In this video, we’ll cover all you need to know before traveling to Budapest,
including where are all the major attractions,
the best time to visit,
where to stay and for how long,
public transportation, how much things cost,
the best apps to use,
the best views of Budapest,
and other practical information.
We would like to thank Ceptics,
a number one choice for travel adapters on Amazon,
for sponsoring this video.
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And share your own experience and recommendations or ask a question in the comments below.
We’ve also created a mobile-friendly .pdf document covering all the things in this video,
plus the Top 20 things to do in Budapest, including maps, links, opening hours, and more.
Here are 11 essential tips to know before you visit Budapest:
NUMBER 11: THE MAP OF BUDAPEST
Budapest is divided into two parts, Buda and Pest,
located on opposite banks of the Danube river.
The two areas are connected by several impressive bridges.
Margaret Island with ruins of Franciscan church and nunnery
is located in the northern part of the city.
The Danube River promenade and its surrounding area is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
and is home to significant buildings such as the Hungarian Parliament,
the most prominent and iconic building in Budapest.
If you continue south of the Parliament, you will find Shoes on the Danube Bank,
a memorial honoring the Jews who were killed there during World War II.
Chain Bridge, the first permanent bridge connecting Buda and Pest,
is just a few steps from the memorial.
If you cross this beautiful bridge, you will get to the Buda Castle District with furcular
that takes you directly to the Buda Castle and Fisherman's Bastion
featuring seven towers and serves as an extension of the castle.
Right behind the monument, you will find impressive and beautifully restored Matthias Church.
Citadella is a former fortress and another great place for a spectacular view of Budapest.
Don’t forget about Liberty Statue.
Did you know that Budapest is nicknamed the city of spas?
Right under Gellért Hill, there are two famous thermals baths:
Gellért Thermal Baths and Rudas Baths.
If you are hungry, head to to a 100-year-old Central Market Hall,
the largest food hall in Hungary.
The food hall is located at the end of the famous shopping street Váci Utca,
where you can stop to get the traditional Hungarian cake kürtőskalács at Molnár's,
one of the famous cake makers.
Dohány Street Synagogue is located in the Jewish quarter.
In the same neighborhood, you will also find famous ruin pubs like Szimpla Kert,
cool drinking bars with a unique character.
New York Palace and famous New York Café are located close to the Jewish quarter.
The famous Budapest Eye Ferris wheel is located on Elizabeth Square.
Located near Liberty Square with Soviet War Memorial,
you will find Hungary's most famous church, St. Stephen's Basilica.
On beautiful Andrássy Avenue, you will find Hungarian State Opera and House of Terror,
a museum dedicated to the dark times of the recent Hungarian history.
The boulevard ends with Heroes' Square and the Millennium Monument
which marks the entrance to the beautiful City Park with many attractions
such as Vajdahunyad Castle, Lake, Budapest Zoo & Botanical Garden,
Széchenyi Thermal Bath, and many others.
And for all the Formula 1 fans out there, don’t miss the famous Hungaroring.
All the attractions you see here, and many additional ones are covered in our travel guide
that comes with dedicated Google maps.
To get a better sense of distances,
a 1.2 mi. or 2 km walk from Hungarian Parliament Building to Fisherman Bastion
takes about 25 min or 15 min if you use a combination of public transport and walking.
About 1.7 mi. or 2.7 km to walk 35 minutes from St. Stephen's Basilica to Heroes' Square
or about 15 min if you take a metro.
If you want a fun, fast, and eco ride in the city, we recommend using an electric scooter.
Budapest main airport is Budapest Ferenc Liszt Airport,
located 30 and 50 minutes from the city center,
depending on which public transport you use.
NUMBER 10: WEATHER & CLIMATE
Budapest has a continental climate, which means it gets cold in the winter and hot in the summer
Temperatures in winter are generally around freezing,
and range between 25 °F and 41 °F or -4 °C and 5 °C.
Snow is common, and you can expect grey weather.
In the spring, the weather improves,
and the temperatures range between 36 °F and 70 °F or 2 °C and 21°C.
