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

Should you visit Linz or Budapest?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Linz and Budapest can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Linz

Linz is a beautiful, cultural, and historic town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food.

Budapest

Budapest is a historic, authentic, and bustling 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.

Linz and Budapest: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Linz or Budapest?

You'll generally find more things to do in Budapest than Linz. Budapest is bigger than Linz, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Budapest is better known for its nightlife, historical sights, and big city activities, while Linz is more popular for its food. Linz is well known for its Baroque architecture, modern art museums, and great pastries. Budapest is well known for its thermal hot springs, European spas, rich culture, and wild nightlife scene. Also, Budapest is famous for The Hungarian Parliament Building.

How is Linz different from Budapest?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the superb sights and museums in both Linz and Budapest.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Linz. The city has a lot of history which can be experienced with visits to The Castle of Linz, St. Martin's Church, and the New Cathedral. There are also several modern museums such as Ars Electronica Center, the OK Center, and the Lentos Art Museum.

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.

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

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

Linz has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find an endless supply of bakeries around town that serve cakes, tarts, and biscuits. A trip to Linz isn't complete without a sampling of the local pastries.

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 Linz or Budapest Better for Nightlife?

Budapest is a well-known place for nightlife and partying. However, Linz is not a good town for its evening party scene.

Budapest offers plenty to do in the evening. The city's active nightlife includes dance clubs, local pubs, and cultural festivals throughout the year.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Linz. The town isn't exactly a party place, but you'll find a good theater and some live music venues that are worth checking out.

Is Linz or Budapest Better for its Old Town?

Budapest is a well-known place for its old town. Also, Linz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its historic old town charm.

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.

Linz has an old town worth visiting. The old town is filled with Baroque architecture and a market square. There are a number of interesting buildings and great cafes in the area.

Is the Shopping Better in Linz or Budapest?

Both Linz and Budapest are superb shopping destinations.

Linz is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. There are a number of shopping streets around town, but the most popular is Landstraße. You'll find all kinds of retail stores with everything from clothing to furniture available.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Budapest. The city has a diverse shopping scene that you can experience by visiting the Central Market or Váci Street.

Is Linz or Budapest Better for Families?

Both Linz and Budapest are notable to visit with kids.

Linz is a family-friendly place to visit. Pöstlingberg Adventure World is a highlight for kids. You can take the tram up the mountain and see the views, visit the Grottenbahn, or explore the zoo. Kids will also appreciate the Ars Electronica Center, which is a futuristic museum in town as well as the The Linz Castle Museum.

Budapest is a family-friendly town. 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 Linz or Budapest Better for Couples?

Both Linz and Budapest are superb destinations for a couple's getaway.

Linz is a very popular place to visit for couples. The city is filled with beautiful baroque architecture. There's a lively main square and many great restaurants that couples will appreciate. There are also shopping areas and museums to explore.

Budapest makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Is Linz or Budapest Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Budapest is a world-class destination for backpackers. Also, Linz is not as famous, but is still a good town 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Linz. Backpackers will find more budget hotels than hostels in town, so it can be a bit challenging to meet other travelers. Even so, this is a beautiful city that is well worth a visit.

Is Linz or Budapest Better for Students?

Budapest is a world-class destination for students. However, Linz is not popular with students.

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

Linz is not popular with students.

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

Budapest is a world-class destination for its public transit. Also, Linz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for times when you don't have a car.

With a huge network, the transit system in Budapest can get you around easily. The metro, trams, and buses make it easy to get around town.

Linz has some public transit options. There are buses and streetcars that travel throughout the town.

Is Linz or Budapest a more walkable city?

Budapest is a world-class destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Linz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its ease of walking around.

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

Linz is a very walkable destination. The tourist areas are easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Budapest or Linz?

How long in Linz or Budapest?

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

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

The beautiful town of Linz offers food and shopping. 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 big city destination where you can fill many days. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Linz or Budapest?

Linz is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Linz, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Budapest is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Linz or Budapest?

Linz 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 historic big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Linz or Budapest?

Linz 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 town offers something for everyone.

The bustling city of Budapest offers museums and nightlife. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Austria, The Best 10-Day Tours in Austria, 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 Linz and Budapest, we can see that Linz 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 Linz would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Linz 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 Linz Expensive? and Is Budapest Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Linz or Budapest?

Budapest has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Linz. When comparing the sizes of Linz 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 Linz 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 Linz or Budapest in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Linz as well as Budapest. Many visitors come to Linz in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Budapest for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Linz is around the same temperature as Budapest in the summer. The daily temperature in Linz averages around 20°C (68°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 Linz this time of the year. In the summer, Linz often gets less sunshine than Budapest. Linz gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 278 hours of full sun.

Linz usually gets more rain in July than Budapest. Linz gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Linz or Budapest in the Autumn?

Both Budapest and Linz are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Linz for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Budapest because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

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

Linz usually receives less sunshine than Budapest during autumn. Linz gets 129 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 152 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Linz usually receives more rain than Budapest. Linz gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Linz or Budapest in the Winter?

Both Budapest and Linz during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Linz because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Budapest this time of year.

It's quite cold in Budapest in the winter. The weather in Linz can be very cold. In January, Linz is generally much warmer than Budapest. Daily temperatures in Linz average around -0°C (31°F), and Budapest fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).

In the winter, Linz often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Budapest. Linz gets 57 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 61 hours of full sun.

Linz usually gets less rain in January than Budapest. Linz gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Linz or Budapest in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Linz and Budapest. The natural beauty are the main draw to Linz this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Budapest for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Linz is around the same temperature as Budapest in the spring. The daily temperature in Linz averages around 11°C (51°F) in April, and Budapest fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Linz usually receives less sunshine than Budapest during spring. Linz gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Linz usually receives more rain than Budapest. Linz gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Budapest and Linz