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

Should you visit Budapest or Boston?

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

Budapest

Budapest is a authentic, bustling, and cultural city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, shopping, and museums.

Boston

Boston is a proud, loyal, and historic city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. Visitors also love the live music, food, and shopping.

Budapest and Boston: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Budapest or Boston?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Boston than Budapest. While Budapest is larger than Boston, Boston has more sights and attractions for tourists. Boston is very popular for its museums, theatre productions, food, music, beaches, historical sights, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere, while Budapest attracts visitors for its shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty. Budapest is famous for its thermal hot springs, European spas, rich culture, and wild nightlife scene. Boston is famous for its enthusiastic sports fans, influential history, beautiful parks, and world-class universities. It is also well known for The Freedom Trail.

How is Budapest different from Boston?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Boston 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 Boston?

Boston 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 Boston are world-renowned. The city itself feels like a living museum. It is famous for Faneuil Hall, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Isabelle Stewart Gardner Museum, the USS Constitution, as well as the many sites along the Freedom Trail. There are also many museums on the campuses of the world renowned universities in the city.

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.

Is Budapest or Boston Better for Theater?

Boston is great for its theatre productions. However, Budapest is not a theatre destination.

Boston has a number of performance venues where you can see a variety of shows. The city has many historic, beautifully restored theaters where you can enjoy a show. Head to the theater district for some of the most famous venues.

Budapest is not a theatre destination.

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

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

Boston has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There are many local dishes that utilize fresh caught seafood and comfort food flavors. The cuisine also takes advantage of the city's Italian and Irish populations. Famous local foods include New England Clam Chowder, lobster rolls, and baked beans. You'll find hearty sandwiches and filling meals that warm your soul.

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 Boston Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is high quality in both Budapest and Boston.

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.

Boston has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The city is known for its breweries, craft beer, and vibrant university neighborhoods. It also hosts regular outdoor movies and world class sporting events. The nightlife scene is varied, with some areas catering to the student population and other areas focused on the professional or sport-loving crowds.

Is Budapest or Boston Better for Music?

Boston is very good for its live music scene. However, Budapest is not a live music destination.

Music lovers will find a few good venues in Boston. Popular music venues include Lizard Lounge, Blue Hills Bank Pavilion, and The Middle East.

Budapest is not a live music destination.

Is Budapest or Boston Better for Beaches?

Boston is adequate for the beache. However, Budapest is not a beach destination.

You can check out the beach in Boston. There are a few urban beaches in the greater Boston area that you can explore on a nice day.

Budapest is not a beach destination.

Is Budapest or Boston Better for its Old Town?

Boston is terrific for its old town. Also, Budapest is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its historic old town charm.

Boston has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. Boston is famous for its Freedom Trail, which takes visitors around the city's rich history. The oldest parts of the city are known as Boston Proper and include the neighborhoods of Beacon Hill, Historic Downtown, the North End, and the West End.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Budapest or Boston?

Budapest is notable for shopping. Also, Boston is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Budapest is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city has a diverse shopping scene that you can experience by visiting the Central Market or Váci Street.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Boston. Head to Back Bay for some of the best high end shops. There are luxury brands and boutique venues that sell local art or crafts.

Is Budapest or Boston Better for Christmas?

Boston is great for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Budapest does not offer Christmas activities.

Boston is a very popular destination during Christmas. Christmas comes to life in the city with its Christmas Trees, holiday shows, and festivals.

Budapest does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Budapest or Boston Better for Christmas Markets?

Boston is great for visiting Christmas markets. However, Budapest does not offer Christmas markets.

Boston has plenty of Christmas markets during the holiday season. There are a number of European style Christmas markets that pop up during the holiday season around town.

Budapest does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Budapest or Boston Better for Families?

Boston is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Budapest is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Boston is one of the most popular family destinations. It's filled with history, but there are also many activities for kids who need a break from all of the historical stuff. Popular activities for all ages include the Museum of Science, the New England Aquarium, and exploring the waterfront, gardens, and parks around town.

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 Boston Better for Couples?

Budapest is notable for romance. Also, Boston is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Budapest is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Boston makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy history will enjoy exploring the city. Take a swan boat ride in the Public Garden and wander the unique route along the Freedom Trail. There are also many sporting and entertainment options around town.

Is Budapest or Boston Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Budapest is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Boston is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Budapest is a mecca for backpackers and 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Boston. Like most larger American cities, the city has a handful of hostels to choose from.

Is Budapest or Boston Better for Students?

For students, both Budapest and Boston are first-rate places to visit.

Students come from all over the world to visit Budapest. The city has a great international vibe with several good universities that are welcoming to international students that are studying abroad.

Boston is a great destination for students. It is a city of students, with a number of world renowned universities located here including Harvard University, Boston College, and MIT. Many neighborhoods are filled with students and there are many student-centered activities around town including festivals and an active nightlife scene.

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

Budapest and Boston both offer first-rate public transit to get you around.

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.

Boston has a great public transit system. There's the T, which is the subway, as well as a trolley, bus, and water transportation system.

Is Budapest or Boston a more walkable city?

Budapest and Boston are first-rate when it comes to 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.

It is easy to get around Boston on foot. The many parks and compact neighborhoods are best explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Boston or Budapest?

How long in Budapest or Boston?

In either Budapest or Boston, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Boston has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Boston than Budapest. In general, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Budapest, and 3-5 days is enough time in Boston.

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

Couples should spend more time in Boston than Budapest. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Boston that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

One day in Budapest or Boston?

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 Boston offers shopping and museums. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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.

A weekend in Budapest or Boston?

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.

Boston is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Budapest or Boston?

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.

Boston is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Boston, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Budapest or Boston?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the authentic 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.

Boston is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Budapest and Boston, we can see that Boston 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 Boston 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 Boston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Boston 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 Boston Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Budapest or Boston?

Budapest has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Boston. When comparing the sizes of Budapest and Boston, 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 Boston?

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 Boston in the Summer?

Both Boston and Budapest during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Budapest in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Boston for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Budapest is generally around the same temperature as Boston. Daily temperatures in Budapest average around 21°C (70°F), and Boston fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

In Boston, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Budapest. In the summer, Budapest often gets less sunshine than Boston. Budapest gets 278 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 304 hours of full sun.

Budapest usually gets less rain in July than Boston. Budapest gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Boston receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Budapest or Boston in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Budapest and Boston. Most visitors come to Budapest for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Boston because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Budapest is around the same temperature as Boston in the autumn. The daily temperature in Budapest averages around 12°C (53°F) in October, and Boston fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

Budapest usually receives less sunshine than Boston during autumn. Budapest gets 152 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 194 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Budapest usually receives less rain than Boston. Budapest gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Budapest or Boston in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Budapest as well as Boston. The winter months attract visitors to Budapest because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Boston this time of year.

It's quite cold in Boston in the winter. The weather in Budapest can be very cold. In the winter, Budapest is much warmer than Boston. Typically, the winter temperatures in Budapest in January average around -1°C (31°F), and Boston averages at about 29°F (-2°C).

In the winter, Budapest often gets less sunshine than Boston. Budapest gets 61 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 153 hours of full sun.

Budapest usually gets less rain in January than Boston. Budapest gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Budapest or Boston in the Spring?

Both Boston and Budapest are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Budapest this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Boston for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

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

It's quite sunny in Boston. Budapest usually receives less sunshine than Boston during spring. Budapest gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Budapest usually receives less rain than Boston. Budapest gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Boston and Budapest