Budapest on a Budget: Affordable Ways to Enjoy the City

I’m back in Budapest! This is my third visit here and this will be my longest stay, so I’m looking forward to having a base here for a while. The capital of Hungary, is a city of stunning architecture, rich history, and a vibrant cultural scene. It also has relatively cheap beer and is one of the world’s best-value wine destinations, so I’m always happy when I land here.

Split by the majestic Danube River into two parts – Buda and Pest (pronounced “pescht” if you want to get it right) – this European gem is loaded with character and you could spend weeks sightseeing here without exhausting the options. It’s also a great city for strolling and observing and the building ornamentations. Don’t forget to look up!

Known for its thermal baths, historical landmarks, and interesting cuisine, Budapest draws travelers from around the globe. Fortunately, you don’t need a big budget to experience all this city offers. It has been featured in all five editions of my book The World’s Cheapest Destinations and although I’ve just started exploring this time, I’m happy to say that prices outside the thick of the tourist zone are still quite a deal.

Getting Around in Budapest

Budapest’s public transportation system is efficient, well-connected, and affordable. With trams, buses, and the oldest metro line in mainland Europe, you can travel around the city comfortably and cheaply. Here are some money-saving tips:

 – Buy a Travel Card: Consider purchasing a 24-hour, 72-hour, or weekly travel card. This pass allows unlimited public transportation. Since we are going to be in the city for more than two weeks, we bought a monthly card with unlimited rides and it only set us back the equivalent of $23 each. See options in English on the BKK Budapest site. Or get one of the Budapest tourist cards that includes attraction admissions and transportation will be included too.

– Use Trams for Sightseeing. These retro-cool, narrow trains glide along on electric power and sometimes offer nice panoramas out the window. Tram 2, in particular, offers scenic views along the Danube River and passes by major attractions, making it an excellent budget-friendly option for sightseeing.

– Use your feet. Most of Buda and Pest’s attractions are within walking distance of each other, especially if you supplement the long stretches with public transportation now and then. There are hills on the Buda site but Pest is dead flat.

– Rent a city bike. Budapest has a good public city bike program, with sturdy bikes you take from a rack and drop off at another later. These MOL Bubi bikes require an app download and you can’t buy a pass if you’re not a local, but you can rent them for 40 Hungarian forint a minute, which comes out to only $6.40 for an hour, half that for a half hour.

Explore Free and Low-Cost Attractions

Budapest is filled with attractions that won’t break the bank. Here are some must-see spots during a free tour in Budapest:

– Central Pest and the Parliament building. I spent two and a half hours with a great local guide on this tour and got a good sense of unfortunate Hungarian history and the unfortunate current political system. (Hungarians have not had the best of luck with their leaders, going back centuries.) Covering major attractions like St. Stephen’s Basilica, the Chain Bridge, and the Parliament Building, this tour is ideal for first-time visitors like my wife was.

– Buda Castle and Castle Hill: Wander around the Buda Castle complex and the historic Castle Hill. While entry to certain parts of the castle requires a ticket, exploring the grounds, courtyards, and scenic viewpoints is free.

– Fisherman’s Bastion: A fairy-tale structure offering panoramic views of the city, the Fisherman’s Bastion is partially free. The lower levels where the Instagrammers pose are open to all, providing stunning photo opportunities of the Parliament building and the Danube.

– Hero’s Square: One of Budapest’s most iconic squares, Hero’s Square is home to impressive statues, monuments, and museums nearby. It’s an ideal stop for history lovers, and the outdoor attractions are free to admire.

Free walking tours are a fantastic way to explore Budapest’s history and culture while getting a better sense of what you’re seeing. Just understand that the name is a bit of a misnomer. It’s really a “Pay what you think is fair” tour since the guides get nothing if you don’t pony up a tip. That doesn’t have the same ring to it though.

Other inexpensive tour options include:

– Jewish Quarter Tour: Discover the rich history of Budapest’s Jewish community, including a visit to the Dohány Street Synagogue (the largest in Europe).

