Budapest, Hungary

Visit Budapest: Admire the Architecture

European cities can be full of beautiful old government buildings and churches, but the architecture here is just exceptional. Take a walk through the streets of Budapest, and you can almost hear the stories these building have to tell about the city’s long and tumultuous history.

Hungarian Parliament

Possibly the beautiful and recognizable building in Budapest is the Country House where the Hungarian Parliament meets. Overlooking the Danube River this stunning building is located just north of the city center on the Pest side.

Matthias Church

This 1000-year-old Roman Catholic Church, located in the heart of Buda’s Castle district, has hosted countless coronations, royal weddings, and Pope visits. The multicolored diamond shaped roof tiles are truly a sight to see.

Citadella

This massive fortress built in 1851 is located on Gellert Hill just south of the city on the Buda side. Climb to the top for sensational panoramic views of the city.

Buda Castle

This UNESCO World Heritage site is best seen from the Pest side of the Danube. Get your wide lens ready, beacuse this grandiose complex is more than 1000 feet long!

Visit Budapest: Contemplate Life in the City Plazas

Take some time to wind down and relax in Budapest’s amazing plazas.

Fisherman’s Bastion

Situated between the Danube and the magnificent Matthias Church, this beautiful terrace is easily one of Budapest’s top tourist attractions. The Bastion consists of seven towers connect by stone walkways and offers some of the best views of the city’s Pest side.

Memorial to the 1956 Hungarian Revolution

This abstract monument is built on the spot where a Stalin statue was famously pulled down during the Hungarian Revolt of 1956. You’ll find it in the beautiful Varosliget(City Park) of District 7.

Heroes Square

Also found in City Park is one of Hungary’s most important monuments. Created as tribute to the great leaders of Hungarian history, the centerpiece of Heroes Square is the Millennium Column and Monument.

Kossuth Square

Sometimes referred to as Parliament square, these newly renovated grounds adjacent to the fabulous Parliament building are well worth a stroll.

Visit Budapest: Cross the City’s Legendary Bridges

Need to get across the Danube River? No problem! The mammoth bridges of Budapest are unique, artistic, and functional.

Margaret Bridge

Connecting Margaret Island with both Pest and Buda, this bright yellow bridge decorated with ornate statues is nearly half a mile long.

Chain Bridge

This stone suspension bridge is the first permanent bridge connecting Pest to Buda. You can get a great look of this amazing bridge from atop Fisherman’s Bastion.

Liberty Bridge

Also referred to as the Freedom Bridge, this green-painted, iron beauty is decorated with giant bronze bird statues.

Elisabeth Bridge

Get a great view of this suspension bridge from the Citadella on Gellert Hill. Look for the statue of the once Queen of Hungary that it’s named for, Elisabeth of Bavaria.

Visit Budapest: Let it Loose at the Ruin Bars

What the heck is a ruin bar?? Take a crumbly old building, add flea market furniture, funky colored lights, loud music, and alcohol.. Done! Ruin bar! Located mostly in district 7, these bars and pubs are all the rage in Budapest. Our favorite was Instant, a huge club with 6 bars and 3 dance floors. The décor is like nothing we’ve seen.. Flying rabbits anyone?

Visit Budapest: Book a Tour!

Getting to Budapest: FLY

If planned in advance you’ll find very reasonable flights into Budapest from other major cities in Europe: From Milan for $16, Paris for $22, Berlin for $23, Barcelona for $28, and even Istanbul for $34 with our favorite flight search site, Skyscanner.

Budapest Flight Deals

Getting to Budapest: BUS

Buses are not our favorite mode of travel.. The seats are generally cramped, the ride is bumpy, and departure/arrival times can be unpredictable. This said bus travel is generally the least expensive.

Getting to Budapest: TRAIN

Trains throughout Europe are a great option; you’ll avoid lines at the airport, enjoy beautiful scenery, and they’re generally very comfortable. Recommended departure cities include Vienna for 2 hours 21 minutes and $30 or Prague for 7 hours 17 minutes and $26. Fares & Schedules

Bus

Beginning on July 8th, 2017, a direct bus route will be available between service between Ferihegy Airport and Deák Square in the city center. Purchase tickets towards Deák Square from the vending machines for 900HUF(about $3.30). Look for Bus 100E just outside of Terminal 2 and the journey should take about 35 minutes.

Train

100 trains depart each day from nearby Ferihegy Station to Nyugati railway station, just outside the city center. You’ll need to transfer from Terminal 2 to Ferihegy Station(Ferihegy Vasútállomás) on Bus 200E during the day or Bus 900 at night. Follow the black and yellow signs for “Public Bus”, and purchase a bus ticket for 300HUF(just over $1) via a vending machine or onboard the bus from the driver for 450HUF. The transfer should take about 10 minutes. You’ll be dropped at a roadside bus stop, just simply cross the pedestrian bridge to enter the station, following signs for “Budapest CENTRUM” for the correct platform.

