How Much Does Budapest Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Budapest offers a compelling balance of Central European grandeur and high affordability, making it a favorite for travelers who want their money to go further. While luxury seekers can spend upwards of $919 / 296,107 Ft per day on experiences like the Four Seasons Gresham Palace, budget-conscious solo travelers can manage on as little as $58 / 18,569 Ft. The city is famous for its "ruin bars" and thermal baths, though the latter have seen price increases, with peak day passes at Széchenyi Thermal Baths now costing $49 / 15,861 Ft. By utilizing the extensive public transport network and seeking out local lunch deals, visitors can experience the architectural splendor of the Danube for significantly less than in neighboring Vienna.
Is Budapest expensive to visit?
Budapest is highly affordable compared to Western European capitals, with typical daily costs ranging from $58 / 18,569 Ft for budget travelers to $919 / 296,107 Ft for luxury experiences.
On This Page
Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Budapest
$58
per person /day
$226
per person /day
$919
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $173 | $678 | $2,757 |
| 5-Day Trip | $288 | $1,129 | $4,595 |
| 7-Day Trip | $404 | $1,581 | $6,432 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
It is wise to maintain a 15% buffer to account for the 4% local tourism tax (IFA) added to hotel bills and the ubiquitous 12.5–15% restaurant service charges. This also helps cover the slightly higher $2.18 / 702 Ft cost of transport tickets if you find yourself needing to pay a driver in cash.
How Does It Compare?
See how Budapest stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Budapest
Food & Drink (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Pint of local craft beer (District VII) Classic ruin bars charge ~$4.35 / 1,403 Ft for a draft beer. | $4.37 1,407 Ft |
| Specialty Coffee (Flat White) Expect to pay around $3.9 / 1,255 Ft for high-quality specialty coffee. | $3.9 1,255 Ft |
| Traditional Lángos (Garlic & Cheese) A hearty street food staple costing about $7.47 / 2,408 Ft. | $7.47 2,408 Ft |
| Napi menü (Daily 2-course lunch) Typical Hungarian lunch deal including soup and main for ~$7.32 / 2,359 Ft. | $7.32 2,359 Ft |
Transport (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Airport shuttle bus single ticket (100E) Dedicated airport express line connecting the airport to Deák Ferenc tér. | $7.79 2,511 Ft |
| BKK Official Taxi Tariff (Base Fare) Taxis are regulated; the flag drop is ~$3.43 / 1,104 Ft followed by ~$1.37 / 440 Ft per kilometer. | $3.43 1,104 Ft |
| 24-hour Budapest-travelcard Valid for unlimited travel on all BKK services within the city limits (~$8.57 / 2,761 Ft). | $8.57 2,761 Ft |
| Danube Sightseeing Cruise (Duna Bella) A 70-minute daytime cruise with a drink included; evening cruises are more expensive at ~$22 / 7,016 Ft. | $18 5,924 Ft |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Dorm bed in a highly-rated hostel (District VII) Prices in the Jewish Quarter (District VII) are slightly lower than the riverfront, starting around $21 / 6,827 Ft. | $21 6,827 Ft |
| Mid-range boutique hotel room (District V) A well-located 4-star room averages ~$131 / 42,098 Ft per night. | $131 42,159 Ft |
| Luxury room at Four Seasons Gresham Palace One of Europe's top luxury hotels, costing roughly $607 / 195,698 Ft per night. | $607 195,732 Ft |
Activities (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Parliament Tour (Non-EEA Adult) EEA citizens pay half (~$19 / 6,023 Ft). Tickets must be booked weeks in advance. | $37 12,045 Ft |
| Fisherman's Bastion (Upper Tower Entry) Lower terraces are free. Upper towers are free after 21:00 in summer and all day in winter (~$3.74 / 1,206 Ft). | $3.74 1,206 Ft |
| Széchenyi Thermal Baths (Peak/Holiday Day Pass) Standard weekday price is slightly lower at ~$41 / 13,274 Ft. | $49 15,861 Ft |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
The dining landscape is defined by hearty Hungarian classics and a thriving specialty coffee scene where a flat white averages $3.9 / 1,255 Ft. Visitors can find incredible value through the "napi menü" (daily lunch special), often priced around $7.32 / 2,359 Ft for two courses, while street food staples like lángos cost approximately $7.47 / 2,408 Ft. Most sit-down establishments automatically apply a 12.5–15% service charge to the bill.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Bors Gastro Bar
$5.6–$11 / 1,805 Ft–3,512 FtDistrict VII · Local chain
Try their creative daily soups; they are arguably the best value meal in the city for ~$5.6 / 1,805 Ft.
Karaván Street Food
$6.85–$14 / 2,207 Ft–4,517 FtJewish Quarter · Street market
Outdoor courtyard next to Szimpla Kert with diverse options from vegan burgers to lángos.
Frici Papa Kifőzdéje
$7.79–$15 / 2,511 Ft–4,817 FtDistrict VII · Local chain
Old-school 'canteen' style spot serving huge portions of traditional Hungarian goulash and paprikash.
Drum Cafe
$6.54–$12 / 2,109 Ft–3,914 FtDistrict VII · Local chain
Legendary for its budget-friendly Langosh-burger and traditional soups.
Pesti Cetli
$7.32–$12 / 2,359 Ft–4,016 FtDistrict VI · Local chain
Excellent daily lunch menu in a cozy, student-friendly atmosphere.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
Navigating the city is efficient and inexpensive, especially with a 24-hour Budapest-travelcard for $8.57 / 2,761 Ft that covers all metro, tram, and bus lines. The 100E airport express bus provides a direct link to the center for $7.79 / 2,511 Ft, while those preferring taxis can expect a regulated base fare of $3.43 / 1,104 Ft. For the best rates, travelers should avoid buying tickets from drivers, which carry a surcharge price of $2.18 / 702 Ft, and instead use the BudapestGO app for the $1.55 / 501 Ft standard fare.
