A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers The Hague vs. Budapest for Backpackers, Food, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit The Hague or Budapest?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between The Hague and Budapest can help you decide which place is right for you.

The Hague

The Hague is a diverse, global, and international 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, nightlife, and live music.

Budapest

Budapest is a cultural, artistic, and historic city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, shopping, and museums.

The Hague and Budapest: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in The Hague or Budapest?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Budapest than The Hague. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Budapest is very popular for its museums, historical sights, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while The Hague attracts visitors for its food and music. Budapest is more touristy than The Hague and is known for its thermal hot springs, European spas, rich culture, and wild nightlife scene. It is also well known for The Hungarian Parliament Building. The Hague is famous for its large international population and its roll in international politics and diplomacy.

How is The Hague different from Budapest?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in The Hague or Budapest?

Budapest is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, The Hague does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

The Hague does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

The Hague has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The city has a diverse population and the large number of ethnic restaurants reflects that.

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 The Hague or Budapest Better for Nightlife?

Both The Hague and Budapest have very good vibes after the sun sets.

The Hague has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. Many of the city's restaurants turn into clubs at night. Head to The Grote Markt for some of the most energetic nightlife.

The people in Budapest know how to have a good time. The city's active nightlife includes dance clubs, local pubs, and cultural festivals throughout the year.

Is The Hague or Budapest Better for Music?

The Hague is great for its live music scene. However, Budapest is not a live music destination.

The music scene in The Hague draws a good crowd. There's an active music scene here and the city actually played an active role in the development and popularity of electronic music.

Budapest is not a live music destination.

Is The Hague or Budapest Better for its Old Town?

Budapest is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town. However, The Hague does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of 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.

The Hague does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in The Hague or Budapest?

Shoppers can find a variety of very good stores in both The Hague and Budapest.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting The Hague. There's a dynamic shopping scene with indoor malls, outdoor markets, and a number of neighborhoods that have shops that sell eclectic items.

Budapest is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has a diverse shopping scene that you can experience by visiting the Central Market or Váci Street.

Is The Hague or Budapest Better for Families?

You'll find nice kid-friendly activities in either The Hague or Budapest.

The Hague is a family-friendly city. This city has a bit more of a family-friendly vibe than nearby Amsterdam. Kids enjoy exploring by bike or heading to the Scheveningen Beach Resort.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Budapest. 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 The Hague or Budapest Better for Couples?

Budapest is an excellent place to visit for romance. Also, The Hague is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

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.

The Hague makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples can enjoy the diverse restaurants and the busting atmosphere that the city offers.

Is The Hague or Budapest Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Budapest is an amazing city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, The Hague is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

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.

It's common for backpackers to visit The Hague. While most backpackers head to the more popular city of Amsterdam, The Hague has a fun atmosphere with a diversity of activities and restaurants.

Is The Hague or Budapest Better for Students?

Both The Hague and Budapest are fantastic destinations for students.

Students come from all over the world to visit The Hague. This is a very popular study abroad destination so you'll find plenty of international students living here. It's an internationally oriented city so everyone feels right at home.

Budapest is a great destination for students. The city has a great international vibe with several good universities that are welcoming to international students that are studying abroad.

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

Budapest is an amazing city to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, The Hague is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Public transit in Budapest is top-notch. The metro, trams, and buses make it easy to get around town.

The Hague has some very good public transit options. There are bus and tram lines throughout the city.

Is The Hague or Budapest a more walkable city?

Budapest is an amazing city to visit for its walkability. Also, The Hague is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

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.

The Hague is a somewhat walkable place. There are a number of walk tours through the city center.

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

Should I spend more time in Budapest or The Hague?

How long in The Hague or Budapest?

In either The Hague or Budapest, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Budapest than The Hague because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for The Hague, and 2-5 days is enough time in Budapest.

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

Couples should spend more time in Budapest than The Hague. 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 The Hague 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 The Hague or Budapest?

The Hague is a big city with plenty to do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. 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 The Hague or Budapest?

The Hague 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 The Hague, 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 The Hague or Budapest?

The Hague is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. 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 The Hague or Budapest?

The Hague 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.

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 Luxury Tours to Netherlands, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Netherlands, 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 The Hague and Budapest, we can see that The Hague 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 The Hague would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in The Hague 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 The Hague Expensive? and Is Budapest Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, The Hague or Budapest?

Budapest has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of The Hague. When comparing the sizes of The Hague 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 The Hague 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 The Hague or Budapest in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both The Hague and Budapest. The summer months attract visitors to The Hague because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Budapest this time of year.

In the summer, The Hague is cooler than Budapest. Typically, the summer temperatures in The Hague 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 The Hague, it's very sunny this time of the year. The Hague usually receives less sunshine than Budapest during summer. The Hague gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 278 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, The Hague usually receives more rain than Budapest. The Hague gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit The Hague or Budapest in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to The Hague as well as Budapest. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to The Hague this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Budapest for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, The Hague is generally around the same temperature as Budapest. Daily temperatures in The Hague average around 11°C (51°F), and Budapest fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In the autumn, The Hague often gets less sunshine than Budapest. The Hague gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 152 hours of full sun.

The Hague usually gets more rain in October than Budapest. The Hague gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit The Hague or Budapest in the Winter?

Both Budapest and The Hague are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to The Hague for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Budapest in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Budapest can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in The Hague. The Hague is much warmer than Budapest in the winter. The daily temperature in The Hague averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Budapest fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).

The Hague usually receives less sunshine than Budapest during winter. The Hague gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 61 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, The Hague usually receives more rain than Budapest. The Hague gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit The Hague or Budapest in the Spring?

Both Budapest and The Hague during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to The Hague in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Budapest for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, The Hague is much colder than Budapest. Typically, the spring temperatures in The Hague in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Budapest averages at about 12°C (53°F).

In the spring, The Hague often gets less sunshine than Budapest. The Hague gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 178 hours of full sun.

The Hague usually gets more rain in April than Budapest. The Hague gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Budapest and The Hague