Budapest is good value: food, drink, baths and public transport are cheaper than in most of Europe, though tourist-area prices are higher.
Is Budapest expensive?
Moderate for most visitors. Budapest is good value: food, drink, baths and public transport are cheaper than in most of Europe, though tourist-area prices are higher.
Money, cards and tipping
Currency: Hungarian forint (HUF), not the euro. Cards are widely accepted; use bank ATMs and avoid street exchange booths.
Tipping: 10–12% in restaurants unless a service charge is already added; check the bill.
Where to save money
- Eat lunch menus and local restaurants away from Váci utca.
- Use the BudapestGO app for tickets, or buy a 24- or 72-hour pass.
- Go to the thermal baths on weekday mornings for lower prices.
- Drink at ruin bars, which are cheap.
- Skip taxis; use trams, the metro and ride-hailing.
Where it is worth spending
- A Parliament tour.
- A Danube dinner cruise.
- A thermal bath with a massage.
Free things to do in Budapest
- Walking along the Danube Promenade
- Fisherman's Bastion's lower terraces
- Gellért Hill for the view
- Margaret Island park
Prices, ticket rules and safety conditions change. Treat this as a starting point and check official sources and your government's travel advice before you go.
Budapest budget questions
What currency is used in Budapest?
Hungarian forint (HUF), not the euro. Cards are widely accepted; use bank ATMs and avoid street exchange booths.
Is tipping expected in Budapest?
10–12% in restaurants unless a service charge is already added; check the bill.
How can I save money in Budapest?
Eat lunch menus and local restaurants away from Váci utca. Use the BudapestGO app for tickets, or buy a 24- or 72-hour pass. Go to the thermal baths on weekday mornings for lower prices.