs is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.

• Food 2 Meals for one day $ 30 Ft 10,718

What did other people spend on Food in Pecs?

Typical prices for Food in Pecs are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Pecs, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.

• Dinner for Two Ft 9,000

Entertainment Budget in Pecs

Entertainment and activities in Pecs typically cost an average of $18 (Ft6,357) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.

• Entertainment 1 Entrance tickets, shows, etc. $ 18 Ft 6,357

Recommended Activities

• Mineral Museum Entrance Ticket Viator $ 4.41

Alcohol Budget in Pecs

The average person spends about $8.46 (Ft3,064) on alcoholic beverages in Pecs per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.

• Alcohol 2 Drinks for one day $ 8.46 Ft 3,064

Related Articles

Pecs on a budget.

Neighborhoods

Food and dining, transportation, more related articles.

We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works .

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