Can you visit Budapest on 30 CHF a Day? Real Budget Breakdown

I challenged myself to spend only 30 CHF per day in Budapest for 2 days to see if budget travel in Europe is really possible.

In this guide, I’ll show you exactly what I spent, where I saved money and whether this challenge is realistic.

Day 1

Morning
I started the day with a very simple breakfast: a cereal bar for just 0.35 CHF.

Lunch
For lunch, I chose the cheapest option: the supermarket. I bought bread and cheese and made my own sandwich.
Total cost: 4.90 CHF

Afternoon
I didn’t spend anything on activities.
Instead, I walked around the city and explored Budapest’s main attractions from the outside.

Dinner
For dinner, I had a simple meal: rice with fried mushrooms and a drink.
Total: 18.50 CHF

Tranport
The only transport cost was the bus from the airport to the city.
Total: 6 CHF

➡️ Total Day 1: 29.40 CHF

Day 2

Morning
For breakfast, I went to a café and had a bowl with tea.
Total: 11.70 CHF

Cheaper option:
A simple croissant would have cost around 3.76 CHF.

Lunch
For lunch, I tried a local dish: lángos with sour cream and cheese.
Total: 8.60 CHF

Dessert
I also had a chimney cake for around 3.95 CHF.

Afternoon
Again, I didn’t spend anything on activities.
I walked everywhere and visited the main attractions from the outside.

Tranport
I only paid for transport again: the bus back to the airport.
Total: 6 CHF

➡️ Total Day 2: 30.25 CHF

Total cost overview

Day 1	29.40 CHF
Day 2	30.25 CHF

➡️ Average per day: ~30 CHF

Where I saved money

• I walked everywhere instead of using public transport
• I avoided paid attractions and focused on free sights
• I used the supermarket for cheap meals
• I kept my food choices simple

What I learned

Through this challenge, I learned that budget travel is not about missing out but about making more intentional and smarter decisions.

At the beginning, I thought it would be difficult to stay within such a low budget, especially in a European city. However, I quickly realized that the biggest impact comes from everyday choices, especially when it comes to food and transport.

Food, in particular, has the biggest influence on your daily spending. Choosing simple meals, avoiding unnecessary extras, and sometimes picking the cheapest option instead of the most convenient one can make a huge difference over the course of a day.

For me, the most surprising part was how much I could save just by choosing simple meals and walking instead of using transport. Not only did this help me stay within my budget but it also allowed me to explore more of the city in a more authentic way.

What would I do differently

If I did this challenge again, I would make a few small changes to optimize my budget even further.

First, I would choose a cheaper breakfast option, such as a bakery instead of a café. While the café experience was nice, it used up a large part of my daily budget very quickly.

Second, I would plan my meals more carefully in advance. This would help avoid spontaneous decisions that are often more expensive.

Lastly, I would pay more attention to small extra costs, as they can quickly add up without noticing.

Is 30 CHF per day realistic?

This challenge is realistic, but not for everyone.

It requires planning, discipline, and the ability to prioritize budget over comfort in certain situations. For example, choosing to walk instead of taking transport or picking simple meals instead of eating at restaurants can feel limiting at times.

However, this challenge clearly shows that traveling in Europe can be much more affordable than most people expect. With the right strategy and mindset, it is possible to significantly reduce daily expenses without completely missing out on the experience.

That said, this budget is quite strict and may not be sustainable for a longer trip. It works best as a short challenge or for travelers who are very focused on saving money.

Final thoughts

Overall, this challenge showed me that Budapest is a very budget-friendly destination if you make smart and conscious decisions.

Even with a low budget, it is still possible to enjoy the city, explore its main attractions and try local food. The key is to focus on what really matters and avoid unnecessary spending.

In the end, this experience was not only about saving money but also about learning how to travel more efficiently and thoughtfully.

Save this guide for your next trip and share it with someone you’d try this challenge with ✈️