A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Budapest vs. Budva for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Budapest or Budva?

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

Where Should I go: Budapest or Budva?

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.

Budva

A coastal resort in Montenegro, Budva is probably the country's most popular tourist destination. Not only does it host a number of great beaches, but it is also home to a picturesque old town center located on a small peninsula. Some of its best features include narrow winding lanes, historic buildings, churches, and small squares.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Budapest, The Best 10-Day Tours from Budapest, The Best Adventure Tours to Montenegro, and The Best Budget Tours to Montenegro.


Which place is cheaper, Budva or Budapest?

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 Budva is $99. 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 Budva in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Budapest $50
    Budva $40
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Budapest $100
    Budva $80
Compare Hotels in Budapest and Budva

Looking for a hotel in Budapest or Budva? 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.

Hotels in Budapest


Hotels in Budva


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: Budapest Hotel Prices and Budva Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Budapest $11
    Budva $22
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Budapest

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Budapest:


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $7.04
  • Metro Pass
    $3.87

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Budapest

Also for Budapest, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Bucharest - Romania to Budapest - Hungary /Private Transfer: $1,205
  • Budapest - Hungary to Bucharest - Romania /Private Transfer: $1,314
  • Budapest - Vienna Transfer: $234
  • Budapest - Vienna Transfer with Bratislava stop: $263
  • Budapest - Zagreb Transfer: $263
  • Budapest Airport Transfer: $56
  • Budapest Airport Transfer - return (arrival & departure) with discount: $52
  • Budapest Airport Transfer: Budapest City to Budapest Airport BUD in Business Car: $77
  • Budapest Airport Transfers: Budapest Airport BUD to Budapest City in Luxury Car: $116
  • Budapest Airport Transfers: Budapest City to Budapest Airport BUD in Luxury Car: $116
  • Budapest Airport Transfers: Budapest City to Budapest Airport BUD in Luxury Van: $91
  • Budapest Airport arrival transfer (Luxury Vehicle): $47

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Budva

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Budva are as follows:


  • Daily Car Rental
    $71

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Budva

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Budva:

  • Private One Way Transfer from Dubrovnik to Budva: $321
  • Private Transfer from Budva to Dubrovnik: $278
  • Private Transfer from Budva or Becici to Dubrovnik airport: $244
  • Private Transfer from Ulcinj to Tivat Airport (TIV): $178
  • Herceg Novi to Budva one way transfer: $147
  • Transfer from Podgorica Airport to Kotor: $141
  • Kotor to Budva one way transfer: $103
  • Tivat to Budva one way transfer: $103
  • Private transfer from Budva to Dubrovnik City: $100
  • Reliable Montenegro Airport Transfer: $72
  • Private Transfer from Sveti Stefan to Tivat airport: $72
  • Private Transfer from Budva or Becici to Tivat airport: $61

Is it cheaper to fly into Budapest or Budva?

Prices for flights to both Budva 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.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Budapest $23
    Budva $34
Typical Food Prices in Budapest

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Budapest:


  • Lunch
    $3.44

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Budapest

For Budapest, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Guided Tipsy Food Tour with Drinks Included in Budapest: $32
  • Tipsy Guided Food Tour with Drinks Included in Budapest: $32
  • Budapest Tipsy Food Tour with Drinks: $32
  • Budapest Tipsy Food Tour with Drinks and Food Included: $32
  • Traveling Spoon Hungarian Goulash Private Online Cooking Class: $40
  • Guided Food Tour with Drinks Included in Budapest: $42
  • Downtown Budapest Cruise with Pizza and Beer: $46
  • Pizza & Beer Downtown Budapest Cruise: $47
  • Vegan Hungarian Food Tour (full meals): $53
  • Medieval Dinner Show with Drinks: $53
  • Private Street Food Tour: $60
  • Budapest Tipsy Guided Food Tour with Drinks Included: $66

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Budva

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Budva.

  • Cooking Class with dinner/lunch in Ulcinj Montenegro : $50

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Budapest $22
    Budva $24
Typical Entertainment Prices in Budapest

For Budapest, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Entrance to the Baths for Two
    $6.91

Tours and Activities in Budapest

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Budapest.

  • Jewish Quarter of Budapest Walking Tour: $2.18
  • Self-Guided photo Safari with Photobook! City Tour: $2.71
  • Castle District Walking Tour: $3.26
  • Welcome to Budapest Walking Tour: $3.26
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.26
  • Self Guided Tour In Budapest With 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.33
  • Free Tour Budapest Essential in Spanish: $3.33
  • Past and Present of Budapest Jewish District Tour: $3.34
  • Communist History Evening Walking Tour of Budapest: $3.34
  • Budapest Castle District Walking Tour: $3.34
  • Free walking tour in the Buda Castle incl. Fisherman's Bastion: $3.34
  • Budapest Historical Sightseeing - Walking Tour: $3.34

Tours and Activities in Budva

Here are a few actual costs in Budva for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 1-Hour Guided Lipa Cave Adventure in Montenegro: $17
  • 3.5-Hour Kayak Tour from Beсiсi to Sveti Stefan Island: $44
  • Bay of Kotor Guided Mountain Bike Tour: $190
  • Budva 1 hour Private walking tour: $68
  • Budva Bay SUP & Kayaking Tours to Coastal Caves: $44
  • Budva Bay: Boat Tour with Snorkeling and Sightseeing: $71
  • Budva private day tour from Kotor: $316
  • 3-Hour Paddle Board or Kayak Tour to Coastal Caves: $44
  • City Private Tour: $128
  • Exploring Caves & Private Boat Tour: $71
  • Hidden paradise tour with snorkeling and lunch: $218
  • Night Lights Kayak and SUP Adventure: $44

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Budapest $18
    Budva $15

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: $22
  • Budapest Pub Crawl +6 free Shots +VIP Access +Drinking Games : $22
  • Bingo Bar Crawl: $26
  • Bingo Bar Crawl: $26
  • Private, Personalized Pub Crawl, 5 drinks included: $27
  • Pub Crawl Budapest - with challanges and games: $30
  • Ruin Bar Pub Crawl with Entry Tickets: $33
  • Hungarian pálinka distillery visit and tasting: $33
  • Pub Crawl - Bar Pass: $38
  • Detective Pub Crawl Game by App: $39
  • Budapest Pub Pass: The Bar Crawl Tour: $39
  • Tipsy Tour Fun Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $40


When comparing the travel costs between Budapest and Budva, we can see that Budva is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Budapest Expensive? and Is Budva Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Budapest or Budva?

Budapest has a larger population, and is about 360 times larger than the population of Budva. When comparing the sizes of Budapest and Budva, 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.