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

Should you visit Melbourne or Budapest?

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

Should I visit Melbourne 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.

Melbourne

Melbourne is a progressive, livable, and friendly city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Budapest

Budapest is a bustling, cultural, and artistic 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. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Melbourne and Budapest: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Melbourne or Budapest?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Budapest than Melbourne. While Melbourne is larger than Budapest, Budapest has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Budapest is better known for its historical sights, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Melbourne is more popular for its food and beaches. Budapest is more touristy than Melbourne and is known for its thermal hot springs, European spas, rich culture, and wild nightlife scene. Also, Budapest is famous for The Hungarian Parliament Building. Melbourne is well known for its art and cultural scene, its sports history, and its friendly and welcoming population.

How is Melbourne different from Budapest?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Melbourne and Budapest.

Melbourne offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Many of the city's sights center around the art and cultural scene. There's the the National Gallery of Victoria and the Performing Arts Centre Melbourne. There's also Federation Square. Sports enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the National Sports Museum and for great views, check out Melbourne Skydeck at Eureka Tower.

Many visitors head to Budapest specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Famous sights include the Buda Castle and Castle Hill, the Hungarian Parliament Building, and St. Stephen's Basilica.

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

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

Melbourne has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There's an eclectic mix of international restaurants that offer everything from Szechuan dishes to Spanish tapas. You'll find bistros and bars that have a fun and relaxed vibe and locals and tourists alike enjoy dining out.

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 Melbourne or Budapest Better for Nightlife?

The great nightlife scene is relatively similar in Melbourne and Budapest.

Melbourne has a large number of nightlife venues. There are bars and clubs that have a laid back and relaxed atmosphere as well as more party focused nightclubs that stay open late into the night. Whether you're interested in dancing and listening to live music, or chatting with friends at a local brewery, there really is something for everyone.

Budapest is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The city's active nightlife includes dance clubs, local pubs, and cultural festivals throughout the year.

Is Melbourne or Budapest Better for Beaches?

Melbourne is great for the beache. However, Budapest is not a beach destination.

Melbourne is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. There are laid back beaches near town that attract locals and tourists alike. You can enjoy coastal trails and great natural beauty. St Kilda Beach and Elwood Beach are among the most popular beaches near the city. Brighton Beach is known for its colorful bathing boxes and Williamstown Beach is very family-friendly.

Budapest is not a beach destination.

Is Melbourne or Budapest Better for its Old Town?

Budapest is a very popular place for its old town. However, Melbourne does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Budapest. 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.

Melbourne does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Melbourne or Budapest?

Shoppers can find a variety of great stores in both Melbourne and Budapest.

Melbourne is well-known for its shopping. The city has tons of retail options that range from trendy fashion boutiques to outdoor markets. There are local venders that highlight the city's art and cultural scene, but there are also suburban malls with all of the major brands.

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 Melbourne or Budapest Better for Families?

Melbourne is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Budapest is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Melbourne is very family-friendly. The city has kids museums like the Museum of Play and Art or the Polly Woodside Tall Ship and Museum. There's also the Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium and the Scienceworks Museums. If you like quirky, check out the ArtVo 3D Immersive Art Gallery. There's also Legoland, which has a lot for younger children.

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.

Is Melbourne or Budapest Better for Couples?

Budapest is a very popular place for its romantic activities. Also, Melbourne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

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.

Melbourne is a good city for couples to visit. It's a very livable city with romantic viewpoints like SkyHigh Mount Dandenong. There are also nice gardens to explore such as the Carlton Gardens and the Rippon Lea House and Gardens. Or you could go for a ride on the Melbourne Star or dine at one of the many great restaurants.

Is Melbourne or Budapest Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Budapest is very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Melbourne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Budapest is extremely popular for backpackers. 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.

Melbourne is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Many backpackers breeze through the city, but there is a great music and art scene as well as a number of good restaurants. You'll also find a couple of good hostels in town.

