Travelers' pro tips for experiencing Budapest

Suzi S

One request: please, please, please stay till it gets dark. Budapest is most beautiful at night. The lights of the Chain Bridge and the Castle district will take your breath away.

Jeremy

Dinner hour in Budapest varies greatly, beginning as early as 6 p.m. with sittings as late as 10 p.m. and beyond.

Jennifer W

Budapest has great public transport, but if you want to experience local life then it's best to walk. Get lost, find hidden courtyards, and see the city in a different way.

In the words of those who've been there before ...

Colleen D

Budapest is not the usual tourist destination, but it should be. It is a beautiful city that is friendly to tourists and relatively easy to get around. Give yourself a few days to explore and fall in love with the food and the charms of this Eastern European Gem.

marton k

There is more to Budapest than the usual tourist spots or the bachelor’s night ruin pubs. Fancy a Turkish or Moroccan tea, a good shisha, a nice burger? Sushi fan, Thai or pho fanatic? Don’t panic — Budapest won't leave you hungry.

Helen P

Walking is the best way to see a lot of the attractions or by catching the hop-on, hop-off buses that are available around the city. If you are a shopping lover, stroll along Vaci Utca and take your pick of the many shops. Sit down and rest your (weary) legs in one of the many restaurants, cafes or pubs and have a bite to eat and watch the world pass by. You will be in awe of how friendly and caring the Hungarian people are in many ways.

What is the best way to get there?

Flying:

Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD) is the primary airport in Budapest. It offers service to/from many international cities on most major and smaller airlines.

For more info on Budapest airport, visit here.

Train:

There are three rail stations in Budapest: Keleti, Nyugati, and Déli, which all offer regional and international service.

For more info on train service to Budapest, visit here.

Bus

Flixbus, Omio and Eurolines offer service to/from Budapest to many European cities. Visit Flixbus, Omio or Eurolines for schedules, routes, and fares.

Do I need a visa?

Since Hungary is one of the 26 Shengen Area countries, tourists from those countries do not need a visa for visits less than 90 days, but passports must be valid for at least six months after departure dates. The same goes for Americans. See here for more info.

When is the best time to visit?

Summer: Summer is festival season in Budapest, and highlights include the Budapest Summer Festival, LGBT Pride and weekend festivities on the Chain Bridge. Average daily temperatures this time of year can reach highs of 80 Fahrenheit (30 Celsius) and lows of around 59 Fahrenheit (15 Celsius).

However, that’s not to say winter isn’t wonderful as well. To see Budapest’s UNESCO-listed monuments covered in a dusting of snow, visit in winter. The cold season is the perfect time to tuck into goulash, warm up at the thermal baths and visit festive Christmas markets.

Public transit card

Budapest has great public transportation, so get a Budapest Card, which gives you free access to transit, tours, museums, attractions and discounts at restaurants, shops and more.

For info, visit here.

BKK operations Budapest’s public transportation, so be sure to download its app for the most up-to-date service info. Visit here for more info.

Metro

There are four metro lines running across Budapest, including Line 1, continental Europe’s oldest underground rail.

Trams

There are more than 30 tram lines in Budapest, and they are the easiest way to get around. Only the 6 tram runs overnight. Ride the 2 for amazing views of the city.

Buses/Trolleybuses

There are more than 200 routes across the city and surrounding towns for its blue buses. The red trolleybuses operate in Pest and Zugló.

Boats

BKK’s four riverboat services are a great way to not only get around but also see Budapest from the Danube.

Cogwheel Railway/Chairlift

The Cogwheel (technically tram 60) and Chairlift are a great way to get up to the hilly Buda section of the city if you’re not up for the trek on foot.

Taxis

Taxis are plentiful in Budapest and easily recognizable thanks to their yellow color. While cash and bank cards are accepted, some bank cards may not be, so make sure you have some cash on hand just in case.