To complete your trip, purchase tickets for 350HUF from the platform vending machine towards Nyugati railway station, and the train ride should take just under 30 minutes.

Metro

You’ll also need Bus 200E to transfer to the nearest Metro station, Kőbánya-Kispest. Follow the black and yellow signs for “Public Bus”, and purchase a bus ticket Kőbánya-Kispest for 350HUF(about $1.30) via a vending machine or onboard the bus from the driver for 450HUF. Once you’ve arrived Kőbánya-Kispest Station(the very last stop), purchase another 350HUF ticket for the M3 from the vending machines towards Újpest Központ for the city center. Your stops for the Budapest city center is either the Kálvin tér or Deák Ferenc tér stations and the ride should take about 17-18 minutes.

Taxi/UBER

Find taxi stand just outside of the arrivals area and expect to play a flat fare of 22EUR for the 15 minute ride to Budapest city center. UBER is not currently available in Hungary.

Public Transport (BKV)

The Budapest public transportation system (BKV) consists of the four Metro lines, 33 Tram lines, 13 Trolly lines, and over 200 bus lines. Although, between the 4 Metro lines Trams 2, 4, 6, 19, and 49, you’ll be very well-connected throughout the city. Purchase Single Tickets for 350HUF(just over $1) from street stands, newstands, or vending machines allowing one ride on any public transportatin, although an additional ticket must be purchased for any transfer. To make things easy, you might consider purchasing a Budapest Card. Starting at about $18 for 24 hours the Budapest Card gives unlimited public transportation, as well as free entry to 11 Budapest museums, two free walking tours and discounts at several shops and restaurants throughout the city. Tickets can be purchased at any city tourist center or online.

Taxi/UBER

Expect to pay 450HUF(about $1.70), plus 280HUF(about $1) for each kilometer. Hail taxis with their vacancy light on or find one of many taxi stands throughout the city. UBER is not currently available in Hungary.

Walk

Walkscore.com gives Budapest city center a score of 100, calling it a “Walker’s Paradise”. We also found this to be true and highly recommended exploring Budapest by foot.

Where To Stay in Budapest: HOTELS

As one of Europe’s commercial capitals, Budapest has a vast range of hotels to choose from. Options span from high-end hotels like Four Seasons Gresham Palace or The Ritz-Carlton for $400 a night to more reasonable hotels like Mamaison Hotel Andrassy or Promenade City Hotel for $75 a night. When it comes to hotels, we recommend shopping Agoda.com, far and away the most competitive resource when searching for hotels in Budapest.

Budapest Hotel Deals

Where To Stay in Budapest: HOSTELS

With over 200 Hostels to choose from in Budapest, you’re sure to find one that meets your needs. Prices generally range from $20-$30 a night for a dorm room, while a private room will costs more at around $40-$60 per night. Hostelworld is our recommended resource when searching for hostels in Budapest.

Budapest Hostel Deals

Where To Stay in Budapest: AIRBNB

We love Airbnb! From private rooms to entire homes, there are plenty of choices when visiting Budapest. If you’re a first-timer with Airbnb, use this coupon and enjoy $35 off of your stay.

Where To Stay in Budapest: NEIGHBORHOODS

Choosing a neighborhood is an important part of trip-planning that should not be overlooked! Here’s some neighborhoods worth considering when deciding where to stay in Budapest.

District 1, Castle District

Located on the Buda side, this touristy part of town is where you’ll find the Royal Palace, Matthias Church, and Fisherman’s Bastion.

District 5, Inner city

In this historical neighborhood located on the Pest side you’ll find the famous pedestrian shopping area, 5 star hotels, and the Parliament building.

District 2, Rose Hill

Also located on the Buda side, this is where you’ll find great views and the city’s upper class residents.

District 6, Theresa Town

In this Pest-side neighborhood you’ll find the grand, tree-lined boulevard Andrassy, the National Opera House, and high-end shopping.

Budapest travel tips: Tipping

Unlike most countries in Europe where tipping is not expected, Hungary is a tipping society. A 10% to 15% tip is expected at restaurants, 10% to taxi drivers and hairdressers, and tour guides get 500 Forints (less than $2USD).

Budapest travel tips: Money

Hungary’s national currency is the Forint (NOT the Euro!), and is currently exchanging at 284.27HUF to $1USD. Credit cards are widely accepted and ATM machines are readily available.

Budapest travel tips: Insurance

Traveling through Budapest is exciting and safe, but you never know when some good travel insurance could come in handy. World Nomads offers the best coverage in the business, is affordable, and is quick to act should something go wrong. For more info, check out our recent World Nomads blog post.

If planning to visit Budapest, you might want to check out our Budapest resource page.

Wanderlust Duo inspiration and advice for over 50 destinations!

Follow Wanderlust Duo on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!