A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Porvoo vs. Budapest for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Porvoo or Budapest?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Porvoo and Budapest. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Porvoo or Budapest?

Porvoo

Porvoo is a city and a municipality situated on the southern coast of Finland approximately 50 kilometers east of Helsinki. Porvoo is one of the six medieval towns in Finland, first mentioned as a city in texts from 14th century. Even though Porvoo is not exactly a coastal town, it is connected to the Gulf of Finland via the Porvoo River. The river flows through the city, passing Porvoo's most well-known landmarks: the red shore houses. Historically, Porvoo has been an important center of trade. Founded nearly 800 years ago, Porvoo is the second oldest city in Finland and evidence of its long history can still be seen and felt as you walk its charming streets. For centuries, the city has served as both a home and a source of inspiration for many Finnish artists.

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 Family-Friendly Tours to Finland, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Finland, The Best 10-Day Tours from Budapest, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Budapest.


Which place is cheaper, Budapest or Porvoo?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Porvoo is €132, while the average daily cost in Budapest is €84. 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 Porvoo and Budapest in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Porvoo 69
    Budapest 46
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Porvoo 138
    Budapest 92
Compare Hotels in Porvoo and Budapest

Looking for a hotel in Porvoo 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.

Hotels in Porvoo


Hotels in Budapest


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: Porvoo Hotel Prices and Budapest Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Porvoo 56
    Budapest 9.80

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Budapest

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Budapest:


  • Short Taxi Ride
    6.47
  • Metro Pass
    3.55

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 Porvoo or Budapest?

Prices for flights to both Budapest and Porvoo 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Porvoo 30
    Budapest 22
Typical Food Prices in Porvoo

For Porvoo, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Lunch for 2
    42

Typical Food Prices in Budapest

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Budapest:


  • Lunch
    3.16

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Porvoo 21
    Budapest 20

Tours and Activities in Porvoo

For Porvoo, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Private Tour: Porvoo Exclusive Journey: $604

Typical Entertainment Prices in Budapest

For Budapest, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Entrance to the Baths for Two
    6.35

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Porvoo 9.93
    Budapest 17

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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Porvoo and Budapest, we can see that Porvoo 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 Porvoo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Porvoo 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 Porvoo Expensive? and Is Budapest Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Porvoo or Budapest?

Budapest has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Porvoo. When comparing the sizes of Porvoo 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 Porvoo 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 Porvoo or Budapest in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Porvoo and Budapest. Also, many visitors come to Budapest in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Porvoo is cooler than Budapest. Typically, the summer temperatures in Porvoo in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Budapest averages at about 21°C (70°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Budapest this time of the year. In Porvoo, it's very sunny this time of the year. Porvoo usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Budapest during summer. Porvoo gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 278 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Porvoo usually receives more rain than Budapest. Porvoo gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Porvoo 17°C (62°F) 
    Budapest 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Porvoo or Budapest in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Porvoo as well as Budapest. Also, most visitors come to Budapest for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Porvoo is generally much colder than Budapest. Daily temperatures in Porvoo average around 6°C (42°F), and Budapest fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In the autumn, Porvoo often gets less sunshine than Budapest. Porvoo gets 90 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 152 hours of full sun.

Porvoo usually gets more rain in October than Budapest. Porvoo gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Porvoo 6°C (42°F) 
    Budapest 12°C (53°F)

Should I visit Porvoo or Budapest in the Winter?

Both Budapest and Porvoo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Budapest because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Budapest can be very cold. Porvoo can be very cold during winter. Porvoo is much colder than Budapest in the winter. The daily temperature in Porvoo averages around -6°C (21°F) in January, and Budapest fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).

Porvoo usually receives less sunshine than Budapest during winter. Porvoo gets 39 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 61 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Porvoo usually receives around the same amount of rain as Budapest. Porvoo gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Porvoo -6°C (21°F) 
    Budapest -1°C (31°F)

Should I visit Porvoo or Budapest in the Spring?

Both Budapest and Porvoo during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Budapest this time of year.

The weather in Porvoo can be very cold. In the spring, Porvoo is much colder than Budapest. Typically, the spring temperatures in Porvoo in April average around 3°C (37°F), and Budapest averages at about 12°C (53°F).

In the spring, Porvoo often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Budapest. Porvoo gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 178 hours of full sun.

Porvoo usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Budapest. Porvoo gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Porvoo 3°C (37°F) 
    Budapest 12°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Budapest and Porvoo

Porvoo Budapest
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -6°C (21°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) -1°C (31°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Feb -7°C (20°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 2°C (35°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Mar -3°C (27°F) 34 mm (1.4 in) 7°C (44°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Apr 3°C (37°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 12°C (53°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
May 9°C (49°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 16°C (62°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 20°C (67°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Jul 17°C (62°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 21°C (70°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Aug 16°C (60°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 21°C (69°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Sep 11°C (51°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) 17°C (63°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Oct 6°C (42°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 12°C (53°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Nov 1°C (33°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 6°C (42°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Dec -4°C (26°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 1°C (34°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)