Prices in Budapest are becoming unaffordable for Hungarians
Why don’t Hungarian tourists from the countryside come to Budapest? In many cases because they cannot afford the prices in the capital. The prices of Budapest’s attractions and the surrounding restaurants are not set to suit Hungarian wallets. This was the case even before COVID-19 and the Russian-Ukrainian war, but now, the situation is even worse because of the energy crisis. A recently published calculation shows how much more expensive the Hungarian capital has become in recent years, using a children’s series.
According to Pénzcentrum.hu, the prices in the capital are not set to suit Hungarian wallets. A family of 5 could easily spend HUF 60-70,000 (EUR 152-178) in half a day in Budapest, without actually including a main meal.
The Brúnó Budapesten (Bruno in Budapest) children’s series presents the beauty, interesting details and sights of the capital through the eyes of children. “It’s a kind of return to my original profession as an architect,” writes the author Erika Bartos on her website. Brúnó moves with his parents from the shores of Lake Balaton to Budapest. They leave the child with his godfather for three days while his parents are renovating the house. The godfather sets off with Bruno and three of his own sons to see Budapest and its sights.
Back in 2019, Index.hu calculated how much money is lost in the Buda castle in half a day. That amount was HUF 45,000 (EUR 114). Today, in 2023 – “after” all the pandemics, wars and energy crises – we can say that the 2019 prices in Budapest were quite friendly. At least compared to the prices a family of five will have to expect in the capital’s famous sights and restaurants four years later, in 2023.
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One of the leisure activities whose price has not changed over the years is the 3D projection in St Michael’s Chapel (Szent Mihály kápolna). Brúnó’s group at the Fisherman’s Bastion (Halászbástya) did not go up to the upper level lookout, so they only paid HUF 1,500 (EUR 3.81) in the chapel as there is no children’s ticket. This cost HUF 7,500 (EUR 19) in total.
After the Chapel, they had ice cream at the Hilton Hotel. According to the illustration, Brúnó and probably also the other children got 3 scoops. Four years ago, it was around HUF 300 (EUR 0.76) per scoop. So they left at least HUF 3,600 (EUR 9.15) at the ice cream stand. By January 2023, this price had risen by at least fifty percent, so a scoop costs about HUF 450 (EUR 1.14). So this was a total expense of HUF 6,750 (EUR 17.16) for the godfather.
Their next destination was Matthias Church (Mátyás-templom) where they visited the tower. In 2019, this was HUF 6,000 (EUR 15.25) for a group of five. Currently, it costs HUF 12,500 (EUR 31.79) for an adult and four students.
After the Matthias Church, they bought a strudel and scones at the Balta alley. A strudel cost HUF 400 (EUR 1.02) in 2019, and after the 50 percent price increase, it has since risen to HUF 600 (EUR 1.53). So the godfather spent HUF 3900 (EUR 9.92) on pastries at the alley.
Their next destination was the Labyrinth of Buda Castle. Here, they would have to pay a total of HUF 9,000 (EUR 22.89) in 2023 instead of the HUF 7,000 (EUR 17.80) price in 2019. After the labyrinth, the group headed home. On their way, they visited the Guard Change at the Sándor Palace which was free for a change.
After they spent about HUF 8,000 (EUR 20.34) for 4 horn cakes, the group took the funicular down to Clark Ádám Square. That cost HUF 4000 (EUR 10.17) in 2019, but 4 years later, it is HUF 11,000 (EUR 28). As they only went downwards, they had the other upwards ticket which they can use up for a year, so the actual expense is HUF 5,500 (EUR 14).
According to the calculations of Pénzcentrum.hu, during their last adventure in 2019, the godfather spent HUF 44,700 (EUR 113.62). If he were to repeat the same activities with the children this year, it would cost about HUF 60,000 (EUR 152.51). That’s an increase of more than 30 percent regarding the prices in Budapest.
Source: penzcentrum.hu
Greed, Selfishness and Exploitation.
What hope have we got when we are exercising this type of ABUSE on each other?
Government, must share the pain equally with us the citizens in our growing millions being RAVAGED by the continuation of the Economy decline in Hungary.
We “screw” and ABUSE each other and continue to TOLERATE it – just adds to the trending economic and financial collapse of our country.
CHALLENGE it – express you displeasure of it – like I experienced up at the Castle some weeks back, opposite Matyas templon – in the park opposite, shop wanted 4000 huf for a (1) one grilled sausage, no roll just the grilled sausage, which I grabbed the 5000 huf back out of his hand and said ROBBERY – because that’s what it is – Greed, Selfishness & Exploitation.
Shop attendant looked SHOCKED at my grabbing the huf back out of his hand, but that’s his problem, as I will not tolerate blatant abuse and will support my fellow Hungarians if Iam in a position that needs pricing clarification in my support of them not getting ABUSED.
Hungarians – we are just going along with ALL – that this Government have created – the MESS we are living in as a country, an Economy collapsing, our quality of life eroding rapidly, millions of Hungarians living on the “Cusp” of financial ruination, and we just go on – follow on – bear it – behaving just like LEMMINGS – following each other to a cliff edge and jumping over.
Greed, Selfishness & Exploitation – in the CORE of our Citizenship, throughout Hungary – tolerated by this Orban Government, who continue to display they have lost there way, leading us Hungary deeper into somewhat of an ABYSS, that could end in us, as a country – STRANGULATED/Paralyzed – that is best described defined – as
PERILOUS.
I completely agree with what Enraged has written. But I’m not Hungarian. I have been visiting Hungary for the last 8 years on my vacation and I know the price difference on everything.
Budapest is unaffordable to everyone. From the foreign landlords who buy and renovate properties just to rent them out for outrageous prices (400 euro + utilities for a studio?!?), to the highest inflation in EU for food (47.1% in a year), to electricity and gas costs, while salaries don’t even keep up with inflation… This country is already dead. Those rats in power stole as much as they could for several years, and now they only point fingers at Brussels complaining they wanted more to rob.