Budapest in December 2017

Old Dec 6th, 2016, 09:36 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Budapest in December 2017

Hi everyone,

I'm new to this site but have heard good things regarding the feedback so I think it's well worth a shot.

My wife and I are planning a trip to Budapest next year for Christmas and to ring in the new year.

We've never been to that part of Europe so any advise on customs, how to behave in certain places, what to bring or wear and such would be helpful.

We've heard that it'll be cold and that there might be snow. We're hoping for snow to be honest.

Anyway just for a little back ground we're both outgoing and we walk just about everywhere we can. We both love art and history, so the castles and museums are a must. We've only heard good things so not worried. The opera is a must as well.

In terms of budget however we are looking at about 10 to 14 days. We'll be flyin from Thailand so the Thai baht is an issue. Should we carry US dollars or carry local currency?

Again any and all advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Chris and Nathalie
cvondetten is offline  
Old Dec 6th, 2016, 10:10 PM
  #2  
kja
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,089
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Welcome to Fodor's!

"any advise on customs, how to behave in certain places, what to bring or wear and such would be helpful."

A good guidebook or two should prove extremely valuable to you! The cost will be nugatory in comparison to the cost of your trip, you will likely learn things you never even considered asking, and you might even get some money-saving tips.

"Should we carry US dollars or carry local currency?"

I can't imagine that US dollars would prove helpful; instead, they would likely just mean doubling your exchange fees (baht to dollars, dollars to forints). As a general rule, ATMs will be your best bet.

Hope that helps!
kja is offline  
Old Dec 6th, 2016, 10:25 PM
  #3  
kja
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,089
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Oh yes, what to wear -- layers! Silk can be particularly helpful, as it weighs little, takes very little space, and can generally dry overnight -- silk long johns, long-sleeved silk tops (including tops to wear under other things that you can wear if the weather isn't quite so cold), silk socks, a silk scarf, silk gloves.... If you plan to spend a lot of time walking, consider waterproof shoes, maybe goretex-lined, and wool socks, too (silk liner socks, wool outer socks -- make sure they work with the shoes you bring!). An outer jacket, perhaps waterproof. Synthetic fleece (e.g., polartec) can also be a good option -- even though it seems bulky, most polartec items weigh little and can be crushed into surprisingly small spaces. Particularly if you aren't used to cold, you may also want to make sure you have a hat and/or earmuffs (180s).
kja is offline  
Old Dec 6th, 2016, 11:56 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 754
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Definitely carry the local currency (Hungarian forint I think), there's no use for usd here. Some place in Budapest may accept euros, as it is within Europe, so if you already have some euros in your house, you may bring it, but Hungarian forint is the 1st choice.

Don't carry too much of cash with you - Asian travelers often make this mistake and they are a sumptuous target for picpocket. Bring a credit card that can pay and withdraw money from overseas, together with some cash enough for 1 days or 2. After that, ATM is your friend.

If you live in Thailand, it's hot all over the year, right? Prepare to a very, very cold weather in that part of Europe. Bring some good and waterproof shoes that fits for snow. Winter hats, scarf and all.

Learn some basic Hungarian words before you come, like "Hello, goodbye, thank you, excuse-me, where? how much?" That'll help.

Hope you'll have a nice trip in Budapest^^
FuryFluffy is offline  
Old Dec 7th, 2016, 03:10 AM
  #5  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for the advice!!
The currency advice is especially good to note.
Warm clothes we have some gear from Australia that are lined with merino wool and the sort. But with that in mind I think we'll be on the look for some decent winter gear. Aussy winters are near as cold

Is there any thing of particular that we should look for? We know there I'll be the Christmas fairs and we are definitely going to visit at least one if not all of the ones we can find. But is there anything in particular that anyone has experienced that could be suggested?

Thanks again everyone and thanks for the well wishes!! We will definitely enjoy Budapest and will start to learn some of the language before hand.

Thanks!!
cvondetten is offline  
Old Dec 7th, 2016, 06:28 AM
  #6  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
A couple last minute thoughts/questions. We are planning to arrive on the 23rd of December and enjoy the Christmas celebrations and then the New Years celebrations.

Where should we look to ring in the new year? Nothing too hectic we're not the party types though we might consider it since it's the new year after all.

And is about 10-12 days "enough" to see and get a feel for Budapest?

Thanks again
cvondetten is offline  
Old Dec 7th, 2016, 06:58 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 27,607
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Yes, that's enough time. In fact, you could consider a second location or some day trips.

Suggest staying in one of these apartments:

http://budapestvacationrentals.com/S...n_Rentals.html

If you go to mytimetotravel.wordpress.com and put Budapest in the search box you'll get posts on some of my trips to Budapest.

Any guidebook will give you a list of the "must sees", but I would add the Gold Museum at the top end of Andrassy ut. which I don't think has made the lists yet.
thursdaysd is offline  
Old Dec 7th, 2016, 07:49 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,561
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
>

No.

Bring a credit card to pay for what you can.

Bring an ATM card tied to your bank in Thailand for ATM withdrawals. Make sure the ATM card is on the Cirrus or Plus networks, which are owned by Mastercard and Visa. Withdrawing from an ATM with a credit card incurs immediate interest charges with no 25-day grace period in addition to any foreign exchange fees.

And shop around for the best deals - which banks and which credit cards offer no forex fee and no fee for foreign withdrawals (which may not be a problem for you, it is for American bank depositors).

You do not need to get Hungarian currency before you leave Thailand, you can just withdraw from an atm at the airport. Considering the lack of demand for forints in Thailand (which will make them scarce and the exchange rates horrid) and the corresponding lack of demand for baht in Hungary, you may be better off carrying a few hundred euros into Hungary for emergency cash.
BigRuss is offline  
Old Dec 7th, 2016, 12:05 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 49,560
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Use your ATM card to withdraw Hungarian forints from an ATM machine once you get there. They are fairly prevalent in Budapest. Use your CC to pay for big expenses like hotels.

