Budapest chosen as one of the top 15 affordable destinations to visit this autumn

Good news for sightseeing enthusiasts: in a recent study, Compare the Market assessed the cost of food, transport, and accommodation in several popular destinations and compiled a list of the most affordable destinations in Europe to visit this autumn. Budapest, the Hungarian capital, has made it onto this list as one of the best budget-friendly destinations for a quick city break.

Although the end of the year is fast approaching, it’s not too late to plan a short European getaway this autumn, offering a chance to unwind before the busy holiday season. While last-minute bookings can often be pricier, as Travelo points out in their report, choosing the right destination can help save a great deal.

Before compiling the list of the top affordable destinations, Compare the Market analysed key factors such as the cost of a meal per person, local transport, the price of an Airbnb stay, and the number of Instagram posts, to identify the best affordable cities for a quick European break.

This year, Compare the Market named Istanbul, the bustling Turkish capital, as the top value destination. It’s hardly surprising, with the average meal costing just £7.31 (€8.73), a one-way transport ticket priced at 43p (€0.51), and an Airbnb averaging £68 (€81.23) per night.

The Blue Mosque of Istanbul. Photo: depositphotos.com

Warsaw came in second, with the average Airbnb costing just GBP 65 (EUR 77.66) per night.

The Old Town of Warsaw. Photo: depositphotos.com

Budapest ranked third, where food and accommodation are also relatively inexpensive by European standards.

The Hungarian Parliament in Budapest. Photo: depositphotos.com

It’s worth noting that the list of the most affordable destinations also includes some notoriously expensive cities, which are probably ranked higher because of the number of Instagram posts they have attracted. These include Vienna, the capital of Austria (14th), and Paris (15th), Timeout reports.

These are the best affordable destinations for autumn 2024

1. Istanbul
2. Warsaw
3. Budapest
4. Krakow
5. Prague
6. Heraklion
7. Oporto
8. Athens
9. Tallinn
10. Madrid
11. Seville
12. Lyon
13. Lisbon
14. Vienna
15. Paris

Budapest also ranked among the friendliest European destinations

In a recent survey, Condé Nast Traveler asked its readers to vote for the friendliest European cities in their experience. The list of the ten best destinations in this regard included cities everywhere from Eastern Europe to the Mediterranean, with Stockholm, Sweden’s capital at the top, scoring 94.07 points.

Budapest claimed second place, with a score of 91.88 points, despite not making the top 10 last year. Valencia, Spain, secured third place with 91 points.

The report highlighted Budapest’s reputation as the “City of Spas,” with over 100 natural springs feeding its thermal baths. It also praised the city’s stunning and diverse architecture, as well as the pride locals take in their city and their eagerness to share it with visitors. You can read our full report on Condé Nast Traveler’s ranking here.

Discover the must-visit attractions in Istanbul, the top-ranked city on the list:

…and Budapest, our bronze medalist with just as many captivating sights to explore:

Featured picture: depositphotos.com