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

Should you visit Timisoara / Temesvar or Budapest?

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

Should I visit Timisoara / Temesvar 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: Timisoara / Temesvar or Budapest?

Timisoara / Temesvar

A very cosmopolitan city, Timisoara has become the main social, economic, and cultural center in western Romania. It is sometimes called little Vienna due to its impressive architecture from the Austria Empire era and abundance of museums.

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 Adventure Tours to Romania, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Romania, The Best 10-Day Tours from Budapest, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Budapest.


Which place is cheaper, Budapest or Timisoara / Temesvar?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Timisoara / Temesvar is $60, 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 Timisoara / Temesvar and Budapest in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Timisoara / Temesvar $24
    Budapest $49
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Timisoara / Temesvar $48
    Budapest $98
Compare Hotels in Timisoara / Temesvar and Budapest

Looking for a hotel in Timisoara / Temesvar 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 Timisoara / Temesvar


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: Timisoara / Temesvar Hotel Prices and Budapest Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Timisoara / Temesvar $25
    Budapest $10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Timisoara / Temesvar

Also for Timisoara / Temesvar, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Timisoara Aurel Vlaicu Airport to Timisoara: $54
  • Timisoara Airport transfer to the city: $22

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:

  • 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 Timisoara / Temesvar or Budapest?

Prices for flights to both Budapest and Timisoara / Temesvar 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
    Timisoara / Temesvar $21
    Budapest $23

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Timisoara / Temesvar

For Timisoara / Temesvar, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Taste Romania - Timisoara's Food Tour : $130

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:

  • 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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Timisoara / Temesvar $8.87
    Budapest $22

Tours and Activities in Timisoara / Temesvar

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Timisoara / Temesvar.

  • Private ATV Adventures in Petrovaselo: $43
  • City Tour Timisoara: $38
  • Day Tour to Danube's Gorge: $148
  • Discover TimiÈ™oara like a Local on the Best Guided Intro Tour: $108
  • Ecumenical Tour of Timisoara: $11
  • The Classic Tour of Timisoara: $42
  • The Grand Tour of Communist Ages at Timisoara: $119
  • The Jewish Heritage Tour of Timisoara: $103
  • Timisoara All in One - Walking and Tram Tour: $141
  • Timisoara City Tour - A Day To Remember: $65
  • Timisoara Downtown Dream Tour: $22
  • Timisoara Grand Tour : $81

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.

  • 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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Timisoara / Temesvar $8.25
    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:

  • 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 Timisoara / Temesvar and Budapest, we can see that Budapest is more expensive. And not only is Timisoara / Temesvar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Timisoara / Temesvar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Timisoara / Temesvar 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 Timisoara / Temesvar.

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


Which is Bigger, Timisoara / Temesvar or Budapest?

Budapest has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Timisoara / Temesvar. When comparing the sizes of Timisoara / Temesvar 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 Timisoara / Temesvar 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 Timisoara / Temesvar or Budapest in the Summer?

Both Budapest and Timisoara / Temesvar 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.

In July, Timisoara / Temesvar is generally around the same temperature as Budapest. Daily temperatures in Timisoara / Temesvar average around 22°C (71°F), 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 Timisoara / Temesvar. Timisoara / Temesvar usually receives more sunshine than Budapest during summer. Timisoara / Temesvar gets 301 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 278 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Timisoara / Temesvar usually receives more rain than Budapest. Timisoara / Temesvar gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Timisoara / Temesvar 22°C (71°F) 
    Budapest 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Timisoara / Temesvar or Budapest in the Autumn?

Both Budapest and Timisoara / Temesvar 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.

Timisoara / Temesvar is around the same temperature as Budapest in the autumn. The daily temperature in Timisoara / Temesvar averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and Budapest fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In the autumn, Timisoara / Temesvar often gets more sunshine than Budapest. Timisoara / Temesvar gets 177 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 152 hours of full sun.

Timisoara / Temesvar usually gets more rain in October than Budapest. Timisoara / Temesvar gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Timisoara / Temesvar 13°C (55°F) 
    Budapest 12°C (53°F)

Should I visit Timisoara / Temesvar or Budapest in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Timisoara / Temesvar 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. Timisoara / Temesvar can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Timisoara / Temesvar is a little warmer than Budapest. Typically, the winter temperatures in Timisoara / Temesvar in January average around -1°C (31°F), and Budapest averages at about -1°C (31°F).

Timisoara / Temesvar usually receives more sunshine than Budapest during winter. Timisoara / Temesvar gets 72 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 61 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Timisoara / Temesvar usually receives around the same amount of rain as Budapest. Timisoara / Temesvar 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
    Timisoara / Temesvar -1°C (31°F) 
    Budapest -1°C (31°F)

Should I visit Timisoara / Temesvar or Budapest in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Timisoara / Temesvar as well as Budapest. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Budapest because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Timisoara / Temesvar is generally around the same temperature as Budapest. Daily temperatures in Timisoara / Temesvar average around 12°C (54°F), and Budapest fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In the spring, Timisoara / Temesvar often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Budapest. Timisoara / Temesvar gets 186 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 178 hours of full sun.

Timisoara / Temesvar usually gets more rain in April than Budapest. Timisoara / Temesvar gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Timisoara / Temesvar 12°C (54°F) 
    Budapest 12°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Budapest and Timisoara / Temesvar

Timisoara / Temesvar Budapest
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -1°C (31°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) -1°C (31°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 2°C (36°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 2°C (35°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Mar 7°C (45°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 7°C (44°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Apr 12°C (54°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 12°C (53°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
May 17°C (63°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 16°C (62°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 20°C (68°F) 76 mm (3 in) 20°C (67°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Jul 22°C (71°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 21°C (70°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Aug 22°C (71°F) 50 mm (2 in) 21°C (69°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Sep 18°C (65°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 17°C (63°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Oct 13°C (55°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 12°C (53°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Nov 7°C (44°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 6°C (42°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Dec 2°C (35°F) 50 mm (2 in) 1°C (34°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)