– Communist-Era Tour: Learn about Hungary’s past under communist rule as you visit key historical sites and hear stories from knowledgeable guides.

– Guided Budapest Bike Tour: cover more of the city on two wheels, taking advantage of Budapest’s many bike paths.

Thermal Baths on a Budget

Budapest is famous for its thermal baths, and while some of the more famous ones can be pricey, there are budget-friendly options too.

– Király Baths: One of the oldest baths in the city, the Király Baths offer an authentic, relaxing experience at a lower cost than the more commercialized Széchenyi or Gellért Baths.

– Lukács Baths: A local favorite, Lukács Baths is another affordable option that is less crowded but still offers the full thermal bath experience. Look out for discounts or evening passes to save even more.

– Palatinus Baths: Located on Margarita Island, a great place for a stroll or a bike ride, these baths don’t have the historic gravitas but they also come at a third of the price and are less crowded.

Affordable Dining Options

Budapest’s food scene offers plenty of variety with its own cuisine, plus it’s very easy to find other options from Asian countries, Turkey, Italy, and beyond. In this country where the average salary is supposedly around 1,200 euros a month and minimum wage is less than half that, there are plenty of budget-friendly dining options to explore.

– Hungarian Street Food: Hungary has more bakeries than any other kind of store it seems, all loaded with inexpensive bread items and pastries. These are good quality and filling, especially when paired with local cheese, ham, or sausage. The best-known prepared item would be lángos, a fried dough topped with cheese and sour cream. You can also find plenty of pizza, doner kebabs, and ready-made sandwiches for reasonable prices.

– Markets: The Great Market Hall is a must-visit that’s fun for cultural reasons and also good for budget-conscious foodies. Here, you can sample traditional Hungarian dishes like goulash and sausages for a fraction of the cost you’d pay in a restaurant.

– Lunch Specials: Many restaurants offer a “daily menu” or set lunch menu that is significantly cheaper than their a la carte options, so try to plan your main meal for midday. As always, get out of the tourist zones and into where local people eat to find real local prices.

I’ve found that groceries are reasonable overall, especially items that locals eat a lot of and whatever fruit and vegetables are in season. In the winter, look for pickled items, cheese, and cured meats instead. Hungarian wine is always a great deal.

Visit Budapest’s Parks and Outdoor Spaces

Budapest has numerous parks and open spaces where you can relax and enjoy the city’s beauty at no cost. For example, Margaret Island, located in the middle of the Danube River, is an ideal spot for a budget-friendly day out. You can rent bikes or simply stroll through its scenic gardens, visit the musical fountain, or relax on the lush lawns.

For breathtaking views of Budapest, hike up Gellért Hill to the Citadella. The climb is free, and once at the top, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the city skyline.

The Current State of Prices in Budapest

If the dollar weren’t so strong against the forint, I’d probably feel like this city has gotten more expensive since I visited in 2012 and rode the Children’s Train in Buda. Really though, restaurant prices feel a little higher but everything else is about the same. Budapest on a budget is almost as easy as it was on my very first visit 17 years ago. That’s rare in any location considering how much inflation there was worldwide coming out of the pandemic.

That’s not really true for locals as there has definitely been inflation in food prices. If you’re coming with dollars though and avoid the tourist trap places, it’ll seem like a good value 

As in most countries, the things that tourists spend money on have their own economic rules, so admission prices at major attractions are often on par with the rest of Europe and if you roll up to a restaurant full of fellow foreigners, you will pay accordingly.

In general though, this feels like a great value across the board still apart from hotels: those rates seem to have risen quite a bit with rising demand throughout Europe. The sub-$50 deals I saw so many of the last time I came seem to be rare now. Apartment rentals are a better deal.

If you can get past the authoritarian politics, Budapest is still a great destination for travelers looking to explore Europe without overspending. By taking advantage of public transportation, exploring free sites, and savoring the local cuisine wisely, you can experience Budapest on a budget without spending anything close to what you would in London, Dublin, Munich, or Paris.