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

Should you visit Budapest or Novi Sad?

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 Novi Sad can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Budapest or Novi Sad?

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.

Novi Sad

Novi Sad is the capital city of Vojvodina, the northern Autonomous Province of Serbia. Novi Sad has a population of about 400,000 people and is located on the Danube River near Budapest and Belgrade.

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 Budget Tours to Serbia, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Belgrade.


Which place is cheaper, Novi Sad or Budapest?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Budapest is $90, while the average daily cost in Novi Sad is $20. 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 Novi Sad in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Budapest $49
    Novi Sad $12
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Budapest $98
    Novi Sad $24
Compare Hotels in Budapest and Novi Sad

Looking for a hotel in Budapest or Novi Sad? 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 Novi Sad


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 Novi Sad Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Budapest $10
    Novi Sad -
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Budapest

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


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $6.93
  • Metro Pass
    $3.81

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Budapest

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

  • Shared Airport Shuttle Bus Transfer: $13
  • Budapest One Way Private Transfer to or from Airport: $14
  • Budapest Airport Private Departure Transfer : City to Airport: $16
  • Premier Outlet Shopping Transfer from City Center: $16
  • Ferenc Liszt Intl Airport to Budapest - Arrival Private Transfer : $25
  • Budapest to Ferenc Liszt Intl Airport-Departure Private Transfer : $25
  • Budapest Airport Transfers: $26
  • One way private transfer from Budapest hotels to Budapest cruise ports: $27
  • One way private transfer from Budapest cruise port to Budapest hotels: $27
  • Budapest Roundtrip Private Airport Transfer: $27
  • Transfer from Liszt Ferenc Airport to Hotel: $33
  • Hotel to Liszt Ferenc Airport departure Transfer: $33

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Novi Sad

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Novi Sad:

  • Belgrade to Sarajevo via Novi Sad Private Transfer Tour: $291
  • Airport transfer from/to Novi Sad: $109
  • Belgrade airport transfers: $30

Is it cheaper to fly into Budapest or Novi Sad?

Prices for flights to both Novi Sad 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
    Novi Sad $8.34
Typical Food Prices in Budapest

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


  • Lunch
    $3.38

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: $35
  • Pizza & Beer Downtown Budapest Cruise: $35
  • Traveling Spoon Hungarian Goulash Private Online Cooking Class: $40
  • Vegan Hungarian Food Tour (full meals): $51
  • Medieval Dinner Show with Drinks: $53
  • Evening Cruise and Dinner with Champagne: $74
  • Danube Cruise with Hungarian Dinner and Live Music: $75
  • Dinner & Cruise on the Danube with Folklore Dance Show & Live Music: $76
  • Dinner Cruise with Operetta and Folk Show: $86
  • 3 course Dinner Cruise with Operetta and Folk Show: $87
  • 3 course Dinner Cruise with Piano Battle Show: $87
  • Lángos (Hungary’s nr1 streetfood) cooking class: $88

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Budapest $22
    Novi Sad -
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
    $6.80

Tours and Activities in Budapest

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

  • Historic Budapest Tour: $1.80
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.26
  • Free Tour Budapest Essential in Spanish: $3.30
  • Communist History Evening Walking Tour of Budapest: $3.31
  • Original Budapest Walking Tour: $3.31
  • Budapest Historical Sightseeing - Walking Tour: $3.31
  • Escape Game and Tour: $5.97
  • Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $5.97
  • Discovering Budapest's hot pools and heroes: a self-guided audio tour: $5.99
  • Historical Heroes & Hot Spa Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • TOP 10 Budapest- City Tour : $6.00
  • City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.46

Tours and Activities in Novi Sad

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Novi Sad are as follows:

  • From Belgrade: Novi Sad and Fruska Gora National Park Tour: $326
  • Fruska Gora and Novi Sad Heritage & Gastro Private Tour: $174
  • Novi Sad & Sremski Karlovci shared tour on Sundays: $61
  • Novi Sad Private Walking Tour: $258
  • Novi Sad city center and Petrovaradin fortress tour: $81
  • 2-Hour Christmas Walking Tour: $782
  • City Highlights Walking Tour with Local Guide: $520
  • Private Romantic Tour: $521
  • The city center and fortress Private Walking Tour: $29

