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

Should you visit Linkoping or Budapest?

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

Should I visit Linkoping 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: Linkoping or Budapest?

Linkoping

Linkoping is in the northern portion of the Gotaland region and is the capital of Ostergotland county. The city has all of the amenities of a larger city, but manages to maintain the feel and atmosphere of a quaint small town. This is mainly due to the lack of tall buildings within the city limits. Building height is restricted by the nearby military airfield, so Linkoping has a cosy ambiance that leads you to believe that you're somewhere hidden away. The university that is located here also helps create the feel of a college town. The students are well integrated into city life and help bring energy and entertainment to town, both in the form of cultural events during the day as well and an active night life in the evening.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Stockholm, The Best 10-Day Tours from Stockholm, The Best 10-Day Tours from Budapest, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Budapest.


Which place is cheaper, Budapest or Linkoping?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Linkoping is $109, while the average daily cost in Budapest is $89. 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 Linkoping and Budapest in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Linkoping $54
    Budapest $49
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Linkoping $108
    Budapest $98
Compare Hotels in Linkoping and Budapest

Looking for a hotel in Linkoping 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 Linkoping


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.
    Linkoping $18
    Budapest $10

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Budapest

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


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $6.91
  • Metro Pass
    $3.79

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Budapest

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

  • Bucharest - Romania to Budapest - Hungary /Private Transfer: $1,181
  • Budapest - Bük Transfer: $153
  • Budapest - Bratislava Transfer: $199
  • Budapest - Debrecen Transfer: $168
  • Budapest - Hungary to Bucharest - Romania /Private Transfer: $1,289
  • Budapest - Pécs Transfer: $149
  • Budapest - Szeged Transfer: $134
  • Budapest Airport BUD Arrival Private Transfer to Budapest City: $89
  • Budapest Airport Private Departure Transfer : City to Airport: $16
  • Budapest Airport Private Luxury Transfer by a Mercedes Benz S Class: $120
  • Budapest Airport Transfer: $55
  • Budapest Airport Transfer - Round trip to and from Liszt Ferenc Airport: $78

Is it cheaper to fly into Linkoping or Budapest?

Prices for flights to both Budapest and Linkoping 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
    Linkoping $40
    Budapest $23

Typical Food Prices in Budapest

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


  • Lunch
    $3.37

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.
    Linkoping $24
    Budapest $22

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
    $6.77

Tours and Activities in Budapest

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

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • Free Tour Budapest Essential in Spanish: $3.26
  • Budapest Historical Sightseeing - Walking Tour: $3.27
  • Free walking tour in the Buda Castle incl. Fisherman's Bastion: $3.27
  • Free Walking Tour Budapest incl. the Shoes on the Danube Bank: $3.27
  • Communist History Evening Walking Tour of Budapest: $3.27
  • Past and Present of Budapest Jewish District Tour: $3.27
  • Self Guided City Audio Tour in Buda Castle: $5.45
  • Escape Game and Tour: $5.88
  • Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $5.88
  • Historical Heroes & Hot Spa Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • TOP 10 Budapest- City Tour : $6.00

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Linkoping $19
    Budapest $18

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 Linkoping and Budapest, we can see that Linkoping 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 Linkoping would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Linkoping 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 Linkoping Expensive? and Is Budapest Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Linkoping or Budapest?

Budapest has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Linkoping. When comparing the sizes of Linkoping 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 Linkoping 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 Linkoping or Budapest in the Summer?

Both Budapest and Linkoping during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Budapest for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Linkoping is cooler than Budapest. Typically, the summer temperatures in Linkoping in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Budapest averages at about 21°C (70°F).

In Budapest, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Linkoping. In the summer, Linkoping often gets less sunshine than Budapest. Linkoping gets 214 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 278 hours of full sun.

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


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Linkoping 17°C (63°F) 
    Budapest 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Linkoping or Budapest in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Linkoping and Budapest. 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, Linkoping is generally cooler than Budapest. Daily temperatures in Linkoping average around 8°C (46°F), and Budapest fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Linkoping usually receives less sunshine than Budapest during autumn. Linkoping gets 80 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 152 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Linkoping usually receives more rain than Budapest. Linkoping gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Linkoping 8°C (46°F) 
    Budapest 12°C (53°F)

Should I visit Linkoping or Budapest in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Linkoping as well as Budapest. Also, most visitors come to Budapest for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Budapest can be very cold during winter. Linkoping can get quite cold in the winter. Linkoping is much colder than Budapest in the winter. The daily temperature in Linkoping averages around -3°C (28°F) in January, and Budapest fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).

In the winter, Linkoping often gets less sunshine than Budapest. Linkoping gets 32 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 61 hours of full sun.

Linkoping usually gets less rain in January than Budapest. Linkoping gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Linkoping -3°C (28°F) 
    Budapest -1°C (31°F)

Should I visit Linkoping or Budapest in the Spring?

Both Budapest and Linkoping are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Budapest because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Linkoping is much colder than Budapest. Typically, the spring temperatures in Linkoping in April average around 6°C (42°F), and Budapest averages at about 12°C (53°F).

Linkoping usually receives less sunshine than Budapest during spring. Linkoping gets 157 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Linkoping usually receives less rain than Budapest. Linkoping gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Linkoping 6°C (42°F) 
    Budapest 12°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Budapest and Linkoping

Linkoping Budapest
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -3°C (28°F) 35 mm (1.4 in) -1°C (31°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Feb -3°C (27°F) 24 mm (0.9 in) 2°C (35°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Mar 1°C (33°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 7°C (44°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Apr 6°C (42°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 12°C (53°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
May 12°C (53°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 16°C (62°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 16°C (61°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 20°C (67°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Jul 17°C (63°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 21°C (70°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Aug 17°C (62°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 21°C (69°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 17°C (63°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Oct 8°C (46°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 12°C (53°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Nov 3°C (37°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 6°C (42°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Dec -1°C (30°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 1°C (34°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)