Price comparison
The same 29 everyday buys in Prague and Budapest, from a coffee to an airport taxi: what locals pay, what tourist spots charge, and where your money goes further.
Prague (Czech Republic): these are country-wide prices, typical for tourist areas such as Prague, Český Krumlov, and Brno.
Budapest (Hungary): these are country-wide prices, typical for tourist areas such as Budapest, Debrecen, and Pécs.
The numbers that decide a trip, in one table. Money in USD, the local price underneath.
What locals pay in Prague and Budapest, item by item. Shown in USD at one daily rate so the two sides compare, with the local price underneath. Differences under 3% count as about the same.
18 of the 29 items cost less in Hungary.
Bottled, convenience store
Prague: ≈ $0.69 – $1.20 Kč 15–25 Budapest: ≈ $0.46 – $1.10 Ft 150–350 Cafe or street vendor
Prague: ≈ $2.50 – $4.60 Kč 55–100 Budapest: ≈ $1.80 – $3.70 Ft 600–1,200 Draft, at bar or restaurant
Prague: ≈ $2.10 – $3.70 Kč 45–80 Budapest: ≈ $2.10 – $4.60 Ft 700–1,500 Tourist area, main course
Prague: ≈ $14 – $28 Kč 300–600 Budapest: ≈ $9 – $21 Ft 3,000–7,000 Local market or stand
Prague: ≈ $3.70 – $6.90 Kč 80–150 Budapest: ≈ $4 – $11 Ft 1,200–3,500 Mixed drink, bar
Prague: ≈ $9 – $14 Kč 200–300 Budapest: ≈ $8 – $12 Ft 2,500–4,000 House wine, restaurant
Prague: ≈ $14 – $28 Kč 300–600 Budapest: ≈ $8 – $15 Ft 2,500–5,000 Cafe or street stall
Prague: ≈ $3 – $6 Kč 65–130 Budapest: ≈ $1.80 – $4.30 Ft 600–1,400 Standard route
Prague: ≈ $18 – $37 Kč 400–800 Budapest: ≈ $24 – $41 Ft 8,000–13,500 Metered or typical fare
Prague: ≈ $1.30 – $1.70 Kč 28–36 Budapest: ≈ $1.50 – $3.10 Ft 500–1,000 Single ride
Prague: ≈ $1.70 – $2.30 Kč 36–50 Budapest: ≈ $1.50 – $2.10 Ft 500–700 Grab / Bolt / Uber
Prague: ≈ $18 – $32 Kč 400–700 Budapest: ≈ $9 – $24 Ft 3,000–8,000 Tourist shop
Prague: ≈ $2.30 – $4.60 Kč 50–100 Budapest: ≈ $2.10 – $5.50 Ft 700–1,800 Tourist shop
Prague: ≈ $9 – $23 Kč 200–500 Budapest: ≈ $8 – $18 Ft 2,500–6,000 Ceramics, textiles, etc.
Prague: ≈ $12 – $41 Kč 250–900 Budapest: ≈ $9 – $31 Ft 3,000–10,000 Data package
Prague: ≈ $14 – $23 Kč 299–500 Budapest: ≈ $3.40 – $11 Ft 1,100–3,500 Pharmacy or shop
Prague: ≈ $9 – $21 Kč 200–450 Budapest: ≈ $9 – $20 Ft 3,000–6,500 Supermarket
Prague: ≈ $0.55 – $1.20 Kč 12–25 Budapest: ≈ $0.31 – $0.76 Ft 100–250 Pack of 20
Prague: ≈ $5.50 – $8.30 Kč 120–180 Budapest: ≈ $7 – $8.20 Ft 2,300–2,700 Pack of 20 tablets
Prague: ≈ $1.60 – $3.20 Kč 35–70 Budapest: ≈ $2.40 – $4.60 Ft 800–1,500 Spray or lotion
Prague: ≈ $5 – $10 Kč 110–220 Budapest: ≈ $6 – $11 Ft 1,800–3,500 Local barbershop
Prague: ≈ $16 – $30 Kč 350–650 Budapest: ≈ $9 – $26 Ft 3,000–8,500 Laundry service
Prague: ≈ $4.60 – $9.20 Kč 100–200 Budapest: ≈ $4.60 – $9.80 Ft 1,500–3,200 Standard full-body massage
Prague: ≈ $41 – $74 Kč 900–1,600 Budapest: ≈ $37 – $61 Ft 12,000–20,000 Basic cut, salon
Prague: ≈ $37 – $55 Kč 800–1,200 Budapest: ≈ $24 – $43 Ft 8,000–14,000 Entrance ticket
Prague: ≈ $9 – $23 Kč 200–500 Budapest: ≈ $8 – $21 Ft 2,500–7,000 Organized excursion
Prague: ≈ $28 – $55 Kč 600–1,200 Budapest: ≈ $46 – $92 Ft 15,000–30,000 Organized excursion 6-8h
Prague: ≈ $32 – $51 Kč 700–1,100 Budapest: ≈ $46 – $86 Ft 15,000–28,000 Local cuisine cooking class
Prague: ≈ $100 – $160 Kč 2,200–3,500 Budapest: ≈ $31 – $105 Ft 10,000–35,000 Tourist prices are about 2.7× the fair price in Hungary, against 2.5× in the Czech Republic.
Prague 16th lowest of 60
Budapest 30th lowest of 60
What is expected in each country, so you neither stiff anyone nor overpay.
Prague Tip 10% in Czech restaurants, but hand it directly to the waiter, never leave it on the table, as it may be assumed forgotten. When paying, state the total you want to pay (e.g. "400 Kč") and the waiter keeps the difference.
Budapest Check your bill for a 'szervizdíj' (service charge). If included (10-15%), no extra tip is required. If not, 10% is standard for good service. Always hand cash directly to the waiter rather than leaving it on the table.
Yes. In Hungary you pay about 10% less than in the Czech Republic at fair prices. TruePrice Index: Czech Republic 157, Hungary 141 (100 is the median of the 60 countries I track). 18 of the 29 items cost less in Hungary.
A week is cheaper in Hungary: about $245 at fair prices, against $270 in the Czech Republic. That covers two meals, a coffee, water, a beer, two transit rides and a short taxi ride a day. Flights and accommodation are not included. At tourist-trap prices the same week runs about $675 in the Czech Republic and $785 in Hungary.
In Hungary: food and drinks cost about 16% less there on average. A restaurant meal costs $14 – $28 in the Czech Republic and $9 – $21 in Hungary, street food $3.70 – $6.90 and $4 – $11.
In Hungary: tourist prices there are about 2.7× the fair price on average, against 2.5× in the Czech Republic. The biggest gaps in Hungary: city taxi 1 km (5.7×), tourist SIM card (5.4×), and local handcraft (5.1×).
Where these numbers come from, and how the comparison works.
How to cite
TruePrice, Prague vs Budapest, October 2026, truepriceapp.com/en/compare/prague-vs-budapest/
Spotted a price that looks off? Email me at [email protected] and I will check it.
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