I think 10-12 days is too much for Budapest. We were there for a week in October and think we pretty much saw most of what there was to see. It was cold, very cold. Wear layers and plan for rain or snow. I would seriously consider a trip to Györ or Bratislava (which we absolutely loved) or even Vienna or Prague with your timeframe.

We really enjoyed the Central Market and the old Jewish Quarter and the hot springs/baths. The Opera House is beautiful, too.

DO get a guidebook or two.
StCirq is offline  
Old Dec 10th, 2016, 08:33 PM
  #10  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Referring to the previous comment regarding the length of stay maybe being too long. Would it be worth it or would it be to rushed to try and do the following:

23-28 Budapest for Christmas
29-1 new year in Vienna to attend the New Years orchestra
2-7 Prague

What sort of budget would we be looking at for Vienna and Prague. Budapest seems reasonably affordable but as we know Vienna uses the euro and that could be expensive. Prague not entirely sure either.

It's clear these cities are worth visiting and places we should see at least once.

Opinions suggestions and ideas would be great.

Thanks!!!
cvondetten is offline  
Old Dec 10th, 2016, 09:03 PM
  #11  
kja
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,089
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You might be able to fit those three cities into your time frame, but you need to plan for time to relocate -- time not reflected in the way you lay it out. You'll lose about 1/2 day with each change of location. How you divide your time among those cities really depends on what YOU want do see and do.
kja is offline  
Old Dec 11th, 2016, 04:33 AM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 27,607
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
I think now you have gone the other way and are shortchanging Budapest.
thursdaysd is offline  
Old Dec 12th, 2016, 05:27 AM
  #13  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Ok our plans have now changed to only include Budapest and Sighisoara.

We will be flying in on the 23rd and staying in Budapest till the 28th taking the overnight train to Sighisoara where we will stay till after the new year.

We plan to fly out from Budapest so we'll take the overnight train from Sighisoara to Budapest on either the 4th or the 5th and get maybe a couple days in Budapest to pick up some last min sights and pictures.

@thursdaysd could you suggest a couple day trips? This is the plan right now but the train is a little expensive and confusing to book. We'd consider staying in Budapest for the whole trip so some suggestions be good for day trips.

Thanks !!!
cvondetten is offline  
Old Dec 12th, 2016, 08:24 AM
  #14  
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,818
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
vondetten...how did little Sighis(h)oara drop into your plans sort of out of nowhere?

Nevertheless it is a very authentic-appearing medieval town...where the infamous Count Dracula lived. Two days did it for us on one of our several visits to Romania. I can heartily recommend Casa Wagner for lodgings in the center of Old Town. Walking the cobblestone streets will give you a feeling that a time machine dropped you off there. (see pics).

You will find that Budapes(h)t will give you far more options...lodgings, restaurants, sights to see, historic and otherwise. I would recommend the Hilton on the Buda side of the Danube. A former military school with great Danube views. Nothing like any other Hilton I can imagine.
tower is offline  
Old Dec 12th, 2016, 09:36 AM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,818
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
https://goo.gl/photos/CUtFLNusHLx2txP28

Vondetten:
The Sighishoara pics start at Picture #33 and go on for 8 shots of the village. You can certain; look at the other Romanian pics if you wish!
stu tower
tower is offline  
Old Dec 16th, 2016, 02:35 AM
  #16  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Ok having taken everyone's comments to heart, we've come to the following itinerary:

Dec 23-28 Budapest
29-30 transit with overnight train to Sibiu
Dec 31-Jan 3 Sibiu
4-5 transit overnight back to Budapest
Jan 6 Budapest
Jan 7 transit to Helsinki
Jan 8 day in Helsinki before return leg the next day

That's a total 7 days in Budapest, 4 days in Sibiu, and one day in Helsinki. The remaining are half days with the transits.

Helsinki was just an opportunistic choice as we transit in Helsinki.
There seems to be loads to see in Budapest and Sibiu has some very nice things to see and there are day trip we could opt for should we feel like we've seen all Sibiu has to offer.

Question about the trains, as far as I can see there is a direct train to Sibiu. Does the train run through the New Years?

Anyway thoughts or suggestions would be great to help me conclude at least 90% of this itinerary. It'll depend on flights with Helsinki, and trains if I can book them in advance (I think I should as it'll be over the holidays and could be full).

Again I appreciate any and all comments that'll help us bring this trip together.

Thanks!!!
cvondetten is offline  
Old Dec 16th, 2016, 04:32 AM
  #17  
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 27,607
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
I had a definite preference for Brasov over Sibiu.

My Romania TR is here:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...a-take-two.cfm

Or see:

https://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com...utiful-brasov/
https://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com...1/so-so-sibiu/
thursdaysd is offline  
Old Dec 16th, 2016, 06:43 AM
  #18  
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,818
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
vondetton

For your one day in Helsinki...underground church, the Sibelius monument, good strolling town.

https://goo.gl/photos/WwvVp9WiNmeMmRkb6
tower is offline  
Old Dec 16th, 2016, 04:37 PM
  #19  
kja
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,089
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
IMO, you might want to consider giving Helsinki a bit more time. if you're going to go there, you might as well see it! I gave it 2.5 days, and thought that too little. Many people seem to think a day sufficient. Your call, depending on your interests.
kja is offline  
Old Dec 18th, 2016, 07:26 PM
  #20  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Is there chance we'd see a little snow?

Also over the advent period so the trains continue to run and if anyone's taken them before, how much is a round trip from Budapest to Sibiu and back?

Thanks
cvondetten is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -