Which place is cheaper, Budapest or Ghent?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Ghent 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.
Ghent is a high energy, cultural, and historic city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.
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.
Tourists will generally find more to do in Budapest than Ghent. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Budapest is very popular for its big city activities, while Ghent attracts visitors for its food, nightlife, and impressive beauty. Budapest is more touristy than Ghent 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. Ghent is famous for its medieval buildings, large squares, and weekly markets
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Budapest and Ghent. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Both Ghent and Budapest have high quality landmarks and museums for visitors.
Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Ghent. The city has many different sights that are concentrated in a compact area. Make sure you check out the Cathedral of St. Bavo, The Fortress of Gravensteen, and The Belfry. The audio tour at Gravensteen really brings the history to life and makes for an enjoyable activity.
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.
Ghent is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Budapest is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.
Ghent has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The food scene is diverse and international, but there are also many local dishes and flavors that you should try. Pas de Rouge is a local cheese and mastel is a local bread. Ganda ham is also a popular meat that is dried and salted. In additional to traditional restaurants, you'll find almost any international cuisine that you could want.
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.
Ghent is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Budapest is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.
Ghent is a must-see party destination. With its young student population, you'll find plenty of lively bars and clubs around town. There are many places where you can party or dance into the early hours of the morning and some of the best places are around Oude Beestenmarkt, De Overpoort, and De Vlasmarkt. There's also the famous Ghent Festival every July.
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.
Visitors enjoy the high quality old town areas in both Ghent and Budapest.
There are many historical things to see in the old town of Ghent. The medieval old town follows along the canal and offers great architecture and a unique atmosphere.
Many visitors explore the old town while visiting 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.
Both Ghent and Budapest are high quality shopping destinations.
Ghent is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city has the largest pedestrian shopping area in Belgium, making it a great place to explore on foot. The city has several different shopping areas which each have their own style and personality. You'll find everything from major European brands to local boutiques and street markets.
Budapest is well-known for its shopping. The city has a diverse shopping scene that you can experience by visiting the Central Market or Váci Street.
Both Ghent and Budapest are nice family-friendly destinations.
Ghent is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has a fun atmosphere with kid-friendly restaurants and a number of attractions that appeal to all ages. Kids and adults alike will enjoy exploring Gravensteen, which is the "Castle of Counts". You can also take a boat tour, rent bikes, or head to one of the town's playgrounds so the kids can burn off some energy.
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.
Ghent and Budapest both high quality destinations for a couple.
Ghent is a very popular place to visit for couples. It makes a great weekend getaway with a diverse restaurant scene, nice hotels, and plenty of historic attractions that you can explore.
Budapest makes for a fun place to visit for 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.
Budapest is a world-class destination for backpackers. Also, Ghent 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.
Plenty of budget travelers visit Ghent. The city has a number of hostels to choose from as well as a young vibe with a large student population. Many people overlook Ghent, but it feels more genuine than nearby Bruges, which attracts the larger tourist crowds.
Ghent and Budapest are both first-rate destinations for students and younger travelers.
Ghent is a very popular place to visit for students. The city is very popular with international students so it has a young and energetic vibe with plenty to do throughout the year.
Many students frequent Budapest. The city has a great international vibe with several good universities that are welcoming to international students that are studying abroad.
Both Ghent and Budapest offer first-rate public transit options.
With a huge network, the transit system in Ghent can get you around easily. Buses and trams travel to most parts of the city and are convenient and efficient.
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.
Budapest is a world-class destination for its walkability. Also, Ghent 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.
Ghent is a very walkable city. The area's with the most tourist attractions are generally walkable.
For even more information, also check out Is Ghent Worth Visiting? and Is Budapest Worth Visiting?.
In either Ghent or Budapest, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Budapest than Ghent because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Ghent, and 2-5 days is enough time in Budapest.
Couples should spend more time in Ghent than Budapest. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Ghent that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Budapest than Ghent 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.
The beautiful city of Ghent offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
Each neighborhood in Budapest has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.
Ghent 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 Ghent, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Budapest. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.
Ghent is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that nightlife 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.
Budapest is a fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in Budapest has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.
Ghent 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.
You'll find nightlife and shopping around the cultural big city of Budapest. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium, The Best 10-Day Tours from Budapest, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Budapest.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Ghent is €118, while the average daily cost in Budapest is €84. 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 Ghent and Budapest in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Ghent 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.
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.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ghent:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Budapest:
Also for Budapest, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Budapest and Ghent 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.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ghent.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Budapest:
For Budapest, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Ghent are as follows:
For Budapest, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Budapest.
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Ghent:
Also in Budapest, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ghent and Budapest, we can see that Ghent 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 Ghent would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ghent 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 Ghent Expensive? and Is Budapest Expensive?.
Budapest has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Ghent. When comparing the sizes of Ghent 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.
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.
The summer brings many poeple to Ghent as well as Budapest. Many travelers come to Ghent for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Budapest in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Ghent is cooler than Budapest. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ghent in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Budapest averages at about 21°C (70°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Budapest. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ghent this time of the year. In the summer, Ghent often gets less sunshine than Budapest. Ghent gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 278 hours of full sun.
Ghent usually gets more rain in July than Budapest. Ghent gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Budapest and Ghent are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Ghent in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, 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, Ghent is generally around the same temperature as Budapest. Daily temperatures in Ghent average around 12°C (54°F), and Budapest fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
Ghent usually receives less sunshine than Budapest during autumn. Ghent gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 152 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Ghent usually receives more rain than Budapest. Ghent gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both Budapest and Ghent during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Ghent for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, 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. Ghent can be very cold during winter. Ghent is much warmer than Budapest in the winter. The daily temperature in Ghent averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Budapest fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).
In the winter, Ghent often gets less sunshine than Budapest. Ghent gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 61 hours of full sun.
Ghent usually gets more rain in January than Budapest. Ghent gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ghent and Budapest. The spring months attract visitors to Ghent because of the natural beauty. Furthermore, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Budapest this time of year.
In the spring, Ghent is cooler than Budapest. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ghent in April average around 8°C (47°F), and Budapest averages at about 12°C (53°F).
Ghent usually receives less sunshine than Budapest during spring. Ghent gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Ghent usually receives around the same amount of rain as Budapest. Ghent gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Ghent | Budapest | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | -1°C (31°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
Feb | 3°C (38°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
Mar | 6°C (42°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
Apr | 8°C (47°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
May | 12°C (54°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
Aug | 18°C (64°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 75 mm (2.9 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
Dec | 5°C (40°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |