Which place is cheaper, Budapest or Tihany?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tihany or Budapest?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Tihany 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: Tihany or Budapest?
Tihany
Located on the northern coast of Lake Balaton in Hungary, Tihany is a historic village with quaint streets and bustling squares - all centered on the twin-towered Tihany Benedictine Abbey which dates back to the 11th century.
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 Food and Culinary Tours in Hungary, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Hungary, The Best Luxury Tours to Hungary, and The Best Budget Tours to Hungary.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTihany $44Budapest $89
The average daily cost (per person) in Tihany 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 Tihany and Budapest in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTihany $19Budapest $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTihany $38Budapest $98
Compare Hotels in Tihany and Budapest
Looking for a hotel in Tihany 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.
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: Tihany Hotel Prices and Budapest Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tihany $11Budapest $10
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Budapest
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Budapest:
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Short Taxi Ride$6.91
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Metro Pass$3.79
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Budapest
Also for Budapest, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- T72 Tank Driving with Hummer Transfer: $1,568
- Budapest - Hungary to Bucharest - Romania /Private Transfer: $1,285
- Bucharest - Romania to Budapest - Hungary /Private Transfer: $1,178
- Private transfer from Budapest to Prague: $1,055
- Private transfer from Budapest to Zagreb: $927
- Transfer from Vienna to Budapest: $703
- Budapest-Vienna Private Transfer by Luxury Vehicle: $639
- From Bucharest: One-way Private Fast Transfer to Budapest: $639
- Private transfer from Budapest to Vienna: $586
- Private transfer between Budapest and Vienna: $469
- Budapest-Vienna One-Way Sightseeing Transfer: $294
- Budapest-Bratislava One-Way Sightseeing Transfer: $294
Is it cheaper to fly into Tihany or Budapest?
Prices for flights to both Budapest and Tihany 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
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Food Meals for one dayTihany $18Budapest $23
Typical Food Prices in Budapest
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Budapest:
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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:
- 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
- Vegan Hungarian Food Tour / Local delights: $57
- 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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tihany $4.82Budapest $22
Tours and Activities in Tihany
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tihany.
- The best of Keszthely walking tour: $98
- Erotic Renaissance Wax Museum Entrance Ticket: $5.43
- Lake Balaton: Paddle Board Tour of Tihany National Park: $43
- Lake Balaton: Sunset SUP Tour Tihany: $43
- Romantic tour around Keszthely for couples: $98
- Special Magical Christmas Walking Tour in Keszthely: $217
Typical Entertainment Prices in Budapest
For Budapest, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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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.
- Danube Bend Private All Day Tour with Lunch, with entrance fees and cruise: $163
- E-ticket to Vajdahunyad Castle with Audio Tour on Your Phone : $19
- Private Budapest city tour with a daytime Danube river cruise: $239
- 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 Budapest Castle Walking Tour: $126
- 2-Hour Private Market Tour in Budapest With Free Tastings: $59
- 2-Hour Private Night Tour of Budapest: $264
- 22 Dog-statues in Budapest - an unusual tour: $25
- 3 Cocktail Cruise Budapest : $38
- 3 Hours Budapest Segway Grand City Tour Buda, Margaret and Pest: $93
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTihany $6.58Budapest $18
Sample the Local Flavors in Tihany
Also in Tihany, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- From Budapest: Wine Tasting At Balaton Full Day Private Tour: $1,209
Sample the Local Flavors in Budapest
Also in Budapest, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- 5-Hour Pub Crawl through Ruin Bars: $21
- Ultimate Budapest Pub Crawl: $23
- Bingo Bar Crawl: $25
- Budapest Original Ruin Pub Crawl Including 5 Shots: $27
- 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
- Pub Crawl Through The Ruin Bars in Budapest with T-shirt Included: $53
- All You Can Drink Pub Crawl Through The Ruin Bars in Budapest: $59
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tihany and Budapest, we can see that Budapest is more expensive. And not only is Tihany much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tihany would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tihany 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 Tihany.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tihany Expensive? and Is Budapest Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tihany or Budapest?
Budapest has a larger population, and is about 1180 times larger than the population of Tihany. When comparing the sizes of Tihany 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 Tihany 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 Tihany or Budapest in the Summer?
Both Budapest and Tihany are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Budapest for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Tihany is around the same temperature as Budapest in the summer. The daily temperature in Tihany averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Budapest fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
It's quite sunny in Budapest. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tihany. Tihany usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Budapest during summer. Tihany gets 278 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 278 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Tihany usually receives more rain than Budapest. Tihany gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyTihany 21°C (70°F)Budapest 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Tihany or Budapest in the Autumn?
Both Budapest and Tihany during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, 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, Tihany is around the same temperature as Budapest. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tihany in October average around 12°C (53°F), and Budapest averages at about 12°C (53°F).
In the autumn, Tihany often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Budapest. Tihany gets 152 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 152 hours of full sun.
Tihany usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Budapest. Tihany gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberTihany 12°C (53°F)Budapest 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Tihany or Budapest in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Tihany and Budapest. Furthermore, most visitors come to Budapest for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Budapest can be very cold during winter. Tihany can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Tihany is generally around the same temperature as Budapest. Daily temperatures in Tihany average around -1°C (31°F), and Budapest fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).
Tihany usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Budapest during winter. Tihany gets 61 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 61 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Tihany usually receives less rain than Budapest. Tihany gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryTihany -1°C (31°F)Budapest -1°C (31°F)
Should I visit Tihany or Budapest in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Tihany as well as Budapest. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Budapest because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Tihany is around the same temperature as Budapest in the spring. The daily temperature in Tihany averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Budapest fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
In the spring, Tihany often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Budapest. Tihany gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 178 hours of full sun.
Tihany usually gets less rain in April than Budapest. Tihany gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilTihany 12°C (53°F)Budapest 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Budapest and Tihany
| Tihany | Budapest | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -1°C (31°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | -1°C (31°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 2°C (35°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 7°C (44°F) | 27 mm (1 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| May | 16°C (62°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 20°C (67°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (69°F) | 58 mm (2.3 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) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (42°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | 1°C (34°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.