A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Debrecen vs. Salzburg for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Debrecen or Salzburg?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Debrecen or Salzburg? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Debrecen or Salzburg?

Debrecen

Finding its beginning as a collection of agricultural villages, Debrecen has grown to become the second largest city in Hungary as well as the regional center for the Northern Great Plain region. Highlights include the Reformed Great Church of Debrecen, Hortobagy National Park, Deri Museum, and the Debrecen Zoo and Botanical Garden.

Salzburg

Most people know of Salzburg from its roll in the infamous movie "The Sound of Music." Every child who fell in love with this movie knows the gazebo scene in the rain, or could sing "My Favorite Things" as they skip down the Salzach River, but once you get past the obvious cliches, you can see that Salzburg is a city with a lot of depth and culture aside from the movie.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Hungary, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Hungary, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Austria, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Austria.


Which place is cheaper, Salzburg or Debrecen?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Debrecen is $66, while the average daily cost in Salzburg is $166. 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 Debrecen and Salzburg in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Debrecen $33
    Salzburg $98
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Debrecen $66
    Salzburg $196
Compare Hotels in Debrecen and Salzburg

Looking for a hotel in Debrecen or Salzburg? 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 Debrecen


Hotels in Salzburg


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: Debrecen Hotel Prices and Salzburg Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Debrecen $11
    Salzburg $21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Debrecen

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Debrecen:

  • Debrecen - Budapest Transfer: $168

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salzburg

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salzburg:

  • Private Transfer between Salzburg Airport and Salzburg City: $55
  • Salzburg Private Transfer from Salzburg Airport to City centre: $55
  • Salzburg Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $65
  • Private transfer: Salzburg Airport (SZG) to Salzburg : $65
  • Private transfer: Salzburg to Salzburg Airport (SZG): $65
  • Private Salzburg Airport luxury transfers to Salzburg city&Hotels: $65
  • Salzburg Airport (SZG) to SkiWelt - Arrival Private Transfer: $71
  • Salzburg Airport Transfers : Salzburg Airport SZG to Salzburg in Business Car: $90
  • Departure Private Transfers: Salzburg to Salzburg Airport SZG in Business Car: $91
  • Arrival Private Transfers: Salzburg Airport SZG to Salzburg in Business Car: $91
  • Salzburg Airport Transfers : Salzburg Airport SZG to Salzburg in Luxury Van: $93
  • Salzburg Airport Transfers : Salzburg to Salzburg Airport SZG in Luxury Van: $93

Is it cheaper to fly into Debrecen or Salzburg?

Prices for flights to both Salzburg and Debrecen 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
    Debrecen $23
    Salzburg $44

Typical Food Prices in Salzburg

Some typical examples of dining costs in Salzburg are as follows:


  • Lunch Salad
    $9.64

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Salzburg

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Salzburg.

  • Cookies and Apple Strudel Cooking Class Including Lunch: $59
  • Austrian Apple Strudel Cooking Class including Lunch in Salzburg: $60
  • Best of Mozart Fortress Concert and Dinner: $81
  • Best of Mozart Concert and Dinner or VIP Dinner at Fortress Hohensalzburg: $83
  • Mozart Concert with Dinner: $83
  • Dinner Cooking Class and Music: $84
  • Mozart Dinner Concert in Salzburg: $85
  • Dinner Cooking Class - Prezels, Dumplings, Apple Strudel & Music: $86
  • Dinner and Classical Concert at Mirabell Palace: $94
  • Cruise, Dinner & Fortress Concert: $106
  • Mozart Concert and Dinner or VIP Dinner at Fortress Salzburg with River Cruise: $111
  • Best of Mozart Concert and GOLDEN VIP Dinner at Fortress Hohensalzburg: $133

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Debrecen $17
    Salzburg $32

Tours and Activities in Salzburg

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Salzburg are as follows:

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • Cathedral Entry Ticket with Audio Guide Option: $5.35
  • City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.41
  • Salzburg Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.54
  • Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $6.95
  • Sound of Music Sightseeing Walk with Audio Guide: $6.99
  • A taste of An audio tour through the birthplace of Mozart: $7.47
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $8.02
  • Mirabell Palace and Surroundings Audio Tour: $8.52
  • Salzburg Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
  • Salzburg Cathedral: Guided Tour with Entry Ticket: $9.62
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Debrecen $9.24
    Salzburg $28

Typical Alcohol Prices in Salzburg

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Salzburg:


  • Beer
    $3.96

Sample the Local Flavors in Salzburg

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Salzburg:

  • Stiegl Brewery Museum Entry Ticket & Beer Tasting: $16
  • Stiegl Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting: $24
  • Guided Wine Tasting in a Hidden Wine Bar: $36
  • Private Austrian Wine Tasting with a Pro-Sommelière: $185


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

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


Which is Bigger, Debrecen or Salzburg?

Debrecen has a larger population, and is about 36% larger than the population of Salzburg. When comparing the sizes of Debrecen and Salzburg, 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 Debrecen or Salzburg?

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 Debrecen or Salzburg in the Summer?

Both Salzburg and Debrecen are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Salzburg in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

Debrecen is around the same temperature as Salzburg in the summer. The daily temperature in Debrecen averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Salzburg fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

It's quite sunny in Salzburg. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Debrecen. Debrecen usually receives more sunshine than Salzburg during summer. Debrecen gets 282 hours of sunny skies, while Salzburg receives 227 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Debrecen usually receives less rain than Salzburg. Debrecen gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Debrecen 20°C (68°F) 
    Salzburg 20°C (68°F)

Should I visit Debrecen or Salzburg in the Autumn?

Both Salzburg and Debrecen during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Salzburg for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Debrecen is around the same temperature as Salzburg. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Debrecen in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Salzburg averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Debrecen often gets more sunshine than Salzburg. Debrecen gets 160 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Salzburg receives 108 hours of full sun.

Debrecen usually gets less rain in October than Salzburg. Debrecen gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Debrecen 11°C (52°F) 
    Salzburg 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Debrecen or Salzburg in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Debrecen and Salzburg. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Salzburg because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Salzburg can be very cold. Debrecen can be very cold during winter. In January, Debrecen is generally much colder than Salzburg. Daily temperatures in Debrecen average around -2°C (28°F), and Salzburg fluctuates around -0°C (31°F).

Debrecen usually receives more sunshine than Salzburg during winter. Debrecen gets 55 hours of sunny skies, while Salzburg receives 44 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Debrecen usually receives less rain than Salzburg. Debrecen gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Debrecen -2°C (28°F) 
    Salzburg -0°C (31°F)

Should I visit Debrecen or Salzburg in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Debrecen as well as Salzburg. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Salzburg this time of year.

Debrecen is around the same temperature as Salzburg in the spring. The daily temperature in Debrecen averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Salzburg fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the spring, Debrecen often gets more sunshine than Salzburg. Debrecen gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Salzburg receives 155 hours of full sun.

Debrecen usually gets less rain in April than Salzburg. Debrecen gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Debrecen 11°C (52°F) 
    Salzburg 11°C (51°F)

Typical Weather for Salzburg and Debrecen

Debrecen Salzburg
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -2°C (28°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) -0°C (31°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Feb 0°C (32°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 2°C (36°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Mar 6°C (43°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 6°C (43°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Apr 11°C (52°F) 50 mm (2 in) 11°C (51°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
May 16°C (61°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 15°C (59°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Jun 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 18°C (65°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)
Jul 20°C (68°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 20°C (68°F) 91 mm (3.6 in)
Aug 20°C (68°F) 50 mm (2 in) 19°C (67°F) 93 mm (3.6 in)
Sep 17°C (63°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 16°C (61°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Oct 11°C (52°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 11°C (52°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Nov 4°C (39°F) 50 mm (2 in) 5°C (42°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Dec 1°C (34°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 1°C (35°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)