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Budapest $18
    Novi Sad -

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
  • Ultimate Budapest Pub Crawl: $23
  • Bingo Bar Crawl: $25
  • Ruin Bar Pub Crawl with Entry Tickets: $29
  • Detective Pub Crawl Game by App: $38
  • Tipsy Tour Fun Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $40
  • 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
  • Pub Crawl Through The Ruin Bars in Budapest with T-shirt Included: $54
  • All You Can Drink Pub Crawl Through The Ruin Bars in Budapest: $60
  • Wine Tasting Walk in Jewish Quarter Bars: $60

Sample the Local Flavors in Novi Sad

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

  • From Belgrade: Sremski Karlovci & Novi Sad with Wine Tasting: $81
  • From Belgrade or Private Wine Tour in Fruska Gora: $188


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

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


Which is Bigger, Budapest or Novi Sad?

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

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 Novi Sad in the Summer?

Both Novi Sad and Budapest during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Budapest for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Budapest is around the same temperature as Novi Sad. Typically, the summer temperatures in Budapest in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Novi Sad averages at about 22°C (71°F).

In Novi Sad, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Budapest. In the summer, Budapest often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Novi Sad. Budapest gets 278 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Novi Sad receives 285 hours of full sun.

Budapest usually gets less rain in July than Novi Sad. Budapest gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Novi Sad receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Budapest 21°C (70°F) 
    Novi Sad 22°C (71°F)

Should I visit Budapest or Novi Sad in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Budapest and Novi Sad. Many visitors come to Budapest in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Budapest is generally around the same temperature as Novi Sad. Daily temperatures in Budapest average around 12°C (53°F), and Novi Sad fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Budapest usually receives less sunshine than Novi Sad during autumn. Budapest gets 152 hours of sunny skies, while Novi Sad receives 168 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Budapest usually receives around the same amount of rain as Novi Sad. Budapest gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Novi Sad receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Budapest 12°C (53°F) 
    Novi Sad 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Budapest or Novi Sad in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Budapest as well as Novi Sad. Most visitors come to Budapest for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

The weather in Novi Sad can be very cold. Budapest can be very cold during winter. Budapest is much colder than Novi Sad in the winter. The daily temperature in Budapest averages around -1°C (31°F) in January, and Novi Sad fluctuates around -0°C (31°F).

In the winter, Budapest often gets less sunshine than Novi Sad. Budapest gets 61 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Novi Sad receives 71 hours of full sun.

Budapest usually gets more rain in January than Novi Sad. Budapest gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Novi Sad receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Budapest -1°C (31°F) 
    Novi Sad -0°C (31°F)

Should I visit Budapest or Novi Sad in the Spring?

Both Novi Sad and Budapest are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Budapest because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Budapest is around the same temperature as Novi Sad. Typically, the spring temperatures in Budapest in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Novi Sad averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Budapest usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Novi Sad during spring. Budapest gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Novi Sad receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Budapest usually receives less rain than Novi Sad. Budapest gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Novi Sad receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Budapest 12°C (53°F) 
    Novi Sad 12°C (54°F)

Typical Weather for Novi Sad and Budapest

Budapest Novi Sad
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -1°C (31°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) -0°C (31°F) 37 mm (1.5 in)
Feb 2°C (35°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 2°C (36°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Mar 7°C (44°F) 35 mm (1.4 in) 7°C (45°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Apr 12°C (53°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 12°C (54°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
May 16°C (62°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 17°C (63°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Jun 20°C (67°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 20°C (68°F) 83 mm (3.2 in)
Jul 21°C (70°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 22°C (71°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 21°C (69°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 21°C (70°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Sep 17°C (63°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 18°C (64°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Oct 12°C (53°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 13°C (55°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Nov 6°C (42°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 7°C (44°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Dec 1°C (34°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 2°C (35°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)