Budapest is definitely one of the hot cities among cultural tourists these days, and for good reason. It’s unique and historic while remaining quite cheap by most standards. Unlike Prague, this city hasn’t yet been able to adjust its prices to meet (and frustrate) the new interest.
As the capital of Hungary and the former capital of a larger empire, Budapest has a ‘grand’ look to it that makes sure visitors know they are in an important place. The architecture is some of the most interesting in the region, and the food and culture are very strong draws as well.
Many of the most popular attractions in the city are free or very cheap so those on a backpacker budget will be able to experience everything they’ve come for without going broke.
| Population | 1,700,000 |
| Area | 3,300,000 |
| Timezone | UTC+1 |
| Currency | Hungarian forint |
| Airports | Budapest Ferihegy International Airport (BUD) |
Split by the Danube, the Buda side of the city is where you’ll find the Buda Castle with its popular funicular to reach the base. This part used to be the capital so it is loaded with important historical buildings.
The Pest side is where you find the famous parliament building and nearly all of the shopping, nightlife, and hotels.
There are several hot springs within Budapest that are affordable and open to the public. They are perhaps the city’s most unique attraction and definitely worth a try.
| Rating | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
 | 17.20 - 38.71 |
| 20.43 - 52.69 |
| 23.66 - 66.67 |
| 35.48 - 115.05 |
| 80.65 - 144.09 |
Hotel Happy Apartments Doubles from €46/night | |
Our pick: The best cheap and central 3-star hotel in Budapest |
| Type | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
| Hostel Bed | 12.90 - 21.51 |
Sziget City Hostel Beds from €8/night | |
Our pick: The best cheap and central hostel in Budapest |
Food and drinks are also quite cheap by European standards, especially the local food (which can be quite heavy) and items from street stands or fast food places.
| Budget breakfast | If your hotel doesn't include breakfast then you've got many good options nearby. | $2.46 - $4.34 |
| Budget lunch | Follow locals into traditional restaurants for filling and authentic meals in Budapest. | $3.48 - $5.79 |
| Budget dinner | Even sitting down for a proper meal can be quite affordable if you skip the most touristy places near the river. | $7.24 - $12.74 |
| Beer (pint) | The local lagers can be great bargains in Budapest, with imports costing a bit more. | $1.45 - $2.32 |
| Wine (glass) | This is for decent local wine. Wine on tap is served many places for even less. | $2.00 - $3.04 |
The free (tips-based) walking tours of Budapest are highly recommended as they cover the key sights on both sides of the river.
The hop-on, hop-off tours can also be good for those in a hurry.
There are boat tours that allow for excellent views of the most famous attractions from the river, including dinner and other themed cruises.
| Month | High F | Low F | PRECIP (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 34 | 25 | 1.5 |
| February | 40 | 29 | 1.4 |
| March | 50 | 35 | 1.5 |
| April | 61 | 43 | 1.9 |
| May | 71 | 51 | 2.5 |
| June | 76 | 57 | 2.7 |
| July | 80 | 60 | 1.9 |
| August | 79 | 59 | 1.9 |
| September | 72 | 53 | 1.7 |
| October | 61 | 44 | 1.8 |
| November | 47 | 36 | 2.4 |
| December | 38 | 29 | 1.9 |
Budapest has generally pleasant weather from April through October, with warm summers that rarely become scorching. Rainfall is fairly constant through the year, and relatively low, so there is no season where your visit is likely to be ruined by rain. Winters can be quite cold, and snow does linger around for periods of time, so not many tourists are visiting then.
| 21 Mar | 5:45am | 5:57pm |
| 21 Jun | 4:46am | 8:44pm |
| 21 Sep | 6:28am | 6:43pm |
| 21 Dec | 7:28am | 3:54pm |
Hotels in Budapest are particular bargains, with decent standard double rooms at mid-priced places going for what you’d pay for a hostel bed in London. Rooms in the cheapest Budapest hotels might not be up to the standards you are used to, so it could be wise to pay a bit more for a better place. Hostels in Budapest are also great bargains.
Budapest has become a very popular summer travel destination, so that’s obviously when hotels are at their most busiest and most expensive. Fortunately, prices at hotels in Budapest are good value even during the busy season, at least compared to other top destinations in Europe. Be aware that standards on the lower end of the range might not be what you are used to in Western Europe. Hostels in Budapest are plentiful and cheap as well. Prices don’t change much through the year, though it’s much easier to get a bed at the better places in the off season.
| Rating | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
| 17.20 - 38.71 |
| 20.43 - 52.69 |
| 23.66 - 66.67 |
| 35.48 - 115.05 |
| 80.65 - 144.09 |
| Type | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
| Hostel Bed | 12.90 - 21.51 |
The Budapest Franz Liszt International Airport (BUD) has good fares from within Europe and you can sometimes find bargain fares from North America.
The city is also a major rail hub for the region, although the trains are still relatively slow by European standards. You can reach Budapest from Vienna in under 3 hours on a high-speed line, or from Munich, Prague, and Zagreb in 6 to 8 hours.
Budapest has a modern and affordable underground metro system that is fairly easy to use even on your first try.
The areas along the river are mostly pedestrian-friendly, but the city is very large and some of the key sights are too far to walk.
Taxis are reasonably priced and easy to find.
| Type | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
| Taxi from airport to city center | 14.48 - 31.86 |
| Suburban train from airport to city center | 1.10 |
| Airport express bus to city center | 5.79 - 19.40 |
| 3km taxi ride in Budapest | 3.74 - 4.63 |
| Metro/tram/bus ride in Budapest | 1.01 - 1.53 |
| 24-hour tram/bus/metro pass | 4.78 |