Is Budapest expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Budapest is still one of the better-value capitals in Central Europe: cheaper than Vienna for food, drink and rooms, and roughly comparable to Prague, although restaurant prices in the centre have risen fast in recent years. A realistic day costs about HUF 32,500 per person on a budget and about HUF 63,500 mid-range. Beds take the largest share, followed by the thermal baths and the bigger sights.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | HUF15,000 | HUF28,000 | HUF60,000 |
| Food & drink | HUF9,000 | HUF18,000 | HUF40,000 |
| Sights & tickets | HUF7,000 | HUF15,000 | HUF25,000 |
| Local transport | HUF1,500 | HUF2,500 | HUF8,000 |
| Per person, per day | HUF32,500 | HUF63,500 | HUF133,000 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Budapest day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Beer in a ruin bar | about HUF 1,000–1,500 |
| Lángos with sour cream and cheese | roughly HUF 1,500–3,000 |
| Goulash soup (gulyásleves) | roughly HUF 2,500–4,500 a bowl |
| Public transport 24-hour travelcard | about HUF 2,500 |
| Dohány Street Synagogue ticket | around HUF 9,000–10,000 |
| Danube evening cruise, 1 hour without dinner | from about HUF 5,000–8,000 |
| Restaurant main course (pörkölt or paprikás csirke) | roughly HUF 3,500–6,000 |
| Mid-range double room, high season (District V) | roughly HUF 45,000–75,000 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation is the biggest cost: a bed in a shared double runs about HUF 15,000 a night on a budget, HUF 28,000 mid-range and HUF 60,000 in comfort, plus a tourist tax of a few percent of the room price. Food and drink cost about HUF 9,000 a day on bakeries, canteen lunch menus and lángos, or HUF 18,000 with restaurant meals and wine. Sights and baths are about HUF 7,000–15,000 a day; a thermal bath ticket alone can take most of a budget day, and Parliament tours cost more for non-EU visitors. Transport is cheap at about HUF 1,500–2,500 a day.
When it is cheaper
January to March and November are the cheapest months, with hotel prices often roughly 30–40% lower than in summer. Expect higher prices during Sziget in August, the Formula 1 weekend (usually July or August) and the Christmas market season.
How to spend less
- Pay in forint (HUF) and refuse to be charged in euros or your home currency on card terminals and ATMs.
- Eat lunch in a kifőzde or főzelékfaló canteen, where a főzelék with a topping costs roughly HUF 1,500–3,000.
- Check every bill for an added service charge (often 10–15%) before leaving a tip on top.
- Visit Széchenyi or Rudas on a weekday, when tickets are cheaper than at weekends.
- Avoid restaurants on Váci utca with touts and menus without prices or with fish priced per 100 g.
- Use bank ATMs rather than exchange offices at the airport or near the main tourist sites.
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Common questions
Is Budapest cheap?
Cheaper than Vienna or Prague for food and drink, but central restaurant prices have risen fast. Plan on about HUF 32,500 a day on a budget.
Should I pay in forint or euros?
In forint. Euros are accepted in tourist places at a bad rate, and card terminals that offer to charge in euros use poor exchange rates.
Is service included in Budapest restaurants?
Often yes: many restaurants add a service charge of about 10–15% to the bill. Check before you tip; if it is not included, about 10% is usual.