Accommodation Overview
Accommodation remains a bargain, with highly-rated hostel beds in the lively Jewish Quarter (District VII) starting at $21 / 6,827 Ft. In the central District V, mid-range boutique hotels offer high quality for approximately $131 / 42,159 Ft per night, while the city's premier luxury rooms can reach $607 / 195,732 Ft.
Accommodation Budget in Budapest
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Opt for the 'napi menü' at places like Frici Papa Kifőzdéje to enjoy a traditional two-course lunch for roughly $7.32 / 2,359 Ft.
- 2 Avoid the $2.18 / 702 Ft surcharge for public transport tickets by purchasing them for $1.55 / 501 Ft via the BudapestGO app or at station kiosks.
- 3 Visit the upper towers of Fisherman's Bastion after 21:00 in the summer or anytime in the winter to skip the $3.74 / 1,206 Ft entry fee.
- 4 European Economic Area (EEA) citizens should bring ID to the Parliament Tour to pay the reduced rate of $19 / 6,023 Ft instead of the $37 / 12,045 Ft non-EEA price.
- 5 Take the Duna Bella daytime cruise for $18 / 5,924 Ft, which includes a drink, rather than more expensive evening sightseeing options.
- 6 Avoid 'Euronet' ATMs located in tourist areas; use bank-affiliated ATMs like OTP or Erste and always choose 'Decline Conversion' to get the real exchange rate.
- 7 Walk across the Chain Bridge and hike up Gellért Hill for panoramic views of the city at no cost.
- 8 Stay in District VII (Jewish Quarter) where hostel beds start at $21 / 6,827 Ft, offering a more affordable alternative to the riverfront hotels.
- 9 Purchase a 24-hour Budapest-travelcard for $8.57 / 2,761 Ft if planning more than five trips in a day to maximize savings over individual tickets.
- 10 Refill water bottles at the many public 'ivókút' (drinking fountains) throughout the city instead of buying bottled water at tourist kiosks.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Jun, Jul, Aug, Dec
+30-50%
Jan, Feb, Nov
-25-40%
May, Sep, Oct
Winter (except Christmas/NYE) offers great value for thermal baths, with hotel prices often dropping below $82 / 26,548 Ft for mid-range stays.
Events to Watch
- ● Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix (late July): +100% hotels
- ● Sziget Festival (August): +50% budget accommodation
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Walking across the iconic Chain Bridge (Széchenyi lánchíd) for views of both Buda and Pest.
- 2 Exploring the Margaret Island (Margitsziget) gardens and watching the musical fountain show.
- 3 Paying respects at the Shoes on the Danube Bank memorial.
- 4 Visiting Heroes' Square (Hősök tere) and the Millennium Monument.
- 5 Hiking to the top of Gellért Hill for the best panoramic views of the Danube.
- 6 Walking through the City Park (Városliget) and viewing the exterior of Vajdahunyad Castle.
- 7 Exploring the lower terraces of Fisherman's Bastion (Halászbástya).
- 8 Browsing the stalls of the Great Market Hall (Nagyvásárcsarnok) to enjoy the local atmosphere.
- 9 Visiting the Garden of Philosophers on the side of Gellért Hill.
- 10 Taking a self-guided street art tour through the Jewish Quarter (District VII).
- 11 Exploring the historic Kerepesi Cemetery, known for its ornate statues and monuments.
- 12 Crossing the Liberty Bridge (Szabadság híd), especially during summer weekends when it sometimes becomes a pedestrian-only zone.
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Thalasso Private Spa Xperience at Széchenyi
Ultimate privacy in a historic setting with a 90-minute treatment for couples (~$214 / 69,025 Ft per person).
Fine Dining Tasting Menu at Onyx Műhely
A Michelin-level experimental dining experience that redefines Hungarian cuisine for ~$140 / 45,132 Ft.
Private Speedboat Tour on the Danube
See the Parliament and Buda Castle at sunset without the crowds; fits up to 10 people for ~$265 / 85,334 Ft.
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Budapest
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Budapest and what they cost
Szentendre
$6.85 / 2,207 Ft by train (H5 HÉV)
$4.67 / 1,506 Ft
$37 / 12,045 Ft
Visegrád Royal Palace
$15 / 4,817 Ft by bus or boat
$7.79 / 2,511 Ft
$58 / 18,569 Ft
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
Hungarian Forint (HUF)
1 $ ≈ 322 Ft
Yes
Widespread in hotels, shops, and restaurants, but small bars in District VII and market stalls often require cash.
If service charge is NOT included, 10–12% is standard. Hand it to the waiter while paying; don't leave it on the table. Small round-ups for taxis (~$1.18 / 379 Ft) are appreciated.
Always use ATMs attached to major banks (OTP, Erste, Raiffeisen). Avoid standalone 'Euronet' machines which can charge up to $14 / 4,551 Ft in hidden fees.
Only appropriate at flea markets like Ecseri. Never bargain in shops, pharmacies, or regular markets.
Connectivity
eSIM: $12 for 5GB (30 days) (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $14–$18 / 4,551 Ft–5,689 Ft for 10GB at city center shops
WiFi: Excellent in cafes, ruin bars, and major public squares like Deák Ferenc tér.
Use an Airalo eSIM for instant data, or buy a local Yettel SIM for ~$14 / 4,551 Ft if you need a local phone number.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Budapest.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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