Which place is cheaper, Budapest or Malmo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Malmo or Budapest?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Malmo 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.
Where Should I go: Malmo or Budapest?
Malmo
Located on the southern tip of Sweden, in the province of Skane, Malmo is Sweden's third largest city. It has a very international population with about a third of the residents being from countries other than Sweden. This diversity is evident within Malmo, which is rich in culture, interesting food, and an array of entertainment options. Historically, Malmo was an industrial city with a ship building company, Kockums being the area's largest employer. Today, however, the city is much more economicaly diverse with many eco friendly neighborhoods and plenty of suburban style housing.
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 Sweden, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Sweden, The Best 10-Day Tours from Budapest, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Budapest.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMalmo $81Budapest $89
The average daily cost (per person) in Malmo is $81, 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 Malmo and Budapest in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMalmo $48Budapest $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMalmo $96Budapest $98
Compare Hotels in Malmo and Budapest
Looking for a hotel in Malmo 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.
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: Malmo Hotel Prices and Budapest Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Malmo $7.88Budapest $10
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Malmo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Malmo:
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Malmö Bus Card$18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Malmo
Also for Malmo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Malmö City to Copenhagen hotel/address Private Departure Transfer: $128
- Private Direct Transfer From Malmo to Copenhagen: $121
- Private Transfer from Malmo Airport MMX to Fredericia Port: $96
- Malmo Private Transfer from Malmo airport to Central Malmo : $95
- Malmo Private Transfer from Central Malmo to Malmo Airport: $95
- Malmo Airport (MMX) to Malmo City Center - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $55
- Malmo City Center to Malmo Airport (MMX) - Departure Private Transfer: $27
- Malmo Airport (MMX) to Malmo City Center - Arrival Private Transfer: $27
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Budapest
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Budapest:
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Short Taxi Ride$6.91
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Metro Pass$3.79
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 Malmo or Budapest?
Prices for flights to both Budapest and Malmo 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
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Food Meals for one dayMalmo $25Budapest $23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Malmo
For Malmo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Self-guided Food Tour in Malmö: $59
- Guided Food Tour in Malmö (Private): $120
Typical Food Prices in Budapest
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Budapest:
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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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Malmo $16Budapest $22
Tours and Activities in Malmo
For Malmo, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Canal Sightseeing Boat Tour of Malmö: $21
- Exploring Malmo Walking Tour: $147
- Half Day Walking Tour in Lund City and University: $33
- Joyful Malmo Walking Tour for Couples: $147
- Lund's Medieval and Modern History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Malmö Ghost Story: A self-guided audio walking tour: $9.35
- Malmö Photography Tour: $58
- Malmo Walking Tour, 3 hours (small group): $66
- Self-guided audio tour in Lund: explore the story of the Locus Peccatorum murder: $9.35
Typical Entertainment Prices in Budapest
For Budapest, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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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.
- 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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMalmo $35Budapest $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 comparing the travel costs between Malmo and Budapest, we can see that Budapest is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Malmo Expensive? and Is Budapest Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Malmo or Budapest?
Budapest has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Malmo. When comparing the sizes of Malmo 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 Malmo 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 Malmo or Budapest in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Malmo and Budapest. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Budapest because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Malmo is cooler than Budapest in the summer. The daily temperature in Malmo averages around 17°C (62°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 Malmo, it's very sunny this time of the year. Malmo usually receives less sunshine than Budapest during summer. Malmo gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 278 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Malmo usually receives more rain than Budapest. Malmo gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMalmo 17°C (62°F)Budapest 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Malmo or Budapest in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Malmo as well as Budapest. 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, Malmo is cooler than Budapest. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Malmo in October average around 10°C (50°F), and Budapest averages at about 12°C (53°F).
In the autumn, Malmo often gets less sunshine than Budapest. Malmo gets 104 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 152 hours of full sun.
Malmo usually gets more rain in October than Budapest. Malmo gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMalmo 10°C (50°F)Budapest 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Malmo or Budapest in the Winter?
Both Budapest and Malmo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. 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 Malmo in the winter. In January, Malmo is generally much warmer than Budapest. Daily temperatures in Malmo average around 0°C (32°F), and Budapest fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).
Malmo usually receives less sunshine than Budapest during winter. Malmo gets 36 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 61 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Malmo usually receives less rain than Budapest. Malmo gets 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMalmo 0°C (32°F)Budapest -1°C (31°F)
Should I visit Malmo or Budapest in the Spring?
Both Budapest and Malmo during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Budapest in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Malmo is much colder than Budapest in the spring. The daily temperature in Malmo averages around 5°C (42°F) in April, and Budapest fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
In the spring, Malmo often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Budapest. Malmo gets 173 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 178 hours of full sun.
Malmo usually gets less rain in April than Budapest. Malmo gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMalmo 5°C (42°F)Budapest 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Budapest and Malmo
| Malmo | Budapest | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 0°C (32°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | -1°C (31°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | -0°C (32°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 2°C (35°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (42°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| May | 11°C (51°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (62°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (57°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Oct | 10°C (50°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (42°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | 2°C (36°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.