Whether it’s a price hike or not: Hungarians’ desire to travel remains undiminished even in summer

Organised travel continues to flourish post-Covid, with strong demand for package holidays, according to the Hungarian Association of Travel Agencies (MUISZ). The early booking season – running from December to March – brought record numbers, as generous discounts prompted many to secure their summer trips well in advance.

Turkey remains king, Albania gains ground

Unsurprisingly, Turkey and Greece are once again the most popular beach destinations for Hungarian holidaymakers. According to MUISZ spokesperson Balázs Bakó, Turkey stands out thanks to its reliable and all-inclusive packages offering strong value for money.

Prices for a one-week, seaside holiday package (including flights and board) now start from HUF 300,000–400,000 per person during peak season. The final price, however, varies significantly depending on location and hotel category.

Spain, Italy, Malta and France also remain firm favourites. Meanwhile, Bulgaria, Albania, and the traditionally self-driven Croatia are seeing increased demand—especially from individual travellers, not just group tours.

Early birds win, last-minute travellers face limitations

Early bookings offered discounts of 10–30 percent, which mobilised tens of thousands of travellers. Those waiting for last-minute deals may now face limited availability in their desired locations or hotel categories as the peak season approaches.

Bulgaria and Croatia now even cheaper by air

According to Kiwi.com, Hungarians are flying most frequently to Spain, Italy, Greece and Portugal this summer. However, Malta, Bulgaria and Croatia have seen the most significant increases in bookings compared to last year.

Bulgaria’s growing popularity is due in part to a 12 percent drop in average flight prices, while flights to Croatia are now 46 percent cheaper than last year. Round-trip tickets to both destinations can be found from HUF 10,000, while Malta is available from HUF 16,000 during the summer months.

Long-haul travel also gaining momentum

More Hungarian travellers are venturing farther afield in 2025, with increased bookings to Indonesia, Peru and Thailand. Group and family reservations now account for 35 percent of all long-distance bookings via Kiwi.com, up from 27 percent last year.

The average summer airfare currently stands at €174, depending on travel distance:

• short-haul (up to 1500 km): €128

• medium-haul (1500–4000 km): €203

• long-haul (over 4000 km): €597

Conclusion: High demand, broad horizons for 2025 travel

Despite the price increase, demand remains strong among Hungarian travellers. Early booking discounts, affordable flights and the convenience of package deals are all helping families keep their travel plans alive. Whether sticking with tried-and-true destinations like Greece and Turkey or exploring rising options like Albania and Bulgaria, seaside holidays remain firmly in focus this summer.