A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Budapest vs. Gdansk for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Budapest or Gdansk?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Budapest and Gdansk can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Budapest or Gdansk?

Budapest

Budapest is the capital city of Hungary. It has been called the "Paris of the East" because of its impressive architecture and general beauty. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987 because of its cultural importance, its location on the Banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter and Andrassy Avenue. In addition to its rich history, Budapest still has a young vibe with a lot of energy. There's an active night life, an impressive music scene, and a good reputation with European youth.

Gdansk

Gdansk is the capital and largest city of the Pomeranian Voivodeship in northern Poland. The port dates back a thousand years and was an influential city in the Hanseatic League during the Middle Ages. The city was essentially destroyed during World War II but has rebuilt into one of Europe's most beautiful port cities. The city now has a population of around 460,000 and is a popular tourist destination for visitors from around the globe. It is known for its impressive city center, its great museums, and its beaches that line the coast of the Gulf of Gdansk. In particular, it is a popular summer destination.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Budapest, The Best 10-Day Tours from Budapest, The Best 10-Day Tours in Poland, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Poland.


Which place is cheaper, Gdansk or Budapest?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Budapest is $122, while the average daily cost in Gdansk is $77. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Budapest and Gdansk in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Budapest $58
    Gdansk $30
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Budapest $116
    Gdansk $60
Compare Hotels in Budapest and Gdansk

Looking for a hotel in Budapest or Gdansk? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Budapest


Hotels in Gdansk


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Budapest Hotel Prices and Gdansk Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Budapest $12
    Gdansk $9.47
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Budapest

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Budapest:


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $7.67
  • Metro Pass
    $4.21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Budapest

Also for Budapest, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Airport Transfer: Budapest Airport BUD to Budapest by Sedan: $82
  • Arrival Transfer: Budapest Airport BUD to Budapest by Sedan: $82
  • Bratislava: Private transfer to Budapest or Budapest to BTS: $271
  • Budapest - Pécs Transfer: $187
  • Budapest - Szeged Transfer: $163
  • Budapest - Vienna Private Car Transfer: $278
  • Budapest Airport (BUD) to Budapest - Arrival Private Transfer : $30
  • Budapest Airport - Budapest City Transfer: $46
  • Budapest Airport Transfer: Budapest City to Budapest Airport BUD in Business Car: $78
  • Budapest Airport transfer from Liszt Ferenc International Airport to City Centre: $49
  • Budapest City - Budapest Airport Transfer: $38
  • Budapest City Departure Private Transfer to Budapest Airport BUD: $92

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gdansk

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Gdansk:

  • Warsaw/Deluxe Private Transfer Service: $357
  • Aiport Gdansk Transfer to Malbork Castle or Stutthof : $298
  • Private transfer from Gdansk to Warsaw with 2h of Sightseeing: $293
  • Private Transfer from Gdansk (GDN) Airport to Grudziadz city: $287
  • Private Transfer from Gdansk (GDN) Airport to Łeba city: $282
  • Transfer from Gdansk or Airport Gdansk to Slupsk: $281
  • Taxi Transfer from Gdańsk airport to Bydgoszcz: $263
  • Taxi Transfer from Gdańsk airport to Olsztyn: $263
  • Transfer from Gdańsk airport to Toruń: $239
  • Private Transfer from Gdansk or Airport Gdansk GDN to Kwidzyn: $221
  • Private Transfer from Gdansk (GDN) Airport to Lębork city: $209
  • Private Transfer from Gdansk (GDN) Airport to Elbląg city: $209

Is it cheaper to fly into Budapest or Gdansk?

Prices for flights to both Gdansk and Budapest change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Budapest $44
    Gdansk $39
Typical Food Prices in Budapest

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Budapest:


  • Lunch
    $3.74

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Budapest

For Budapest, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Dinner and Live Hungarian Music: $1.51
  • Central Market Hall Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $15
  • Hungarian Folk Dance & Concert with Dinner Option: $22
  • Budapest Pizza Cruise: $38
  • Catamaran Pizza Cruise: $41
  • Sir Lancelot Medieval Dinner with Drink and Show: $47
  • Budapest on a Budget: Guided Street Food Tour w/ Sweet Wine: $52
  • Food Tour Market to Tavern: 14+ Tasters & Wines: $68
  • Guided Food Tour with Wine, Beer, and Shots: $69
  • Folklore Revue Dinner Show with Unlimited Drinks: $73
  • Budapest Danube Cruise with Buffet Dinner, Performances and Music: $74
  • Budapest Food Tour: Market to Tavern with 14+ Tasters & Wines: $79

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Gdansk

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Gdansk.

  • Delicious Gdańsk Food Tour in Poland: $100
  • Deluxe Polish Food Tour Experience in Gdansk: $118
  • Foodpairing dinner in one of the best restaurants in Gdansk: $160
  • Sopot: Private Traditional Polish Food Tour: $193

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Budapest $24
    Gdansk $9.03
Typical Entertainment Prices in Budapest

For Budapest, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Entrance to the Baths for Two
    $7.52

Tours and Activities in Budapest

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Budapest.

