A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Budapest vs. Turin (Torino) for Backpackers, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Budapest or Turin (Torino)?

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 Turin (Torino) can help you decide which place is right for you.

Budapest

Budapest is a artistic, historic, and authentic 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.

Turin (Torino)

Turin (Torino) is a authentic, historic, and lively city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Budapest and Turin (Torino): Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Scenic old town
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Very walkable
  • Big city activities
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for food
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less walkable


Is there more to do in Budapest or Turin (Torino)?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Budapest than Turin (Torino), as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Budapest is more popular for its nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Turin (Torino) is known for its food. Budapest is more touristy than Turin (Torino) and is popular for its thermal hot springs, European spas, rich culture, and wild nightlife scene. It is also home to The Hungarian Parliament Building. Turin (Torino) is popular for its grand squares, beautiful palaces, and easy access to the Alps.

How is Budapest different from Turin (Torino)?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Turin (Torino) 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 Turin (Torino)?

Budapest
Turin (Torino)

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Budapest and Turin (Torino).

Many visitors head to Budapest specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Famous sights include the Buda Castle and Castle Hill, the Hungarian Parliament Building, and St. Stephen's Basilica.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Turin (Torino) can be an interesting and educational experience. The city boasts a number of museums including The Egyptian Museum, Museo Nazionale del Cinema, and Museo Nazionale dell'Automobile. Other landmarks include the Royal Armory, The Cathedral and the Holy Shroud, and Palazzo Madama.


Is the Food Better in Budapest or Turin (Torino)? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Budapest
Turin (Torino)

Turin (Torino) is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Budapest is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Turin (Torino) has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The region has been credited with being the birthplace of the Slow Food Movement. The dishes often use locally made ingredients and there are very diverse flavors and recipes. Local favorites include antipasto misto, risotto ai funghi (mushroom risotto), and carne cruda (beef tartare).

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.

Is Budapest or Turin (Torino) Better for Nightlife?

Budapest
Turin (Torino)

Budapest is notable for its evening party scene. Also, Turin (Torino) is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Turin (Torino). There's a good nightlife scene that includes everything from bars to dance clubs. Via Po is one of the city's main bar hopping streets. For a more relaxed night out head to Via Garibaldi which has a number of restaurants and cocktail bars.

Is Budapest or Turin (Torino) Better for its Old Town?

Budapest
Turin (Torino)

Budapest is notable for its historic old town charm. However, Turin (Torino) does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Budapest to see the historical old town. 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.

Turin (Torino) does not have a historic old town.


Is the Shopping Better in Budapest or Turin (Torino)?

Budapest
Turin (Torino)

Budapest is notable for its shopping areas. Also, Turin (Torino) is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for shopping.

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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Turin (Torino). The city has everything from high end shopping to local boutiques. For the best luxury shopping head to Via Roma. Via Garibaldi is another popular pedestrian street that has many shops and restaurants.

Is Budapest or Turin (Torino) Better for Families?

Budapest
Turin (Torino)

You'll find good kid-friendly activities in either Budapest or Turin (Torino).

Budapest offers lots of family activities. 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.

Turin (Torino) is a family-friendly place to visit. If the kids need to stretch their legs, head to Valentino Park. For kid-friendly museums, check out The Cinema Museum The Egyptian Museum, or the Museum of Car. It's also fun to take a ride of the historic tram.

Is Budapest or Turin (Torino) Better for Couples?

Budapest
Turin (Torino)

Both Budapest and Turin (Torino) are excellent 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.

Turin (Torino) is a very popular place to visit for couples. With grand squares, beautiful architecture, and excellent cuisine, couples will enjoy every minute of their trip to Turin. The city is also near the Alps, so outdoor adventure isn't far away.


Is Budapest or Turin (Torino) Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Budapest
Turin (Torino)

Budapest is renowned for backpackers. Also, Turin (Torino) is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Budapest is a very popular city to visit 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.

Turin (Torino) is very popular with the backpacker crowd. You'll find hostels around town and easy access to outdoor activities. The city also has great food and a lively atmosphere.

Is Budapest or Turin (Torino) Better for Students?

Budapest
Turin (Torino)

Budapest is renowned for students. Also, Turin (Torino) is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Budapest is a great destination for students. The city has a great international vibe with several good universities that are welcoming to international students that are studying abroad.

