Is Budapest Expensive?
A down-to-earth guide to doing Budapest on a budget
Is Budapest Expensive?
A down-to-earth guide to doing Budapest on a budget
Good news: Budapest isn’t expensive — at least not if you know where to go. You can eat well, sleep comfortably, drink cheaply, and still have enough left over for a few fun activities. Here’s how to make the most of your trip without burning through your wallet.
💸 The Basics
If you’re a budget traveler, expect to spend around $40–60 USD per day (roughly 15,000–22,000 HUF). That covers a dorm bed, a couple of meals, drinks, and public transport.
- Hostels: Dorm beds go for about $17–25 USD a night — check out Maverick City Lodge or Meander Hostel. Both are clean, social, and super central.
- Budget hotels: If you want a private room, Baross City Hotel is solid and usually under $50.
- Public transport: Trams and metros are cheap — a 24-hour pass costs around $6 USD, and it’ll get you anywhere in the city.
🍺 Where to Drink Cheap
Budapest is a party city, but you don’t have to spend big to have fun.
- Élesztőház – a craft beer bar tucked into an old industrial space in District IX. Beers start around $3, and the vibe’s unbeatable.
- Mika Tivadar Mulató – a casual ruin-style bar with cheap wine and DJs most nights.
- Kisüzem – a local favorite in the Jewish Quarter where beers and fröccs (wine spritzers) won’t set you back much more than a couple of euros.
Pro tip: Avoid the super touristy bars in Gozsdu Udvar unless you like overpriced drinks and stag parties.
🏨 Where to Crash for Less
If hostels aren’t your thing but you still want to stay central, try:
- Avenue Hostel – right on Andrássy Avenue, clean rooms, and breakfast included.
- Flow Spaces Hostel – eco-friendly and modern with a chill common area.
Both are walkable to ruin bars and public transport — and usually under $25 a night if you book ahead.
🎟️ Cheap or Free Things to Do
Budapest’s best experiences don’t always cost much — some are even free.
- Walk the Danube Promenade: From the Chain Bridge to the Parliament Building, the views are world-class.
- Explore Margaret Island: Rent a bike or just wander through the gardens and fountains — totally free.
- Ride Tram 2: Locals call it “the budget Danube cruise” because it passes all the major landmarks for the price of a regular ticket.
- Relax in City Park (Városliget): Grab a lángos (fried dough with cheese and sour cream) and chill by Vajdahunyad Castle.
- Visit the ruin bars by day: Many, like Szimpla Kert, are open early and free to wander around — grab a cheap coffee instead of a cocktail.
🍽️ Where to Eat on the Cheap
Hungarian food doesn’t have to come with tourist prices.
- Paprika Vendéglő – hearty local dishes, big portions, and low prices near Heroes’ Square.
- Bors GasztroBár – the famous soup and sandwich joint in the Jewish Quarter.
- Retró Lángos Büfé – grab the best lángos in town for under $5.
💬 Final Thoughts
Budapest gives you big-city charm for half the price of Western Europe. Between cheap pints, low-cost hostels, and free river views, you can have an amazing trip without overspending.
So no — Budapest isn’t expensive. It’s just smart travel waiting to happen.
Links to each recommendation:
Hostels & Hotels
Maverick City Lodge – https://www.mavericklodges.com/en/maverick-city-lodge/
Meander Hostel – https://www.meanderhostel.com/
Baross City Hotel – https://www.barosshotel.hu/en/
Avenue Hostel – https://avenuehostel.hu/
Flow Spaces Hostel – https://flowspaces.hu/
Bars & Nightlife
Élesztőház – https://elesztohaz.hu/en/
Mika Tivadar Mulató – https://mikativadar.hu/
Kisüzem – https://www.facebook.com/kisuzem/?locale=en_GB
Szimpla Kert – https://szimpla.hu/
Food & Restaurants
Paprika Vendéglő – https://paprikavendeglo.hu/
Bors GasztroBár – https://borsgasztrobar.hu/
Retró Lángos Büfé – https://www.facebook.com/retrolangos/