Is Melbourne or Budapest Better for Students?

Both Melbourne and Budapest are world-class destinations for students.

Many students frequent Melbourne. Many students think this is among the best student cities in Australia. There's a great creative culture with a good music and art scene. The population is diverse and the restaurants a great.

Students come from all over the world to visit Budapest. The city has a great international vibe with several good universities that are welcoming to international students that are studying abroad.

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

Budapest is very popular for times when you don't have a car. Also, Melbourne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

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.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Melbourne. The public transit system is among the best in Australia. There are public buses, trains, and trams (also called trolleys or streetcars).

Is Melbourne or Budapest a more walkable city?

Budapest is very popular for its high level of walkability. Also, Melbourne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

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.

Melbourne is a very walkable destination. The city center is very walkable with a compact and grid-like layout.

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

Should I spend more time in Budapest or Melbourne?

How long in Melbourne or Budapest?

In either Melbourne or Budapest, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Budapest has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Budapest than Melbourne. However, 2-5 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Melbourne than Budapest. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Melbourne, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Budapest than Melbourne. 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 Melbourne 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 Melbourne or Budapest?

Melbourne is a big city with plenty to do. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Budapest. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Melbourne or Budapest?

Melbourne 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. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Melbourne, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the authentic big city of Budapest. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Melbourne or Budapest?

Melbourne is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Melbourne, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find nightlife and shopping around the cultural city of Budapest. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Melbourne or Budapest?

Melbourne is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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.

Budapest is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Water Sports Tour Packages in Australia, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia, 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 Melbourne and Budapest, we can see that Melbourne is more expensive. And not only is Budapest much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Melbourne is in Pacific and Budapest is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Melbourne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Melbourne 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 Melbourne Expensive? and Is Budapest Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Melbourne or Budapest?

Melbourne has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Budapest. When comparing the sizes of Melbourne 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 Melbourne or Budapest?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Melbourne is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Budapest has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Melbourne or Budapest in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Melbourne and Budapest. The beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Melbourne this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Budapest for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Melbourne is around the same temperature as Budapest in the summer. The daily temperature in Melbourne averages around 20°C (68°F) in January, and Budapest fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Budapest this time of the year. In Melbourne, it's very sunny this time of the year. Melbourne usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Budapest during summer. Melbourne gets 271 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 278 hours of full sun in the summer.

In January, Melbourne usually receives around the same amount of rain as Budapestin July. Melbourne gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Melbourne or Budapest in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Melbourne as well as Budapest. Many travelers come to Melbourne for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. 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 the autumn, Melbourne is a little warmer than Budapest. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Melbourne in April average around 15°C (60°F), and Budapest averages at about 12°C (53°F)in October.

In the autumn, Melbourne often gets more sunshine than Budapestin October. Melbourne gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 152 hours of full sun.

Melbourne usually gets more rain in April than Budapestin October. Melbourne gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Melbourne or Budapest in the Winter?

Both Budapest and Melbourne are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Melbourne in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. 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. In July, Melbourne is generally much warmer than Budapestin January. Daily temperatures in Melbourne average around 9°C (49°F), and Budapest fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).

Melbourne usually receives more sunshine than Budapest during winter. Melbourne gets 139 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 61 hours of full sun in the winter.

In July, Melbourne usually receives around the same amount of rain as Budapestin January. Melbourne gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Melbourne or Budapest in the Spring?

Both Budapest and Melbourne during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Melbourne for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Budapest because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Melbourne is a little warmer than Budapest in the spring. The daily temperature in Melbourne averages around 14°C (57°F) in October, and Budapest fluctuates around 12°C (53°F)in April.

It's quite sunny in Melbourne. In the spring, Melbourne often gets more sunshine than Budapestin April. Melbourne gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 178 hours of full sun.

Melbourne usually gets more rain in October than Budapestin April. Melbourne gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Budapest and Melbourne