Accomodation & living expenses

Planning your stay in Budapest starts with finding the right place to live and understanding your everyday expenses. Here you can find practical information about housing options and the average cost of student life.

Before arranging your accommodation, please make sure to carefully check which campus you will be attending.
We recommend booking your stay as close as possible to your designated campus to ensure a smooth daily commute.

Accommodation

Finding suitable accommodation and understanding the cost of living are key parts of preparing for your studies in Budapest. This section provides an overview of housing options and typical living expenses to help you plan your budget effectively. Shared apartments or private dorms are affordable and comfortable, usually costing €250–€400 per month. Living in the city centre can be more expensive (€350–€600), while areas outside the centre offer lower prices and easy access by public transport.

Short-term options (for exchange students, BIP weeks, or temporary stays)

If you are planning to stay in Budapest for a shorter period (a few days or a week), you can easily find temporary accommodation through international booking platforms:

Booking.com
One of the most popular platforms offering a wide range of hotels, apartments, and hostels in all price categories. You can filter by location, rating, and amenities to find the option that best suits your needs.
https://www.booking.com
Airbnb
Ideal for students seeking a more home-like experience or private stays. Airbnb offers rooms and entire apartments hosted by locals across Budapest.
https://www.airbnb.com
Hostelworld.com
A great budget-friendly option for students and solo travelers. Hostelworld specializes in hostels and shared accommodations, often located near city centers and universities.
https://www.hostelworld.com

Long term options (for a semester or an academic year)

The university does not provide on-campus housing or issue accommodation certificates. Therefore, we encourage students to begin their accommodation search as early as possible.

We recommend contacting the Hungarian Embassy or Consulate in your country to inquire about specific requirements related to the accommodation certificate, especially regarding the minimum booking duration needed for visa purposes.

If you are unable to arrange long-term housing from abroad, you may consider booking accommodation for the minimum required period, and then search for permanent housing once you arrive in Budapest. Many students find it easier to secure long-term housing after they are already in the city.

Some useful platforms and groups for long-term housing:

https://en.alberlet.hu – a popular website for long-term apartment rentals
Facebook groups:
BP: Munka & Szállás
Budapest Rooms for Rent (students)
Budapest, Hungary Apartments
Budapest Housing and Apartments
City Budapest International Students
International Students in Budapest
Budapest Apartment Rentals

Living expenses

After finding your place to live, you may want to get an idea of the typical costs of daily life in Budapest.

Besides rent, students typically spend around €350–€400 per month on food, transport, study materials, and leisure activities. Careful budgeting helps ensure a comfortable student life in Budapest.

Utilities and Internet

Electricity, water, and heating come to about €50–€100 each month.
Internet usually costs around €15–€25.

Food

Eating at university cafeterias or local restaurants costs about €6–€10 per meal.
Cooking at home saves money. Groceries for a month cost about €150–€200.
Lidl, Aldi, and local markets are good places to buy food.

Public Transport

Buses, trams, and metro are quick and cheap.
A monthly student pass costs is 3450 HUF (€8–€10).
This ticket gives you unlimited rides all over Budapest.

Fun and Travel

Want to explore and have fun? Budget around €50–€100 a month.
You can visit museums, cinemas and concerts, and also go sightseeing in beautiful Budapest.
Almost every attraction and transportation option offers discounts for students.
Always carry your student ID to get special prices and save money on activities and travel.

Total Monthly Budget

For a comfortable life, plan on about €600–€800 a month.

Budapest University of Economics and Business