We have become accustomed to the idea that prices in Hungary have always been relatively low compared to the rest of Europe. However, this is no longer the case today. I will provide information on prices in the country for various categories of goods and services that may be of interest to tourists. You will discover prices for groceries in Hungary, restaurant menus, transportation, entrance tickets to attractions, parking, and much more. This article will help you roughly estimate the budget for your trip to this wonderful country.
Prices in Hungary in 2023-2024: General Information, Inflation
Here are the key points to give you a correct picture of prices in Hungary.
- As of the end of 2023, Hungary’s currency is the Forint.
- The country is planning to adopt the Euro by 2030, but it’s important to note that the European Union and the Eurozone are separate entities. You can find detailed information about Hungary’s location in the world map in the article “Hungary on Map“
- Starting from 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic began, the country’s economy significantly weakened, leading to an annual inflation rate of around 15-20%. This means that prices are rising at a similar pace. The government promises to bring down the inflation rate to 5% no earlier than the end of 2026.
It’s essential to understand that
many tourists still perceive Hungary as a cheap destination compared to the rest of Europe. However, this was the case a decade ago; today, prices in Hungary are not significantly lower than those of its neighbors, and some categories of goods and services are even more expensive.
In the following table, I will list all prices in Hungary in euros, as the country is gradually transitioning to the Euro, and its economy is already heavily oriented toward it. In cases where necessary, I will also mention prices in Forints and euros.
- Useful information regarding currency in Hungary, what to bring with you, where to exchange currency, the best exchange offices, commission, and where you can already pay with cash euros, as well as information about card payments in the country, can be found in this link. I won’t delve into these details here.
Food Prices in Hungary
Below is a table of average food prices in Hungary, covering a wide range of grocery items. If you’re interested in the specific price of a particular item, feel free to ask in the comments, and I’ll respond.
It’s worth noting that
shopping at markets and stores in Hungary has some peculiarities, including operating hours, item pricing, and issues that can be confusing for tourists. You can find more details in the article “Markets and Stores in Hungary: What Tourists Need to Know.”
| Product Name | Weight | Price in Euros |
| Bread | 1pc | 1,5 – 2 |
| Water | 1l | 0,8 |
| Milk | 1l | 1,5 |
| Pastry | 1pc | 1 |
| Cheese | 1kg | from 12 – 15 |
| Eggs | 10 pcs | 2,5 |
| Butter | 1l | 2 |
| Deli meats | 1kg | 15 |
| Chicken Fillet | 1kg | 4 – 5 |
| Chicken Wings, Drumsticks | 1kg | 3 – 4 |
| Pork and Beef Tenderloin | 1kg | from 8 – 10 |
| Tomatoes | 1kg | 2 |
| Cucumbers | 1kg | 1,5 |
| Lettuce | 200gr | 1 |
| Bananas | 1kg | 1 – 1,5 |
| Potatoes | 1kg | 1 |
| Whole Grilled Chicken | 1kg | 6 – 8 |
| Pasta | 400 gr | 1 |
| Juice | 1l | 2 |
The prices in the table above are average. Yes, there are occasional juicy deals where you can purchase chicken fillet for 1,200 Forints per kilogram, which is approximately 3 euros. I want to emphasize that meat in Hungary is relatively expensive. Paying 10 euros per kilogram for beef or pork is perfectly normal.
By the way, prices in Budapest don’t differ significantly from those in the regions. Throughout the country, prices for groceries in stores and markets are roughly similar.
Alcohol Prices in Hungary
When it comes to alcohol, the situation is much more favorable, especially for wine, available in stores. Hungary’s symbol, Tokaji wine, produced exclusively from sun-dried grapes, can cost as low as 2 euros per bottle, and sometimes even less.
| Product Name | Vol | Price in euros |
| Palinka | 0,5l | 13 |
| Unicum | 0,5l | 15 |
| Local table wine | 1l | from 1 |
| Tokaji wine | 0,75l | from 2 |
| Local beer | 0,5l | 0,6 – 1 |
For detailed information about Hungary’s national alcohol, wine recommendations, the significance of Palinka, insights into Unicum, and more, you can find in the linked article.
