I have traveled to Hungary on three occasions, spanning three different decades, which gives me a solid understanding of the evolution of travel costs in Budapest, Hungary, from the past to the present. My first visit to Hungary was in the 2000s, my second in the 2010s, and the latest in October of 2024. This most recent trip was also the longest (17 days), providing me with reliable and up-to-date price information.
Although this nation has faced inflation like others, its currency has consistently weakened against the U.S. dollar. Consequently, if you’re withdrawing from a dollar account and making purchases in Hungarian forints, you’ll find it quite favorable. The same applies to euros: while Hungary is a member of the EU and the Schengen Zone, it has never adopted the euro. Back in 2012, the exchange rate was 230 forints to the dollar; as of now, it’s approximately 400 forints to the dollar.
I’ll offer more specifics on everything, but my overall impression after spending 17 days in Budapest, alongside some side excursions, is that the prices for many goods and services have remained relatively stable. However, certain areas, particularly restaurants and hostels, have seen significant price increases over the years. Luckily, grocery shopping remains fairly cost-effective if you dine at home, and Hungary ranks as one of the most affordable wine-producing countries in the world. Beer prices are also reasonable.
Another significant advantage is the cost of public transport, especially local trains and trams, which becomes even more economical if you stay long enough to take advantage of a monthly pass like we did.
What should you pack for a trip to Budapest? Suitable clothing for the climate, naturally, travel insurance, and a means of communication for your phone. Our T-Mobile service functioned adequately, albeit not always at high speeds, and the map app occasionally lagged while we navigated. It was sufficient, but if you’re using a different carrier or desire quicker service, consider obtaining an eSim for Europe.
And definitely the Google Translate app: Hungarian is a challenging language to learn even a few phrases and pronounce accurately. Fortunately, the level of English proficiency is continually improving, particularly among younger individuals.
## Travel Costs in Budapest: Transportation
Purchasing a single metro ticket in Budapest will set you back between $1.15 and $1.80, depending on the duration and whether transfers are involved. Nearly no one who is not a tourist opts for single journeys, as a monthly pass for unlimited travel costs around $23. Even though we weren’t there for a whole month, we certainly maximized our value from that ticket. You can navigate almost anywhere via tram, subway, or bus, so you’re well-covered with just that and your feet.
If your stay is short, a 72-hour pass is available for under $14 if you plan to be mobile. Alternatively, the Budapest Card includes public transportation as well.
The Budapest metro system is fantastic. There’s a nostalgic original line that is the oldest in continental Europe, and it’s enjoyable to ride to experience the historic stations and carriages. It is hardly underground and will transport you to Hero’s Square and the remarkable Ethnography Museum.
The newer lines run deeper underground and feature some truly impressive stations (check out the photo I took in one of them above). The trains come frequently, are modern and well-maintained. We also rode a couple of trams and two local buses to reach Memento Park, which is a bit tricky to access otherwise.
Additionally, we made two side trips using Hungarian trains. One was to Szentendre on what was essentially a Soviet-era suburban commuter train, while the other was a longer journey to Eger. The first round trip cost around $2 per person, and the second was $7 each for the round trip.
I must mention that our journey TO Budapest was excellent. We traveled from Prague on a nearly seven-hour Regiojet train, which was quite comfortable, featuring waitstaff delivering food and beverages ordered from an app, with 500ml Pilsner Urquell beers priced at only €1.25! The train fare was €41.50 each, including seat selection.
A taxi ride from the airport to the city center can reach up to $35, but traveling in the opposite direction costs half that. A dedicated metro train from the airport is a much better deal. Generally, you can also get around the center by cab for $4 to $10. The base fare is 1,100 forints, with an additional charge of 440 forints per kilometer thereafter. So, a 5km journey would typically cost around $8.25. The trip from the center to Buda Castle should be approximately that amount.
After an eight-year interval,