Budapest Trip Cost Calculator

Your Budapest Budget at a Glance

Budapest is one of Europe’s best-value capitals. The thermal bath culture, vibrant ruin bars, and incredible architecture come at prices that seem too good to be true. Budget travelers can manage on $50-90 per day, mid-range travelers should expect $100-180 per day, and luxury seekers will spend $280+ per day.

Where Your Money Goes

Accommodation is Budapest’s main expense, but it’s still cheap by European standards. Thermal baths are affordable (€6-25), food is excellent value, and drinking in ruin bars won’t break the bank (€2-4 per beer).

Budget Traveler Tips

Maximize your forints by:

• Eating lunch menus (ebéd menü) at local restaurants
• Visiting Rudas or Király baths instead of Széchenyi
• Drinking at lesser-known ruin bars beyond Szimpla Kert
• Always paying in Forint, never accepting currency conversion
• Walking between Buda and Pest across the beautiful bridges

Worth the Splurge

Even budget travelers should consider:

• One thermal bath experience (even the cheapest are amazing)
• Dinner at a proper Hungarian restaurant with live music
• Night cruise on the Danube to see the illuminated Parliament

Best Time to Visit for Value

November (before Christmas markets) and January-February offer the best deals. Spring (March-May) is lovely with moderate prices.

Avoid these expensive periods:

• Sziget Festival (August) - 400,000+ visitors, book months ahead
• Formula 1 Grand Prix (late July)
• Christmas Markets (late November-December)
• New Year’s Eve

Practical Money Tips

Currency Warning

Hungary uses Hungarian Forint (HUF/Ft), NOT euros. ALWAYS pay in Forint. When your card asks “pay in HUF or EUR/GBP/USD?” - ALWAYS choose HUF. Currency conversion at the terminal adds 5-15% fees.

Tipping Culture

10% is standard at restaurants. Round up at bars and cafés. Some tourist restaurants add service charge - check your bill for “szervízdíj.”

Tap Water

Budapest tap water is safe and good quality. Ask for “csapvíz” (tap water) at restaurants - it’s free.

Getting There & Around

From Budapest Airport

Liszt Ferenc Airport is 16km southeast of the city:

• Bus 100E: 2,200 Ft, direct to Deák Ferenc tér, 30-40 min, every 20 min
• Bus 200E + Metro: 750 Ft total, slower but cheaper, connects to M3 metro
• Taxi (Főtaxi): Fixed 9,500 Ft to center. Only use official yellow taxis
• Bolt/Uber: 6,000-9,000 Ft depending on traffic

Getting Around

Budapest is very walkable with excellent public transport:

• Metro: 4 lines (M1 is a UNESCO site - the oldest on the continent)
• Tram: Lines 4-6 run 24/7 along the Grand Boulevard. Tram 2 along Danube is scenic
• Walking: Cross the Chain Bridge between Buda and Pest for free views
• 72hr Pass: 5,500 Ft for unlimited travel - best value for tourists