Travel budget and cost of living in Budapest (Hungary) how much does a trip cost?

Budapest travel budget

Budapest: calculate your travel budget

Sample budgets for a trip to Budapest

These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in Budapest for 2 people.

* estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks (excluding plane tickets).

Cost of living in Budapest compared to United States in 2025

On average, the cost of living in Budapest in 2025 is 31% less than the average cost of living in the United States (USA).

See the graphic below for the price variation percentage by type of expense in Budapest in 2025 compared to average prices in the United States (USA):

Local prices in Budapest by expense type

Restaurant budget in Budapest

Lunch

$ 11/person
($ 8.2 to $ 23)

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48% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 22

3 course dinner

$ 29/person
($ 20 to $ 42)

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30% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 40

McDonald's meal

$ 8.2/person
($ 6.9 to $ 9.6)

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29% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 12

Local beer

$ 2.7 for 500ml
($ 1.4 to $ 4.1)

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56% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 6.3

Imported beer

$ 1.6 for 330ml
($ 0.9 to $ 2.5)

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57% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.7

Cappuccino

$ 2.5/cup
($ 1.1 to $ 3.6)

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55% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.5

Fizzy drink

$ 1.6/can
($ 1.1 to $ 2.3)

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40% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.7

Water bottle

$ 1.2/bottle
($ 0.8 to $ 2)

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43% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.2

Hotel and accommodation budget in Budapest

1-star hotel

$ 83/night
($ 41 to $ 225)

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51% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 172

2-star hotel

$ 93/night
($ 33 to $ 277)

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43% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 163

3-star hotel

$ 180/night
($ 49 to $ 756)

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25% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 240

4-star hotel

$ 154/night
($ 65 to $ 697)

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54% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 335

5-star hotel

$ 335/night
($ 156 to $ 893)

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37% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 539

Hostel/Youth Hostel

$ 103/month
($ 35 to $ 339)

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40% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 172

Room with kitchen

$ 224/month
($ 48 to $ 848)

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12% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 256

Hotel with swimming pool

$ 217/month
($ 77 to $ 771)

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0% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 217

Cottage or guest house

$ 122/month
($ 41 to $ 422)

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50% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 244

Family room

$ 259/month
($ 55 to $ 1089)

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22% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 213

Supermarket food budget in Budapest

Milk

$ 1.1/litre
($ 0.8 to $ 1.7)

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0% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.1

Bread

$ 1.6/500g
($ 1 to $ 2.1)

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59% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.8

Rice

$ 1.9/kg
($ 1.1 to $ 2.7)

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60% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.8

Eggs

$ 2.6/12 eggs
($ 1.7 to $ 3.3)

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34% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.9

Chicken

$ 5.6/kg
($ 4.1 to $ 7.1)

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55% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 13

Apples

$ 1.7/kg
($ 1 to $ 2.1)

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70% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.5

Tomatoes

$ 2.9/kg
($ 1.6 to $ 5.4)

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43% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.2

Potatoes

$ 1.1/kg
($ 0.8 to $ 1.7)

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63% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.1

Water bottle

$ 0.6
($ 0.3 to $ 0.8)

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77% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.3

Public and private transport budget in Budapest

Bus ticket

$ 1.2/ticket
($ 1.1 to $ 1.2)

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53% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.6

Taxi (per km)

$ 1.2/km
($ 1.2 to $ 1.4)

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33% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.8

Petrol

$ 1.7/litre
($ 1.7 to $ 1.8)

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69% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1

Taxi (initial pick-up charge)

$ 3
($ 3 to $ 3.3)

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22% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.9

Car hire

$ 32/24hrs
($ 11 to $ 52)

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58% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 76

Leisure activity budget in Budapest

Cinema

$ 8.2/ticket
($ 6.9 to $ 9.6)

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44% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 15

Tennis

$ 20/hr
($ 11 to $ 29)

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17% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 23

Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes in Budapest

Cigarettes

$ 6.3/pack
($ 6 to $ 6.9)

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40% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11

Levi's jeans

$ 80
($ 37 to $ 110)

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42% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 56

Summer dress

$ 40
($ 23 to $ 61)

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13% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 46

Plane ticket budget

London → Budapest

$ 140
(fair price: $ 119)

Montreal → Budapest

$ 818
(fair price: $ 732)

Manchester → Budapest

$ 226
(fair price: $ 187)

Dublin → Budapest

$ 205
(fair price: $ 172)

Edinburgh → Budapest

$ 203
(fair price: $ 172)

New York City → Budapest

$ 684
(fair price: $ 608)

Book a flight Flight prices to Budapest