Some days can be rainy, but there are plenty of sunny days too.
Summer is hot and humid with a lot of sunshine and also quite a lot of rain
and temperatures ranging between 50 °F and 81 °F or 14 °C and 27 °C.
Weather in the fall is still pleasant in September,
but it quickly becomes colder and sometimes windy in October.
Temperatures range between 36 °F and 72 °F or 8 °C and 22 °C.
Of course, these are all just averages.
The weather and temperatures can be different when you visit,
so remember to always to check the weather forecast before you travel.
NUMBER 9: BEST TIME TO VISIT
The best time to visit Budapest is between March and May in the spring
and from September to November in the fall
when the weather is mild, the summer tourist crowds are gone,
and there is plenty of events in the city.
Probably the least convenient time to visit Budapest in the summer
when the weather is hot and wet and there are crowds everywhere,
and due to a limited number of rooms in the city, the prices of accommodation go up.
If you want to experience the Christmas spirit, including open-air kitchens and fairs,
travel at the end of November and in December.
Just know if you are traveling in the winter days will be shorter
and you will have less time during the day.
However, you'll probably have a great time regardless of the season
since Budapest is full of amazing attractions and things you can do all year long.
And how can you figure out the best days and hours to see the attractions?
Just check Google to see how crowded a specific location is at a particular time of day.
Of course, we recommend going early during the week and/or in the morning.
Many travelers stay in Budapest for three days to see its main attractions
and enjoy the vibe of this fascinating city.
If you want to be a little more relaxed we recommend staying an extra day or two.
NUMBER 8: WHERE TO STAY & PRICES
If this is your first time in Budapest, choose to stay in the District I.
also called the Castle District on Buda side of Danube
or District V or Inner City, where you’ll have many of the best sights just minutes away.
For nightlife, stay in District VII.
If you’re on a budget, you’ll find various affordable hotels and hostels in the District VI.
And for a cool place to stay, head to District VIII.
If you’re traveling with the family District V on the Pest side of Danube is a good option.
A mid-range hotel double room in Budapest
can costs as low as 15,000 HUF up to about 35,000 HUF per night.
For budget hotels, the average is 15,000 HUF.
Hostels are cheap in Budapest.
You can get a hostel bed for around 4,500 HUF per night.
Alternatively, you can rent an Airbnb apartment.
The average cost per night for a small apartment that sleeps four people is 25,000 HUF.
Again, these are the average prices, and the ranges for different hotel categories are
quite wide and, in the summer, or during the weekends, the accommodation can be more expensive
due to lack of rooms.
However, with a little research online, you can get better deals, especially if your dates
are flexible and don’t travel in high season.
Check out our video on the best apps for booking your stay.
NUMBER 7: TRANSPORTATION
FROM AND TO THE AIRPORT
To get to and from Budapest Ferenc Liszt Airport, you can use:
Buses
Train
Airport Shuttle
Taxis and car rentals
ARRIVING BY TRAIN
You can travel to Budapest by train from numerous European cities
via Mav, the Hungarian national train operator.
You will most likely arrive to the Budapest Keleti railway station in Budapest city center,
Nyugati Station
or Déli Station.
ARRIVING BY CAR
You can use Google Maps to get driving directions to Budapest.
Parking in the city center is limited, especially during the day, so it might be challenging
to find a spot. Parking costs between 170 to 440 HUF depending on how
close you are located to the city center.
In most open space parkings, you can only park for up to three hours.
You can also park in one of the parking garages for about 400 HUF per hour.
Alternatively, you can book one of the many hotels in the city that offer parking.
GETTING AROUND THE CITY
The sights in Budapest are mostly close-by,
so it easy to get around on foot.
But if you don't feel like walking, you can use the following modes
of Budapest’s very efficient public transport or other options:
Metro
Tram
Bus
Electric scooters
Riverboat rides
Taxi
Bikes
and other forms of transportation
Check our travel guide for more information.
If you use public transportation such as metro, tram, or a bus, you will pay 350 HUF for a single ride
and 1,650 for 24 hours.
