A Travel Price Comparison for Hungary Siofok vs. Budapest for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Siofok or Budapest?

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

Should I visit Siofok 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: Siofok or Budapest?

Siofok

Siofok is a charming lakefront town located on the southern coast of Lake Balaton in Hungary. It is one of the most popular holiday resorts in the nation, drawing at least two hundred thousand visitors each summer for its peaceful beaches and thriving nightlife. While lakefront beaches and the accompanying resorts are the main attractions, Siofok also has a host of other opportunities for sight-seeing, dining, shopping, and entertainment.

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 10-Day Tours in Hungary, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Hungary, The Best River Cruises in Hungary, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Hungary.


Which place is cheaper, Budapest or Siofok?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Siofok is $44, 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 Siofok and Budapest in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Siofok $20
    Budapest $49
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Siofok $40
    Budapest $98
Compare Hotels in Siofok and Budapest

Looking for a hotel in Siofok 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 Siofok


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: Siofok Hotel Prices and Budapest Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Siofok $9.64
    Budapest $10

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Budapest

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


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $6.91
  • Metro Pass
    $3.79

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Budapest

Also for Budapest, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Shared Airport Shuttle Bus Transfer: $13
  • Budapest Airport Private Departure Transfer : City to Airport: $16
  • Premier Outlet Shopping Transfer from City Center: $16
  • Budapest Private Arrival Transfer: Railway station to hotels: $16
  • Private One-Way Budapest Int Airport Transfer To/From Budapest: $24
  • Ferenc Liszt Intl Airport to Budapest - Arrival Private Transfer : $25
  • Budapest Airport Transfers: $26
  • Budapest Private transfer Airport or Hotel to or from Cruise Port: $26
  • Private Airport Transfer Budapest: $27
  • Budapest City - Budapest Airport Transfer: $31
  • Private Transfer Budapest Airport BUD to Budapest by car or van: $34
  • Transfer from Liszt Ferenc Airport to Hotel: $37

Is it cheaper to fly into Siofok or Budapest?

Prices for flights to both Budapest and Siofok 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
    Siofok $16
    Budapest $23

Typical Food Prices in Budapest

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


  • 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
  • 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: $85
  • 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
  • Hungarian Cooking Class - Foodapest: $94

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Siofok $7.80
    Budapest $22

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
    $6.77

Tours and Activities in Budapest

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Budapest.

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.20
  • Free Tour Budapest Essential in Spanish: $3.26
  • Free Walking Tour Budapest incl. the Shoes on the Danube Bank: $3.27
  • Past and Present of Budapest Jewish District Tour: $3.27
  • Free walking tour in the Buda Castle incl. Fisherman's Bastion: $3.27
  • Communist History Evening Walking Tour of Budapest: $3.27
  • Budapest Historical Sightseeing - Walking Tour: $3.27
  • Self Guided City Audio Tour in Buda Castle: $5.45
  • Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $5.86
  • Escape Game and Tour: $5.86
  • Historical Heroes & Hot Spa Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • TOP 10 Budapest- City Tour : $6.00

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Siofok $4.26
    Budapest $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
  • 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


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Siofok and Budapest, we can see that Budapest is more expensive. And not only is Siofok much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Siofok would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Siofok 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 Siofok.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Siofok Expensive? and Is Budapest Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Siofok or Budapest?

Budapest has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Siofok. When comparing the sizes of Siofok 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 Siofok 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 Siofok or Budapest in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Siofok as well as Budapest. Additionally, many travelers come to Budapest for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Budapest. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Siofok this time of the year. In the summer, Siofok often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Budapest. Siofok gets 278 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 278 hours of full sun.

Siofok usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Budapest. Siofok gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Siofok 21°C (70°F) 
    Budapest 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Siofok or Budapest in the Autumn?

Both Budapest and Siofok are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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.

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

Siofok usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Budapest during autumn. Siofok gets 152 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 152 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Siofok usually receives around the same amount of rain as Budapest. Siofok gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Siofok 12°C (53°F) 
    Budapest 12°C (53°F)

Should I visit Siofok or Budapest in the Winter?

Both Budapest and Siofok during the winter are popular places to visit. 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. Siofok can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Siofok is around the same temperature as Budapest. Typically, the winter temperatures in Siofok in January average around -1°C (31°F), and Budapest averages at about -1°C (31°F).

In the winter, Siofok often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Budapest. Siofok gets 61 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 61 hours of full sun.

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


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Siofok -1°C (31°F) 
    Budapest -1°C (31°F)

Should I visit Siofok or Budapest in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Siofok and Budapest. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Budapest because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

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

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

In April, Siofok usually receives around the same amount of rain as Budapest. Siofok gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Siofok 12°C (53°F) 
    Budapest 12°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Budapest and Siofok

Siofok Budapest
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -1°C (31°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) -1°C (31°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 2°C (35°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 2°C (35°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Mar 7°C (44°F) 35 mm (1.4 in) 7°C (44°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Apr 12°C (53°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 12°C (53°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
May 16°C (62°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 16°C (62°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 20°C (67°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 20°C (67°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Jul 21°C (70°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 21°C (70°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Aug 21°C (69°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 21°C (69°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Sep 17°C (63°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 17°C (63°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Oct 12°C (53°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 12°C (53°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Nov 6°C (42°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 6°C (42°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Dec 1°C (34°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 1°C (34°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)