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

Should you visit Budapest or Plzen?

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

Where Should I go: Budapest or Plzen?

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.

Plzen

Renowned as the home of the pilsner beer, Plzen is a city located in the West Bohemia region of the Czech Republic. Beyond beer, it also features a number of impressive landmarks some of which include St. Bartholomew's Cathedral and the Great Synagogue.

Which place is cheaper, Plzen or Budapest?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Budapest is $92, while the average daily cost in Plzen is $105. 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 Plzen in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Budapest $51
    Plzen $63
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Budapest $102
    Plzen $126
Compare Hotels in Budapest and Plzen

Looking for a hotel in Budapest or Plzen? 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 Plzen


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 Plzen Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Budapest $11
    Plzen $8.54
Typical Local Transportation prices in Budapest

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


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $7.09
  • Metro Pass
    $3.89

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 Airport Private Departure Transfer : City to Airport: $13
  • Budapest One Way Private Transfer to or from Airport: $14
  • Premier Outlet Shopping Transfer from City Center: $15
  • Budapest Private Arrival Transfer: Railway station to hotels: $16
  • Budapest Roundtrip Private Airport Transfer: $24
  • Private Transfer from Budapest Airport to the city - arrival: $25
  • Private Transfer from Budapest city to Budapest Airport - departure: $25
  • Ferenc Liszt Intl Airport to Budapest - Arrival Private Transfer : $25
  • Budapest to Ferenc Liszt Intl Airport-Departure Private Transfer : $25
  • Budapest Airport Transfers: $25
  • One way private transfer from Budapest hotels to Budapest cruise ports: $26

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Plzen

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Plzen:

  • Private Transfer from Pilsen(Plzen) to Prague: $269
  • Private Transfer from Pilsen to Prague with 2 hours for sightseeing: $115

Is it cheaper to fly into Budapest or Plzen?

Prices for flights to both Plzen 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
    Plzen $32
Typical Food prices in Budapest

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


  • Lunch
    $3.46

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Budapest

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

  • Sightseeing Cruise with Pizza and Unlimited Beer: $34
  • Pizza and Unlimited Beer Cruise in Budapest: $35
  • Traveling Spoon Hungarian Goulash Private Online Cooking Class: $40
  • Medieval Dinner Show with Drinks: $52
  • Craft Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting & BBQ Dinner: $55
  • Vegan Hungarian Food Tour / Local delights: $56
  • Dinner & Cruise on the Danube with Folklore Dance Show & Live Music: $60
  • Danube Cruise with Hungarian Dinner and Live Music: $62
  • Budapest Tipsy Food Tour with Drinks and Food inlcuded: $63
  • Hungarian Cooking Class - Foodapest: $68
  • Hungarian Private Dinner with a Local Chef: $70
  • Dinner Cruise with Operetta and Folk Show: $75

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Budapest $23
    Plzen $22
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
    $6.95

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: $3.19
  • Free Tour Budapest Essential in Spanish: $3.24
  • Past and Present of Budapest Jewish District Tour: $3.25
  • Original Budapest Alternative Street Art Tour: $3.25
  • Guided Tour in Budapest Castle District: $3.25
  • Alternative Street Walking Tour of Budapest: $3.25
  • Original Budapest Walking Tour: $3.25
  • Free walking tour in the Buda Castle incl. Fisherman's Bastion: $3.25
  • Budapest Historical Sightseeing - Walking Tour: $3.25
  • Communist History Evening Walking Tour of Budapest: $3.25
  • Budapest Castle District Walking Tour: $3.25
  • Welcome to Budapest Walking Tour: $3.25

Tours and Activities in Plzen

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

  • Experience Best Prague Tandem Skydiving : $292
  • Pilsen Private Walking Tour: $199
  • Pilsen: Historic Underground Tour with a Glass of Beer: $8.52
  • Pilsen: Old Town Gastronomy Tour: $32
  • Sightseeing Tour in the Czech Republic: Beer Bike in Pilsen: $557