You can also purchase tickets for a couple of days,
such as a 72-hour ticket, or a seven-day ticket.
Check out our travel guide for more information and prices.
NUMBER 6: GENERAL INFORMATION
DRINKING WATER
It is generally safe to drink tap water in Budapest.
While drinking water fountains are rare in Budapest, a recent project was established
where water hydrants were transformed into water fountains during summer.
TOILETS
There are some public restrooms in Budapest,
but if you can’t find one near you, you can use restrooms in cafés, restaurants or hotels.
If you want to see where public toilets are located, you can use an app on your phone.
But more about that later.
FREE WIFI
Budapest residents and visitors can get free WiFi
at plenty of outdoor and indoor hotspots all over the city, including at restaurants,
cafés, bars, hotels, parks, and others.
We’ll cover apps for finding free WiFi later.
CROWDS & LINES
Budapest is an increasingly popular destination.
Over 30 million people visited Budapest in 2018 alone,
and the numbers are rising every year.
Especially in the summer months, but also throughout the year, there are crowds everywhere,
especially around big tourist attractions, so be prepared to wait in line.
Even if you can't avoid the crowds, you can do some things to make your trip to Budapest
a more pleasant experience.
You can avoid peak seasons,
avoid traveling during rush hours,
get up early in the morning to explore the city without the crowds,
explore the suburbs once you’ve visited the must-see attractions at the city center.
SAFETY
Budapest is generally a very safe place for tourists.
Some areas are better avoided by night,
but they are usually not located near tourist attractions.
Typical for all major cities around the world,
beware of pickpockets, especially around major attractions.
Watch your valuables and use common sense.
For emergency services, dial 112.
NUMBER 5: FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVELERS
TRAVEL ADAPTERS
If you’re coming from outside Europe or from the UK,
you will probably need a special European travel adapter
to charge your phone and other devices.
This is what THE Hungarian power plug looks like.
We recommend purchasing a travel adapter before traveling to Budapest.
In fact, it is worth buying a universal adapter so you can use it in other countries too.
This video is sponsored by Ceptics,
the number one choice for international travelers to and from the US
when it comes to travel adapters.
Did you know that different adapters charge your phone, laptop and other devices at different speeds?
Sometimes charging goes nowhere
and when you're traveling, you need your device to be ready to go fast.
Ceptics just released their brand-new travel adapter
designed to charge your devices more quickly.
We've used it on our trip to Budapest.
With multiple attachments, it allows us to charge up to four devices at once,
which is convenient, considering most hotel rooms only have a few outlets.
Also, we can just bring the right attachment in a pouch.
View Ceptics’s user-friendly website to find adapters that fit your needs.
We’ve also made a video about travel adapters and outlet types around the world.
The link is in the description.
LANGUAGE
The language spoken in Budapest is Hungarian.
CURRENCY
Budapest uses Hungarian Forints.
At the time of the making of this video, 1,000 HUF is worth approx. 3.34 USD or 2.97 EUR.
Many places like restaurants and bars also take Euros,
the currency used in most other European countries.
The exchange rate is not great, of course.
Naturally, you will get your change back in Forints.
While some hotels, stores, and restaurants in the city accept major credit cards
like Visa or MasterCard, it is always wise to have some Forints in your wallet.
MONEY EXCHANGE AND ATMs
The easiest way to get Forints is through ATMs.
In Hungary, ATMs typically ask if you want to be charged in Forints or in your home currency.
For better exchange rates and smaller fees, choose to be billed in Forints
and to avoid EURO ATMs.
It's also best to withdraw as few times as possible to avoid multiple ATM fees.
You can choose to exchange your foreign cash at currency exchange offices.
ACCESS THE INTERNET
You can purchase a prepaid SIM card to access the Internet on your phone.
Some options provided by local carriers are Vodafone, T-Mobile, and Telenor.
You can buy a travel plan that includes internet at any store in Budapest,
there are also stores at the airport.
Just make sure to bring your passport as you will need it to buy the sim card.
If you’re from the US, consider using Google Fi.
