Shopping tourism: This is how much cheaper Slovakia is than Hungary

Some of us try to cope with soaring inflation by choosing cheaper brands, looking out for promotions, maybe buying less. Others hop in the car and hit the road to go and shop in another – usually neighbouring – country, for example, Slovakia. It’s not only fuel that is cheaper abroad, but many foodstuffs as well.

Shopping abroad

According to Blikk, a Hungarian tabloid, more and more people are going shopping in Romania, Serbia and Slovakia, where many things are cheaper. Especially now that the forint has strengthened and it costs less per euro to pay in shops over there.

Blikk followed a group of four Hungarian people shopping in Slovakia. They compared the Slovakian prices of different items to the Hungarian prices. In many cases, the result is shocking.

Many things are cheaper in Slovakia

Tímea, György, Pál and Melinda, two couples, set off to shop in Slovakia. The journey took around 90 minutes. Tímea looked up the Slovakian prices on the internet beforehand and she was immediately convinced. She said that the last time they were there, they bought ham for HUF 1500 (EUR 3.99), which is HUF 4000 (EUR 10.63) for a half kilo packet at home. According to her, many Hungarian products are cheaper over there, including pasta and salami.

Pál mentioned Slovak cigarettes, which cost HUF 960 (EUR 2.55). That is the cheapest option until he gives up cigarettes for good, he said.

They were constantly using their calculators: they only bought something when it was definitely cheaper than at home. Of course, there are some items that are more expensive in Slovakia. For example, 1 kg of sugar costs HUF 524 (EUR 1.39). At least there’s no shortage of it there.