A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Budapest vs. Pompeii for Attractions, Backpackers, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Budapest or Pompeii?

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

Budapest

Budapest is a cultural, artistic, and historic city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and shopping.

Pompeii

Pompeii is a one-of-a-kind, ancient, and famous archeological site. Visitors also love the museums.

Budapest and Pompeii: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Budapest or Pompeii?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Budapest. Although Budapest and Pompeii are both popular with visitors, Budapest has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Budapest is more popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Pompeii is known for its museums. Pompeii is more touristy than Budapest and is known for its well preserved archaeological ruins that are still intact following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Budapest is popular for its thermal hot springs, European spas, rich culture, and wild nightlife scene. It is also home to The Hungarian Parliament Building.

How is Budapest different from Pompeii?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Pompeii and Budapest. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Budapest or Pompeii?

Pompeii is terrific for its historical sights. Also, Budapest is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

The museums and tourist attractions in Pompeii are world-renowned. Pompeii is a city frozen in time and it is truly a one-of-a-kind destination. The streets remain as they once stood, lined with shops and homes. Highlights of a visit include the Forum, the Antiquarium, the Temple of Isis, and the Teatro Grande.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Budapest can be an interesting and educational experience. Famous sights include the Buda Castle and Castle Hill, the Hungarian Parliament Building, and St. Stephen's Basilica.

Is the Food Better in Budapest or Pompeii? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Budapest is a decent place to visit for its restaurants. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Budapest may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Traditional dishes tend to be heavy on the meat and bread. They make good comfort food and are very filling meals. The city also has many great pastry shops. Make sure you check out the stuffed cabbage, goulash, and chimney cake.

While Pompeii is not famous for its food, you'll find what you need there. While there is a café near the Forum, the quality of the food isn't great and it can get crowded. You'd do best to bring your own food as the site is large and you'll want to eat on your own schedule.

Is Budapest or Pompeii Better for Nightlife?

Budapest is an excellent place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for nightlife.

Budapest has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city's active nightlife includes dance clubs, local pubs, and cultural festivals throughout the year.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Pompeii. As a popular tourist destination, you'll find some bars nearby, but most people visit as a day trip and head out of town before the evening hours.

Is Budapest or Pompeii Better for its Old Town?

Budapest is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Pompeii does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Budapest. The city grew from the merging of two towns, Buda and Pest, which were divided by the Danube River. Buda is the more historical part of town and Pest is more modern.

Pompeii does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Budapest or Pompeii?

Budapest is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Budapest. The city has a diverse shopping scene that you can experience by visiting the Central Market or Váci Street.

Pompeii has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There are some souvenir stands outside of the site where you can buy trinkets to remember your visit.

Is Budapest or Pompeii Better for Families?

Pompeii is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Budapest is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Pompeii is very family-friendly. Its a city frozen in time, and even kids will get lost in the history and story behind Pompeii. The trick is to find a kid-friendly tour and understand the layout before you arrive. Because it's so big, you want to know which places to visit and which you might want to skip with kids who have short attention spans.

Budapest is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has the typical trampoline parks and playgrounds, but kids will also enjoy the baths and pools around town. Do take note that most of the museums are less hands on than kids prefer.

Is Budapest or Pompeii Better for Couples?

Budapest is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Pompeii is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Budapest makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With it's many beautiful neighborhoods, and unique entertainment options including the opera, this is a fun city for couples. The baths and spas also make for a great experience for couples.

Pompeii is a nice destination for couples. It's an iconic destination in Italy, and should be added to any Italian trip itinerary. It's not exactly a romantic destination, but it's something that every visitor should see.

Is Budapest or Pompeii Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Budapest is renowned for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Pompeii is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Budapest, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. The city is more affordable than many large cities and it has a number of fun hostels to choose from. There's a good backpacker vibe around town with many places to meet and hang out with other travelers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Pompeii. It's touristy and crowded, but also world renowned and not-to-be-missed. Whether you're a backpacker or a luxury traveler, Pompeii is on most itineraries.

