Which place is cheaper, Budapest or Karachi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Karachi or Budapest?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Karachi or Budapest? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Karachi or Budapest?
Karachi
Karachi is the capital of the Pakistani province of Sindh. It is the most populous city in Pakistan, and sixth most populous city proper in the world. Karachi, located on the coast of the Arabian Sea, is the financial and commercial center of the nation, as well as its largest port. The pace of life here is more hurried, and social attitudes are far more liberal than elsewhere in Pakistan. Locals call it the City of Lights, the City of The Quaid, and the City that Never Sleeps. The city credits its growth to the mixed populations of economic and political migrants along with refugees from different national, provincial, linguistic and religious origins, who generally come to the city to settle permanently.
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Pakistan, The Best Historical Tours in Pakistan, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Budapest, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Budapest.
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Karachi Prices
Pakistan PricesBudapest Prices
Hungary Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKarachi $34Budapest $100
The average daily cost (per person) in Karachi is $34, while the average daily cost in Budapest is $100. 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 Karachi and Budapest in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKarachi $11Budapest $46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKarachi $22Budapest $92
Compare Hotels in Karachi and Budapest
Looking for a hotel in Karachi 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Karachi Hotel Prices and Budapest Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Karachi $4.58Budapest $9.89
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Budapest
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Budapest:
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Short Taxi Ride$6.53
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Metro Pass$3.59
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Budapest
Also for Budapest, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared Airport Shuttle Bus Transfer: $13
- Budapest One Way Private Transfer to or from Airport: $14
- Premier Outlet Shopping Transfer from City Center: $16
- Budapest to Ferenc Liszt Intl Airport-Departure Private Transfer : $25
- Budapest Private transfer Airport or Hotel to or from Cruise Port: $26
- Budapest Private Departure Transfer: From hotels to Railway station: $26
- One way private transfer from Budapest cruise port to Budapest hotels: $26
- Budapest Roundtrip Private Airport Transfer: $26
- Private Transfer from Budapest city to Budapest Airport - departure: $27
- Private Airport Transfer Budapest: $27
- Private Transfer Budapest Airport BUD to Budapest by car or van: $34
- Transfer from Liszt Ferenc Airport to Hotel: $37
Is it cheaper to fly into Karachi or Budapest?
Prices for flights to both Budapest and Karachi 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
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Food Meals for one dayKarachi $20Budapest $38
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Karachi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Karachi.
- Half-Day Karachi Burns Road Private Victoria Ride with Dinner: $100
- Street Food Tour of Karachi: $199
Typical Food Prices in Budapest
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Budapest:
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Lunch$3.19
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Budapest
For Budapest, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Central Market Hall Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $14
- Budapest Guided Food Tour with Drinks Included: $37
- Downtown Budapest Cruise with Pizza and Beer: $44
- Vegan Hungarian Food Tour (full meals): $48
- Bistro Boat Cruise with Dinner & Optional Open Bar: $50
- Vegan Hungarian Food Tour / Local delights: $56
- Budapest Tipsy Food Tour with Drinks: $56
- Private Street Food Tour: $58
- Food Tour with Wine tasting By Foodapest 2024: $61
- Guided Food Tour with Wine, Beer, and Shots: $66
- Guided Tipsy Food Tour with Drinks Included in Budapest: $66
- Tipsy Guided Food Tour with Drinks Included in Budapest: $66
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Karachi $5.07Budapest $20
Tours and Activities in Karachi
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Karachi are as follows:
- Day Tour in Karachi Unesco Heritage: $150
- Experience local village life in Sindh: $200
- Full Day Private City Tour of Karachi: $110
- Karachi City Tour : $129
- Karachi Sightseeing Private City Tour.: $199
- UNESCO World Heritage Tour Near Karachi : $150
Typical Entertainment Prices in Budapest
For Budapest, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Entrance to the Baths for Two$6.41
Tours and Activities in Budapest
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Budapest.
- Gems of The Castle District Guided Walking Tour!: $1.69
- Jewish Quarter of Budapest Walking Tour: $2.12
- Castle District Walking Tour: $3.17
- Guided Tour in Budapest Castle District: $3.23
- Budapest Castle District Walking Tour: $3.23
- Original Budapest Walking Tour: $3.23
- Mika Tivadar Secret Museum Entry Ticket: $4.23
- Self Guided City Audio Tour in Buda Castle: $5.39
- Budapest Ghost Hunt Exploration Game and Tour: $5.59
- Doboz Ruin Pub and Club Entry & Drink Ticket: $5.82
- Museum of Ethnography Entry Ticket: $6.66
- Hop-On Hop-Off Day Time Cruise: $7.69
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKarachi $3.35Budapest $17
Sample the Local Flavors in Budapest
Also in Budapest, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Private, Personalized Pub Crawl, 5 drinks included: $19
- 5-Hour Pub Crawl through Ruin Bars: $21
- The Original Budapest Pub Crawl - One Hour Open Bar + Free Shots: $22
- Guided Bar Crawl through the Party District: $22
- Ultimate Budapest Pub Crawl: $23
- Budapest Pub Crawl +6 free Shots +VIP Access +Drinking Games : $24
- Ruin Bar Pub Crawl with Entry Tickets: $24
- Bingo Bar Crawl: $25
- Bingo Bar Crawl: $25
- Pub Crawl Budapest - with challanges and games: $25
- Budapest Original Ruin Pub Crawl Including 5 Shots: $27
- Hungarian pálinka distillery visit and tasting: $32
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Karachi and Budapest, we can see that Budapest is more expensive. And not only is Karachi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Karachi is in Asia and Budapest is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Karachi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Karachi 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 Budapest would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Budapest than you might in Karachi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Karachi Expensive? and Is Budapest Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Karachi or Budapest?
Karachi has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Budapest. When comparing the sizes of Karachi 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 Karachi 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 Karachi or Budapest in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Karachi as well as Budapest. Also, many travelers come to Budapest for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Karachi is a little warmer than Budapest. Typically, the summer temperatures in Karachi in July average around 30°C (86°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, Karachi often gets less sunshine than Budapest. Karachi gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 278 hours of full sun.
Karachi usually gets less rain in July than Budapest. Karachi gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKarachi 30°C (86°F)Budapest 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Karachi or Budapest in the Autumn?
Both Budapest and Karachi are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Budapest in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Karachi is generally much warmer than Budapest. Daily temperatures in Karachi average around 29°C (84°F), and Budapest fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Karachi. Karachi usually receives more sunshine than Budapest during autumn. Karachi gets 284 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 152 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Karachi usually receives less rain than Budapest. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKarachi 29°C (84°F)Budapest 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Karachi or Budapest in the Winter?
Both Budapest and Karachi during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Budapest for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Budapest can be very cold during winter. Karachi is much warmer than Budapest in the winter. The daily temperature in Karachi averages around 19°C (66°F) in January, and Budapest fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).
It's quite sunny in Karachi. In the winter, Karachi often gets more sunshine than Budapest. Karachi gets 271 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 61 hours of full sun.
Karachi usually gets less rain in January than Budapest. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKarachi 19°C (66°F)Budapest -1°C (31°F)
Should I visit Karachi or Budapest in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Karachi and Budapest. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Budapest because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Karachi is much warmer than Budapest. Typically, the spring temperatures in Karachi in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Budapest averages at about 12°C (53°F).
In Karachi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Karachi usually receives more sunshine than Budapest during spring. Karachi gets 277 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Karachi usually receives less rain than Budapest. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKarachi 29°C (84°F)Budapest 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Budapest and Karachi
| Karachi | Budapest | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | -1°C (31°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (86°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Nov | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.