I have traveled to Hungary three times now, across three different decades, so I possess a solid understanding of how travel prices in Budapest, Hungary have fluctuated over the years and their current status. My first visit to Hungary was during the ’00s, the second in the ’10s, and the most recent one in October of 2024. I also spent the longest duration on this latest trip (17 days), providing me with some reliable and up-to-date pricing information.
This nation has faced inflation like many others, yet it has also seen its currency steadily decrease in value against the U.S. dollar, meaning that if you’re accessing funds from a dollar account and spending in Hungarian forint, you’ll benefit significantly. This applies to euros as well: Hungary is a member of the EU and the Schengen Zone, but it has never adopted the euro. Back in 2012, I received 230 forints per dollar; as I write this, the exchange rate sits at around 400 forints per dollar.
I will delve into specifics, but my overall impression after 17 days in Budapest, including some side excursions, is that the prices for many goods and services have remained relatively stable. However, some have risen significantly over time, particularly dining establishments and hostels. Fortunately, grocery prices remain quite reasonable if you cook at home, and Hungary is known as one of the most affordable wine countries globally. Beer prices are also favorable.
Another significant bargain is public transportation, especially local trains and trams—it’s even more economical if you linger long enough to utilize a monthly pass like we did.
What essentials do you need for a trip to Budapest? Suitable clothing for the weather, travel insurance, and a means to stay connected and use your phone. Our T-Mobile service performed adequately, though it wasn’t always very fast, and the mapping app occasionally lagged while walking. Sufficient, but if you have a different provider or seek better speeds, you might consider getting an eSim for Europe.
And, of course, the Google Translate app: this language is challenging to learn even a few phrases and pronounce them accurately. Thankfully, the level of English proficiency is improving continuously, particularly among the younger population.
## Travel Prices in Budapest: Transportation
Purchasing a single metro ticket in Budapest will cost you between $1.15 and $1.80, depending on how long you need it and if transfers are involved. Hardly anyone other than tourists buys single tickets since a monthly pass for all transportation options is only around $23. Although we weren’t there for an entire month, we certainly made the most of that purchase. You can reach nearly all destinations via tram, subway, or bus, so you’re completely set with just that and your own two feet.
If your stay is short, a 72-hour pass is available for under $14 if you plan to be quite active. Alternatively, if you have the Budapest Card, that includes public transportation as well.
The Budapest metro is fantastic too. There’s a nostalgic original line that is the oldest in continental Europe, and riding it is a delightful experience to witness the historic stations and cars. It’s mostly above ground and will take you to Hero’s Square and the remarkable Ethnography Museum.
The other lines are deeper and more modern, with several impressive stations (see the photo I snapped in one of them above). The trains are frequent, new, and well-maintained. We also utilized a couple of trams and two local buses, the latter to reach Memento Park, which is challenging to access otherwise.
We additionally took two side excursions on Hungarian trains. One was to Szentendre on what resembled a Soviet-era suburban commuter train, and the other was a proper trip to Eger, much further away. The first journey cost around $2 each round trip, while the second was $7 each round trip.
I should point out that our train ride TO Budapest was wonderful. We traveled from Prague on a nearly seven-hour Regiojet train that was quite comfortable, with waiters providing food and drinks you could order via an app; 500ml Pilsner Urquell beers were just €1.25! The train ticket itself cost €41.50 per person, including seat selection.
A taxi ride from the airport to the city center can reach up to $35, but the reverse trip is half that amount. There’s a special metro train from the airport that offers a much better deal. Generally, you can navigate the city center by cab for $4 to $10. The starting fare is 1,100 forint, followed by 440 for each additional kilometer. Thus, a 5km trip should cost about $8.25. Traveling from the center to Buda Castle should be roughly that amount.
After an eight-year interval,