Is Budapest or Pompeii Better for Students?

Budapest is renowned for its student-friendly activities. Also, Pompeii is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Budapest. The city has a great international vibe with several good universities that are welcoming to international students that are studying abroad.

Pompeii is popular with students. It's history and educational significance make it a great study abroad destination, whether you visit alone, with friends, or as part of a tour group.

Is Budapest or Pompeii Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Budapest is renowned for times when you don't have a car. Also, Pompeii is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Budapest has a great public transit system. The metro, trams, and buses make it easy to get around town.

You'll find some public transit in Pompeii, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Many visitors from Sorrento and Naples arrive via the the Circumvesuviana train. There are also buses from many different locations.

Is Budapest or Pompeii a more walkable city?

Budapest and Pompeii are fantastic when it comes to walkability.

Budapest is a very easy city to get around on foot. Pest is very flat, making for an easy stroll, while Buda is more hilly.

It is easy to get around Pompeii on foot. You can walk around the entire site in about 4 hours, but you'll really want to allow a full day if you want to see everything in depth.

For even more information, also check out Is Budapest Worth Visiting? and Is Pompeii Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pompeii or Budapest?

How long in Budapest or Pompeii?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Budapest or Pompeii to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Budapest than Pompeii because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Budapest, and 1-2 days is enough time in Pompeii.

Families should spend more time in Pompeii than Budapest. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Pompeii, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Budapest than Pompeii. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Budapest that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Budapest than Pompeii if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Budapest.

One day in Budapest or Pompeii?

Because Budapest is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

The archeological site of Pompeii offers museums. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Budapest or Pompeii?

Because Budapest is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Budapest has to offer.

Pompeii is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this archeological site makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Pompeii, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Budapest or Pompeii?

Budapest is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Budapest has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Pompeii is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Budapest or Pompeii?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Budapest. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Budapest. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Pompeii is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This archeological site offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Budapest, The Best 2-Week Tours from Budapest, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Budapest and Pompeii, we can see that Pompeii is more expensive. And not only is Budapest much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Budapest would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Budapest 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 Pompeii would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pompeii than you might in Budapest.

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

When is the best time to visit Budapest or Pompeii?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Budapest or Pompeii in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Budapest and Pompeii. The summer months attract visitors to Budapest because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Pompeii this time of year.

In the summer, Budapest is around the same temperature as Pompeii. Typically, the summer temperatures in Budapest in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Pompeii averages at about 23°C (74°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pompeii this time of the year. In Budapest, it's very sunny this time of the year. Budapest usually receives less sunshine than Pompeii during summer. Budapest gets 278 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Budapest usually receives more rain than Pompeii. Budapest gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Budapest or Pompeii in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Budapest as well as Pompeii. 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.

In October, Budapest is generally cooler than Pompeii. Daily temperatures in Budapest average around 12°C (53°F), and Pompeii fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Budapest often gets less sunshine than Pompeii. Budapest gets 152 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Pompeii. Budapest usually gets less rain in October than Pompeii. Budapest gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Budapest or Pompeii in the Winter?

Both Pompeii and Budapest are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Budapest for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Pompeii in the winter for the museums.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Budapest. Budapest is much colder than Pompeii in the winter. The daily temperature in Budapest averages around -1°C (31°F) in January, and Pompeii fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Budapest usually receives less sunshine than Pompeii during winter. Budapest gets 61 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 115 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pompeii. In January, Budapest usually receives less rain than Pompeii. Budapest gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Budapest or Pompeii in the Spring?

Both Pompeii and Budapest during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Budapest in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Budapest is cooler than Pompeii. Typically, the spring temperatures in Budapest in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Pompeii averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Budapest often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Pompeii. Budapest gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun.

Budapest usually gets less rain in April than Pompeii. Budapest gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Pompeii and Budapest