Which place is cheaper, Atlanta or Budapest?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Budapest and Atlanta can help you decide which place is right for you.
Budapest is a artistic, historic, and authentic city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and shopping.
Atlanta is a diverse, sprawling, and suburban city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.
Travelers will usually find more to do in Budapest than Atlanta, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Budapest is more popular for its historical sights, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Atlanta is known for its museums, food, and shopping. Budapest is more touristy than Atlanta and is known for its thermal hot springs, European spas, rich culture, and wild nightlife scene. It is also home to The Hungarian Parliament Building. Atlanta is popular for its world class aquarium, its role as host of the 1996 Olympic Games, and its influence during the Civil Rights Movement.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Atlanta and Budapest. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Atlanta is terrific for its historical sights. Also, Budapest is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.
The museums and tourist attractions in Atlanta are world-renowned. The museums range in topic from history to science and art. The country's largest aquarium, the Georgia Aquarium, is in Atlanta as well. It's home to whale sharks, stingrays, and a diversity of marine life. Other museums around town include the Atlanta History Center, the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, the High Museum of Art, the World of Coca Cola, the David J. Sencer CDC Museum, and the Delta Flight Museum. There are also many monuments and sites including the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site.
With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Budapest can be an interesting and educational experience. Famous sights include the Buda Castle and Castle Hill, the Hungarian Parliament Building, and St. Stephen's Basilica.
Atlanta is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Budapest is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.
Atlanta has a huge number of terrific restaurants. It's a huge city with a wide selection of restaurants including international, local, and classic southern styles. Fried chicken, biscuits, diner food, and barbecue are all popular. For a classic southern breakfast check out The OK Cafe and for a quintessential Atlanta experience go to The Varsity.
Budapest may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Traditional dishes tend to be heavy on the meat and bread. They make good comfort food and are very filling meals. The city also has many great pastry shops. Make sure you check out the stuffed cabbage, goulash, and chimney cake.
The vibe at night is excellent in both Budapest and Atlanta.
Many people head to Budapest for the nightlife scene. The city's active nightlife includes dance clubs, local pubs, and cultural festivals throughout the year.
Atlanta has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The nightlife scene is diverse with trendy bars, dance clubs, and huge music halls. There are a number of neighborhoods that each have their own atmosphere. For some of the best nightlife check out the upscale bars in Buckhead, the music venues in Midtown, the hipster vibe in Edgewood, or the laid-back atmosphere in Virginia Highland.
Budapest is a great city for its historic old town charm. However, Atlanta does not have a historic old town.
Many visitors go to Budapest to see the historical old town. The city grew from the merging of two towns, Buda and Pest, which were divided by the Danube River. Buda is the more historical part of town and Pest is more modern.
Atlanta does not have a historic old town.
Atlanta is terrific for its shopping opportunities. Also, Budapest is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping areas.
Known for shopping, Atlanta draws large crowds to its stores. There are a number of great shopping districts around town. Atlantic Station is popular with a movie theater and ice skating. Buckhead has boutique and local vendors and Lenox Square has a large shopping mall.
Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Budapest. The city has a diverse shopping scene that you can experience by visiting the Central Market or Váci Street.
Atlanta is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Budapest is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.
Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Atlanta is very family-friendly. There is no shortage of playgrounds around town, but a highlight of any trip is a visit to the Georgia Aquarium. It's the largest aquarium in the United States and its home to whale sharks, hammerheads, dolphin shows, and more. It is so much more than just an aquarium, and it truly is a not to be missed experience. Also worth a visit are Zoo Atlanta, the Center of Puppetry Arts, Stone Mountain, Fernbank Museum of Natural History, and the Lego Discovery Center. If you have the chance to see the Atlanta Braves play, that's also a rewarding experience.
Budapest is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has the typical trampoline parks and playgrounds, but kids will also enjoy the baths and pools around town. Do take note that most of the museums are less hands on than kids prefer.
Budapest is a great city for couples. Also, Atlanta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.
Budapest is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. With it's many beautiful neighborhoods, and unique entertainment options including the opera, this is a fun city for couples. The baths and spas also make for a great experience for couples.
Atlanta is a nice destination for couples. It's a big city, so there are a number of date night activities available such as orchestra concerts, theater shows, and fine dining. The city also has many outdoor areas like Lake Lanier and Piedmont Park. The Georgia Aquarium is world class, and there are other amazing museums around town as well.
Budapest is terrific for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Atlanta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.
A large number of backpackers visit Budapest, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. The city is more affordable than many large cities and it has a number of fun hostels to choose from. There's a good backpacker vibe around town with many places to meet and hang out with other travelers.
Atlanta is a good city to visit for backpackers. While it's usually overlooked by backpackers, there are actually a couple of hostels around town and a surprising number of activities worth experiencing. The city's large airport make it a convenient entry point for international travelers.
Budapest is terrific for its student-friendly activities. Also, Atlanta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.
Budapest is a great destination for students. The city has a great international vibe with several good universities that are welcoming to international students that are studying abroad.
Students come from all over to stay in Atlanta. There are a number of universities in town such as Emory, Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia State University, and Morehouse College. The city is sprawling, but it's also full of entertainment and activities that students will enjoy.
Budapest is terrific for times when you don't have a car. However, Atlanta is not known for its public transit.
The thorough and effecient public transit system of Budapest can take you anywhere. The metro, trams, and buses make it easy to get around town.
Public transit is generally limited in Atlanta. For such a large city, the public transportation system is very limited. MARTA is the main transit authority and there are a few subway lines that cross the city as well as bus routes running around town.
Budapest is terrific for its ease of walking around. Also, Atlanta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.
Budapest is a very easy city to get around on foot. Pest is very flat, making for an easy stroll, while Buda is more hilly.
Atlanta is somewhat walkable. Parts of the city are walkable, but most of the sights are spread out and require a car to access. Within neighborhoods, there are a few places that are more pedestrian-friendly such as Downtown, Midtown, Virginia Highlands, and Buckhead.
For even more information, also check out Is Budapest Worth Visiting? and Is Atlanta Worth Visiting?.
It's fun to spend time in either Budapest or Atlanta. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Budapest due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Budapest, and 2-4 days is enough time in Atlanta.
Families should spend more time in Atlanta than Budapest. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Atlanta, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Budapest than Atlanta. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Budapest that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Budapest than Atlanta if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Budapest.
Because Budapest is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.
The city of Atlanta offers food and shopping. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
Because Budapest is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Budapest has to offer.
Atlanta is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Atlanta, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.
Budapest is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Budapest has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.
Atlanta is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Budapest. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Budapest. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.
Atlanta is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Budapest, The Best 2-Week Tours from Budapest, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Budapest is $91, while the average daily cost in Atlanta is $173. 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 Budapest and Atlanta in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Budapest or Atlanta? 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Budapest:
Also for Budapest, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Atlanta:
Also for Atlanta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Atlanta and Budapest 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.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Budapest:
For Budapest, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Atlanta:
For Atlanta, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
For Budapest, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Budapest.
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Atlanta.
Also in Budapest, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Atlanta:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Budapest and Atlanta, we can see that Atlanta is more expensive. And not only is Budapest much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Budapest is in Europe and Atlanta is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Budapest would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Budapest 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 Atlanta would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Atlanta than you might in Budapest.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Budapest Expensive? and Is Atlanta Expensive?.
Budapest has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Atlanta. When comparing the sizes of Budapest and Atlanta, 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.
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Both Atlanta and Budapest are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Budapest this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Atlanta for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Budapest is cooler than Atlanta. Typically, the summer temperatures in Budapest in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Atlanta averages at about 82°F (28°C).
It's quite sunny in Atlanta. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Budapest. Budapest usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Atlanta during summer. Budapest gets 278 hours of sunny skies, while Atlanta receives 271 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Atlanta. In July, Budapest usually receives less rain than Atlanta. Budapest gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Atlanta receives 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
Both Atlanta and Budapest during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Budapest for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Atlanta in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In October, Budapest is generally much colder than Atlanta. Daily temperatures in Budapest average around 12°C (53°F), and Atlanta fluctuates around 66°F (19°C).
In Atlanta, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Budapest often gets less sunshine than Atlanta. Budapest gets 152 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atlanta receives 222 hours of full sun.
Budapest usually gets less rain in October than Atlanta. Budapest gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Atlanta receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Budapest and Atlanta. Many visitors come to Budapest in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Atlanta for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Budapest can get quite cold in the winter. Budapest is much colder than Atlanta in the winter. The daily temperature in Budapest averages around -1°C (31°F) in January, and Atlanta fluctuates around 45°F (7°C).
Budapest usually receives less sunshine than Atlanta during winter. Budapest gets 61 hours of sunny skies, while Atlanta receives 164 hours of full sun in the winter.
Atlanta receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Budapest usually receives less rain than Atlanta. Budapest gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Atlanta receives 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
The spring brings many poeple to Budapest as well as Atlanta. Most visitors come to Budapest for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Atlanta because of the activities around the city.
In the spring, Budapest is much colder than Atlanta. Typically, the spring temperatures in Budapest in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Atlanta averages at about 65°F (18°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Atlanta. In the spring, Budapest often gets less sunshine than Atlanta. Budapest gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atlanta receives 262 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Atlanta. Budapest usually gets less rain in April than Atlanta. Budapest gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Atlanta receives 4.1 inches (104 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Budapest | Atlanta | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | -1°C (31°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 45°F (7°C) | 4.7 inches (120 mm) |
Feb | 2°C (35°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 49°F (9°C) | 4.8 inches (123 mm) |
Mar | 7°C (44°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 5.8 inches (147 mm) |
Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 65°F (18°C) | 4.1 inches (104 mm) |
May | 16°C (62°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 4.2 inches (107 mm) |
Jun | 20°C (67°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 80°F (27°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) |
Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) |
Aug | 21°C (69°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) |
Sep | 17°C (63°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 76°F (25°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
Oct | 12°C (53°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 66°F (19°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) |
Nov | 6°C (42°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
Dec | 1°C (34°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 48°F (9°C) | 4.4 inches (111 mm) |