A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lille vs. Budapest for Food, Backpackers, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit Lille or Budapest?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Lille or Budapest, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Lille

Lille is a under-rated, fascinating, and cultural city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and nightlife.

Budapest

Budapest is a artistic, historic, and authentic city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Lille and Budapest: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lille or Budapest?

You'll generally find more things to do in Budapest than Lille. Budapest is bigger than Lille, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Budapest is better known for its museums and big city activities, while Lille is more popular for its food and shopping. Budapest is more touristy than Lille and is popular for its thermal hot springs, European spas, rich culture, and wild nightlife scene. Also, Budapest is famous for The Hungarian Parliament Building. Lille is well known for its beautiful architecture, excellent shopping, and world class food scene.

How is Lille different from Budapest?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Budapest is notable for its sights and museums. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Budapest can be an interesting and educational experience. Famous sights include the Buda Castle and Castle Hill, the Hungarian Parliament Building, and St. Stephen's Basilica.

While most people don't head to Lille specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. The city offers an amazing atmosphere, with many of the most beautiful buildings near Place du Général de Gaulle (the main square). Top rated attractions in town include Palais des Beaux-Arts, Musée du Louvre-Lens, and Eglise Saint-Maurice.

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

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

Lille has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The city has a cuisine all its own. There are many local dishes that are recommended with some of the most popular being les moules (mussels), the Welsh (a beer and cheddar cheese dish), and la carbonade flamande (beef stew). Most dishes are served with a hearty side of fries. The mussels are a favorite and are served with various toppings including local cheese. You can expect your very own pot of mussels with each order. Many of the restaurants around the main square (General de Gaulle Square) offer these local specialties. Outside the old town you'll also find plenty of international restaurants including Asian street food.

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 Lille or Budapest Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are excellent in both Lille and Budapest.

Lille has plenty to do after the sun goes down. With its young population and countless places to hang out, there's rarely a dull night around town. The most popular nightlife areas are Rue Masséna and Rue Solférino. The city also offers plenty of theaters and shows that you can enjoy.

Budapest has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city's active nightlife includes dance clubs, local pubs, and cultural festivals throughout the year.

Is Lille or Budapest Better for its Old Town?

Lille and Budapest both have excellent historical old towns that attract visitors.

Many visitors go to Lille to see the historical old town. The old town (Le Vieux Lille) is charming to explore. Many of the buildings are from the 16th or 17th centuries and feature very ornate architecture. The area is filled with shops and restaurants and it stays active throughout the day. This is an area where locals and tourists alike live and play.

Budapest is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Lille or Budapest?

Lille is terrific for its shopping opportunities. Also, Budapest is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Lille draws large crowds to its stores. The city is filled with shopping opportunities. Almost any store you could want is in or around the old town and the two main shopping centers in town are McArthur Glen and A l'Usine. Also by the train station is a shopping mall.

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.

Is Lille or Budapest Better for Families?

Budapest is a nice place to visit for its family-friendly activities. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

Budapest is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Lille is not always a place people visit with their families. There are a handful of kid-focused activities like a small zoo, a small amusement park, several museums and even a puppet theater. Many of the restaurants also have kid's menus that are reasonably priced.

Is Lille or Budapest Better for Couples?

Budapest is notable for its romantic activities. Also, Lille is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

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.

Lille is a good city for couples to visit. Couples who enjoy shopping, dining out, and exploring beautiful cities will enjoy a visit. There are many great restaurants worth experiencing, as well as beautiful architecture and fun shops.

Is Lille or Budapest Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Budapest. 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.

Lille is a good city to visit for backpackers. This small city flies under the radar for most backpackers, but there are a handful of hostels and a great experience for those who venture here. It feels more off the beaten path than some French cities, but you'll find great food and a nice atmosphere.

Is Lille or Budapest Better for Students?

Budapest is very popular for students. Also, Lille is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Budapest is a great destination for students. The city has a great international vibe with several good universities that are welcoming to international students that are studying abroad.

Students come from all over to stay in Lille. The city is home to a number of students, both local and international. It has a lower cost of living than many places in France as well as a youthful vibe with fun activities and plenty of shopping.

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

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

Budapest has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. The metro, trams, and buses make it easy to get around town.

Lille offers a very effecient public transportation network. There is a metro as well as trams and buses throughout the city.

Is Lille or Budapest a more walkable city?

Lille and Budapest both are terrific when exploring on foot.

It is easy to get around Lille on foot. The old town in particular is compact and best explored on foot, but even outside of the old town, many areas are easily explored on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Budapest or Lille?

How long in Lille or Budapest?

In either Lille or Budapest, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Budapest than Lille because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Lille, and 2-5 days is enough time in Budapest.

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

The beautiful city of Lille offers nightlife and food. 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.

A weekend in Lille or Budapest?

Lille 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 Lille, 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.

Five days in Lille or Budapest?

Lille 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.

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.

A week in Lille or Budapest?

Lille is a great place to explore. 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 historic 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 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, The Best 10-Day Tours from Budapest, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Budapest.

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

Which is Bigger, Lille or Budapest?

Budapest has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Lille. When comparing the sizes of Lille 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 Lille 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 Lille or Budapest in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Lille as well as Budapest. Most visitors come to Lille for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Budapest because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Lille is cooler than Budapest in the summer. The daily temperature in Lille averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, 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 Lille this time of the year. In the summer, Lille often gets less sunshine than Budapest. Lille gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 278 hours of full sun.

Lille usually gets more rain in July than Budapest. Lille gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lille or Budapest in the Autumn?

Both Budapest and Lille are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Lille because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Budapest this time of year.

In the autumn, Lille is around the same temperature as Budapest. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lille in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Budapest averages at about 12°C (53°F).

Lille usually receives less sunshine than Budapest during autumn. Lille gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 152 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Lille usually receives more rain than Budapest. Lille gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Lille or Budapest in the Winter?

Both Budapest and Lille during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Lille this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Budapest for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Budapest. It's quite cold in Lille in the winter. In January, Lille is generally much warmer than Budapest. Daily temperatures in Lille average around 3°C (38°F), and Budapest fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).

In the winter, Lille often gets less sunshine than Budapest. Lille gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 61 hours of full sun.

Lille usually gets more rain in January than Budapest. Lille gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lille or Budapest in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Lille and Budapest. Many travelers come to Lille for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Budapest in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Lille is cooler than Budapest in the spring. The daily temperature in Lille averages around 8°C (47°F) in April, and Budapest fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Lille usually receives less sunshine than Budapest during spring. Lille gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Lille usually receives around the same amount of rain as Budapest. Lille gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Budapest and Lille