Budapest vs Lisbon vs Madrid vs Mexico City

Budapest 🇭🇺
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Lisbon 🇵🇹
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Population 1,768,073 517,000 6,578,0179 8,850,000
Official language(s) Hungarian Portuguese Spanish Spanish
Level of English High Very high Moderate Moderate
Main airport Budapest Ferihegy International Airport (BUD) Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Mexico City International Airport (MEX)
Most common months to visit March - June, September - November March - May, September, October March - May, September - November March - May, October, November
Currency HUF - Hungarian Forint (Ft) EUR - Euro (€) EUR - Euro (€) MXN - Mexican Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere, cash needed for small shops Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) Accepted everywhere Widely accepted (less with AMEX)
Remote worker visa No Yes Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $1230 $1984 $2498 $1867
Rent $499 $965 $1174 $778
Groceries $108 $136 $175 $281
Dining out $202 $271 $313 $182
Cafe $29 $37 $51 $49
Coworking space $120 $164 $196 $159
Mobile internet $9 $24 $10 $25
Public transportation $36 $63 $78 $11
Taxis $27 $27 $44 $9
Shared bicycles and scooters $13 $18 $49 $24
Sport and cultural events $24 $29 $54 $81
Museums and sights $7 $24 $20 $20
Nightlife $43 $47 $82 $64
Gym $37 $65 $44 $69
Yoga $48 $65 $142 $65
Massage $26 $50 $64 $51
SIM card options Vodafone, Telenor Vodafone Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Telcel, Movistar
Tipping 10 - 15% at restaurants and bars 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services
Taxi apps Bolt, Fotaxi Uber, FreeNow Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now Uber
Tap water Drinkable Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable
Overall cuisine Magyar cuisine makes extensive use of creams, cheeses and sauces primarily in beef, chicken and pork dishes, mixed with seasonal vegetables, fruits and rich desserts. Fresh seafood, meats, soup, sausages and famous pastries Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese
Local food specialities Goulash, Fisherman's soup, Főzelék, Somloi Galuska, Pörkölt and Paprikás, Kürtös Kalács, Hungarian Lecsó, Lángos Bacalhau à bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitão, polvo à lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas
Eat like a local Local markets, cafés, taverns, street food, traditional restaurants Tascas, snack bars, seafood restaurants Have some tapas and sangria at a tasca and paella at an authentic eatery. Keep an eye on the time and visit a cafeteria for a mid-afternoon merienda and some churros! Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus)
Vegetarian / vegan options 47 options on HappyCow 401 listings on Happy Cow 85 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow