Which place is cheaper, Rome or Budapest?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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 Rome can help you decide which place is right for you.
Budapest is a historic, authentic, and bustling 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. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and shopping.
Rome is a fun-filled, popular, and ancient city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife.
Travelers will usually find more to do in Rome than Budapest, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Rome is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, music, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Budapest is known for its historical sights. Rome is more touristy than Budapest and is popular for its iconic archaeological sites such as the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, as well as its gelato, Italian cuisine, and strong religious roots. It is also home to The Colosseum. Budapest is popular for its thermal hot springs, European spas, rich culture, and wild nightlife scene.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Rome and Budapest. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Rome 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 Rome are world-renowned. The historical sights around the city are among the most impressive in the world. Almost anywhere you look you'll find a notable landmark but some of the most famous include the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, the Vatican, and the Roman Forum.
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.
Rome is terrific for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Budapest is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.
Rome has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. Homemade pasta, fresh sauces, and fine wine all make the food scene among the best. Also make sure you try the gelato.
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.
Rome is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Budapest is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.
Rome is a must-see party destination. You'll find a huge concentration of bars and clubs in the Testaccio area. There are late night clubs with salsa dancing, merengue, and live DJ's spinning every type of music.
Budapest has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The city's active nightlife includes dance clubs, local pubs, and cultural festivals throughout the year.
Rome is terrific for its live music scene. However, Budapest is not a live music destination.
With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Rome. Popular music venues include Live Alcazar, Atlantico Live, and Beba do Samba.
Budapest is not a live music destination.
Budapest is a great destination for its historic old town charm. However, Rome does not have a historic old town.
Budapest is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. 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.
Rome does not have a historic old town.
Rome is terrific for its shopping opportunities. Also, Budapest is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping areas.
Known for shopping, Rome draws large crowds to its stores. For the biggest brand names, head to Via del Corso, which is near the Spanish Steps. Popular items to buy include Italian ceramics, shoes, leather goods, and jewelry.
Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Budapest. The city has a diverse shopping scene that you can experience by visiting the Central Market or Váci Street.
Rome 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, Rome is very family-friendly. What kid wouldn't be thrilled to be surrounded by pizza and spaghetti restaurants? In addition to kid-friendly food options, there are also a number of great activities that the whole family can enjoy including exploring the Colosseum, taking a gladiator class, and eating gelato.
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.
Both Budapest and Rome are superb destinations to visit as a couple.
Budapest is a great city if you're traveling as 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.
Rome is a very popular place to visit for couples. With many beautiful buildings, world class restaurants, and world renowned sights, this city makes a great romantic destination.
For backpackers, both Budapest and Rome are amazing places to visit.
With so many budget-friendly offerings, Budapest is extremely popular for backpackers. 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.
Rome is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. Backpackers will find no shortage of hostels where they can stay, particularly near the main train station where accommodation is particularly cheap (but not always the best quality).
For students, both Budapest and Rome are amazing places to visit.
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.
Rome is a great destination for students. The city is a popular study abroad destination and you'll find plenty of international students here.
Budapest and Rome both offer amazing public transit to get you around.
The thorough and effecient public transit system of Budapest can take you anywhere. The metro, trams, and buses make it easy to get around town.
Rome has a great public transit system. There's a metro system, trams, and a comprehensive bus system that goes around the city.
Budapest and Rome are amazing 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 Rome on foot. You'll find many of the most popular sights in a compact area that's easily explored on foot. Do watch out for traffic, which can be a bit chaotic at times.
For even more information, also check out Is Budapest Worth Visiting? and Is Rome Worth Visiting?.
Both Budapest and Rome have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Rome than in Budapest. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Budapest, and 3-7 days is enough time in Rome.
Families should spend more time in Rome than Budapest. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Rome, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Rome than Budapest. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Rome that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Rome than Budapest 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 Rome.
Budapest is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.
The beautiful city of Rome offers museums and nightlife. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
Budapest is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
Rome is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.
Budapest is a cultural big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.
Rome is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Rome, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
The bustling city of Budapest offers museums and nightlife. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.
Rome is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Rome has to offer. This city 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 Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Budapest is $89, while the average daily cost in Rome is $184. 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 Rome in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Budapest or Rome? 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Budapest:
Also for Budapest, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rome:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rome:
Prices for flights to both Rome 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.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Budapest:
For Budapest, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rome:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rome.
For Budapest, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Budapest.
Here are a few typical costs in Rome for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Here are a few actual costs in Rome for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Also in Budapest, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Rome:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rome:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Budapest and Rome, we can see that Rome 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 Rome would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rome 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 Rome Expensive?.
Rome has a larger population, and is about 51% larger than the population of Budapest. When comparing the sizes of Budapest and Rome, 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.
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.
The summer brings many poeple to Budapest as well as Rome. Many travelers come to Budapest for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Rome in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Budapest is cooler than Rome. Typically, the summer temperatures in Budapest in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Rome averages at about 25°C (77°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rome. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Budapest this time of the year. In the summer, Budapest often gets less sunshine than Rome. Budapest gets 278 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 338 hours of full sun.
Budapest usually gets more rain in July than Rome. Budapest gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Rome receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Rome and Budapest are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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. Also, most visitors come to Rome for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Budapest is generally cooler than Rome. Daily temperatures in Budapest average around 12°C (53°F), and Rome fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
Budapest usually receives less sunshine than Rome during autumn. Budapest gets 152 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 198 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Budapest usually receives less rain than Rome. Budapest gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Rome receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both Rome and Budapest during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Budapest for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Rome because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Budapest can be very cold during winter. Budapest is much colder than Rome in the winter. The daily temperature in Budapest averages around -1°C (31°F) in January, and Rome fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).
In the winter, Budapest often gets less sunshine than Rome. Budapest gets 61 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 127 hours of full sun.
Budapest usually gets less rain in January than Rome. Budapest gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Rome receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Budapest and Rome. The spring months attract visitors to Budapest because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Rome this time of year.
In the spring, Budapest is cooler than Rome. Typically, the spring temperatures in Budapest in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Rome averages at about 14°C (57°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rome this time of the year. Budapest usually receives less sunshine than Rome during spring. Budapest gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 204 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Budapest usually receives less rain than Rome. Budapest gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Rome receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Budapest | Rome | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | -1°C (31°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
Feb | 2°C (35°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
Mar | 7°C (44°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
May | 16°C (62°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 42 mm (1.6 in) |
Jun | 20°C (67°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) |
Aug | 21°C (69°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
Sep | 17°C (63°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
Oct | 12°C (53°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
Nov | 6°C (42°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
Dec | 1°C (34°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |