A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kemi vs. Budapest for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Kemi 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 Kemi 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.

Where Should I go: Kemi or Budapest?

Kemi

Kemi is a town on Bothnian Bay in Lapland, Finland. It's known for the massive Sampo icebreaker, a giant ship built to ply the Arctic waters. The main economic activity in Kemi is centered on two large paper and wood pulp mills and on the only chromium mine in Europe. Kemi also has a claim to fame as the home of the world's largest snow castle (reconstructed every year with a different design). The SnowCastle is usually located at the inner harbor of Kemi.

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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Finland, The Best Adventure Tours to Finland, The Best 10-Day Tours from Budapest, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Budapest.


Which place is cheaper, Budapest or Kemi?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Kemi is €134, 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 Kemi and Budapest in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kemi 74
    Budapest 46
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kemi 148
    Budapest 92
Compare Hotels in Kemi and Budapest

Looking for a hotel in Kemi 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.

Hotels in Kemi


Hotels in Budapest


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: Budapest Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kemi 39
    Budapest 9.80

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Budapest

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Budapest:


  • Short Taxi Ride
    6.47
  • Metro Pass
    3.55

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Budapest

Also for Budapest, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Budapest HTL-APT (BUD): $57
  • Transfer from Vienna to Budapest: $706
  • T72 Tank Driving with Hummer Transfer: $1,581
  • Private transfer from Budapest to Zagreb: $930
  • Private transfer from Budapest to Vienna: $588
  • Private transfer from Budapest to Prague: $1,059
  • Private transfer from Budapest to Bratislava with Hotel or Airport pick-up: $276
  • Private transfer between Budapest and Vienna: $471
  • Private Transfer in Budapest: $76
  • Private Transfer from Budapest to Zagreb with 2 hours for sightseeing: $267
  • Private Transfer from Budapest to Zadar, Hotel-to-hotel, English-speaking driver: $282
  • Private Transfer from Budapest to Vienna, English-speaking driver: $196

Is it cheaper to fly into Kemi or Budapest?

Prices for flights to both Budapest and Kemi 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Kemi 34
    Budapest 22

Typical Food Prices in Budapest

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Budapest:


  • Lunch
    3.16

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Budapest

For Budapest, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Traveling Spoon Hungarian Goulash Private Online Cooking Class: $40
  • Downtown Budapest Cruise with Pizza and Beer: $45
  • Pizza & Beer Downtown Budapest Cruise: $46
  • Vegan Hungarian Food Tour (full meals): $51
  • Medieval Dinner Show with Drinks: $52
  • Private Street Food Tour: $59
  • Danube Cruise with Hungarian Dinner and Live Music: $74
  • Budapest Danube Cruise with Buffet Dinner, Performances and Music: $75
  • Evening Cruise and Dinner with Champagne: $86
  • Lángos (Hungary’s nr1 streetfood) cooking class: $87
  • Candlelit Dinner River Cruise with Live Music: $91
  • Budapest Danube River Candlelit Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $93

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kemi 29
    Budapest 20

Tours and Activities in Kemi

For Kemi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • SnowExperience365 Kemi entrance: $19

Typical Entertainment Prices in Budapest

For Budapest, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Entrance to the Baths for Two
    6.35

Tours and Activities in Budapest

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Budapest.

  • Danube Bend Private All Day Tour with Lunch, with entrance fees and cruise: $164
  • Private Budapest city tour with a daytime Danube river cruise: $240
  • 101 things you have to see in Budapest - Full Day Tour with Lunch & Dessert: $185
  • 10PM Budapest Danube Cruise with Live Music & Food or Drinks : $20
  • 2 Hours Buda Castle Walking Tour - Walk with a Historian: $38
  • 2 Hours Jewish Heritage Walking Tour - Walk with a Historian: $49
  • 2 Hours Private Scenic Photo Tour Around Budapest: $156
  • 2-Hour Private Market Tour in Budapest With Free Tastings: $59
  • 22 Dog-statues in Budapest - an unusual tour: $25
  • 3 Hours Budapest Segway Grand City Tour Buda, Margaret and Pest: $93
  • 3-Hour Jewish Quarter Walking Tour in Budapest with Historian: $55
  • 3-Hour Orientation Walking Tour of Buda and Pest: $37

