A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dublin vs. Budapest for Nightlife, Backpackers, Attractions, and Old Town

Should you visit Dublin or Budapest?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Dublin or Budapest, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Dublin

Dublin is a laid-back, friendly, and welcoming city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Budapest

Budapest is a artistic, historic, and authentic city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Dublin and Budapest: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dublin or Budapest?

Both Budapest and Dublin have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Dublin is better known for its food, nightlife, and music, while Budapest is more popular for its big city activities and impressive beauty. Dublin is well known for its friendly and social nightlife, its local pubs, and its role as the birthplace of Guinness. Budapest is well known for its thermal hot springs, European spas, rich culture, and wild nightlife scene.

How is Dublin different from Budapest?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the excellent sights and museums in both Dublin and Budapest.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Dublin can be an interesting and educational experience. There are a number of museums around town including the National Museum of Ireland, the Little Museum of Dublin, and the National Gallery of Ireland.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Budapest. Famous sights include the Buda Castle and Castle Hill, the Hungarian Parliament Building, and St. Stephen's Basilica.

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

Dublin is very good for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Budapest is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Dublin has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Seafood has become popular around town, but you can also try traditional favorites like stew, pancakes, or coddle.

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 Dublin or Budapest Better for Nightlife?

Dublin is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Budapest is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

Dublin is a must-see party destination. Temple Bar is where you'll find the greatest concentration of pubs and nightlife. The city is among the friendliest and most welcoming, and this is seen even in the vibe around town at night.

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.

Is Dublin or Budapest Better for Music?

Dublin is great for its live music scene. However, Budapest is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Dublin draws a good crowd. The best places to hear live music around town are the back street pubs that feature local groups.

Budapest is not a live music destination.

Is Dublin or Budapest Better for its Old Town?

Dublin and Budapest both have excellent historical old towns that attract visitors.

Many visitors go to Dublin to see the historical old town. On the south side of the River Liffey are three different historic parts to the city. The Medieval Quarter is the oldest. To the east is Temple Bar, and further east is the Georgian Quarter.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Dublin or Budapest?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Budapest and Dublin.

Dublin is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Head to Grafton Street to see a number of brand name and local shops. It's a pedestrian street that is fun to wander around.

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.

Is Dublin or Budapest Better for Families?

Dublin 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, Dublin is very family-friendly. Explore the waterways with the viking splash, learn about the vikings at the museum Dublina, or visit any of the other kid-friendly museums around town, or see a show at The Gaiety.

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 Dublin or Budapest Better for Couples?

Dublin and Budapest are both excellent to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Dublin frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's laid-back vibe and countless pubs make it a fun weekend getaway for couples.

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.

Is Dublin or Budapest Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Budapest is terrific for backpackers. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Budapest. 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.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Dublin. There are a number of popular backpacker hostels around town. The pub scene is also popular with the young crowd.

Is Dublin or Budapest Better for Students?

Budapest is terrific for students. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

It's common for students to visit Dublin. While student accommodation can be a bit expensive in town, the nightlife and social aspect of living in the city center makes it well worth it.

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

Budapest is terrific for its public transit. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

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.

While Dublin offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Dublin or Budapest a more walkable city?

Dublin and Budapest both are terrific when exploring on foot.

Getting around Dublin on foot is easy. Because it is so compact and flat, it is easy to explore the city center on foot.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Budapest or Dublin?

How long in Dublin or Budapest?

In either Dublin or Budapest, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Dublin has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Dublin than Budapest. However, 2-5 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Budapest than Dublin 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 Dublin or Budapest?

The city of Dublin offers museums and nightlife. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 bustling city that offers something for everyone. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Dublin or Budapest?

Dublin 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. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Dublin, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Budapest is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Dublin or Budapest?

Dublin is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Dublin, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Budapest. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Dublin or Budapest?

Dublin is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the bustling big city of Budapest. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Walking Tours in Ireland, The Best Luxury Tours to Ireland, The Best 10-Day Tours from Budapest, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Budapest.

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

Which is Bigger, Dublin or Budapest?

Budapest has a larger population, and is about 66% larger than the population of Dublin. When comparing the sizes of Dublin and Budapest, 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 Dublin or Budapest?

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.

Should I visit Dublin or Budapest in the Summer?

Both Budapest and Dublin during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Dublin for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Budapest because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Dublin is cooler than Budapest in the summer. The daily temperature in Dublin averages around 16°C (60°F) in July, and Budapest fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

In Budapest, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Dublin often gets less sunshine than Budapest. Dublin gets 166 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 278 hours of full sun.

Dublin usually gets more rain in July than Budapest. Dublin gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dublin or Budapest in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dublin and Budapest. The autumn months attract visitors to Dublin because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Furthermore, 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 the autumn, Dublin is around the same temperature as Budapest. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dublin in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Budapest averages at about 12°C (53°F).

Dublin usually receives less sunshine than Budapest during autumn. Dublin gets 97 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 152 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Dublin usually receives more rain than Budapest. Dublin gets 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Dublin or Budapest in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Dublin as well as Budapest. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Dublin this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Budapest for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Budapest. In January, Dublin is generally much warmer than Budapest. Daily temperatures in Dublin average around 6°C (42°F), and Budapest fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).

In the winter, Dublin often gets less sunshine than Budapest. Dublin gets 56 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 61 hours of full sun.

Dublin usually gets more rain in January than Budapest. Dublin gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dublin or Budapest in the Spring?

Both Budapest and Dublin are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Dublin for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Budapest in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Dublin is cooler than Budapest in the spring. The daily temperature in Dublin averages around 8°C (47°F) in April, and Budapest fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Dublin usually receives less sunshine than Budapest during spring. Dublin gets 157 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Dublin usually receives more rain than Budapest. Dublin gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Budapest and Dublin