  • Castle District Walking Tour: $2.35
  • Jewish Quarter of Budapest Walking Tour: $2.35
  • Budacastle walking tour: Statues, Storytelling, & Myths!: $2.35
  • Ghetto Wall Exhibition Tour with History Guide: $3.52
  • Walking Tour to the Shoes Memorial and Parliament: $3.52
  • Free Tour Budapest Essential in Spanish: $3.57
  • Budapest ️Highlights️ Live Guided Segway Tour: $3.57
  • Budapest Castle District Walking Tour: $3.57
  • Free tour of Buda Castle : $3.57
  • Self Guided Tour In Budapest With 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.57
  • Walking tour in the Buda Castle incl. Fisherman's Bastion: $3.58
  • City Segway Tours Budapest: $3.58

Tours and Activities in Gdansk

Here are a few actual costs in Gdansk for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 1 hour Gdansk Amber Workshop Tour : $239
  • 6 Hours Teutonic Castle Tour in Malbork : $250
  • Beer Tour. Tasting and Tales in Gdansk: $79
  • Boat Tour in Gdańsk – Explore the Historic Motława River: $35
  • Cruises on the Motlawa River by a luxury catamaran - Gdańsk from the water side: $19
  • Culinary cruises - pierogi tasting Shipyard and Port: $32
  • Delicious Gdansk Craft Beer Tour: $88
  • Deluxe Polish Vodka Tour Experience in Gdansk: $127
  • Discover Gdansk Walking Tour: $5.97
  • Electric Scooter Gdańsk: Shipyard Tour - 1,5-Hour of Magic!: $71
  • Extraordinary day tour to Kaszuby region with Poland By Locals: $281
  • From Gdansk Malbork Castle Guided Tour with Hotel Pick Up: $108

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Budapest $20
    Gdansk $5.26

Sample the Local Flavors in Budapest

Also in Budapest, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Ruin Bar Pub Crawl with Entry Tickets: $12
  • Budapest Pub Crawl & Ruin Bar Tour – Free Shots & VIP Entry: $13
  • Budapest Pub Crawl & Ruin Bar Tour – Free Shots & VIP Entry: $20
  • Guided Pub Tour to Ruin Bars with Games & 6 Shots: $23
  • New Year’s Eve Pub Crawl + 1 Hour Open Bar: $24
  • Budapest Pub Tour +6 free Shots +VIP Access +Drinking Games : $24
  • The Original Budapest Pub Crawl - One Hour Open Bar + Free Shots: $24
  • Brewery Tour at "First Craft Beer" & Beer Tasting: $26
  • Private, Personalized Pub Crawl, 3 drinks included: $29
  • Pub Crawl Budapest with Challenges and Free Shots: $30
  • Hungarian pálinka distillery visit and tasting: $36
  • PRIVATE Budapest by Nights: GUIDED tour whit WINE tasting: $39

Sample the Local Flavors in Gdansk

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Gdansk:

  • Gdansk Pub Crawl with Free Drinks: $26
  • Polish Spirits tasting in Gdańsk Craft Distillery tawern: $37
  • #1 Pub Crawl in Sopot: $44
  • Exclusive Gdańsk Wine Tour with Polish Wine Tastings: $96


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Budapest and Gdansk, we can see that Budapest is more expensive. And not only is Gdansk much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Gdansk would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Gdansk and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Budapest would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Budapest than you might in Gdansk.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Budapest Expensive? and Is Gdansk Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Budapest or Gdansk?

Budapest has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Gdansk. When comparing the sizes of Budapest and Gdansk, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Budapest or Gdansk?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Budapest or Gdansk in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Budapest as well as Gdansk. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Budapest this time of year.

In the summer, Budapest is a little warmer than Gdansk. Typically, the summer temperatures in Budapest in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Gdansk averages at about 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Gdansk. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Budapest this time of the year. In the summer, Budapest often gets more sunshine than Gdansk. Budapest gets 278 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gdansk receives 204 hours of full sun.

Budapest usually gets less rain in July than Gdansk. Budapest gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Gdansk receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Budapest 21°C (70°F) 
    Gdansk 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Budapest or Gdansk in the Autumn?

Both Gdansk and Budapest are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Budapest for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Budapest is generally a little warmer than Gdansk. Daily temperatures in Budapest average around 12°C (53°F), and Gdansk fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

Budapest usually receives more sunshine than Gdansk during autumn. Budapest gets 152 hours of sunny skies, while Gdansk receives 97 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Budapest usually receives less rain than Gdansk. Budapest gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Gdansk receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Budapest 12°C (53°F) 
    Gdansk 8°C (46°F)

Should I visit Budapest or Gdansk in the Winter?

Both Gdansk and Budapest during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Budapest in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Gdansk can be very cold during winter. Budapest can get quite cold in the winter. Budapest is much warmer than Gdansk in the winter. The daily temperature in Budapest averages around -1°C (31°F) in January, and Gdansk fluctuates around -2°C (28°F).

In the winter, Budapest often gets more sunshine than Gdansk. Budapest gets 61 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gdansk receives 33 hours of full sun.

Budapest usually gets more rain in January than Gdansk. Budapest gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Gdansk receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Budapest -1°C (31°F) 
    Gdansk -2°C (28°F)

Should I visit Budapest or Gdansk in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Budapest and Gdansk. Most visitors come to Budapest for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Budapest is much warmer than Gdansk. Typically, the spring temperatures in Budapest in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Gdansk averages at about 6°C (43°F).

Budapest usually receives more sunshine than Gdansk during spring. Budapest gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Gdansk receives 162 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Budapest usually receives more rain than Gdansk. Budapest gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Gdansk receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Budapest 12°C (53°F) 
    Gdansk 6°C (43°F)

Typical Weather for Gdansk and Budapest

Budapest Gdansk
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -1°C (31°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) -2°C (28°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
Feb 2°C (35°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) -2°C (28°F) 25 mm (1 in)
Mar 7°C (44°F) 35 mm (1.4 in) 1°C (34°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Apr 12°C (53°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 6°C (43°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
May 16°C (62°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 11°C (52°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Jun 20°C (67°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 14°C (57°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Jul 21°C (70°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 17°C (63°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Aug 21°C (69°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 17°C (63°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Sep 17°C (63°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 12°C (54°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Oct 12°C (53°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 8°C (46°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Nov 6°C (42°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 2°C (36°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Dec 1°C (34°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) -2°C (28°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)