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

Should you visit Kosice or Budapest?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Kosice and Budapest can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Kosice or Budapest?

Kosice

Founded in the 13th century, Kosice today is the second largest city in Slovakia featuring churches, cathedrals, and fortifications which speak to its roots as a center of activity during the Middle Ages. Some of its top attractions include the city's historical center, Singing Fountain, and Cathedral of Saint Elizabeth.

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 Slovakia, The Best Adventure Tours to Slovakia, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Budapest, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Budapest.


Which place is cheaper, Budapest or Kosice?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Kosice is €137, while the average daily cost in Budapest is €82. 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 Kosice and Budapest in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kosice 73
    Budapest 45
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kosice 146
    Budapest 90
Compare Hotels in Kosice and Budapest

Looking for a hotel in Kosice 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 Kosice


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: Kosice Hotel Prices and Budapest Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kosice 29
    Budapest 9.66

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Budapest

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


  • Short Taxi Ride
    6.38
  • Metro Pass
    3.50

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Budapest

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

  • T72 Tank Driving with Hummer Transfer: $1,576
  • Budapest - Hungary to Bucharest - Romania /Private Transfer: $1,304
  • Bucharest - Romania to Budapest - Hungary /Private Transfer: $1,196
  • Private transfer from Budapest to Prague: $1,075
  • Private transfer from Budapest to Zagreb: $945
  • Transfer from Vienna to Budapest: $717
  • Budapest-Vienna Private Transfer by Luxury Vehicle: $652
  • From Bucharest: One-way Private Fast Transfer to Budapest: $652
  • Private transfer from Budapest to Vienna: $597
  • Private transfer between Budapest and Vienna: $478
  • Budapest-Bratislava One-Way Sightseeing Transfer: $298
  • Private Transfer from Budapest to Zadar, Hotel-to-hotel, English-speaking driver: $286

Is it cheaper to fly into Kosice or Budapest?

Prices for flights to both Budapest and Kosice 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
    Kosice 42
    Budapest 21

Typical Food Prices in Budapest

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


  • Lunch
    3.11

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Budapest

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

  • Downtown Budapest Cruise with Pizza and Beer: $35
  • Pizza & Beer Downtown Budapest Cruise: $35
  • Traveling Spoon Hungarian Goulash Private Online Cooking Class: $40
  • Vegan Hungarian Food Tour (full meals): $51
  • Medieval Dinner Show with Drinks: $53
  • Evening Cruise and Dinner with Champagne: $74
  • Danube Cruise with Hungarian Dinner and Live Music: $75
  • Dinner & Cruise on the Danube with Folklore Dance Show & Live Music: $76
  • Dinner Cruise with Operetta and Folk Show: $86
  • 3 course Dinner Cruise with Operetta and Folk Show: $87
  • 3 course Dinner Cruise with Piano Battle Show: $87
  • Lángos (Hungary’s nr1 streetfood) cooking class: $88

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kosice 24
    Budapest 20

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
    6.25

Tours and Activities in Budapest

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

  • E-ticket to Vajdahunyad Castle with Audio Tour on Your Phone : $19
  • Private Budapest city tour with a daytime Danube river cruise: $243
  • 1 Hour Budapest Segway Tour - Parliament Hightails: $39
  • 2 Hour Budapest Market and Tasting Tour: $57
  • 2 Hours Buda Castle Walking Tour - Walk with a Historian: $38
  • 2 Hours Jewish Heritage Walking Tour - Walk with a Historian: $49
  • 2-Hour Private Budapest Castle Walking Tour: $128
  • 2-Hour Private Night Tour of Budapest: $268
  • 22 Dog-statues in Budapest - an unusual tour: $25
  • 3 Cocktail Cruise Budapest Winter Edition: $35
  • 3 Hours Budapest Segway Grand City Tour Buda, Margaret and Pest: $94
  • 3-Hour Budapest E-Bike Adventure!: $52

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kosice 23
    Budapest 16

Sample the Local Flavors in Budapest

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

  • 5-Hour Pub Crawl through Ruin Bars: $22
  • Ultimate Budapest Pub Crawl: $23
  • Bingo Bar Crawl: $25
  • Ruin Bar Pub Crawl with Entry Tickets: $29
  • Detective Pub Crawl Game by App: $38
  • Tipsy Tour Fun Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $40
  • Drunken History Bar Crawl Tour with Local Drinks: $42
  • Private Wine Tasting in Budapest: $50
  • Hungarian Wine Tasting (with Cheese and Charcuterie) in Budapest: $50
  • Pub Crawl Through The Ruin Bars in Budapest with T-shirt Included: $54
  • All You Can Drink Pub Crawl Through The Ruin Bars in Budapest: $60
  • Wine Tasting Walk in Jewish Quarter Bars: $60


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


Which is Bigger, Kosice or Budapest?

Budapest has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Kosice. When comparing the sizes of Kosice 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 Kosice 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 Kosice or Budapest in the Summer?

Both Budapest and Kosice are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Budapest this time of year.

In the summer, Kosice is around the same temperature as Budapest. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kosice in July average around 21°C (69°F), and Budapest averages at about 21°C (70°F).

It's quite sunny in Budapest. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kosice. Kosice usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Budapest during summer. Kosice gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 278 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Kosice usually receives more rain than Budapest. Kosice gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Kosice 21°C (69°F) 
    Budapest 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Kosice or Budapest in the Autumn?

Both Budapest and Kosice during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Budapest for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Kosice is generally around the same temperature as Budapest. Daily temperatures in Kosice average around 11°C (52°F), and Budapest fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In the autumn, Kosice often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Budapest. Kosice gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 152 hours of full sun.

Kosice usually gets more rain in October than Budapest. Kosice gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Kosice 11°C (52°F) 
    Budapest 12°C (53°F)

Should I visit Kosice or Budapest in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kosice and Budapest. Also, many visitors come to Budapest in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Budapest can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Kosice. Kosice is much colder than Budapest in the winter. The daily temperature in Kosice averages around -2°C (28°F) in January, and Budapest fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).

Kosice usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Budapest during winter. Kosice gets 59 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 61 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Kosice usually receives less rain than Budapest. Kosice gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Kosice -2°C (28°F) 
    Budapest -1°C (31°F)

Should I visit Kosice or Budapest in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Kosice as well as Budapest. Also, most visitors come to Budapest for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Kosice is around the same temperature as Budapest. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kosice in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Budapest averages at about 12°C (53°F).

In the spring, Kosice often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Budapest. Kosice gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 178 hours of full sun.

Kosice usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Budapest. Kosice gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Kosice 11°C (52°F) 
    Budapest 12°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Budapest and Kosice

Kosice Budapest
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -2°C (28°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) -1°C (31°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 1°C (33°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 2°C (35°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Mar 6°C (42°F) 32 mm (1.2 in) 7°C (44°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Apr 11°C (52°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 12°C (53°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
May 16°C (61°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 16°C (62°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 19°C (66°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 20°C (67°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Jul 21°C (69°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 21°C (70°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Aug 20°C (68°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 21°C (69°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Sep 17°C (62°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 17°C (63°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Oct 11°C (52°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 12°C (53°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Nov 5°C (41°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 6°C (42°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Dec 0°C (32°F) 35 mm (1.4 in) 1°C (34°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)