tbsdebbie

Has anyone ever taken a taxi to the beginning of the blue line from the airport? How far is that? Not thrilled to take a bus with luggage, but do not mind taking the metro.

Also, has anyone taken the hop on/off bus? I corresponded with a company regarding the bus and was told you had to get on the bus at the beginning of the tour, but you can get off and on the bus. Do these buses run like the London hop on/offs?

We arrive in Budapest on a Saturday around 12noon. We like getting acquainted with a city and thought the bus was a good option. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Padraig

As I reckon it, your idea would not make good financial sense. Taxis from the airport to the central area are not that expensive. See http://www.bud.hu/english/transport/taxi

The airport minibus service is slightly cheaper for two people (I think it's the best deal for a solo traveller).

Kellye

We took the minibus from the airport, but probably could have taken a taxi for a similar price quite honestly.

The hop on-hop off bus tour can be caught anywhere along the line. There is someone taking up money and dispensing tickets all along the way. It was an o.k. tour, but not tremendous.

Snowflake25

We took a taxi from the Marriott to the airport and it was a fixed price (about $30) I am sure it would be the same going the other way. We purchased a Budapest Card when we arrived and used it to get a discount for a city tour. The tour was about 3 hours and we stopped at 3 locations for photo stops. We thought it was a great way to orient ourselves with the city. The next day we went back using subways and buses (part of the Budapest card so unlimited travel) and spent more time in some of the places.

tbsdebbie

Thanks for the replies. I agree we are probably better off just taking a taxi, but figured someone would have a thought on the possibilities. There are three of us, so a taxi sounds like the best option.

As for the bus, I realize it might not be the best commentary, but we probably will like seeing everything first. We have three full days to check out our favorite places before heading to Prague.

29FEB

Hi Debbie, just to give another
perspective, we <b>were</b> thrilled
to take the 200 airport bus to
the start of the blue line!!
We bought the next to nothing
tickets from the newsagent and
the bus (think airport transfer
bus, not crowded city bus) leaves
from right outside the airport.
It goes directly to Kobanya-Kispest,
where we purchased our 3 day travelcards, and were on our way.
We stayed at the Marriott so it was
a straight shot. Budapest was wonderful - have a good trip!

29FEB

And since you mentioned Prague as
well, our 72-hr travel pass there worked perfectly to get us to the airport.
You ride to the Western end of the green line and then take the
airport express bus.
Our one regret in nine days of public transport was that only in Budapest did they ever ask to see our passes, which we were so smugly proud to show. In Vienna and in Prague we were never checked though we used public transport extensively.

tbsdebbie

Thanks 29Feb for the information! An airport bus will be no problem. Our hotel is right off the blue line.

We plan to purchase a three day metro in both Budapest and Prague since our hotels are about three stops outside both cities. We have read to make sure to get it stamped before getting on the metro.

Right now we are looking at
Arrive Sat around 12noon- walk around, get acquainted, maybe do the bus

Sunday- Andrassy area/maybe a bath
Mon- Castle area
Tues- Parliment area

Any favorites you visited sights, restaurants, etc we would love to hear about.

Sure appreciate the information!

29FEB

One thing to keep in mind is that the Budapest travelcard is a 3day
pass, midnight to midnight of three
consecutive days. You tell the
agent which three days you'd like
it to cover. The Prague (&amp;Vienna)
travel passes were 72-hr passes,
starting upon validation, so we
were able to use these passes for
parts of four different days.

As far as memorable sights, a
remarkable one in Budapest was the &quot;Shoes
along the Danube&quot; memorial - stark
and heartbreaking. I'll top the
thread that educated me about it.
Sounds like your trip is well-planned; have a wonderful visit.

tbsdebbie

Great information! Sounds like it might be our best bet to just get a 7 day travel pass. We arrive on a Saturday at noon will use to get to hotel, then probably a few places that night, all day Sun/Mon/Tues, then more than likely to the train station on Wed.

I sure appreciate the tips. Our hotel is at the Dorza Goryski (sp?) metro so we are a few stops from the center of city.

Will mark the memorial to see.
Thanks again.