Comparison · Bucharest vs Budapest · Romania / Hungary
Bucharest vs Budapest
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Madalin Pentelie, CC0
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Quick answer
Choose Bucharest for Palace of the Parliament and Romanian Athenaeum; choose Budapest for Thermal baths and Hungarian Parliament. Bucharest is generally less expensive, and the two are about 644 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 644 km
- Less expensive
- Bucharest
- Best time for Bucharest
- May–June and September–October
- Best time for Budapest
- April–May and September–October
Side by side
| Bucharest | Budapest | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Romania | Hungary |
| Known for | Palace of the Parliament, Romanian Athenaeum and Old Town nightlife | Thermal baths, Hungarian Parliament and Danube views |
| Best time to visit | May–June and September–October | April–May and September–October |
| Ideal stay | 3 days | 4 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $100–$180 | $110–$210 |
| Cost level | Affordable | Affordable |
| Warmest month | July, 30°C (86°F) | July, 28°C (82°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 3°C (37°F) | January, 3°C (37°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 9 | 7 |
| Day trips in our guide | 5 | 6 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | OTP | BUD |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Bucharest for…
Palace of the Parliament and Romanian Athenaeum. Romania's capital mixes Belle Époque mansions and the Romanian Athenaeum along Calea Victoriei with the enormous Palace of the Parliament and the socialist boulevards built around it. In between, the Old Town's lanes around Lipscani hold the 18th-century…
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Choose Budapest for…
Thermal baths and Hungarian Parliament. Budapest straddles the Danube: hilly Buda on the west bank has the Castle District and Fisherman's Bastion, while flat Pest on the east holds the Parliament, St Stephen's Basilica, the old Jewish Quarter and most hotels, restaurants and bars. The city sits…
Top sights compared
| # | Bucharest | Budapest |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Palace of the Parliament | Hungarian Parliament Building |
| 2 | Old Town and Lipscani | Buda Castle |
| 3 | Stavropoleos Monastery | Fisherman's Bastion |
| 4 | Cărturești Carusel | Matthias Church |
| 5 | Romanian Athenaeum | Széchenyi Thermal Bath |
Food compared
| Bucharest | Budapest |
|---|---|
| Sarmale | Goulash soup |
| Mămăligă | Chicken paprikash |
| Mici | Lángos |
| Tripe soup | Chimney cake |
Which is cheaper?
Bucharest is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $100–$180 per person there, against $110–$210 in Budapest (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Bucharest on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Bucharest and Budapest are about 644 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 3 days in Bucharest and 4 in Budapest.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Bucharest or Budapest cheaper?
Bucharest is usually less expensive: about $100–$180 a day mid-range against $110–$210 (estimates).
+Is Bucharest or Budapest better for a first trip?
Pick Bucharest for Palace of the Parliament and Romanian Athenaeum, or Budapest for Thermal baths and Hungarian Parliament.
+How far is Bucharest from Budapest?
About 644 km in a straight line.