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

Should you visit Budapest or Gdansk?

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

Where Should I go: Budapest or Gdansk?

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.

Gdansk

Gdansk is the capital and largest city of the Pomeranian Voivodeship in northern Poland. The port dates back a thousand years and was an influential city in the Hanseatic League during the Middle Ages. The city was essentially destroyed during World War II but has rebuilt into one of Europe's most beautiful port cities. The city now has a population of around 460,000 and is a popular tourist destination for visitors from around the globe. It is known for its impressive city center, its great museums, and its beaches that line the coast of the Gulf of Gdansk. In particular, it is a popular summer destination.

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 Poland, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Poland.


Which place is cheaper, Gdansk or Budapest?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Budapest is $89, while the average daily cost in Gdansk is $54. 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 Gdansk in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Budapest $49
    Gdansk $27
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Budapest $98
    Gdansk $54
Compare Hotels in Budapest and Gdansk

Looking for a hotel in Budapest or Gdansk? 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 Gdansk


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 Gdansk Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Budapest $10
    Gdansk $8.53
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Budapest

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


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $6.91
  • Metro Pass
    $3.79

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: $1,181
  • Budapest - Bük Transfer: $153
  • Budapest - Bratislava Transfer: $199
  • Budapest - Debrecen Transfer: $168
  • Budapest - Hungary to Bucharest - Romania /Private Transfer: $1,289
  • Budapest - Pécs Transfer: $149
  • Budapest - Szeged Transfer: $134
  • Budapest Airport BUD Arrival Private Transfer to Budapest City: $89
  • Budapest Airport Private Departure Transfer : City to Airport: $16
  • Budapest Airport Private Luxury Transfer by a Mercedes Benz S Class: $120
  • Budapest Airport Transfer: $55
  • Budapest Airport Transfer - Round trip to and from Liszt Ferenc Airport: $78

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gdansk

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Gdansk:

  • Transfer from Gdansk, Airport Gdansk to Torun: $291
  • Taxi Transfer from Gdańsk airport to Toruń: $268
  • Private Gdansk Transfer from Sopot: $267
  • Warsaw/Deluxe Private Transfer Service: $248
  • Taxi Transfer from Gdańsk airport to Bydgoszcz: $240
  • Transfer from Gdańsk airport to Toruń: $219
  • Private Transfer to/from Poznan: $211
  • Private Transfer from Gdansk (GDN) Airport to Grudziadz city: $210
  • From Stutthof Concentration Camp Tour with Transfer: $192
  • Transfer from Gdansk or Airport Gdansk to Slupsk: $189
  • Private Transfer from Gdansk (GDN) Airport to Łeba city: $188
  • Private Transfer from Gdansk or Airport Gdansk GDN to Kwidzyn: $182

Is it cheaper to fly into Budapest or Gdansk?

Prices for flights to both Gdansk 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
    Gdansk $20
Typical Food Prices in Budapest

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


  • 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:

  • Traveling Spoon Hungarian Goulash Private Online Cooking Class: $40
  • 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
  • Private Street Food Tour: $59
  • 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: $86
  • 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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Gdansk

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

  • Delicious Gdańsk Food Tour in Poland: $94
  • 4-hour Polish Food Tour: $109
  • Private Food-Pairing Dinner Experience: $121
  • Gdansk foodpairing dinner: $124
  • Gdansk Traditional Food Tour with Old Town Sightseeing: $156
  • Gdansk Food Tour Experience: $168
  • Gdańsk: World-Class Fine Dining Dinner on the Top Floor: $208

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Budapest $22
    Gdansk $8.13
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
    $6.77

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: $3.21
  • Free Tour Budapest Essential in Spanish: $3.26
  • Budapest Historical Sightseeing - Walking Tour: $3.27
  • Free walking tour in the Buda Castle incl. Fisherman's Bastion: $3.27
  • Free Walking Tour Budapest incl. the Shoes on the Danube Bank: $3.27
  • Communist History Evening Walking Tour of Budapest: $3.27
  • Past and Present of Budapest Jewish District Tour: $3.27
  • Self Guided City Audio Tour in Buda Castle: $5.45
  • Escape Game and Tour: $5.88
  • Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $5.88
  • Historical Heroes & Hot Spa Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • TOP 10 Budapest- City Tour : $6.00

