Which place is cheaper, Havana or Budapest?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Budapest or Havana?
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 Havana can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Budapest or Havana?
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.
Havana
The city of Havana is at the top of most peoples' bucket list - mostly because of the allure of a forbidden land. Before the Communist revolution, Cuba was a popular tourist destination. Since it has reopened in the 1990s, it has drawn tourists from all over the world (except the US).
This capital city is a land trapped in the past. With 50 years of neglect, when you step off the plane, prepare to step back in time. A trip to Havana is meant for those with truly open minds - and when they arrive they'll be swept away.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Budapest, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Budapest.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBudapest $91Havana $65
The average daily cost (per person) in Budapest is $91, while the average daily cost in Havana is $65. 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 Havana in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBudapest $50Havana $40
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBudapest $100Havana $80
Compare Hotels in Budapest and Havana
Looking for a hotel in Budapest or Havana? 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Budapest Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Budapest $11Havana $19
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Budapest
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Budapest:
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Short Taxi Ride$7.05
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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: $1,190
- Budapest - Bük Transfer: $153
- Budapest - Debrecen Transfer: $168
- Budapest - Hungary to Bucharest - Romania /Private Transfer: $1,298
- Budapest - Pécs Transfer: $150
- Budapest Airport BUD Arrival Private Transfer to Budapest City: $90
- 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
- Budapest Airport Transfer - return (arrival & departure) with discount: $51
- Budapest Airport Transfer: Budapest Airport BUD to Budapest City in Business Car: $75
- Budapest Airport Transfer: Budapest City to Budapest Airport BUD in Business Car: $75
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Havana
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Havana:
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Short Taxi Ride$0.68
Is it cheaper to fly into Budapest or Havana?
Prices for flights to both Havana 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
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Food Meals for one dayBudapest $23Havana $10
Typical Food Prices in Budapest
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Budapest:
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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:
- Downtown Budapest Cruise with Pizza and Beer: $45
- Pizza & Beer Downtown Budapest Cruise: $46
- Vegan Hungarian Food Tour (full meals): $52
- Medieval Dinner Show with Drinks: $53
- Vegan Hungarian Food Tour / Local delights: $57
- Private Street Food Tour: $59
- Danube Cruise with Hungarian Dinner and Live Music: $74
- Budapest Danube Cruise with Buffet Dinner, Performances and Music: $75
- Chefparade Cooking School_ Hungarian menu: $79
- Evening Cruise and Dinner with Champagne: $86
- Lángos (Hungary’s nr1 streetfood) cooking class: $87
- Candlelit Dinner River Cruise with Live Music: $91
Typical Food Prices in Havana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Havana:
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Pizza$0.03
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Budapest $22Havana $11
Typical Entertainment Prices in Budapest
For Budapest, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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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.
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- Free Tour Budapest Essential in Spanish: $3.26
- Guided Tour in Budapest Castle District: $3.28
- Welcome to Budapest Walking Tour: $3.28
- Original Budapest Walking Tour: $3.28
- Communist History Evening Walking Tour of Budapest: $3.28
- Self Guided City Audio Tour in Buda Castle: $5.46
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $5.92
- Escape Game and Tour: $5.92
- Historical Heroes & Hot Spa Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Discovering Budapest's hot pools and heroes: a self-guided audio tour: $5.99
- TOP 10 Budapest- City Tour : $6.00
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBudapest $18Havana $5.76
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
- The Original Budapest Pub Crawl - One Hour Open Bar + Free Shots: $22
- Ultimate Budapest Pub Crawl: $23
- Ultimate Budapest Pub Crawl: $23
- Bingo Bar Crawl: $25
- 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: $39
- Tipsy Tour Fun Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $42
- Drunken History Bar Crawl Tour with Local Drinks: $42
- Private Wine Tasting in Budapest: $50
- Hungarian Wine Tasting (with Cheese and Charcuterie) in Budapest: $50
Typical Alcohol Prices in Havana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Havana:
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Mojito$0.15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Budapest and Havana, we can see that Budapest is more expensive. And not only is Havana much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Budapest is in Europe and Havana is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Havana would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Havana 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 Havana.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Budapest Expensive? and Is Havana Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Budapest or Havana?
Havana has a larger population, and is about 28% larger than the population of Budapest. When comparing the sizes of Budapest and Havana, 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 Havana?
Budapest has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Havana experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Budapest or Havana in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Budapest as well as Havana. The summer months attract visitors to Budapest because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Havana throughout the year.
In the summer, Budapest is cooler than Havana. Typically, the summer temperatures in Budapest in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Havana averages at about 27°C (81°F).
Budapest usually gets less rain in July than Havana. Budapest gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Havana receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBudapest 21°C (70°F)Havana 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Budapest or Havana in the Autumn?
Both Havana and Budapest are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Budapest this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Havana because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, Budapest is generally much colder than Havana. Daily temperatures in Budapest average around 12°C (53°F), and Havana fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
In October, Budapest usually receives less rain than Havana. Budapest gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Havana receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBudapest 12°C (53°F)Havana 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Budapest or Havana in the Winter?
Both Havana and Budapest during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Budapest for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Budapest. Budapest is much colder than Havana in the winter. The daily temperature in Budapest averages around -1°C (31°F) in January, and Havana fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
Budapest usually gets more rain in January than Havana. Budapest gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Havana receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBudapest -1°C (31°F)Havana 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Budapest or Havana in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Budapest and Havana. Many visitors come to Budapest in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, Budapest is much colder than Havana. Typically, the spring temperatures in Budapest in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Havana averages at about 24°C (75°F).
In April, Budapest usually receives more rain than Havana. Budapest gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Havana receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBudapest 12°C (53°F)Havana 24°C (75°F)
Typical Weather for Havana and Budapest
| Budapest | Havana | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -1°C (31°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Feb | 2°C (35°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 7°C (44°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| May | 16°C (62°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jun | 20°C (67°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (69°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 17°C (63°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (53°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (42°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Dec | 1°C (34°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.