Students come from all over to stay in Turin (Torino). It's relatively easy to find study abroad opportunities to the area. The city's atmosphere is diverse and fun with many activities that the student population can enjoy.

Is Budapest or Turin (Torino) Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Budapest
Turin (Torino)

Budapest is renowned for its public transit. Also, Turin (Torino) is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

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

Visitors to Turin (Torino) can move around easily with public transportation. The public transit system is operated by Gruppo Torinese Trasporti (GTT) and includes one metro line, nine tram lines, and a number of bus lines.


Is Budapest or Turin (Torino) a more walkable city?

Budapest
Turin (Torino)

Budapest is renowned for its ease of walking around. Also, Turin (Torino) is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its walkability.

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

Turin (Torino) is somewhat walkable. While the city is large, the city center is generally compact and walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Budapest Worth Visiting? and Is Turin (Torino) Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Turin (Torino) or Budapest?

How long in Budapest or Turin (Torino)?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Budapest and Turin (Torino). With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Budapest than in Turin (Torino). Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Budapest, and 2-3 days is enough time in Turin (Torino).

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

Couples should spend more time in Budapest than Turin (Torino). 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 Turin (Torino) 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.


  • How many days in Budapest or Turin (Torino)? Ideal Length of Stay
    Budapest 2-5 
    Turin (Torino) 2-3

One day in Budapest or Turin (Torino)?

Because Budapest is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Visiting the old town is also a must. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The beautiful city of Turin (Torino) offers food and shopping. 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.

A weekend in Budapest or Turin (Torino)?

Budapest is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

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


Five days in Budapest or Turin (Torino)?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Budapest. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. It offers something for everyone. Because of this, five days is usually enough time for a trip here.

Turin (Torino) is a popular choice for travelers. 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 Turin (Torino)?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the city of Budapest. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Your budget might influence how long you stay. 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.

Turin (Torino) is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. 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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Turin (Torino) or Budapest?

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 Turin (Torino) is $169. 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 Turin (Torino) in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Budapest $49
    Turin (Torino) $85
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Budapest $98
    Turin (Torino) $170
Compare Hotels in Budapest and Turin (Torino)

Looking for a hotel in Budapest or Turin (Torino)? 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 Turin (Torino)


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 Turin (Torino) Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Budapest $10
    Turin (Torino) $47
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Budapest

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


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $6.91
  • 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 One-Way Budapest Int Airport Transfer To/From Budapest: $24
  • Ferenc Liszt Intl Airport to Budapest - Arrival Private Transfer : $25
  • Budapest Airport Transfers: $26
  • Budapest Private transfer Airport or Hotel to or from Cruise Port: $26
  • Private Airport Transfer Budapest: $27
  • Budapest City - Budapest Airport Transfer: $31
  • Private Transfer Budapest Airport BUD to Budapest by car or van: $34
  • Hotel to Liszt Ferenc Airport departure Transfer: $37

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Turin (Torino)

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Turin (Torino):

  • Turin Caselle Airport to Courchevel La Plagne Round Trip Transfer: $295
  • Private Direct Transfer From Turin to Milan: $256
  • Private Transfer from Turin City to Milan Airport/City by Sedan: $236
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Turin Caselle Airport to Courchevel: $147
  • Turin Caselle Airport TRN to Breuil-Cervinia -Round-Trip Transfer: $142
  • Turin Caselle Airport to Sestriere/Val Chisone-RoundTrip Transfer: $142
  • Turin Caselle Airport to Chamonix - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $142
  • Turin Private Transfer from Turin city centre to Turin Airport: $102
  • Turin Airport to Val d'Isere/Morzine/Avoriaz-Arrival Transfer: $87
  • Turin Caselle Airport to Courmayeur - Arrival Private Transfer: $87
  • Departure Private Transfer from Turin City to Turin Airport TRN by Luxury Van: $60
  • Turin Airport Private Departure Transfer: $60

Is it cheaper to fly into Budapest or Turin (Torino)?

Prices for flights to both Turin (Torino) 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
    Turin (Torino) $46
Typical Food Prices in Budapest

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


  • 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:

  • Traveling Spoon Hungarian Goulash Private Online Cooking Class: $40
  • 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
  • Private Street Food Tour: $59
  • 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: $86
  • 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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Turin (Torino)

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Turin (Torino).

