Prices are shockingly high at Budapest Christmas markets!

Budapest Basilica Christmas fair
Photo: www.facebook.com/spiceofeurope/

Finally this year, we can visit the Christmas fairs in Budapest. Apart from carrying our immunity certificates which are required for entering most of the Advent markets, we should bring a thick wallet as well. EUR 6.50 for a sausage, EUR 4 for chestnuts, and EUR 2.5 for a mulled wine – just some examples of the relatively high prices at the Budapest Christmas markets this season.

As we previously reported, this year Budapest’s Advent fairs are awaiting visitors with splendid Christmas lights, exciting programs, and a stunningly festive atmosphere. However, it is worth getting familiar with the rules beforehand, as certain Budapest Christmas markets can only be attended with an immunity certificate or a negative coronavirus test.
In addition,

we should bring a thick wallet as the prices are relatively high at this year’s Christmas markets in Budapest.

On the other hand, there is no reason to be surprised. Even though Christmas fairs are more expensive compared to Hungarian standards, there was no substantial increase compared to the prices registered two years ago. The reason behind this is that the organisers wanted a family-friendly Christmas fair this year so they kept the food prices under control – reported the Hungarian news portal Pénzcentrum.

Accordingly, here are some examples what to expect at this year’s Advent fairs:

  • Chestnuts: 3.5-4 € (~ 1,300-1,500 HUF)
  • Strudel: 2.2 € (~ 800 HUF)
  • Hot tea: 1.6 € (~ 600 HUF)
  • Hot chocolate: 2.7-3.4 € (~ 990-1250 HUF)
  • Mulled wine: 2.4 € (900 HUF)
  • Mineral water: 1.4 € (~ 500 HUF)
  • Pálinka (4 cl): 4 € (~ 1500 HUF)
  • Hot Rum Tea: 3.3 € (~ 1200 HUF)
  • Beer (4dl): 2.4 € (~ 900 HUF)
  • Wine (1.5 dl): 2.4 € (~ 900 HUF)
  • Lángos: 2.7-6.8 € (~ 1000-2500 HUF)
  • Chimney cake: 4-5.2 € (~ 1500–1900 HUF)
  • Grilled sausage with bread: 6.8 € (~ 2500 HUF)
  • Grilled spare rib with garnish: 9.5 € (~ 3,500 HUF)
  • Beef stew in rye bread: 9 € (~ 3300 HUF)
  • Goulash soup in rye zipper: 9 € (~ 3300 HUF)
  • Steak potatoes, croquettes, grilled vegetables: 2.7€ (~ 1000 HUF)
  • Pickles: 2.2 € (~ 800 HUF)
  • Oven-baked trotters: 13.3 € (~ 4,900 HUF)
  • Goose liver: 14.7 € (~ 5,400 HUF)

Besides Hungarians, many foreign tourists visit the Advent fairs in the Hungarian capital. This is not surprising as this year Budapest has been listed among the TOP20 most beautiful European Christmas destinations.

In addition to Christmas food and beverages, you can find a wide variety of handicrafts at the Advent markets. According to an expert,

a price increase is likely to be experinced in the case of Christmas gifts.

„This is due to the weakening of the Hungarian Forint in recent months, plus the complications of transport and production which push up the prices… In general, there is cost pressure everywhere, either because of wage increases or shipping costs. Therefore, gifts will be a little more expensive this year.”

All in all, it will be difficult to get away with this year’s Christmas cost-effectively. As the Hungarian news portal Startlap reports, the steady rise in prices warns visitors to be cautious. In addition, we cannot save much on Black Friday purchases either as there are fewer and smaller promotions this year.

Source: penzcentrum.hu; startlap.hu

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