The Average Price of a Pint in Budapest

One of the reasons people love Budapest is its fun nightlife, busy ruin bars and thriving beer scene. Having a cold beer at your side, either on an old street or by the Danube, is usually pretty nice. One thing that draws many to Budapest is how cheap the beer is. Most of the time, you should expect a pint of beer to set you back between 500 to 900 HUF in Budapest. If you change the above prices to British pounds, they would be around £1.30 to £2.40, depending on the exchange rate right now.

Many beer lovers enjoy Budapest because the city has affordable and excellent beers. Just as other items, the cost of a pint can differ depending on several important circumstances.

Why the Cost of a Pint in Budapest Varies

Location

Where you get your pint makes a significant difference to its cost. Most parts of Budapest have popular places for tourists, yet some are calm and peaceful. You can expect to pay more in the Jewish Quarter and around the famous ruin bars like Szimpla Kert. There are usually many tourists at these places which lets bars charge more for drinks.

You may also find that pubs farther from the tourist route, often in normal districts, charge less for drinks. Heading to places like Újbuda or Óbuda will show you cozy pubs where you won’t overpay.

Place You’re Holding the Event

Selecting the right place for the event is very important. Among their many great things, Budapest is known for the eclectic bars called ruin bars. Spots like these don’t usually cost as much as upscale cocktail bars, fancy hotel bars or hot clubs. While ruin bars are fun.

Daylight Time

In Budapest, a lot of bars have happy hour and discounts for customers at early evening which is usually a quieter time. Doing this allows you to still enjoy nice drinks at a lower price. The staff at some places may give you “two-for-one” deals or lower prices on draft on these days which is why you should always ask or do some research first.

Which beer and how large a serving you take.

Beers can cost very different amounts, depending on the brand. When you buy beers like Dreher, Soproni or Borsodi from Hungary, you’ll pay less than for imported brands. You’ll find craft beer is on the rise in Budapest and many pubs offer a range of local types which may cost as much as or slightly more than standard lager.

The volume of your beer matters too. Hungary’s pint is roughly 0.5 liters, but bars may give you glasses of any size and change the price accordingly. Figuring out your size before you buy helps you plan your budget more easily.

Exchange Rate

Because few people trade the Hungarian forint (HUF), the currency’s exchange rate tends to vary a lot. This means that those changing their currency can find the price of a pint varies every day. You can estimate your expenses more accurately by looking at live rates just before your trip.

How to Pay Less for Pints in Budapest

Enjoying the beer in local areas on a budget is easy if you follow these useful tactics:

Check out the neighborhood pubs in your city.

Look for interesting places you may not find in guidebooks. Visiting neighborhoods near your place can introduce you to pubs with excellent beer that cost less. These venues give you a real taste of what Hungarian nightlife and culture are like.

Look for Happy Hours when selecting a place.

Happy hour offers are common at many bars and they usually happen in the early evening. If you have some free time, use it to go out for beers and enjoy discounts and occasional special deals on food.

Sample Craft Beers From Hungary

Budapest has a busy craft beer sector, where many breweries create impressive and modestly priced beers. If you try craft beer, you’ll probably find it both delicious and cheaper than beer shipped from abroad.

Make your purchases at Shops or Markets.

Enjoying a beer outdoors or in your room? You can save a lot by buying it at supermarkets, local markets or convenience shops. You will usually find bottled and canned beers for less in a shop than you would pay at a bar.

Compare Prices

Check the posted menus or lists of prices before choosing a bar. This easy action helps you score the best prices and prevent spending more than you expected.

Conclusion

Prices for a beer in Budapest are not fixed, as they depend on where and when you buy and what brand, but on average you’d spend between £1.30 and £2.40 for a pint. People who love beer come to Budapest thanks to its combination of good beers, affordability and a lively scene.

Enjoying local pubs, making use of happy hours on offer, tasting Hungarian beers and shopping for them, you’ll enjoy the city’s beer life and stay on budget. Enjoy a drink, shout “Egészségedre!” (Cheers!) to your friends and upgrade your night out with Budapest’s amazing food, enjoyable vibe and unbeatable prices.