A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ephesus vs. Budapest for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Ephesus or Budapest?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ephesus 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.

Where Should I go: Ephesus or Budapest?

Ephesus

The ancient city of Ephesus was famed for the Temple of Artemis (completed around 550 BC). It is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The temple was destroyed in 401 AD and rebuilt by Emperor Constantine I along with new public baths. The town was again partially destroyed by an earthquake in 614 AD. The city's importance as a commercial center declined as the harbor was slowly silted up by the Cayster River (Kucuk Menderes).

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Turkey, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Turkey, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Budapest, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Budapest.


Which place is cheaper, Budapest or Ephesus?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Ephesus is $145, while the average daily cost in Budapest is $90. 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 Ephesus and Budapest in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ephesus $70
    Budapest $49
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ephesus $140
    Budapest $98
Compare Hotels in Ephesus and Budapest

Looking for a hotel in Ephesus or Budapest? 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 Ephesus


Hotels in Budapest


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: Ephesus Hotel Prices and Budapest Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ephesus $52
    Budapest $10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ephesus

Also for Ephesus, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Airport Transfer In Ephesus: $205
  • Private Transfer From Kusadasi to Pamukkale: $199
  • Private Transfers From Kusadasi: $176
  • Kusadasi Hotels to Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers: $171
  • Akbuk Hotels to Izmir Airport ADB Transfers: $165
  • Milas Bodrum Airport (BJV) Transfer to OR from Kusadasi: $140
  • Kusadasi to Pamukkale Hotels Private Transfer: $138
  • Private Transfers İzmir City Adnan Menderes Apt to/from Selçuk, Ephesus, Şirince: $131
  • VIP Transfer Kusadasi From/To Bodrum Airport: $128
  • Private Transfer | KUSADASI - IZMIR Airport: $121
  • Kusadasi Private Transfer from Kusadasi hotels to Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport: $101
  • Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB) Transfer to OR from Kusadasi: $100

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Budapest

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


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $6.93
  • Metro Pass
    $3.81

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Budapest

Also for Budapest, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • T72 Tank Driving with Hummer Transfer: $1,576
  • Budapest - Hungary to Bucharest - Romania /Private Transfer: $1,304
  • Bucharest - Romania to Budapest - Hungary /Private Transfer: $1,196
  • Private transfer from Budapest to Prague: $1,075
  • Private transfer from Budapest to Zagreb: $945
  • Transfer from Vienna to Budapest: $717
  • Budapest-Vienna Private Transfer by Luxury Vehicle: $652
  • From Bucharest: One-way Private Fast Transfer to Budapest: $652
  • Private transfer from Budapest to Vienna: $597
  • Private transfer between Budapest and Vienna: $478
  • Budapest-Bratislava One-Way Sightseeing Transfer: $298
  • Private Transfer from Budapest to Zadar, Hotel-to-hotel, English-speaking driver: $286

Is it cheaper to fly into Ephesus or Budapest?

Prices for flights to both Budapest and Ephesus 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
    Ephesus $34
    Budapest $23
Typical Food Prices in Ephesus

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


  • Sandwiches
    $0.16
  • Dessert
    $0.17
  • Lunch at Beach (for 2)
    $0.59
  • Snacks
    $0.25

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ephesus

For Ephesus, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Cooking Class in Kusadasi Ephesus: $110
  • Ephesus Tour with Cooking Class in the Village: $159
  • Cooking Class in Ephesus Selcuk Town: $230

Typical Food Prices in Budapest

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


  • Lunch
    $3.38

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: $35
  • Pizza & Beer Downtown Budapest Cruise: $35
  • Traveling Spoon Hungarian Goulash Private Online Cooking Class: $40
  • Vegan Hungarian Food Tour (full meals): $51
  • Medieval Dinner Show with Drinks: $53
  • Evening Cruise and Dinner with Champagne: $74
  • Danube Cruise with Hungarian Dinner and Live Music: $75
  • Dinner & Cruise on the Danube with Folklore Dance Show & Live Music: $76
  • Dinner Cruise with Operetta and Folk Show: $86
  • 3 course Dinner Cruise with Operetta and Folk Show: $87
  • 3 course Dinner Cruise with Piano Battle Show: $87
  • Lángos (Hungary’s nr1 streetfood) cooking class: $88

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ephesus $59
    Budapest $22

Tours and Activities in Ephesus

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ephesus.

  • Ephesus Half Day Small Group Tour: $40
  • Ephesus Shared Tour from Kuşadası Port: $130
  • Ephesus Tour With Small Group From Kusadasi: $87
  • Ephesus Tour from Kusadası Port: $140
  • Ephesus small groups Tour For Cruisers (skip the line): $100
  • Ephesus tours Sirince Village from Kusadasi Port with lunch: $63
  • Ephesus tours and Virgin Mary's House Temple Artemis tours : $67
  • Private Kusadasi Walking Tour : $89
  • Private Tour to Ephesus, Virgin Mary, and Artemis Temple From Cruise Ship/Hotel: $120
  • Small Group Pamukkale Day Tour from Selcuk or Kusadası : $93
  • "Ephesus Tours" Port Kusadasi lunch guide bus shopping Caravanserai artemis : $58
  • "No Better Way to Explore History - Affordable Ephesus Tour": $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
    $6.80

Tours and Activities in Budapest

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Budapest.