Alternatively, you can consider renting a mobile hotspot.
See our travel guide for more information.
NUMBER 4: BEST APPS
Here is a list of useful apps to use in Budapest:
BKK Futár and SmartCity Budapest Transport to get the latest info on Budapest public
transportation including maps and timetables
Donkey republic to rent a bike
or Lime or a similar app to ren an electric scooter
Bolt for getting a taxi,
and since there are no Ubers or Lyfts in Budapest this app comes in quite handy
XE Currency or a similar currency converter app to always know how much you’re spending
Viator or Get Your Guide for reserving a tour in Budapest
TripAdvisor for reviews of restaurants, hotels, museums, tours, etc.
WithLocals or Eatwith for food and other experiences with local guides
Google Maps or Apple Maps for walking, public transportation, driving, etc.
Google Maps also lets you download maps,
which is an excellent option if you don't want to use roaming.
Flush for finding public restrooms
WiFi Map or WiFi Finder, which helps you find WiFi throughout Budapest
Check out our travel guide for links to download these apps
on iOS and Android and for more app suggestions.
NUMBER 3: FOOD AND PRICES
Budapest has plenty of dining options,
from Michelin star restaurants to traditional Hungarian street-food.
We suggest using TripAdvisor to find nearby places with good reviews.
Try to avoid restaurants at or near to major tourist attractions.
You’ll often get a much higher price-quality ratio
at local eateries away from the main attractions.
But food prices in Budapest are much lower than in other European cities
also if you happen to visit a pricer place.
An inexpensive restaurant meal ranges from 1,500 HUF to 3,000 HUF.
A traditional fisherman's soup, chicken paprikash, goulash, or a similar Hungarian dish
will cost you between 1,200 HUF and 2,400 HUF.
As for drinks in bars, coffee costs from 300 HUF to 600 HUF,
a bottle of water about 450 HUF,
a small bottle of soda about 300 HUF,
a pint of beer about 600 HUF,
a glass of wine will cost you about 400 HUF
and cocktail from 1,000 HUF to 3,000 HUF.
Of course, prices are higher in front of the famous tourist places,
such as Fisherman's Bastion, etc.
The typical Hungarian funnel cake kürtőskalács
from a street kiosk will only cost you about 300 HUF.
If you buy one at a more famous place like Molnár's the price, of course, is higher.
There are plenty of great cheap eats in Budapest.
Check out our guide for maps with the best cheap eats.
And an important note on tipping.
Unlike most of the other countries in Europe, tipping is a standard in Hungary.
A 10% to 15% tip is appreciated at restaurants in Budapest.
Sometimes a 12.5% service charge is included in your bill,
in which case you don't need an extra tip.
NUMBER 2: CITY PASS & GUIDED TOURS
If you want to save on attractions, you can purchase Budapest Card,
which offers free entry to some top attractions,
access to thermal baths, various kinds of discounts,
unlimited free use of public transport, and more.
Check our travel guide for current prices and links.
A great way to discover Budapest, is by a walking tour,
organized by professional guides who know a great deal about the city's rich history.
Some providers even offer free walking tours.
However, at the end of the tour, it is recommended to make a donation.
See our travel guide for links to websites of free guided tours
and other exciting tours of Budapest.
Another great way to discover the city is by a Hop-On Hop-Off bus or a boat tour.
There are plenty of options to choose from.
Check out our travel guide for the list of providers and links.
NUMBER 1: BEST FREE VIEWS OF THE CITY
You can enjoy amazing views of Budapest from one of the following places:
Citadella or Gellért Hill
Panorama Terrace of The Buda Castle
Fisherman’s Bastion
Check out our travel guide for more places with free and paid amazing views of the city
and maps to quickly locate them.
Our travel guide is a mobile-friendly .pdf document that you can store on your phone
for offline use. It covers the top 10 things to do in Budapest, plus 10 additional attractions,
maps, links, opening hours, and other information
that will help make your trip to Budapest stress-free.
By purchasing our travel guide, you are also helping us sustain this channel.
So a big thank you for that! :)
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