Which place is cheaper, Budapest or Mamaia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Mamaia or Budapest?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Mamaia 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: Mamaia or Budapest?
Mamaia
The most popular beach resort in Romania, Mamaia sits on an 8-kilometer wisp of land between Lake Siutghiol and the Black Sea. With plenty of hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, and an aqua park, the resort area is a party-goer's destination with endless opportunities for fun in the sun and nighttime merriment.
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 Tours for Seniors to Romania, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bucharest, 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 dayMamaia $64Budapest $89
The average daily cost (per person) in Mamaia is $64, 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 Mamaia and Budapest in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMamaia $25Budapest $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMamaia $50Budapest $98
Compare Hotels in Mamaia and Budapest
Looking for a hotel in Mamaia 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: Budapest Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mamaia $27Budapest $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mamaia
Also for Mamaia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Mihail Kogalniceanu Constanta to Bucharest Driver - Private Guided Transfer : $271
- Constanta to Bucharest Otopeni airport - private transfers: $249
- Cernavoda to Bucharest - Private Guided Transfer - Car and Driver: $217
- Private Transfer from Constanta to Bucarest (OTP) Airport: $174
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:
- Transfer from Vienna to Budapest: $702
- T72 Tank Driving with Hummer Transfer: $1,571
- Private transfer from Budapest to Zagreb: $926
- Private transfer from Budapest to Vienna: $585
- Private transfer from Budapest to Prague: $1,054
- Private transfer between Budapest and Vienna: $468
- 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 with 2h of Sightseeing, Local Driver: $234
- Private Transfer from Budapest to Vienna with 2h of Sightseeing: $217
- Private Transfer from Budapest to Vienna with 2h of Sightseeing: $234
Is it cheaper to fly into Mamaia or Budapest?
Prices for flights to both Budapest and Mamaia 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 dayMamaia $22Budapest $23
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:
- 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
- Vegan Hungarian Food Tour / Local delights: $57
- Danube Cruise with Hungarian Dinner and Live Music: $73
- Budapest Danube Cruise with Buffet Dinner, Performances and Music: $75
- Evening Cruise and Dinner with Champagne: $85
- Lángos (Hungary’s nr1 streetfood) cooking class: $87
- Candlelit Dinner River Cruise with Live Music: $90
- Budapest Danube River Candlelit Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $93
- Hungarian Cooking Class - Foodapest: $95
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mamaia $13Budapest $22
Tours and Activities in Mamaia
For Mamaia, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Day Tour: Visit Histria Winery and Ancient Citadel: $86
- One Day Tour to Constanta (The Ancient City of Tomis): $175
- Self-Guided Labyrinth in the Rocks Tour near Silistra: $21
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: $163
- E-ticket to Vajdahunyad Castle with Audio Tour on Your Phone : $19
- Private Budapest city tour with a daytime Danube river cruise: $239
- 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 Budapest Castle Walking Tour: $126
- 2-Hour Private Market Tour in Budapest With Free Tastings: $59
- 2-Hour Private Night Tour of Budapest: $264
- 22 Dog-statues in Budapest - an unusual tour: $25
- 3 Cocktail Cruise Budapest : $38
- 3 Hours Budapest Segway Grand City Tour Buda, Margaret and Pest: $93
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMamaia $12Budapest $18
Sample the Local Flavors in Mamaia
Also in Mamaia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Unveilling the Essence: Gabai Winery's Captivating Wine Tours: $43
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: $21
- Ultimate Budapest Pub Crawl: $23
- Bingo Bar Crawl: $25
- Budapest Original Ruin Pub Crawl Including 5 Shots: $27
- Ruin Bar Pub Crawl with Entry Tickets: $29
- Detective Pub Crawl Game by App: $38
- Drunken History Bar Crawl Tour with Local Drinks: $42
- Tipsy Tour Fun Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $42
- Hungarian Wine Tasting (with Cheese and Charcuterie) in Budapest: $50
- Budapest - Opera Gin Distillery Tour: $51
- Pub Crawl Through The Ruin Bars in Budapest with T-shirt Included: $53
- All You Can Drink Pub Crawl Through The Ruin Bars in Budapest: $59
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mamaia and Budapest, we can see that Budapest is more expensive. And not only is Mamaia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mamaia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mamaia 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 Budapest would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Budapest than you might in Mamaia.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mamaia Expensive? and Is Budapest Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Mamaia 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 Mamaia or Budapest in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Mamaia and Budapest. Furthermore, many travelers come to Budapest for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Mamaia is around the same temperature as Budapest in the summer. The daily temperature in Mamaia averages around 22°C (72°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 Mamaia, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mamaia usually receives more sunshine than Budapest during summer. Mamaia gets 320 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 278 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Mamaia usually receives less rain than Budapest. Mamaia gets 30 mm (1.2 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 JulyMamaia 22°C (72°F)Budapest 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Mamaia or Budapest in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Mamaia as well as Budapest. Additionally, 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 the autumn, Mamaia is a little warmer than Budapest. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mamaia in October average around 14°C (56°F), and Budapest averages at about 12°C (53°F).
In the autumn, Mamaia often gets more sunshine than Budapest. Mamaia gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 152 hours of full sun.
Mamaia usually gets less rain in October than Budapest. Mamaia gets 31 mm (1.2 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 OctoberMamaia 14°C (56°F)Budapest 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Mamaia or Budapest in the Winter?
Both Budapest and Mamaia are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. 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. Mamaia can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Mamaia is generally much warmer than Budapest. Daily temperatures in Mamaia average around 1°C (33°F), and Budapest fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).
Mamaia usually receives more sunshine than Budapest during winter. Mamaia gets 83 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 61 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Mamaia usually receives less rain than Budapest. Mamaia gets 30 mm (1.2 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 JanuaryMamaia 1°C (33°F)Budapest -1°C (31°F)
Should I visit Mamaia or Budapest in the Spring?
Both Budapest and Mamaia during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Budapest because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Mamaia is cooler than Budapest in the spring. The daily temperature in Mamaia averages around 10°C (51°F) in April, and Budapest fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
In the spring, Mamaia often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Budapest. Mamaia gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 178 hours of full sun.
Mamaia usually gets less rain in April than Budapest. Mamaia gets 30 mm (1.2 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 AprilMamaia 10°C (51°F)Budapest 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Budapest and Mamaia
| Mamaia | Budapest | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 1°C (33°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | -1°C (31°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 2°C (36°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 5°C (41°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (51°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| May | 16°C (60°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 20°C (68°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Sep | 19°C (65°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (56°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Nov | 8°C (47°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (38°F) | 38 mm (1.5 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.