  • E-ticket to Vajdahunyad Castle with Audio Tour on Your Phone : $19
  • Private Budapest city tour with a daytime Danube river cruise: $243
  • 1 Hour Budapest Segway Tour - Parliament Hightails: $39
  • 2 Hour Budapest Market and Tasting Tour: $57
  • 2 Hours Buda Castle Walking Tour - Walk with a Historian: $38
  • 2 Hours Jewish Heritage Walking Tour - Walk with a Historian: $49
  • 2-Hour Private Budapest Castle Walking Tour: $128
  • 2-Hour Private Night Tour of Budapest: $268
  • 22 Dog-statues in Budapest - an unusual tour: $25
  • 3 Cocktail Cruise Budapest Winter Edition: $35
  • 3 Hours Budapest Segway Grand City Tour Buda, Margaret and Pest: $94
  • 3-Hour Budapest E-Bike Adventure!: $52

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ephesus $15
    Budapest $18
Typical Alcohol Prices in Ephesus

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Ephesus from other travelers:


  • Beer
    $0.12

Sample the Local Flavors in Ephesus

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

  • Ephesus port tours and Wine Tasting Tours : $70
  • Ephesus&Sirince Village with Wine Tasting Shore Ex: $100
  • Ephesus and Sirince with Wine tasting Private Half Day Shore Excursion: $100
  • Ancient Ephesus tour with Wine Tasting in the village and visit to Mother's Mary House: $131
  • Private Ephesus Tour with Wine Tasting: $149
  • Full-Day Private Ephesus Tour with Wine Tasting from Kusadasi: $150
  • Ephesus and Wine Tasting Tour From Kusadasi with Private Guide and Van: $219
  • Virgin Mary Bread and Wine Tour included Lunch: $300

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
  • Ultimate Budapest Pub Crawl: $23
  • Bingo Bar Crawl: $25
  • Ruin Bar Pub Crawl with Entry Tickets: $29
  • Detective Pub Crawl Game by App: $38
  • Tipsy Tour Fun Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $40
  • 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
  • Pub Crawl Through The Ruin Bars in Budapest with T-shirt Included: $54
  • All You Can Drink Pub Crawl Through The Ruin Bars in Budapest: $60
  • Wine Tasting Walk in Jewish Quarter Bars: $60


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


Which is Bigger, Ephesus or Budapest?

Budapest has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Ephesus. When comparing the sizes of Ephesus 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 Ephesus or Budapest?

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 Ephesus or Budapest in the Summer?

Both Budapest and Ephesus are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Budapest because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Ephesus is a little warmer than Budapest in the summer. The daily temperature in Ephesus averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Budapest fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

It's quite sunny in Budapest. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ephesus. Ephesus usually receives more sunshine than Budapest during summer. Ephesus gets 378 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 278 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Ephesus usually receives less rain than Budapest. Ephesus gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Ephesus 27°C (81°F) 
    Budapest 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Ephesus or Budapest in the Autumn?

Both Budapest and Ephesus during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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, Ephesus is much warmer than Budapest. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ephesus in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Budapest averages at about 12°C (53°F).

It's quite sunny in Ephesus. In the autumn, Ephesus often gets more sunshine than Budapest. Ephesus gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 152 hours of full sun.

Ephesus usually gets less rain in October than Budapest. Ephesus gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Ephesus 19°C (66°F) 
    Budapest 12°C (53°F)

Should I visit Ephesus or Budapest in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Ephesus and Budapest. Furthermore, 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, Ephesus is generally much warmer than Budapest. Daily temperatures in Ephesus average around 10°C (50°F), and Budapest fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).

Ephesus usually receives more sunshine than Budapest during winter. Ephesus gets 131 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 61 hours of full sun in the winter.

Ephesus gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Ephesus usually receives more rain than Budapest. Ephesus gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Ephesus 10°C (50°F) 
    Budapest -1°C (31°F)

Should I visit Ephesus or Budapest in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Ephesus as well as Budapest. Additionally, many visitors come to Budapest in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Ephesus is a little warmer than Budapest in the spring. The daily temperature in Ephesus averages around 15°C (59°F) in April, and Budapest fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ephesus this time of the year. In the spring, Ephesus often gets more sunshine than Budapest. Ephesus gets 231 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 178 hours of full sun.

Ephesus usually gets less rain in April than Budapest. Ephesus gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Ephesus 15°C (59°F) 
    Budapest 12°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Budapest and Ephesus

Ephesus Budapest
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 10°C (50°F) 149 mm (5.9 in) -1°C (31°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 10°C (50°F) 103 mm (4.1 in) 2°C (35°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Mar 12°C (53°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 7°C (44°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Apr 15°C (59°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 12°C (53°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
May 19°C (67°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 16°C (62°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 24°C (75°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 20°C (67°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 1 mm (0 in) 21°C (70°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 1 mm (0 in) 21°C (69°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Sep 24°C (75°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 17°C (63°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 12°C (53°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Nov 14°C (58°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 6°C (42°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Dec 12°C (53°F) 164 mm (6.5 in) 1°C (34°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)