I have traveled to Hungary on three occasions, spanning three distinct decades, so I possess a solid understanding of the historical and current travel prices in Budapest, Hungary. My initial visit occurred in the 2000s, followed by a return in the 2010s, and my latest stay was in October 2024. I spent the most time on this recent trip (17 days), providing me with reliable and up-to-date cost information.
While this nation has faced inflation like many others, its currency has consistently depreciated against the U.S. dollar. Thus, if you withdraw from a dollar account and spend in Hungarian forint, you’ll find yourself in a favorable position. The same applies to euros: Hungary is a member of the EU and the Schengen Zone but has yet to adopt the euro. In 2012, the conversion was 230 forint per dollar; as I write this, the rate hovers around 400 forint per dollar.
I’ll delve into specifics soon, but my overall impression after 17 days in Budapest, including a few side excursions, is that the prices for many goods and services remain relatively stable. However, some have significantly increased over the years, particularly in the restaurant and hostel sectors. Fortunately, groceries still offer decent value if you’re cooking at home, and Hungary ranks among the most affordable wine nations globally. Beer prices are also favorable.
Public transportation is another incredible bargain, especially local trains and trams, particularly if you’re around long enough to utilize a monthly pass, as we did.
What essentials should you pack for a trip to Budapest? Suitable clothing for the climate, travel insurance, and a reliable means to communicate and use your phone. Our T-Mobile service was reasonably effective, although not always exceptionally fast, and the map application would occasionally lag while navigating. Adequate, but if your carrier differs or if you seek quicker connectivity, acquiring an eSim for Europe is advisable.
And of course, the Google Translate app: this language is challenging to grasp and pronounce accurately. Thankfully, English proficiency continues to improve, especially among younger individuals.
## Travel Prices in Budapest: Transportation
Purchasing a single metro ticket in Budapest will cost you between $1.15 to $1.80 depending on the duration and if transfers are required. However, hardly anyone who isn’t a tourist buys single tickets, as a monthly pass for all services is around $23. Even if we weren’t there for an entire month, we certainly got our money’s worth from that investment. You can reach nearly any destination using trams, subways, or buses, so you’re fully equipped with just that along with your legs.
If your stay is shorter, a 72-hour pass costs less than $14 if you plan to travel frequently. Alternatively, if you have the Budapest Card, that also covers public transportation.
The Budapest metro is fantastic as well. There’s a charming original line which is the oldest in continental Europe, and riding it is an enjoyable experience, allowing you to observe the historic stations and cars. It operates mostly above ground and takes you to Hero’s Square and the impressive Ethnography Museum.
The other lines are deeper and more modern, with some stations being quite striking (refer to the image I captured in one of them above). The lines feature frequent services, with new, well-maintained trains. We also took a couple of trams and two local buses, the latter to reach Memento Park, which is challenging to access otherwise.
Additionally, we ventured on two side trips utilizing Hungarian trains. One destination was Szentendre on what essentially was a Soviet-era suburban commuter train, while the other was a longer journey to Eger. The first trip cost about $2 each round trip, and the second was $7 each round trip.
I should highlight that our train journey TO Budapest was fantastic. We traveled from Prague on a nearly seven-hour Regiojet train, which was quite cozy, with waitstaff delivering food and drinks ordered via an app, and 500ml Pilsner Urquell beers were merely €1.25! The train ticket itself cost €41.50 each, inclusive of seat selection.
A taxi from the airport to the city center can run up to $35, but the reverse trip is only half that. There’s a special metro train from the airport, offering a much better deal. Generally, hailing a cab in the city center is priced between $4 to $10. The starting fare is 1,100 forint, followed by 440 forint per kilometer. Therefore, a 5km ride should be around $8.25. A ride from the city center to Buda Castle should cost roughly the same.
Following an eight-year hiatus,