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

Should you visit Munich or Budapest?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Munich 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.

Munich

Munich is a high energy, multicultural, and economically thriving city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Budapest

Budapest is a artistic, historic, and authentic city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and shopping.

Munich and Budapest: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Munich or Budapest?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Munich than Budapest. While Budapest is larger than Munich, Munich has more sights and attractions for tourists. Munich is more popular for its food, nightlife, music, and shopping, while Budapest is known for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Munich is popular for its beer halls (particularly during Oktoberfest), its historic buildings and its castles. It is also home to The Nymphenburg Palace. Budapest is popular for its thermal hot springs, European spas, rich culture, and wild nightlife scene.

How is Munich different from Budapest?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Munich or Budapest.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Munich can be an interesting and educational experience. Famous sights include the Old Town Hall in Marienplatz, Nymphenburg Palace, and the Munich Residenz.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Budapest. Famous sights include the Buda Castle and Castle Hill, the Hungarian Parliament Building, and St. Stephen's Basilica.

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

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

Munich has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Bavaria has some of the best food in Germany. Popular dishes include schnitzel, weisswurst and spätzel.

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 Munich or Budapest Better for Nightlife?

Munich is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Budapest is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

Munich is a must-see party destination. The city has a young and vibrant population that keep the nightlife scene active and fun. There are many bars and clubs around town, but the city is also famous for Oktoberfest during the months of September and October.

Budapest has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The city's active nightlife includes dance clubs, local pubs, and cultural festivals throughout the year.

Is Munich or Budapest Better for Music?

Munich is terrific for its live music scene. However, Budapest is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Munich. The city is known for its music festivals, large concerts, and small venues that are diverse enough that there is something for everyone.

Budapest is not a live music destination.

Is Munich or Budapest Better for its Old Town?

Budapest is well known for its historic old town charm. However, Munich does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Budapest to see the historical old town. 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.

Munich does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Munich or Budapest?

Munich is terrific for its shopping opportunities. Also, Budapest is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Munich draws large crowds to its stores. There are many pedestrian areas and shopping centers where you can find everything from luxury items to bargain finds.

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 Munich or Budapest Better for Families?

Munich 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, Munich is very family-friendly. Popular kid activities include going to the top of Stadium Roof at Olympic Park, checking out the movie sets at Filmstadt, and taking a paddle boat ride in the city park.

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 Munich or Budapest Better for Couples?

Munich and Budapest are both excellent to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Munich frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples enjoy exploring the palaces around the city, visiting the Roman baths at Müller's Volksbad, and checking out the many great restaurants around town.

Budapest is a great city if you're traveling as 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 Munich or Budapest Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Munich and Budapest are terrific places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Munich is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. The city has many fun hostels that often host events and activities for guests. It's easy to meet other backpackers and take advantage of the nightlife around town.

Many backpackers frequent 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.

Is Munich or Budapest Better for Students?

Munich and Budapest are terrific places to visit for students.

Munich is a great destination for students. The city is an economic hub for both Germany and Europe, so it attracts employees from around the world. There are many wonderful university programs, including a great business school in town. The city's multicultural setting makes it great for international 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.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Munich and Budapest.

Munich has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. Transit options include a subway (U-Bahn), suburban trains (S-Bahn), trams, and buses.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Budapest can take you anywhere. The metro, trams, and buses make it easy to get around town.

Is Munich or Budapest a more walkable city?

Budapest is a must-visit destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Munich is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

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

Munich is very walkable. While walking tours are a great way to explore, the city is quite large so you'll want to take public transit as well.

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

Should I spend more time in Budapest or Munich?

How long in Munich or Budapest?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Munich than Budapest. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Munich that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Munich than Budapest 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 Munich.

One day in Munich or Budapest?

Munich is a big city with plenty to do. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the big city destination of Budapest. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Munich or Budapest?

Munich 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. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Munich, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Budapest is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Munich or Budapest?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Budapest. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Munich or Budapest?

Munich 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 city offers something for everyone.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the authentic big city of Budapest. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Germany, The Best Walking Tours in Germany, 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 Munich and Budapest, we can see that Munich 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 Munich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Munich 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 Munich Expensive? and Is Budapest Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Munich or Budapest?

Budapest has a larger population, and is about 35% larger than the population of Munich. When comparing the sizes of Munich 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 Munich 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 Munich or Budapest in the Summer?

Both Budapest and Munich during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Munich for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Budapest because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Munich is generally around the same temperature as Budapest. Daily temperatures in Munich average around 20°C (68°F), and Budapest fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

In Budapest, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Munich. In the summer, Munich often gets less sunshine than Budapest. Munich gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 278 hours of full sun.

Munich usually gets more rain in July than Budapest. Munich gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Munich or Budapest in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Munich and Budapest. The autumn months attract visitors to Munich because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. 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.

Munich is around the same temperature as Budapest in the autumn. The daily temperature in Munich averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Budapest fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Munich usually receives less sunshine than Budapest during autumn. Munich gets 115 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 152 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Munich usually receives more rain than Budapest. Munich gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Munich or Budapest in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Munich as well as Budapest. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Munich this time of year. 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 Munich in the winter. In the winter, Munich is a little warmer than Budapest. Typically, the winter temperatures in Munich in January average around -1°C (31°F), and Budapest averages at about -1°C (31°F).

In the winter, Munich often gets less sunshine than Budapest. Munich gets 30 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 61 hours of full sun.

Munich usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Budapest. Munich gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Munich or Budapest in the Spring?

Both Budapest and Munich are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Munich for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Budapest in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Munich is generally around the same temperature as Budapest. Daily temperatures in Munich average around 11°C (53°F), and Budapest fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Munich usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Budapest during spring. Munich gets 172 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Munich usually receives more rain than Budapest. Munich gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Budapest and Munich