Which place is cheaper, Vancouver or Budapest?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Budapest or Vancouver?
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 Vancouver can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Budapest or Vancouver?
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.
Vancouver
Vancouver is a beautiful and cosmopolitan city in Western Canada. It is also the largest city in British Columbia, and is dramatically positioned between the coast and mountains. It's a very international city, with a high level of energy and countless activites that you can enjoy while you're in town. In addition to offering all of the activities and entertainment of a modern city, it is also in jumping off distance to any number of outdoor activities.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Budapest, The Best 2-Week Tours from Budapest, The Best 10-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBudapest $91Vancouver $142
The average daily cost (per person) in Budapest is $91, while the average daily cost in Vancouver is $142. 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 Vancouver in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBudapest $50Vancouver $87
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBudapest $100Vancouver $174
Compare Hotels in Budapest and Vancouver
Looking for a hotel in Budapest or Vancouver? 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 Vancouver Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Budapest $11Vancouver $12
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$7.05
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Metro Pass$3.87
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Budapest
Also for Budapest, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- T72 Tank Driving with Hummer Transfer: $1,603
- Budapest - Hungary to Bucharest - Romania /Private Transfer: $1,298
- Bucharest - Romania to Budapest - Hungary /Private Transfer: $1,190
- Private transfer from Budapest to Prague: $1,066
- Private transfer from Budapest to Zagreb: $936
- Transfer from Vienna to Budapest: $710
- From Bucharest: One-way Private Fast Transfer to Budapest: $646
- Budapest-Vienna Private Transfer by Luxury Vehicle: $646
- Private transfer from Budapest to Vienna: $592
- Private transfer between Budapest and Vienna: $474
- Budapest-Vienna One-Way Sightseeing Transfer: $295
- Budapest-Bratislava One-Way Sightseeing Transfer: $295
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vancouver
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vancouver are as follows:
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SkyTrain from Airport$6.40
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Taxi from Airport to Downtown$21
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15 min Taxi Ride$8.78
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SkyTrain DayPass$6.58
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vancouver
Also for Vancouver, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Vancouver Airport (YVR) Transfer to Whistler: $611
- Private Transfer from Whistler to Vancouver Airport YVR: $602
- Private Transfer from Downtown Vancouver to Whistler: $571
- Private Transfer from YVR Airport To Whistler: $511
- Vancouver Airport(YVR): Transfer to Canada Place Cruise Port: $428
- Canada Place Cruise Port: Transfer to Vancouver hotels: $428
- Maximize Your Cruise Adventure: Vancouver Tour & Transfer: $292
- Private Transfer, Langley, BC to Vancouver International Airport-VIP Sedan: $280
- Vancouver Cruise Transfers/ City Sightseeing Tour Private: $277
- Private Transfer from Vancouver (YVR) Airport to Vancouver City: $270
- Vancouver, BC: Scenic Seaplane Transfer to Seattle, WA: $258
- Private Transfer, Vancouver Intl. Airport to Vancouver, BC - VIP, SEDAN : $250
Is it cheaper to fly into Budapest or Vancouver?
Prices for flights to both Vancouver 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 $23Vancouver $31
Typical Food Prices in Budapest
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Budapest:
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Lunch$3.44
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): $52
- Medieval Dinner Show with Drinks: $53
- Vegan Hungarian Food Tour / Local delights: $57
- Private Street Food Tour: $59
- Danube Cruise with Hungarian Dinner and Live Music: $74
- Budapest Danube Cruise with Buffet Dinner, Performances and Music: $75
- Chefparade Cooking School_ Hungarian menu: $79
- Evening Cruise and Dinner with Champagne: $86
- Lángos (Hungary’s nr1 streetfood) cooking class: $87
- Candlelit Dinner River Cruise with Live Music: $91
Typical Food Prices in Vancouver
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Vancouver:
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All You Can Eat Sushi Lunch$8.87
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vancouver
For Vancouver, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- A Wok Around Food Tour of the Granville Island Public Market: $84
- The Gastown Experience Walking Food Tour: $94
- Gastown Historic Walking Food Tour: $100
- Vancouver Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $100
- North Vancouver Shipyards Food Tour: $108
- Vancouver Authentic Chinese Food Tour: $134
- VIP Granville Island Market Vancouver - Walking Food Tour: $138
- Authentic Asian Eats Walking Food Tour: $142
- 3-Hour Bowen Island Boat Cruise with Dinner: $153
- Evening Cruise with Dinner Buffet: $153
- Vancouver Evening Dinner Cruise: $157
- Granville Island Uncorked Walking Food Tour: $161
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Budapest $22Vancouver $36
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$6.91
Tours and Activities in Budapest
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Budapest.
- Danube Bend Private All Day Tour with Lunch, with entrance fees and cruise: $164
- Private Budapest city tour with a daytime Danube river cruise: $240
- 101 things you have to see in Budapest - Full Day Tour with Lunch & Dessert: $186
- 10PM Budapest Danube Cruise with Live Music & Food or Drinks : $20
- 2 Hour Budapest Market and Tasting Tour: $57
- 2 Hours Buda Castle Walking Tour - Walk with a Historian: $39
- 2 Hours Budapest Walking Tour with A Private Guide: $130
- 2 Hours Jewish Heritage Walking Tour - Walk with a Historian: $50
- 2-Hour Private Budapest Castle Walking Tour: $127
- 22 Dog-statues in Budapest - an unusual tour: $25
- 3 Hours Budapest Segway Grand City Tour Buda, Margaret and Pest: $93
- 3-Hour Jewish Quarter Walking Tour in Budapest with Historian: $55
Tours and Activities in Vancouver
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vancouver.
