Which place is cheaper, Plzen or Budapest?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Budapest, The Best 2-Week Tours from Budapest, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Czech Republic, and The Best Cultural Tours in Czech Republic.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBudapest $89Plzen $101
The average daily cost (per person) in Budapest is $89, while the average daily cost in Plzen is $101. 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBudapest $49Plzen $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBudapest $98Plzen $122
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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Budapest $10Plzen $8.27
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$6.91
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Metro Pass$3.79
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: $16
- Budapest Private Arrival Transfer: Railway station to hotels: $16
- Premier Outlet Shopping Transfer from City Center: $16
- Private Transfer Budapest City to Ferenc Liszt Airport(BUD): $22
- Private One-Way Budapest Int Airport Transfer To/From Budapest: $24
- Private Transfer from Budapest city to Budapest Airport - departure: $25
- Budapest to Ferenc Liszt Intl Airport-Departure Private Transfer : $25
- Ferenc Liszt Intl Airport to Budapest - Arrival Private Transfer : $25
- Budapest Airport Transfers: $26
- Private Transfer Budapest Airport BUD to Budapest by car or van: $34
- Budapest Airport - Budapest City Transfer: $35
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
- Private Transfer from Pilsen to Prague: $87
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
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Food Meals for one dayBudapest $23Plzen $31
Typical Food Prices in Budapest
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Budapest:
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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:
- 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
- Vegan Hungarian Food Tour / Local delights: $57
- 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: $85
- 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
- Hungarian Cooking Class - Foodapest: $94
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Budapest $22Plzen $21
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$6.77
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: $3.20
- Free Tour Budapest Essential in Spanish: $3.25
- Free walking tour in the Buda Castle incl. Fisherman's Bastion: $3.26
- Budapest Castle District Walking Tour: $3.26
- Past and Present of Budapest Jewish District Tour: $3.26
- Communist History Evening Walking Tour of Budapest: $3.26
- Budapest Historical Sightseeing - Walking Tour: $3.26
- Alternative Street Art Walking Tour of Budapest: $3.26
- Guided Tour in Budapest Castle District: $3.26
- Free Walking Tour Budapest incl. the Shoes on the Danube Bank: $3.26
- Self Guided City Audio Tour in Buda Castle: $5.44
- Escape Game and Tour: $5.86
Tours and Activities in Plzen
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Plzen are as follows:
- Experience Best Prague Tandem Skydiving : $249
- Pilsen Historic Underground Tour with a Glass of Beer: $8.69
- Pilsen Private Walking Tour: $200
- Pilsen: Historic Underground Tour with a Glass of Beer: $8.52
- Pilsen: Old Town Gastronomy Tour: $32
- Private Tour to Pilsner Urquell from Prague: $270
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBudapest $18Plzen $23
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: $21
- Ultimate Budapest Pub Crawl: $23
- Bingo Bar Crawl: $25
- Budapest Original Ruin Pub Crawl Including 5 Shots: $27
- Ruin Bar Pub Crawl with Entry Tickets: $29
- Detective Pub Crawl Game by App: $38
- Drunken History Bar Crawl Tour with Local Drinks: $42
- Tipsy Tour Fun Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $42
- Hungarian Wine Tasting (with Cheese and Charcuterie) in Budapest: $50
- Budapest - Opera Gin Distillery Tour: $51
- Pub Crawl Through The Ruin Bars in Budapest with T-shirt Included: $53
- All You Can Drink Pub Crawl Through The Ruin Bars in Budapest: $59
Sample the Local Flavors in Plzen
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Plzen:
- Brewery Museum Entrance including a Glass of Beer: $6.52
- Pilsen: Brewery Museum Entrance with a Glass of Beer: $6.93
- Pilsen: Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting: $17
- Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting: $17
- Pilsen Highlights Small-Group Tour and Pilsner Brewery Tour including Lunch and Beer Tasting: $108
- Pilsner brewery tour incl beer tasting & Czech town Pilsen: $139
- Day trip to Pilsner Urquell brewery and Bohemian glassworks: $206
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.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Budapest Expensive? and Is Plzen Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Budapest or Plzen?
Budapest has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Plzen. When comparing the sizes of Budapest and 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 along with the activities and attractions 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.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBudapest 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.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBudapest 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.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBudapest -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.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBudapest 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.