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kemi 12
    Budapest 17

Sample the Local Flavors in Budapest

Also in Budapest, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • The Original Budapest Pub Crawl - One Hour Open Bar + Free Shots: $17
  • 5-Hour Pub Crawl through Ruin Bars: $21
  • Ultimate Budapest Pub Crawl: $23
  • Ultimate Budapest Pub Crawl: $23
  • Bingo Bar Crawl: $25
  • Budapest Original Ruin Pub Crawl Including 5 Shots: $28
  • Ruin Bar Pub Crawl with Entry Tickets: $29
  • Detective Pub Crawl Game by App: $38
  • 8-Tier Hungarian Wine Tasting in a Cozy Downtown Wine Bar: $38
  • Tipsy Tour Fun Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $42
  • Drunken History Bar Crawl Tour with Local Drinks: $42
  • Hungarian Wine Tasting (with Cheese and Charcuterie) in Budapest: $50


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kemi and Budapest, we can see that Kemi 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 Kemi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kemi 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 Kemi Expensive? and Is Budapest Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Kemi or Budapest?

Budapest has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Kemi. When comparing the sizes of Kemi 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 Kemi or Budapest?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Kemi or Budapest in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kemi and Budapest. Also, many visitors come to Budapest in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Kemi is cooler than Budapest in the summer. The daily temperature in Kemi averages around 15°C (60°F) in July, and Budapest fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Budapest this time of the year. In Kemi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kemi usually receives more sunshine than Budapest during summer. Kemi gets 304 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 278 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Kemi usually receives more rain than Budapest. Kemi gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Kemi 15°C (60°F) 
    Budapest 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Kemi or Budapest in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Kemi as well as Budapest. 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.

Kemi can get quite cold in the autumn. In the autumn, Kemi is much colder than Budapest. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kemi in October average around 2°C (36°F), and Budapest averages at about 12°C (53°F).

In the autumn, Kemi often gets less sunshine than Budapest. Kemi gets 82 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 152 hours of full sun.

Kemi usually gets more rain in October than Budapest. Kemi gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Kemi 2°C (36°F) 
    Budapest 12°C (53°F)

Should I visit Kemi or Budapest in the Winter?

Both Budapest and Kemi are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. 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. Kemi can be very cold during winter. In January, Kemi is generally much colder than Budapest. Daily temperatures in Kemi average around -12°C (10°F), and Budapest fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).

Kemi usually receives less sunshine than Budapest during winter. Kemi gets 19 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 61 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Kemi usually receives around the same amount of rain as Budapest. Kemi gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Kemi -12°C (10°F) 
    Budapest -1°C (31°F)

Should I visit Kemi or Budapest in the Spring?

Both Budapest and Kemi during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Budapest this time of year.

The weather in Kemi can be very cold. Kemi is much colder than Budapest in the spring. The daily temperature in Kemi averages around -1°C (31°F) in April, and Budapest fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In the spring, Kemi often gets more sunshine than Budapest. Kemi gets 194 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 178 hours of full sun.

Kemi usually gets less rain in April than Budapest. Kemi gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Kemi -1°C (31°F) 
    Budapest 12°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Budapest and Kemi

Kemi Budapest
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -12°C (10°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) -1°C (31°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Feb -12°C (11°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 2°C (35°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Mar -7°C (19°F) 35 mm (1.4 in) 7°C (44°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Apr -1°C (31°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 12°C (53°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
May 6°C (43°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 16°C (62°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 13°C (55°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 20°C (67°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Jul 15°C (60°F) 50 mm (2 in) 21°C (70°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Aug 13°C (56°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 21°C (69°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Sep 8°C (46°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 17°C (63°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Oct 2°C (36°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 12°C (53°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Nov -4°C (24°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 6°C (42°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Dec -10°C (15°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 1°C (34°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)