Which place is cheaper, Budapest or Belgrade?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Belgrade or Budapest?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Belgrade and Budapest can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Belgrade or Budapest?
Belgrade
Belgrade is the capital city of the Republic of Serbia. Dating back to the 4th Century BC, is has seen many changes from Celtic tribes at its earliest beginnings to Roman rule, the Ottoman Empire, and Serbian independence. Relics of its past can be seen today in Belgrade's architecture and museums, while there are also a host of contemporary activities like nightlife, clubs, cafes, and concerts.
Budapest
Budapest is the capital city of Hungary. It has been called the "Paris of the East" because of its impressive architecture and general beauty. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987 because of its cultural importance, its location on the Banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter and Andrassy Avenue. In addition to its rich history, Budapest still has a young vibe with a lot of energy. There's an active night life, an impressive music scene, and a good reputation with European youth.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Serbia, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Belgrade, The Best 10-Day Tours from Budapest, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Budapest.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBelgrade $44Budapest $89
The average daily cost (per person) in Belgrade is $44, while the average daily cost in Budapest is $89. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Belgrade and Budapest in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBelgrade $30Budapest $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBelgrade $60Budapest $98
Compare Hotels in Belgrade and Budapest
Looking for a hotel in Belgrade or Budapest? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Belgrade Hotel Prices and Budapest Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Belgrade $5.55Budapest $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Belgrade
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Belgrade:
- Sarajevo: Belgrade transfer: $320
- Belgrade Panorama - Private Arrival Transfer and City Tour Combined: $238
- Belgrade Layover tour with E Scooter and airport transfers: $213
- Private City Tour with Transfer Options.: $213
- Private Transfer from Belgrade Airport (BEG) to Kragujevac: $203
- From Belgrade to Timisoara Private Transfer Tour: $192
- Private Transfer from Belgrade Airport (BEG) to Loznica: $174
- Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport (BEG): Transfer to Belgrade: $144
- Private transfer tour from Belgrade to Sarajevo via Mokra Gora with sightseeing: $143
- Belgrade to Timisoara transfer and walking city tour: $141
- Private Transfer from Nikola Tesla Airport: $137
- Private Transfer from Belgrade Airport (BEG) to Vršac: $135
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Budapest
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Budapest:
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Short Taxi Ride$6.91
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Metro Pass$3.79
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Budapest
Also for Budapest, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared Airport Shuttle Bus Transfer: $13
- Budapest Airport Private Departure Transfer : City to Airport: $16
- Budapest Private Arrival Transfer: Railway station to hotels: $16
- Premier Outlet Shopping Transfer from City Center: $16
- Private Transfer Budapest City to Ferenc Liszt Airport(BUD): $22
- Private One-Way Budapest Int Airport Transfer To/From Budapest: $24
- Private Transfer from Budapest city to Budapest Airport - departure: $25
- Budapest to Ferenc Liszt Intl Airport-Departure Private Transfer : $25
- Ferenc Liszt Intl Airport to Budapest - Arrival Private Transfer : $25
- Budapest Airport Transfers: $26
- Private Transfer Budapest Airport BUD to Budapest by car or van: $34
- Budapest Airport - Budapest City Transfer: $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Belgrade or Budapest?
Prices for flights to both Budapest and Belgrade change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayBelgrade $9.21Budapest $23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Belgrade
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Belgrade.
- E-Scooter Serbian Food Tour: $65
- Private Walking and Food Tour in Belgrade: $71
- E-Scooter Serbian Food Tour: $75
Typical Food Prices in Budapest
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Budapest:
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Lunch$3.37
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Budapest
For Budapest, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Downtown Budapest Cruise with Pizza and Beer: $45
- Pizza & Beer Downtown Budapest Cruise: $46
- Vegan Hungarian Food Tour (full meals): $51
- Medieval Dinner Show with Drinks: $52
- Vegan Hungarian Food Tour / Local delights: $57
- Danube Cruise with Hungarian Dinner and Live Music: $74
- Budapest Danube Cruise with Buffet Dinner, Performances and Music: $75
- Evening Cruise and Dinner with Champagne: $85
- Lángos (Hungary’s nr1 streetfood) cooking class: $87
- Candlelit Dinner River Cruise with Live Music: $91
- Budapest Danube River Candlelit Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $93
- Hungarian Cooking Class - Foodapest: $94
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Belgrade $4.48Budapest $22
Tours and Activities in Belgrade
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Belgrade are as follows:
- "Golden Standard" Private Half-Day Sightseeing Tour of Belgrade: $299
- 2 hours / Sightseeing Boat cruise Drinks Included: $86
- Ada Lake E Scooter tour: $43
- Ada Lake Tour: $33
- Avala & Kosmaj Bike Tour: $97
- Avala & Kosmaj Tour: $133
- Belgrade 20th century tour: $43
- Belgrade : Must-See Attractions Private Walking Tour: $75
- Belgrade : Old Town Walking Tour With A Guide: $50
- Belgrade Big Tour: Top Attractions and Belgrade Neighborhoods: $60
- Belgrade Bike Tour: $103
- Belgrade Bike tour: $48
Typical Entertainment Prices in Budapest
For Budapest, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Entrance to the Baths for Two$6.77
Tours and Activities in Budapest
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Budapest.
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.20
- Free Tour Budapest Essential in Spanish: $3.25
- Free walking tour in the Buda Castle incl. Fisherman's Bastion: $3.26
- Budapest Castle District Walking Tour: $3.26
- Past and Present of Budapest Jewish District Tour: $3.26
- Communist History Evening Walking Tour of Budapest: $3.26
- Budapest Historical Sightseeing - Walking Tour: $3.26
- Alternative Street Art Walking Tour of Budapest: $3.26
- Guided Tour in Budapest Castle District: $3.26
- Free Walking Tour Budapest incl. the Shoes on the Danube Bank: $3.26
- Self Guided City Audio Tour in Buda Castle: $5.44
- Escape Game and Tour: $5.86
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBelgrade $21Budapest $18
Sample the Local Flavors in Belgrade
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Belgrade:
- Wines & Horses Wine Tasting surrounded by Horses: $48
- Play Pub Crawl Belgrade: $49
- RePlay Pub Crawl in Belgrade: $52
- E-Scooter CRAFT BEER and BREWERY Tour: $53
- Natural wine tasting with great views: $54
- Tour of the MONASTERIES at Fruška Gora NP and Sremski Karlovci with wine tasting: $54
- Belgrade Bar Crawl: $54
- Pearl of North Serbia, trip to Novi Sad and Sremski Karlovci with wine tasting: $60
- Novi Sad and Sremski Karlovci private tour with wine tasting: $75
- 3-Hour Walking Local Wine Tasting Tour: $80
- Novi Sad and Sremski Karlovci Wine Tour From Belgrade: $92
- Belgrade Serbian Wine Tasting: $106
Sample the Local Flavors in Budapest
Also in Budapest, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- 5-Hour Pub Crawl through Ruin Bars: $21
- Ultimate Budapest Pub Crawl: $23
- Bingo Bar Crawl: $25
- Budapest Original Ruin Pub Crawl Including 5 Shots: $27
- Ruin Bar Pub Crawl with Entry Tickets: $29
- Detective Pub Crawl Game by App: $38
- Drunken History Bar Crawl Tour with Local Drinks: $42
- Tipsy Tour Fun Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $42
- Hungarian Wine Tasting (with Cheese and Charcuterie) in Budapest: $50
- Budapest - Opera Gin Distillery Tour: $51
- Pub Crawl Through The Ruin Bars in Budapest with T-shirt Included: $53
- All You Can Drink Pub Crawl Through The Ruin Bars in Budapest: $59
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Belgrade and Budapest, we can see that Budapest is more expensive. And not only is Belgrade much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Belgrade would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Belgrade and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Budapest would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Budapest than you might in Belgrade.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Belgrade Expensive? and Is Budapest Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Belgrade or Budapest?
Budapest has a larger population, and is about 33% larger than the population of Belgrade. When comparing the sizes of Belgrade and Budapest, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Belgrade or Budapest?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Belgrade or Budapest in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Belgrade as well as Budapest. Also, most visitors come to Budapest for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Belgrade is generally around the same temperature as Budapest. Daily temperatures in Belgrade average around 23°C (73°F), and Budapest fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Budapest. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Belgrade this time of the year. In the summer, Belgrade often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Budapest. Belgrade gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 278 hours of full sun.
Belgrade usually gets more rain in July than Budapest. Belgrade gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBelgrade 23°C (73°F)Budapest 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Belgrade or Budapest in the Autumn?
Both Budapest and Belgrade are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Budapest because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Belgrade is a little warmer than Budapest in the autumn. The daily temperature in Belgrade averages around 14°C (57°F) in October, and Budapest fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
Belgrade usually receives more sunshine than Budapest during autumn. Belgrade gets 168 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 152 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Belgrade usually receives more rain than Budapest. Belgrade gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBelgrade 14°C (57°F)Budapest 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Belgrade or Budapest in the Winter?
Both Budapest and Belgrade during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Budapest this time of year.
It's quite cold in Budapest in the winter. The weather in Belgrade can be very cold. In the winter, Belgrade is much warmer than Budapest. Typically, the winter temperatures in Belgrade in January average around 2°C (35°F), and Budapest averages at about -1°C (31°F).
In the winter, Belgrade often gets more sunshine than Budapest. Belgrade gets 71 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 61 hours of full sun.
Belgrade usually gets more rain in January than Budapest. Belgrade gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBelgrade 2°C (35°F)Budapest -1°C (31°F)
Should I visit Belgrade or Budapest in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Belgrade and Budapest. Furthermore, many travelers come to Budapest for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In April, Belgrade is generally a little warmer than Budapest. Daily temperatures in Belgrade average around 14°C (56°F), and Budapest fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
Belgrade usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Budapest during spring. Belgrade gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Belgrade usually receives more rain than Budapest. Belgrade gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBelgrade 14°C (56°F)Budapest 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Budapest and Belgrade
| Belgrade | Budapest | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 2°C (35°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | -1°C (31°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (39°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (47°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (56°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| May | 18°C (65°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Sep | 19°C (67°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (57°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Nov | 8°C (47°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (38°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.