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Budapest $17
    Plzen $24

Sample the Local Flavors in Budapest

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

  • Tipsy Ruin Pub Crawl Tour with 4 Drinks Included: $19
  • Drunken History Bar Crawl Tour with Local Drinks: $20
  • Drunken History Ruin Pub Walking Tour: $21
  • Ultimate Budapest Pub Crawl: $21
  • Ultimate Budapest Pub Crawl: $21
  • Tipsy Tour Fun Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $21
  • 5-Hour Pub Crawl through Ruin Bars: $21
  • Ruin Bar Pub Crawl with Entry Tickets: $21
  • The Original Budapest Pub Crawl - One Hour Open Bar + Free Shots: $22
  • Bingo Bar Crawl: $23
  • Bingo Bar Crawl: $23
  • Budapest Original Ruin Pub Crawl Including 5 Shots: $27

Sample the Local Flavors in Plzen

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Plzen:

  • Pilsen: Brewery Museum Entrance with a Glass of Beer: $6.39
  • Brewery Museum Entrance including a Glass of Beer: $7.04
  • Pilsen: Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting: $17
  • Pilsen Highlights Small-Group Tour and Pilsner Brewery Tour including Lunch and Beer Tasting: $107
  • Pilsner brewery tour incl beer tasting & Czech town Pilsen: $144


When comparing the travel costs between Budapest and Plzen, we can see that Plzen 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.

Which is Bigger, Budapest or Plzen?

Budapest is bigger, and its population is about 10.3 times larger than the population of Plzen. When comparing the population of Budapest vs. Plzen, 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 and the activities that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Budapest or Plzen?

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 Plzen in the Summer?

Both Plzen 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 July, Budapest is generally around the same temperature as Plzen. Daily temperatures in Budapest average around 21°C (70°F), and Plzen fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).

In Plzen, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Budapest. In the summer, Budapest often gets more sunshine than Plzen. Budapest gets 278 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Plzen receives 212 hours of full sun.

Budapest usually gets less rain in July than Plzen. Budapest gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Plzen receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Budapest 21°C (70°F) 
    Plzen 20°C (67°F)

Should I visit Budapest or Plzen in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Budapest and Plzen. 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.

Budapest is around the same temperature as Plzen in the autumn. The daily temperature in Budapest averages around 12°C (53°F) in October, and Plzen fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Budapest usually receives more sunshine than Plzen during autumn. Budapest gets 152 hours of sunny skies, while Plzen receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Budapest usually receives more rain than Plzen. Budapest gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Plzen receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Budapest 12°C (53°F) 
    Plzen 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Budapest or Plzen in the Winter?

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

The weather in Plzen can be very cold. Budapest can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Budapest is cooler than Plzen. Typically, the winter temperatures in Budapest in January average around -1°C (31°F), and Plzen averages at about -1°C (31°F).

In the winter, Budapest often gets more sunshine than Plzen. Budapest gets 61 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Plzen receives 45 hours of full sun.

Budapest usually gets more rain in January than Plzen. Budapest gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Plzen receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Budapest -1°C (31°F) 
    Plzen -1°C (31°F)

Should I visit Budapest or Plzen in the Spring?

Both Plzen 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 April, Budapest is generally around the same temperature as Plzen. Daily temperatures in Budapest average around 12°C (53°F), and Plzen fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Budapest usually receives more sunshine than Plzen during spring. Budapest gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Plzen receives 164 hours of full sun in the spring.

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


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Budapest 12°C (53°F) 
    Plzen 11°C (51°F)

Typical Weather for Plzen and Budapest

Budapest Plzen
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -1°C (31°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) -1°C (31°F) 25 mm (1 in)
Feb 2°C (35°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 2°C (35°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Mar 7°C (44°F) 35 mm (1.4 in) 6°C (42°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)
Apr 12°C (53°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 11°C (51°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
May 16°C (62°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 15°C (59°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 20°C (67°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 18°C (64°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Jul 21°C (70°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 20°C (67°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Aug 21°C (69°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 19°C (67°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Sep 17°C (63°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 16°C (61°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Oct 12°C (53°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 11°C (51°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Nov 6°C (42°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 5°C (41°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Dec 1°C (34°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 1°C (34°F) 23 mm (0.9 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.
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Budapest vs. Plzen Travel Comparison

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