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

Should you visit Geneva or Budapest?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Geneva and Budapest. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Geneva

Geneva is a classy, diverse, and international city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Budapest

Budapest is a authentic, bustling, and cultural 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.

Geneva and Budapest: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Geneva or Budapest?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Budapest than Geneva. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Budapest is very popular for its nightlife, historical sights, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Geneva attracts visitors for its food and shopping. Budapest is more touristy than Geneva 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. Geneva is famous for its role as a global hub for the United Nations, the Red Cross, and the World Health Organization.

How is Geneva different from Budapest?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Both Geneva and Budapest have high quality landmarks and museums for visitors.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Geneva. Famous sights and landmarks include the spectacular Water Jet, St Pierre Cathedral, and the Palais des Nations. There are also impressive art and history museums in the city.

Budapest offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Famous sights include the Buda Castle and Castle Hill, the Hungarian Parliament Building, and St. Stephen's Basilica.

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

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

Geneva has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The city has an amazing mix of traditional Swiss restaurants as well as diverse ethnic options. Traditional dishes include fondue and raclette, both of which involve the decadent Swiss cheese.

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 Geneva or Budapest Better for Nightlife?

Budapest is a great destination for nightlife. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

The people in Budapest know how to have a good time. The city's active nightlife includes dance clubs, local pubs, and cultural festivals throughout the year.

If you're looking for night time activities Geneva has a few options to choose from. During the day the city is all business, but at night the professionals, interns, students, and NGO workers all come together to enjoy a drink at a bar or dance at one of the city's diverse clubs.

Is Geneva or Budapest Better for its Old Town?

Budapest is a great destination for its historic old town. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Budapest. 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Geneva. The Old Town offers a number of charming streets where you can wander as well as historical buildings including St. Pierre Cathedral.

Is the Shopping Better in Geneva or Budapest?

Geneva is terrific for its shopping opportunities. Also, Budapest is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Geneva draws large crowds to its stores. Famous for its posh shops and luxury brands, this city is a popular shopping destination. From chic boutiques to deluxe toy stores, you'll find something for everyone. In particular, the city is known for its Swiss watches, Swiss Army knives, chocolate, and wine.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Budapest. The city has a diverse shopping scene that you can experience by visiting the Central Market or Váci Street.

Is Geneva or Budapest Better for Families?

Both Geneva and Budapest are nice family-friendly destinations.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Geneva. This diverse city has a number of chocolate shops, toy stores, and parks where kids can play. They'll be impressed by the Water Jet and there are few places where you can swim in the lake when the weather is warm.

Budapest offers lots of family activities. 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 Geneva or Budapest Better for Couples?

Budapest is a great destination for romance. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Budapest frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Geneva makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Wandering Old Town, sampling Swiss chocolate, and enjoying one of the many ethnic restaurants around town all make for great date activities. Fondue in a traditional restaurant is also a not to be missed experience.

Is Geneva or Budapest Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Budapest is an unbeatable place for backpackers. However, Geneva is a city with minimal options 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.

Geneva is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The city is often overlooked by backpackers as it is pretty expensive. Many hotels cater to the business traveler crowd, but there are a few hostels to choose from.

Is Geneva or Budapest Better for Students?

Budapest is an unbeatable place for students. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

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

Geneva is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The University of Geneva attracts many international students and the city is quite diverse. It feels like a mixing bowl of cultures, so students will feel very welcomed and comfortable here.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Geneva and Budapest.

Visitors in Geneva can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. The very comprehensive system includes trams, buses, and boats.

Budapest has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. The metro, trams, and buses make it easy to get around town.

Is Geneva or Budapest a more walkable city?

Budapest is an unbeatable place for its walkability. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

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

Geneva is a very walkable city. Most areas where visitors spend their time can be easily explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Budapest or Geneva?

How long in Geneva or Budapest?

In either Geneva or Budapest, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Budapest than Geneva because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Geneva, and 2-5 days is enough time in Budapest.

Families should spend more time in Budapest than Geneva. 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 Geneva. 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 Geneva 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 Geneva or Budapest?

Geneva is a big city with plenty to do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the big city destination of Budapest. 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 Geneva or Budapest?

Geneva 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 Geneva, 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 Geneva or Budapest?

Geneva is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. 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 Geneva or Budapest?

Geneva is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. 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 cultural 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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Switzerland, The Best Adventure Tours to Switzerland, 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 Geneva and Budapest, we can see that Geneva 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 Geneva would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Geneva 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 Geneva Expensive? and Is Budapest Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Geneva or Budapest?

Budapest has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Geneva. When comparing the sizes of Geneva 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 Geneva 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 Geneva or Budapest in the Summer?

Both Budapest and Geneva during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Geneva for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Budapest in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Geneva is around the same temperature as Budapest. Typically, the summer temperatures in Geneva in July average around 22°C (71°F), and Budapest averages at about 21°C (70°F).

In Budapest, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Geneva. In the summer, Geneva often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Budapest. Geneva gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 278 hours of full sun.

Geneva usually gets more rain in July than Budapest. Geneva gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Geneva or Budapest in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Geneva and Budapest. Many visitors come to Geneva in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, 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.

In October, Geneva is generally a little warmer than Budapest. Daily temperatures in Geneva average around 14°C (56°F), and Budapest fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Geneva usually receives less sunshine than Budapest during autumn. Geneva gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 152 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Geneva usually receives more rain than Budapest. Geneva gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Geneva or Budapest in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Geneva as well as Budapest. Most visitors come to Geneva for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Budapest because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Budapest can be very cold. Geneva can be very cold during winter. Geneva is much warmer than Budapest in the winter. The daily temperature in Geneva averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Budapest fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).

In the winter, Geneva often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Budapest. Geneva gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 61 hours of full sun.

Geneva usually gets more rain in January than Budapest. Geneva gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Geneva or Budapest in the Spring?

Both Budapest and Geneva are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Geneva because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Budapest this time of year.

In the spring, Geneva is around the same temperature as Budapest. Typically, the spring temperatures in Geneva in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Budapest averages at about 12°C (53°F).

Geneva usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Budapest during spring. Geneva gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Geneva usually receives more rain than Budapest. Geneva gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Budapest and Geneva