A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Galway vs. Budapest for Backpackers, Attractions, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Galway or Budapest?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Galway and Budapest can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Galway

Galway is a lively, friendly, and cultural city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Budapest

Budapest is a historic, authentic, and bustling city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, shopping, and museums.

Galway and Budapest: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Galway or Budapest?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Budapest than Galway. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Budapest is very popular for its museums, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Galway attracts visitors for its food. Budapest is more touristy than Galway and is popular for its thermal hot springs, European spas, rich culture, and wild nightlife scene. It is also well known for The Hungarian Parliament Building. Galway is famous for its many festivals, its traditional pubs, and its live Irish folk music.

How is Galway different from Budapest?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Budapest is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

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.

Galway offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Popular landmarks and sights in town include Eyre Square, St. Nicholas' Church, the Galway Cathedral, and the Galway City Museum.

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

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

Galway has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are local pubs and traditional restaurants offering authentic Irish dishes. Popular options include Irish Stew, Cockles and Mussels, and Galway Oysters.

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 Galway or Budapest Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are superb in both Galway and Budapest.

Galway has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The nightlife scene is among the best in Ireland. The city embraces the friendly Irish hospitality and there are laid back pubs and bars around town as well as a few trendy nightclubs.

Budapest has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city's active nightlife includes dance clubs, local pubs, and cultural festivals throughout the year.

Is Galway or Budapest Better for its Old Town?

Budapest is notable for its historic old town. However, Galway does not have a historic old town.

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.

Galway does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Galway or Budapest?

Budapest is notable for shopping. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Budapest is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city has a diverse shopping scene that you can experience by visiting the Central Market or Váci Street.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Galway. You'll find shopping both in the city center as well as at suburban shopping malls. For some of the best shopping head to The Latin Quarter, The Westend or the outdoor market which is found in Church lane by St Nicholas' Church.

Is Galway or Budapest Better for Families?

Both Galway and Budapest are nice to visit with kids.

Galway is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy the National Aquarium Galway or simply wandering around the Latin Quarter. About 15 minutes outside of the city is the Wildlands Adventure Park which has ziplines, ropes courses, and other adrenaline filled activities. Brigit's Garden is another fun place to let kids stretch their legs.

Budapest is a family-friendly city. 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 Galway or Budapest Better for Couples?

Budapest is notable for romance. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Budapest is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Galway makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are nice restaurants, beautiful walks, and a few parks to explore. There are also several romantic places just outside of town that make for a great day trip.

Is Galway or Budapest Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Budapest is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Budapest is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Many backpackers visit Galway. There are plenty of hostels in the area and it's easy to meet other travelers.

Is Galway or Budapest Better for Students?

Budapest is an unbeatable place for students. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

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

Plenty of students visit Galway. The city has a solid student population with a number of activities and entertainment options.

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

Budapest is an unbeatable place for its public transit. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors in Budapest can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. The metro, trams, and buses make it easy to get around town.

Galway has some public transit options. There are two bus companies in Galway, Bus Eireann and City Direct.

Is Galway or Budapest a more walkable city?

Budapest is an unbeatable place for its walkability. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

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

Galway is a very walkable city. If you stay in central Galway, the area is generally compact and walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Budapest or Galway?

How long in Galway or Budapest?

In either Galway or Budapest, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Budapest than Galway because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Galway, and 2-5 days is enough time in Budapest.

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

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

The city of Galway 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.

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 Galway or Budapest?

Galway 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 Galway, 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 Galway or Budapest?

Galway 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.

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 Galway or Budapest?

Galway 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the authentic 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 Budget Tours to Ireland, The Best Tours for Seniors 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 Galway and Budapest, we can see that Galway 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 Galway would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Galway 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 Galway Expensive? and Is Budapest Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Galway or Budapest?

Budapest has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Galway. When comparing the sizes of Galway 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 Galway 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 Galway or Budapest in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Galway as well as Budapest. Many visitors come to Galway in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Budapest for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Galway is cooler than Budapest. Typically, the summer temperatures in Galway in July average around 16°C (60°F), and Budapest averages at about 21°C (70°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Budapest. In the summer, Galway often gets less sunshine than Budapest. Galway gets 142 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 278 hours of full sun.

Galway usually gets more rain in July than Budapest. Galway gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Galway or Budapest in the Autumn?

Both Budapest and Galway are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Galway for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Budapest because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Galway is generally around the same temperature as Budapest. Daily temperatures in Galway average around 11°C (52°F), and Budapest fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Galway usually receives less sunshine than Budapest during autumn. Galway gets 96 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 152 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Galway. In October, Galway usually receives more rain than Budapest. Galway gets 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Galway or Budapest in the Winter?

Both Budapest and Galway during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Galway because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Budapest this time of year.

It's quite cold in Budapest in the winter. Galway is much warmer than Budapest in the winter. The daily temperature in Galway averages around 6°C (42°F) in January, and Budapest fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).

In the winter, Galway often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Budapest. Galway gets 59 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 61 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Galway. Galway usually gets more rain in January than Budapest. Galway gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Galway or Budapest in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Galway and Budapest. The activities around the city are the main draw to Galway this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Budapest for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Galway is cooler than Budapest. Typically, the spring temperatures in Galway in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Budapest averages at about 12°C (53°F).

Galway usually receives less sunshine than Budapest during spring. Galway gets 153 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Galway usually receives more rain than Budapest. Galway gets 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Budapest and Galway