- Guided Bike /E-bike Tour in Whistler From Vancouver: $219
- Sunshine Coast Escape (Around Vancouver) Small Group Tour: $145
- $99 Vancouver 2 Hours City Tour Private: $102
- 2 Days Leavenworth Christmastown Tour from Vancouver (Chn&Eng): $192
- 2-in-1 Vancouver city Tour: $234
- 3-Day Vancouver City Tour Package With Whistler & Victoria: $2,413
- 3hr Private Sightseeing Tour Vancouver (from Vancouver City): $456
- 3hr Private Sightseeing Tour-Vancouver City (fr YVR/Cruise): $583
- 4-Hour Private Tour of Vancouver's Gardens: $334
- 5 Days in Vancouver Multiactivity Adventure Tour: $2,413
- 5hr Private Sightseeing Tour-Vancouver (from Vancouver City): $710
- 5hr Private Sightseeing Tour-Vancouver City (fr YVR/Cruise): $837
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBudapest $18Vancouver $16
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: $22
- The Original Budapest Pub Crawl - One Hour Open Bar + Free Shots: $22
- Ultimate Budapest Pub Crawl: $23
- Ultimate Budapest Pub Crawl: $23
- Bingo Bar Crawl: $25
- 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: $39
- Tipsy Tour Fun Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $42
- Drunken History Bar Crawl Tour with Local Drinks: $42
- Private Wine Tasting in Budapest: $50
- Hungarian Wine Tasting (with Cheese and Charcuterie) in Budapest: $50
Sample the Local Flavors in Vancouver
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Vancouver:
- Vancouver - Granville Pub Crawl ROUTE B: $18
- Gastown Pub Crawl: $22
- Vancouver - Granville Pub Crawl: $26
- 3.5-Hour Craft Brewery Tour: $88
- Fraser Valley Wine Tour with a light Lunch from Vancouver: $134
- Vancouver Wine Tour (Fraser Valley): $134
- From Half-Day Fraser Valley Wine Tour: $138
- From Fraser Valley Wine Tour with Local Tastings: $139
- Taste of the Valley Wine Tour: $148
- Stawamus Chief Hike and Local Brewery Tasting: $165
- Fraser Valley & White Rock Premium Public Wine Tour: $166
- Stawamus Chief Hike & Local Brewery Tasting : $167
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Budapest and Vancouver, we can see that Vancouver is more expensive. And not only is Budapest much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Budapest is in Europe and Vancouver is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Vancouver would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Vancouver 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 Vancouver Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Budapest or Vancouver?
Vancouver has a larger population, and is about 8% larger than the population of Budapest. When comparing the sizes of Budapest and Vancouver, 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 Vancouver?
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 Vancouver in the Summer?
Both Vancouver and Budapest are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Budapest in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Budapest is generally a little warmer than Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Budapest average around 21°C (70°F), and Vancouver fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
It's quite sunny in Vancouver. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Budapest. Budapest usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Vancouver during summer. Budapest gets 278 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 296 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Budapest usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Budapest gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBudapest 21°C (70°F)Vancouver 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Budapest or Vancouver in the Autumn?
Both Vancouver and Budapest during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Budapest for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Budapest is around the same temperature as Vancouver in the autumn. The daily temperature in Budapest averages around 12°C (53°F) in October, and Vancouver fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
In the autumn, Budapest often gets more sunshine than Vancouver. Budapest gets 152 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 124 hours of full sun.
Vancouver gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Budapest usually gets less rain in October than Vancouver. Budapest gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBudapest 12°C (53°F)Vancouver 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Budapest or Vancouver in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Budapest and Vancouver. The winter months attract visitors to Budapest because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Vancouver in the winter. The weather in Budapest can be very cold. In the winter, Budapest is much colder than Vancouver. Typically, the winter temperatures in Budapest in January average around -1°C (31°F), and Vancouver averages at about 4°C (40°F).
Budapest usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during winter. Budapest gets 61 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 55 hours of full sun in the winter.
Vancouver receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Budapest usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Budapest gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBudapest -1°C (31°F)Vancouver 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Budapest or Vancouver in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Budapest as well as Vancouver. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Budapest this time of year.
In April, Budapest is generally a little warmer than Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Budapest average around 12°C (53°F), and Vancouver fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
In the spring, Budapest often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Vancouver. Budapest gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 172 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Vancouver. Budapest usually gets less rain in April than Vancouver. Budapest gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBudapest 12°C (53°F)Vancouver 9°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Vancouver and Budapest
| Budapest | Vancouver | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -1°C (31°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 2°C (35°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 179 mm (7.1 in) |
| Mar | 7°C (44°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 16°C (62°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 20°C (67°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (69°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 17°C (63°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (53°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (42°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Dec | 1°C (34°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 198 mm (7.8 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.