Tours and Activities in Gdansk

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

  • #1 Polish Vodka Tasting Experience: $64
  • 6 Hours Guided Tour through Gdansk Highlights: $240
  • A cultural Private Tour of Gdansk Old Town: $165
  • Amber Museum and Gdansk Old Town Private Tour with Tickets: $125
  • Amber Museum and Gdansk Old Town Private Tour with Tickets : $128
  • Artus Court and Gdansk Old Town Private Tour with Tickets: $119
  • Best of Gdańsk, Gdynia and Sopot in 1-Day Private Car Tour: $225
  • Bike Tour Gdańsk - Premium - Fun Guide - no Boredom. New offer : $43
  • City Tour Gdańsk Hop on Hop off plus walking tour: $40
  • Copernicus Trail in Frombork Private Tour from Gdansk by Car: $323
  • Delicious Gdansk Craft Beer Tour: $76
  • Deluxe Polish Vodka Tour Experience in Gdansk: $114

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Budapest $18
    Gdansk $4.74

Sample the Local Flavors in Budapest

Also in Budapest, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • The Original Budapest Pub Crawl - One Hour Open Bar + Free Shots: $17
  • 5-Hour Pub Crawl through Ruin Bars: $21
  • Ultimate Budapest Pub Crawl: $23
  • Ultimate Budapest Pub Crawl: $23
  • Bingo Bar Crawl: $25
  • Budapest Original Ruin Pub Crawl Including 5 Shots: $28
  • Ruin Bar Pub Crawl with Entry Tickets: $29
  • Detective Pub Crawl Game by App: $38
  • 8-Tier Hungarian Wine Tasting in a Cozy Downtown Wine Bar: $38
  • Tipsy Tour Fun Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $42
  • Drunken History Bar Crawl Tour with Local Drinks: $42
  • Hungarian Wine Tasting (with Cheese and Charcuterie) in Budapest: $50

Sample the Local Flavors in Gdansk

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Gdansk:

  • Gdansk Pub Crawl with Free Drinks: $22
  • Pub Crawl with Free Drinks: $25
  • Pub Crawl with Complimentary Drinks: $30


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Budapest and Gdansk, we can see that Budapest is more expensive. And not only is Gdansk much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Gdansk would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Gdansk 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 Gdansk.

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


Which is Bigger, Budapest or Gdansk?

Budapest has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Gdansk. When comparing the sizes of Budapest and Gdansk, 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 Gdansk?

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 Gdansk in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Budapest as well as Gdansk. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Budapest this time of year.

In the summer, Budapest is a little warmer than Gdansk. Typically, the summer temperatures in Budapest in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Gdansk averages at about 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Gdansk. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Budapest this time of the year. In the summer, Budapest often gets more sunshine than Gdansk. Budapest gets 278 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gdansk receives 204 hours of full sun.

Budapest usually gets less rain in July than Gdansk. Budapest gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Gdansk receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Budapest 21°C (70°F) 
    Gdansk 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Budapest or Gdansk in the Autumn?

Both Gdansk and Budapest are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Budapest for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Budapest is generally a little warmer than Gdansk. Daily temperatures in Budapest average around 12°C (53°F), and Gdansk fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

Budapest usually receives more sunshine than Gdansk during autumn. Budapest gets 152 hours of sunny skies, while Gdansk receives 97 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Budapest usually receives less rain than Gdansk. Budapest gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Gdansk receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Budapest 12°C (53°F) 
    Gdansk 8°C (46°F)

Should I visit Budapest or Gdansk in the Winter?

Both Gdansk and Budapest during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Budapest in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Gdansk can be very cold during winter. Budapest can get quite cold in the winter. Budapest is much warmer than Gdansk in the winter. The daily temperature in Budapest averages around -1°C (31°F) in January, and Gdansk fluctuates around -2°C (28°F).

In the winter, Budapest often gets more sunshine than Gdansk. Budapest gets 61 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gdansk receives 33 hours of full sun.

Budapest usually gets more rain in January than Gdansk. Budapest gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Gdansk receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Budapest -1°C (31°F) 
    Gdansk -2°C (28°F)

Should I visit Budapest or Gdansk in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Budapest and Gdansk. Most visitors come to Budapest for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

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

Budapest usually receives more sunshine than Gdansk during spring. Budapest gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Gdansk receives 162 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Budapest usually receives more rain than Gdansk. Budapest gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Gdansk receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Budapest 12°C (53°F) 
    Gdansk 6°C (43°F)

Typical Weather for Gdansk and Budapest

Budapest Gdansk
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -1°C (31°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) -2°C (28°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
Feb 2°C (35°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) -2°C (28°F) 25 mm (1 in)
Mar 7°C (44°F) 35 mm (1.4 in) 1°C (34°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Apr 12°C (53°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 6°C (43°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
May 16°C (62°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 11°C (52°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Jun 20°C (67°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 14°C (57°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Jul 21°C (70°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 17°C (63°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Aug 21°C (69°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 17°C (63°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Sep 17°C (63°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 12°C (54°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Oct 12°C (53°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 8°C (46°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Nov 6°C (42°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 2°C (36°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Dec 1°C (34°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) -2°C (28°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)