A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kaunas vs. Budapest for Backpackers, Nightlife, Old Town, and Couples

Should you visit Kaunas 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 Kaunas 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.

Kaunas

Kaunas is a active, young, and vibrant city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the nightlife and food.

Budapest

Budapest is a authentic, bustling, and cultural city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and shopping.

Kaunas and Budapest: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kaunas or Budapest?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Budapest than Kaunas, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Budapest is more popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Kaunas is known for its food. Budapest is more touristy than Kaunas and is popular for its thermal hot springs, European spas, rich culture, and wild nightlife scene. It is also home to The Hungarian Parliament Building. Kaunas is popular for its traditional Lithuanian culture and authentic old town.

How is Kaunas different from Budapest?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Budapest is notable for its sights and museums. However, Kaunas does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Budapest. Famous sights include the Buda Castle and Castle Hill, the Hungarian Parliament Building, and St. Stephen's Basilica.

Kaunas does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

Kaunas has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. It is a great place to try traditional Lithuanian dishes as there are a number of good restaurants and an active restaurant scene. Popular local dishes include cepelinai potato dumplings and cold beetroot soup.

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 Kaunas or Budapest Better for Nightlife?

Budapest is notable for its evening party scene. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Kaunas. The nightlife scene continues to improve with a growing number of bars and clubs. During the warmer months you'll find many places opening outdoor areas. The old town is one of the more lively areas in town where it's nice to enjoy a drink on a terrace.

Is Kaunas or Budapest Better for its Old Town?

Budapest is notable for its historic old town charm. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic 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.

Kaunas is a good destination for visiting its old town. The old town has tree-lined streets with charming cafes and a number of museums. It's also where you'll find the Kaunas Castle.

Is the Shopping Better in Kaunas or Budapest?

Budapest is notable for its shopping areas. However, Kaunas is a mediocre city for shopping.

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.

Kaunas is a good destination for shopping. The old town is the place to pick up souvenirs, but there are also shopping malls and outlets in the city.

Is Kaunas or Budapest Better for Families?

Both Kaunas and Budapest are good family-friendly destinations.

Kaunas is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has both outdoor and indoor areas that are fun for kids. Vienybės Square has fountains and splash areas that are fun for kids of all ages. Lampėdis Lake is a great place to swim or visit an adventure park. When the weather isn't great, you can head indoors to the the Kaunas Tadas Ivanauskas Zoological Museum or "CurioCity" in the Mega Mall.

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 Kaunas or Budapest Better for Couples?

Budapest is notable for couples. However, Kaunas is a mediocre city for romance.

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.

Kaunas is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The city has a number of historical sites as well as interesting restaurants that you can explore.

Is Kaunas or Budapest Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Budapest is renowned for backpackers. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Budapest is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. 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 Kaunas. It's not a popular destination, but there are enough concerts and festivals throughout the year that it does see a few tourists.

Is Kaunas or Budapest Better for Students?

Budapest is renowned for students. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Plenty of students visit Kaunas. The city has a vibrant and young student population. It also hosts festivals, concerts, and other events that make it a fun destination for international students.

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

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

Budapest has a great public transit system. The metro, trams, and buses make it easy to get around town.

Kaunas has some public transit options. There are both buses and trolleybuses around town.

Is Kaunas or Budapest a more walkable city?

Budapest is renowned for its ease of walking around. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its walkability.

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

Kaunas is somewhat walkable. When the weather is nice, the city is a nice place to take a walk.

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

Should I spend more time in Budapest or Kaunas?

How long in Kaunas or Budapest?

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

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

The city of Kaunas offers food and nightlife. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. 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 Kaunas or Budapest?

Kaunas 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 Kaunas, 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 Kaunas or Budapest?

Kaunas 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 Kaunas or Budapest?

Kaunas 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 artistic 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 Tours for Seniors to Lithuania, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vilnius, The Best 10-Day Tours from Budapest, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Budapest.

When comparing the travel costs between Kaunas and Budapest, we can see that Kaunas is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kaunas Expensive? and Is Budapest Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kaunas or Budapest?

Budapest has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Kaunas. When comparing the sizes of Kaunas 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 Kaunas 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 Kaunas or Budapest in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Kaunas as well as Budapest. Many travelers come to Kaunas for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Budapest in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Kaunas is generally cooler than Budapest. Daily temperatures in Kaunas average around 18°C (64°F), and Budapest fluctuates around 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 Kaunas this time of the year. In the summer, Kaunas often gets less sunshine than Budapest. Kaunas gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 278 hours of full sun.

Kaunas usually gets more rain in July than Budapest. Kaunas gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kaunas or Budapest in the Autumn?

Both Budapest and Kaunas are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Kaunas in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. 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.

Kaunas is cooler than Budapest in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kaunas averages around 8°C (46°F) in October, and Budapest fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Kaunas usually receives less sunshine than Budapest during autumn. Kaunas gets 99 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 152 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Kaunas usually receives more rain than Budapest. Kaunas gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kaunas or Budapest in the Winter?

Both Budapest and Kaunas during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Kaunas for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Also, 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. Kaunas can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Kaunas is much colder than Budapest. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kaunas in January average around -5°C (23°F), and Budapest averages at about -1°C (31°F).

In the winter, Kaunas often gets less sunshine than Budapest. Kaunas gets 40 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 61 hours of full sun.

Kaunas usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Budapest. Kaunas gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kaunas or Budapest in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kaunas and Budapest. The spring months attract visitors to Kaunas because of the activities around the city. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Budapest this time of year.

In April, Kaunas is generally much colder than Budapest. Daily temperatures in Kaunas average around 7°C (44°F), and Budapest fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Kaunas usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Budapest during spring. Kaunas gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Kaunas usually receives around the same amount of rain as Budapest. Kaunas gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Budapest and Kaunas