Arsenal fans dreaming of Champions League glory in Budapest are facing a harsh reality check when it comes to travel costs. With the Gunners securing their spot in the final on May 30, thousands of supporters are scrambling to book hotels and flights—only to find prices have skyrocketed to eye-watering levels.

Hotel rooms in the Hungarian capital are in short supply, and the ones still available come with a hefty price tag. A twin or double room at the Expo Tower Hotel on match night is going for a staggering €1,458 (£1,259), compared to just €73 (£63) the following day—that's over 18 times the normal rate. Similar markups are seen at the Bohem Art Hotel, where a room costs €1,618 (£1,396) on May 30 versus €113 (£98) on May 31, and the Hotel President, which is charging £886 for the final and just £104 a day later.

Booking.com is already warning fans that "99% of places to stay are unavailable" in Budapest on match day. Akhil Vyas of the Arsenal Supporters' Trust didn't mince words, calling the pricing "cheeky." While he acknowledged it's a business decision, he pointed out that "there's no regulation" to stop hotels from charging what they want. However, he noted a potential silver lining: prices might drop slightly after fans of the losing team in Wednesday's second semi-final—between Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain—cancel their bookings.

Flights aren't any kinder to supporters' wallets. A last-minute easyJet flight from Gatwick to Budapest on May 30 costs £519, compared to just £58 the next day. Wizz Air is offering a Luton-to-Budapest route for £462 on match day, versus £46 on May 31. For those hoping to fly British Airways and make kickoff, the only option is to travel two days early, on May 28. As the countdown to the final begins, Arsenal fans will need deep pockets—or a bit of luck—to make the trip.