A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Budapest vs. Bergen for Backpackers, Attractions, Nightlife, and Old Town

Should you visit Budapest or Bergen?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

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 Bergen can help you decide which place is right for you.

Budapest

Budapest is a bustling, cultural, and artistic 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. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and shopping.

Bergen

Bergen is a laid back, nostalgic, and friendly city. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Budapest and Bergen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Budapest or Bergen?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Budapest than Bergen, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Budapest is more popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Bergen is known for its food and small town charm. Budapest is more touristy than Bergen and is popular for its thermal hot springs, European spas, rich culture, and wild nightlife scene. It is also home to The Hungarian Parliament Building. Bergen is popular for its breathtaking fjords, classic wooden houses, and surrounding mountain beauty.

How is Budapest different from Bergen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bergen and Budapest. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Budapest or Bergen?

Budapest is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Budapest offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Famous sights include the Buda Castle and Castle Hill, the Hungarian Parliament Building, and St. Stephen's Basilica.

Bergen is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are some interesting local museums such as the Hanseatic Museum, the Edvard Grieg Museum, and the KODE Museums.

Is the Food Better in Budapest or Bergen? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bergen is very good for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Budapest is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Bergen has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The city's economy has long been centered around the fish trade and even today you'll find cod, shellfish, trout, and salmon on most menus. Sheep and mutton are also popular. Desserts and coffee are also a big part of the local culture.

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.

Is Budapest or Bergen Better for Nightlife?

Budapest is notable for its evening party scene. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Budapest has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The city's active nightlife includes dance clubs, local pubs, and cultural festivals throughout the year.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Bergen. It's a small city without a huge nightlife district, but there are bars and clubs in Bryggen and Old Bulls Plass. The city has enough students to keep things lively and fun.

Is Budapest or Bergen Better for its Old Town?

Budapest is notable for its historic old town charm. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Budapest. 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.

Bergen is a good destination for visiting its old town. The wooden buildings and compact streets have a quaint and nostalgic atmosphere.

Is the Shopping Better in Budapest or Bergen?

If you're looking to go shopping, Budapest and Bergen both offer plenty of great spots.

Budapest is well-known for its shopping. The city has a diverse shopping scene that you can experience by visiting the Central Market or Váci Street.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Bergen. The city center is filled with specialty boutiques as well as larger department stores. Shopping has long been a large part of the economy and you'll enjoy exploring the diversity of retail options.

Is Budapest or Bergen Better for Families?

Bergen 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, Bergen is very family-friendly. There are some interesting educational opportunities for kids including the Bergen Aquarium, VilVite Science Centre, and Experience Bryggen. Other fun activities include Vannkanten Waterworld and the Fløibanen Funicular.

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.

Is Budapest or Bergen Better for Couples?

Both Budapest and Bergen are great destinations to visit as a couple.

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.

Bergen is a very popular place to visit for couples. There are many romantic activities near town like swimming in the fjords and walking through the parks. There are also spas and music concerts to enjoy.

Is Budapest or Bergen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Budapest is very popular for backpackers. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Budapest is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Bergen is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a few hostels and guesthouses around town where backpackers can meet other travelers.

Is Budapest or Bergen Better for Students?

Budapest is very popular for students. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Many students frequent Budapest. The city has a great international vibe with several good universities that are welcoming to international students that are studying abroad.

Plenty of students visit Bergen. It's a very student-friendly city with many activities and a laid back atmosphere. The university facilities are spread out around town and the locals are welcoming and helpful.

Is Budapest or Bergen Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Budapest is very popular for its public transit. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Budapest has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. The metro, trams, and buses make it easy to get around town.

Public transit in Bergen is fairly effecient and thorough. For the areas that are outside of the city center, you can take a local bus or the light rail to access them. These services are operated by Skyss.

Is Budapest or Bergen a more walkable city?

Budapest is very popular for its ease of walking around. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its walkability.

It is easy to get around Budapest on foot. Pest is very flat, making for an easy stroll, while Buda is more hilly.

Bergen is very walkable. The city center is flat and compact enough that it's fun to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Budapest Worth Visiting? and Is Bergen Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bergen or Budapest?

How long in Budapest or Bergen?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Budapest and Bergen. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Budapest than in Bergen. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Budapest, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bergen.

Families should spend more time in Bergen than Budapest. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Bergen, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Budapest than Bergen. 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 Bergen 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.

One day in Budapest or Bergen?

Budapest is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The city of Bergen offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Budapest or Bergen?

Budapest is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Bergen 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 Bergen, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Budapest or Bergen?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Budapest. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Bergen 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.

A week in Budapest or Bergen?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic big city of Budapest. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Bergen 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 10-Day Tours in Norway, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Norway.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Budapest and Bergen, we can see that Bergen is more expensive. And not only is Budapest much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Bergen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bergen 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 Bergen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Budapest or Bergen?

Budapest has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Bergen. When comparing the sizes of Budapest and Bergen, 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 Budapest or Bergen?

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 Budapest or Bergen in the Summer?

Both Bergen and Budapest during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Budapest for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Bergen because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Budapest is a little warmer than Bergen. Typically, the summer temperatures in Budapest in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Bergen averages at about 15°C (58°F).

Bergen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Budapest usually gets less rain in July than Bergen. Budapest gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Budapest or Bergen in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Budapest and Bergen. 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. Also, the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Bergen this time of year.

In October, Budapest is generally a little warmer than Bergen. Daily temperatures in Budapest average around 12°C (53°F), and Bergen fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Bergen receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Budapest usually receives less rain than Bergen. Budapest gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Budapest or Bergen in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Budapest as well as Bergen. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Budapest this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bergen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Bergen. It's quite cold in Budapest in the winter. Budapest is much colder than Bergen in the winter. The daily temperature in Budapest averages around -1°C (31°F) in January, and Bergen fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

It's quite rainy in Bergen. Budapest usually gets less rain in January than Bergen. Budapest gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Budapest or Bergen in the Spring?

Both Bergen and Budapest are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Budapest for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Bergen in the spring for the small town charm.

In the spring, Budapest is much warmer than Bergen. Typically, the spring temperatures in Budapest in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Bergen averages at about 6°C (43°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bergen. In April, Budapest usually receives less rain than Bergen. Budapest gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bergen and Budapest