Cafes and Restaurants Prices
Hungary offers a wide variety of dining options, with cafes, restaurants, taverns, and more at every turn. You can find both national fast food and Hungarian cuisine on the menu at every establishment. For those interested in delving deeper into this topic, I recommend two articles for further reading:
- Hungarian National Cuisine: What Tourists Should Try
- Cafes and Restaurants in Hungary: Features, Portion Sizes, Tipping, and Payment Methods
Here’s a brief overview of the main prices in Hungary for dining in cafes or restaurants, particularly in non-luxurious eateries. The prices listed are the most average, but I must mention that in the hospitality industry, prices have increased significantly in the last 3-4 years.
| Dish | Price in Euros |
| Soup (goulash, halaszle) | 5 – 8 |
| Meat with side dish | from 10 |
| Set lunch | 5 – 6 |
| Salad | 6 – 7 |
| Draft beer | 3 – 5 |
| Palinka, Unicum (40ml) | from 2 |
| Dinner for two (2 main dishes + 2 beers + tip) | ~ 30 – 40 |
| Langos (Hungarian fast food) | 3 – 6 |
| Doner kebab | 3 – 5 |
Overall, the situation in Hungary is as follows: if you want to have a hearty dinner in a reasonably priced restaurant in the center of any beautiful city in the country, you might order one soup for two, one salad, and two main dishes. With a bottle of wine and a tip, the bill will easily come to 80 – 100 euros, but it’s unlikely to be less than 50 euros. Just keep that in mind.
Admission Prices for Attractions
It’s essential to know that
nearly all attractions in Hungary are subject to an entrance fee, even those that may not seem particularly noteworthy. A comprehensive Top 30 ranking of attractions in all of Hungary, not just Budapest, can help you plan your route across the country and choose what you’d like to see. The list provides prices, opening hours, coordinates, and the author’s assessment of the visit.
- Entrance to observation decks and attractions where you’ll spend a maximum of 5-10 minutes typically costs 2-3 euros.
- Castles, palaces, museums, and places where you can spend an hour or two usually have admission fees of 5-10 euros per person.
Car Rental, Petrol Prices, Parking, Toll Roads
Driving in Hungary is a sheer pleasure. The roads are excellent, and the drivers are calm and considerate. There’s no aggressive tailgating, flashing lights, or reckless lane changes – it’s almost unimaginable here. Traffic is generally light, and even in major cities, traffic jams are minimal compared to major urban centers.
Renting a car significantly boosts your mobility, allowing you to explore much more than just Budapest. In Budapest itself, you don’t need a car, as the city has an excellent metro system that serves your needs.
| Service | Average Price in Euros |
| Economy Car Rental, Low Season, per day | 15 – 20 |
| Economy Car Rental, High Season, per day | from 20 |
| Petrol, per liter | 1,7 |
| Parking, per hour | 0,8 – 2 |
| Toll Roads, 10-day vignette | ~15 |
- For a more extensive article on renting a car in Hungary, personal experiences, pitfalls, fines, dealing with the police, and much more, you can refer to the linked article.
Apartments and Hotels in Hungary: How Much Does It Cost
I won’t go into extensive detail here. Hungary offers a wide range of accommodation for tourists, including hostels, apartments, aparthotels, hotels, and even spa hotels with their thermal baths. For comprehensive information on where to find accommodation in Hungary, special considerations, and pricing, you can find it in the linked article. In short:
- Apartments with a kitchen for two people – from 30-40 euros per day.
- Hostels, on average, cost around 15-20 euros per bed.
- 4-5-star hotels are approximately 100 euros for a double room.
- Spa hotels with thermal baths – around 150 euros for a room with breakfast for two per day.
Prices for Public Transport in Hungary
There are two key points to consider. On one hand, public transport in Hungary is well-developed, both in Budapest and throughout the country. There’s an excellent intercity bus network and a comprehensive railway system. You can practically reach any part of Hungary by train. On the other hand, if you’re traveling with a family, it might not be the most budget-friendly option. If you have 3-4 people, renting a car might be more cost-effective than using public transport across the country.
