Average Price of a Beer in Budapest

It’s essential that while in Budapest, you take some time to relax with a cool beer. Because a lot of tourists visit, it’s good to know how much a beer will cost so you don’t spend more than needed or miss anything special about the local culture. In this article, we’ll explain how much beers cost in Budapest and give you advice on the best value spots!

What You Should Know About Beer Prices in Budapest

It is essential to be familiar with the currency used before we start. Most places in Budapest accept the Hungarian Forint (HUF), but some will also accept Euros (EUR). All prices included in this guide are given in Hungarian Forint. Budapest’s beer is a good bargain thanks to the exchange rate, where 1 USD is roughly 350–400 HUF and 1 EUR is about 400–420 HUF.

How Much Beer Usage Costs Per Establishment

How much you pay for a beer in a bar or restaurant in Budapest will depend on both the place and its location. A regular 0.5L draught beer in Hungary should cost around 500 to 1200 HUF. Even so, remember that some well-known tourist spots can be costly. For example, places near Danube Promenade or landmarks such as the Parliament have to charge more since they are very popular and a beer might cost you as much as 1500 HUF.

If you want to save money, look outside the city center for beer bargains as low as 300 HUF. Many beer lovers choose the VII district or Jewish Quarter, for its great value on beer. Ruin bars and unique pubs dot this part of the city and the drinks here are budget-minded. Most people buy Dreher, Soproni or Borsodi which are usually cheaper than Heineken or Stella Artois.

Prices Found in Supermarkets and Grocery Stores

If staying at home to drink your cans is your thing, the supermarket or a grocery store is easy to go to. You’ll see that prices at supermarkets are usually less than those at bars and eateries. A typical 0.5L bottle of beer should cost you between 200 and 400 HUF. Many people in Budapest choose to shop at the supermarket chains Tesco, Spar and Lidl. You’ll find both national beers like Arany Ászok and international craft beers in these stores, so you can try them all.

Stocking up with a six-pack will lower costs even more and you may find discounts or promotions at your supermarket for popular brands. Convenience stores or “non-stop shops,” can be found everywhere, but they tend to raise their prices after dark.

Looking for the Best Beer Prices

Basic knowledge of beer prices is handy, but really saving money means you’ll want to locate the best deals while you are there. Follow these tips if you want to enjoy good beer without breaking the bank.

Most bars and restaurants in Budapest have happy hour promotions on early evenings. Here’s a great chance to save on beer prices. Notice any advertisements or ask the team what happy hour offers they have. During certain hours, some establishments near Deák Ferenc Square add specials and you might pay as little as 300–500 HUF for a drink of draft beer. Reviewing the details posted on social media or the site of the venue will help you pick good times to visit.

Visit the Local Ruin Bars: The city’s ruin bars are a one-of-a-kind thing to see while in Budapest. They are formed in spaces left abandoned or in the open air, making them a nice, calm spot. Not only can you feel like you’re really experiencing the sport, but the beer inside sports bars is usually cheaper than your local bar. Places people often go to for ruin bars are Szimpla Kert and Instant. Visitors can try Hungarian craft beer at Szimpla Kert for as little as 400 HUF and the venue’s unique artwork and live music make it a fun and affordable place to visit.

If you enjoy beer, take the time to go to some breweries in Budapest. Tours at several breweries let you discover how beer is brewed and try various samples. Tour participants may enjoy free drinks or reduced prices for what they buy. If you visit Monyo Brewing or First Craft Beer in Budapest, you’ll find that a pint of artisanal beer typically costs between 800 and 1200 HUF. Often, you can find events or festivals at these bars which offer the chance to test special brews in a spot where prices are friendly.

Conclusion

Learning about the typical price of a beer in Budapest is useful for keeping your traveling costs down and getting the most out of your money. No matter which option you pick, beers here won’t cost you much more than 1200 HUF. Having fun and saving money in Budapest is possible if you avoid tourist places, take part in happy hour and visit unusual bars and breweries.

Enjoy local snacks like pogácsa or kolbász when you drink beer to get the most out of your beer experience. Look out for seasonal beer events, for example, the Budapest Beer Week, to find new types of beer and join fellow beer lovers. After going out, drink in moderation and use buses or taxis chosen from the reliable public transport to return. If you stick to these guidelines, you won’t go broke while trying out the best beers in Budapest.