  • Bolognese a la Mode | Online Cooking with Chef Abram | Italy: $64
  • Turin Guided Food Tour with Chocolate and Wine Tasting: $69
  • Turin, food tour, taste our tradition.: $85
  • Dining Experience at a local's Home in Castelnuovo Belbo with Show Cooking: $93
  • Dining experience at a local's home in Nebbiuno with cooking demo: $93
  • Dining Experience at a local's Home in Leinì with Show Cooking: $93
  • Dining Experience at a local's Home in Lessona with Show Cooking: $93
  • Dining Experience at a local's Home in Casale Monferrato with Show Cooking: $93
  • Dining Experience at a local's Home in Casaleggio Boiro with Show Cooking: $93
  • Dining Experience at a local's Home in Cella Monte with Show Cooking: $93
  • Dining Experience at a local's Home in Alessandria with Show Cooking: $93
  • Turin Mix Aperitivo & Street Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $97

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Budapest $22
    Turin (Torino) $30
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
    $6.77

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: $3.21
  • Free Tour Budapest Essential in Spanish: $3.26
  • Budapest Historical Sightseeing - Walking Tour: $3.27
  • Free walking tour in the Buda Castle incl. Fisherman's Bastion: $3.27
  • Free Walking Tour Budapest incl. the Shoes on the Danube Bank: $3.27
  • Communist History Evening Walking Tour of Budapest: $3.27
  • Past and Present of Budapest Jewish District Tour: $3.27
  • Self Guided City Audio Tour in Buda Castle: $5.45
  • Escape Game and Tour: $5.88
  • Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $5.88
  • Historical Heroes & Hot Spa Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • TOP 10 Budapest- City Tour : $6.00

Tours and Activities in Turin (Torino)

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Turin (Torino) are as follows:

  • "Langhe del Barolo" Private E-bike Tour - Asphalt and Dirt Road: $79
  • 2 Hours Private Guided Tour in Turin Egyptian Museum : $163
  • 2-Hour Private Turin Walking Tour: $136
  • Be a Movie Star Tour for Kids & Families at the Turin National Cinema Museum: $173
  • Cesarine: Market Tour & Typical Dining at a Local's Home in Turin: $152
  • Chocolate Tour in Turin for Kids and Families Including Gianduiotto and Bicerin: $147
  • CioccolaTOur, discover the sweet side of Turin tasting the most famous chocolate: $218
  • City Sightseeing Turin Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $21
  • Classic e-bike tour Turin, from the historic center to the hill: $49
  • Custom Guided Tours: $201
  • E-bike tour with aperitif included: $82
  • Entrance ticket with tasting at Casa Martini: $22

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Budapest $18
    Turin (Torino) $9.18

Sample the Local Flavors in Budapest

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

  • The Original Budapest Pub Crawl - One Hour Open Bar + Free Shots: $17
  • 5-Hour Pub Crawl through Ruin Bars: $21
  • Ultimate Budapest Pub Crawl: $23
  • Ultimate Budapest Pub Crawl: $23
  • Bingo Bar Crawl: $25
  • Budapest Original Ruin Pub Crawl Including 5 Shots: $28
  • Ruin Bar Pub Crawl with Entry Tickets: $29
  • Detective Pub Crawl Game by App: $38
  • 8-Tier Hungarian Wine Tasting in a Cozy Downtown Wine Bar: $38
  • Tipsy Tour Fun Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $42
  • Drunken History Bar Crawl Tour with Local Drinks: $42
  • Hungarian Wine Tasting (with Cheese and Charcuterie) in Budapest: $50

Sample the Local Flavors in Turin (Torino)

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Turin (Torino):

  • Tour of the Historical Cellars and Wine Tasting in Turin: $35
  • Wine Tour and Tasting with the Producer in the Monferrato-Classic: $41
  • 2 Hour Courtyard Aperitivo in Turin with Wine Tasting: $47
  • Wine Tasting near Royal Palace of Turin: $49
  • Cesarine: Turin Wine Tasting & Food Pairing with an Expert : $119


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Budapest and Turin (Torino), we can see that Turin (Torino) 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 Turin (Torino) would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Turin (Torino) 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 Turin (Torino) Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Budapest or Turin (Torino)?

Budapest has a larger population, and is about 96% larger than the population of Turin (Torino). When comparing the sizes of Budapest and Turin (Torino), 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.