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

Should you visit Malmo or Budapest?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Malmo or Budapest, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Malmo or Budapest?

Malmo

Located on the southern tip of Sweden, in the province of Skane, Malmo is Sweden's third largest city. It has a very international population with about a third of the residents being from countries other than Sweden. This diversity is evident within Malmo, which is rich in culture, interesting food, and an array of entertainment options. Historically, Malmo was an industrial city with a ship building company, Kockums being the area's largest employer. Today, however, the city is much more economicaly diverse with many eco friendly neighborhoods and plenty of suburban style housing.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Stockholm, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Sweden, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Budapest, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Budapest.


Which place is cheaper, Budapest or Malmo?

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 Malmo is $115, while the average daily cost in Budapest is $122. 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 Malmo and Budapest in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Malmo $55
    Budapest $58
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Malmo $110
    Budapest $116
Compare Hotels in Malmo and Budapest

Looking for a hotel in Malmo or Budapest? 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 Malmo


Hotels in Budapest


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: Malmo Hotel Prices and Budapest Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Malmo $9.11
    Budapest $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Malmo

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


  • Malmö Bus Card
    $21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Malmo

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

  • Private Direct Transfer From Malmo to Copenhagen: $167
  • Malmo Airport (MMX) to Malmo City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $136
  • Malmö City to Copenhagen hotel/address Private Departure Transfer: $134
  • Malmo Private Transfer from Malmo airport to Central Malmo : $105
  • Malmo City to Malmo Airport (MMX) - Departure Private Transfer: $68
  • Malmo Airport (MMX) to Malmo City - Arrival Private Transfer: $68
  • Malmo Private Transfer from Central Malmo to Malmo Airport: $57

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:

  • Vienna: Private transfer to Budapest or Budapest to Vienna: $317
  • Private transfer from Budapest to Prague: $1,163
  • Private arrival OR departure transfer in Budapest (hotel OR airport pick-up): $109
  • Private Transfer in Budapest: $102
  • Private Transfer from Budapest to Vienna with 2h of Sightseeing: $257
  • Private Transfer from Budapest to Liszt Ferenc Airport: $87
  • Private Transfer Budapest Airport BUD to Budapest by Car or Van: $40
  • Private Scenic Transfer from Budapest to Vienna with 4h of Sightseeing: $293
  • Private One Way Transfer from Budapest to Budapest Int Airport: $56
  • Private Budapest Airport ROUND-TRIP Transfer (Luxury Vehicle): $100
  • Private Budapest - Vienna transfer with an optional 2 hours stop in Bratislava: $299
  • Private Airport Transfer from Budapest Airport to Budapest City: $84

Is it cheaper to fly into Malmo or Budapest?

Prices for flights to both Budapest and Malmo 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
    Malmo $51
    Budapest $44

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Malmo $18
    Budapest $24

Tours and Activities in Malmo

For Malmo, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Canal Sightseeing Boat Tour of Malmö: $25
  • Copenhagen and Hamlet Tour: $143
  • Guided Walking Tour in Malmö: $45
  • Half Day Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour in Cosmopolitan Malmö: $16
  • Half Day Walking Tour in Lund City and University: $38
  • Lund's Medieval and Modern History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
  • Malmö Photography Tour: $67
  • Malmö Private Walking Tour with a Local: $56
  • Malmo Syndicate City Escape Game Self Guided Experience: $31
  • Malmo Walking Tour, 3 hours (small group): $72
  • Old Town Helsingborg: Exploration Game and Self-Guided Tour: $7.16
  • Self-guided audio tour in Lund: explore the story of the Locus Peccatorum murder: $8.63

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.

  • City Segway Tours Budapest ( Buda + Pest ) : $48
  • UNESCO World Heritage Hollókő and Eger Private Tour: $270
  • 1.5 Hour Budapest Segway Tour - To The Castle Area : $47
  • 101 things in Budapest - Full Day Tour with Lunch & Metro Pass: $203
  • 2 Hours Buda Castle Walking Tour - Walk with a Historian: $48
  • 2 Hours Private Scenic Photo Tour Around Budapest: $239
  • 2-Hour Private Market Tour in Budapest With Free Tastings: $76
  • 3 Hours Budapest Segway Grand City Tour Buda, Margaret and Pest: $102
  • 3 Hours Private Guided Tour In Budapest: $176
  • 3-Hour Orientation Walking Tour of Buda and Pest: $41
  • 4 hour The Treasures of Budapest Private Walking Tour: $147
  • 7 hour Budapest walking tour: $223

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Malmo $41
    Budapest $20

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


When comparing the travel costs between Malmo and Budapest, we can see that Budapest is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Malmo or Budapest?

Budapest has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Malmo. When comparing the sizes of Malmo and Budapest, 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 Malmo or Budapest?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Malmo or Budapest in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Malmo and Budapest. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Budapest because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Malmo is cooler than Budapest in the summer. The daily temperature in Malmo averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Budapest fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Budapest this time of the year. In Malmo, it's very sunny this time of the year. Malmo usually receives less sunshine than Budapest during summer. Malmo gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 278 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Malmo usually receives more rain than Budapest. Malmo gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Malmo 17°C (62°F) 
    Budapest 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Malmo or Budapest in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Malmo as well as Budapest. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Budapest this time of year.

In the autumn, Malmo is cooler than Budapest. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Malmo in October average around 10°C (50°F), and Budapest averages at about 12°C (53°F).

In the autumn, Malmo often gets less sunshine than Budapest. Malmo gets 104 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 152 hours of full sun.

Malmo usually gets more rain in October than Budapest. Malmo gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Malmo 10°C (50°F) 
    Budapest 12°C (53°F)

Should I visit Malmo or Budapest in the Winter?

Both Budapest and Malmo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Budapest for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Budapest. It's quite cold in Malmo in the winter. In January, Malmo is generally much warmer than Budapest. Daily temperatures in Malmo average around 0°C (32°F), and Budapest fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).

Malmo usually receives less sunshine than Budapest during winter. Malmo gets 36 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 61 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Malmo usually receives less rain than Budapest. Malmo gets 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Malmo 0°C (32°F) 
    Budapest -1°C (31°F)

Should I visit Malmo or Budapest in the Spring?

Both Budapest and Malmo during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Budapest in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Malmo is much colder than Budapest in the spring. The daily temperature in Malmo averages around 5°C (42°F) in April, and Budapest fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In the spring, Malmo often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Budapest. Malmo gets 173 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 178 hours of full sun.

Malmo usually gets less rain in April than Budapest. Malmo gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Malmo 5°C (42°F) 
    Budapest 12°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Budapest and Malmo

Malmo Budapest
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 0°C (32°F) 37 mm (1.4 in) -1°C (31°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Feb -0°C (32°F) 25 mm (1 in) 2°C (35°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Mar 2°C (35°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 7°C (44°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Apr 5°C (42°F) 35 mm (1.4 in) 12°C (53°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
May 11°C (51°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 16°C (62°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 20°C (67°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Jul 17°C (62°F) 52 mm (2 in) 21°C (70°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Aug 17°C (62°F) 50 mm (2 in) 21°C (69°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Sep 14°C (57°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 17°C (63°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Oct 10°C (50°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 12°C (53°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Nov 6°C (42°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 6°C (42°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Dec 2°C (36°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 1°C (34°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)