- For a detailed article on the intercity public transport in Hungary, including how to check schedules and buy tickets, you can follow the provided link.
| Public transportation | Price in euros |
| Metro, Bus, Tram in Budapest, per trip | 1,2 |
| Taxi in Budapest, per 1 km | 1,5 |
| Express Bus from the Airport to Budapest | 6 |
| Bus Ticket from Budapest to Debrecen (230 km) | 10 |
| Train Ticket from Budapest to Debrecen (230 km) | 9 – 15 |
Prices for Sightseeing Tours in Budapest and Hungarian Cities
For a comprehensive article on sightseeing tours, types of tours available, where to find tours in your language, finding group tours, as well as individual tours, you can refer to the linked article: Sightseeing Tours in Hungary and Budapest.
In brief, for budgeting your trip:
| Tour | Number of People | Price in Euros |
| Bus Sightseeing Tour of Budapest | 1 | 15-20 |
| Group Walking Tours | 1 | from 20 |
| Individual Walking Tours for a Group | for a Group 4-6 Persons | from 100 |
| Day Trips outside Budapest | 1 | from 100 |
| Exciting Group Tours to Lake Balaton and Lake Hévíz | 1 | from 100 |
- Viator is the largest aggregator of tours in Hungary. It offers tours in Budapest and throughout the country, including Lake Balaton and mountainous areas.
- GetYourGuide – another tour and excursion service in Hungary.
Cost of Visiting Thermal Baths in Hungary
In short, here are some key points about thermal baths in Hungary:
- There are over a hundred hot thermal springs across Hungary.
- Thermal baths open to the public can be found in nearly every city.
- A comprehensive review of the best thermal baths in Hungary and Budapest can be found in the linked article. Many tourists are surprised to learn that Széchenyi Thermal Baths in Budapest are not the only option. They are simply the most popular among tourists.
- It’s worth noting that this form of entertainment is not the most budget-friendly, especially for larger families. However, this is the case across Europe; prices for water parks, thermal baths, saunas, and all water-related entertainment are generally high. Nevertheless, it’s worth every penny.
Below is a table with prices for some of the thermal baths and water parks in the country. These prices are per person and include access to the full range of facilities: swimming pools, saunas, and thermal baths for the entire day.
| Baths, City | Price in Euros per Person |
| Széchenyi Thermal Baths, Budapest | 30 |
| Gellért Baths, Budapest | 30 |
| Aquaticum Spa, Debrecen | 30 |
| Thermal Baths, Eger | 10 |
| Cave Baths, Miskolc-Tapolca | 18 |
| Lake Hévíz, the world’s largest thermal lake | 20 |
| Anna Thermal Baths, Szeged | 10 |
In conclusion, I hope the prices in Hungary haven’t taken you by surprise. Yes, the country has become more expensive over the last five years. Some expense items, such as dining in cafes and restaurants, have caught up with prices in neighboring Austria. However, some things are still relatively inexpensive.
But let’s be honest, Hungary is at the heart of Europe and a full member of the European Union. It’s beautiful, delicious, and safe. The increase in prices to Central European levels was only a matter of time. It doesn’t detract from the joy of traveling in the country, and you’ll have a wonderful time.
Come to Hungary, it’s awesome!
IMPORTANT: Below are useful links that will help organize your trip to Hungary and Budapest:
- Flight: Aviasales – compares prices for flights among 30+ airlines flying to Budapest.
- Tours and excursions:
- Viator and GetYourGuide – the best services for finding tours in Budapest and Hungary with the largest database of activities in Hungary. They offer river cruises on the Danube, tickets to baths, and 1000+ tours (available in different languages).
- Accommodation, apartments, hotels, hostels:
- Car rental: DiscoverCars – the leading and largest car rental service in Hungary.
- Travel Insurance: EKTA.
- eSIM – Airalo virtual SIM card in Hungary.
- Taxi and airport transfers: Intui.Travel