ellen75005

My husband and I are attending a wedding in Kosovo in August and while we’re in the neighborhood, we’re going to spend a few days in Budapest. This will be the first time for both of us.

The Balkans are still rather expensive to get to from the US, so I’ve done a round trip within a round trip. We’re flying JFK-BUD-JFK, then BUD-Prishtina-BUD. Because of the connection from Budapest to Prishtina, we’ll have about 24 hours in Budapest on the outbound leg and three or four days on the return.

Part of the fun of traveling for me is to do the research. I’ve just ordered Rick Steves Budapest and I’ve got the DK top 10. But Fodorites are so knowledgeable, I’ve gotten some of the best travel advice from this site.

So my questions are:

1. Given the number of days we have in Budapest, I’m assuming we’ll see all the major sights, but if you could only see one, which one would that be?

2. Is there a metro or light rail (in Istanbul we hopped on and off the light rail – great way to get around)?

3. Are there any good day trips we can/should take? We love to rent a car and take off.

4. Where should we stay; Buda or Pest, and why?

Lots of questions; thanks in advance for your replies. We can’t wait to see this beautiful city!

Ellen

Myer

Budapest has a very good subway.

I think most people might stay on the Pest side but I can't be sure. We did.

I don't think I can pick one best sight.

Up the hill on the Buda side was very nice and interesting.

I took the subway out to the park (forget the name but that big one with the spa) and happened to see the filming of a video for a Canadian rock group. The models/cast kept posing for my photos but didn't speak a word of English unlike everybody else in the service industry who spoke perfect English. A lot of fun.

We went to the opera one evening although we're not opera people and had never been before.

We visited the big synagogue that was renovated with funds raise by Tony Curtis.

Jeff801

Ellen,

Below are some highly subjective replies. I think you will hear from many with variable and equally useful personal opinions.

1. If you have to see only one major sight in Budapest, go to Castle Hill on the Buda side to visit the cathedral and other sights.

2. You can get multi-day transit passes at any large subway station. The metro, trams, and buses are all included. (Beware that the numbers of the lines recommended in have changed since publication.) We went all over the city with these and used cabs only to an from the airport. Please also be very careful not to use the English word "Bus." My Hungarian speaking wife tells me that is an obscenity in Magyar! You may use the word "autobus."

3. If you have less than a week in total, my guess is that you are unlikely to need to take any day trips. OTOH, there are several one day train excursions that might be cost effective and less stressful than renting a car.

4. Many of the modern and comfortable hotels are on the Pest side, lined up on the Danube (Duna in Hungarian) in the vicinity of the chain bridge. But, I think the Hilton on castle hill is one I would try because it is built around the remains of a monastery and is in a very nice, if less accessible location.

There are many inexpensive cultural activities available in Budapest in August. Check the paper sheets hanging to lamp posts in many of the tourist areas of the city.

BTW, the city will be crowded with western European tourists in August. Make your reservations as soon as possible.

I hope you find this useful.

KayF

There is a small underground railway in Budapest, it looked to us like a children's train, quite small but convenient and reliable. We bought a 3 day pass that covered trains, trams etc and only had to validate (date stamp) the pass once. There were often a group of up to 5 transit guards standing blocking the path when exiting the station, you had to show your ticket to pass them by. I always found them quite intimidating.

We stayed at the Hotel Pest, on the Pest side, and thought it was a good option. There were more restaurants and shops on the Pest side, it's also flatter to walk.

It's hard to pick out one special thing but we enjoyed the tour of the Opera House, it's a beautiful building. The tram that runs along the river was also fun. There are some nice old fashioned coffee houses, our favourite was Central Kávéház.

Kay

Padraig

I'd concur with the advice already given.

A three-day public transport pass is a very good investment (don't buy the Budapest card, which costs a lot more for very little extra benefit).

The cute metro is line 1 which takes you from Vorosmartry Ter (don't worry; you'll find it) to Heroes Square and the City Park that Myer mentioned. The stations are as appealing as the trains. Drink a beer in the City Park. It's very popular with local people, and doesn't feel as touristy as some other places where you might take refreshments.

Climb Gellert Hill for a great view of the city, preferably late in the evening so that you can see the Danube Bridges and the city lit up at night.

Use the trams, especially line 2 along the river and lines 4/6 that follow the grand boulevard.

Visit the Central Market. If you are minded to buy anything there, haggle with a view to getting at least 20% off the asking price.

Visit the House of Terror on Andrassy Ut (Budapest's main thoroughfare). It recalls WW2 and the years of communist rule, including the 1956 revolution.

I could go on, but you have only 3 days!

suec1

We enjoyed our visit to Budapest and the best part was going to one of the baths - we went to the ones in the city park but there are others - the Gellert baths were being redone and should be finished by now - what we saw looked gorgeous. They are in a hotle, I think, but can be accessed by non-guests (fee of course). Also in that area is a cave church that was quiet interesting. Have a great time!

Mathieu

The Cave church and Gellert Hill with the Freedom statue at the top are right beside the Gellert Hotel with the Gellert baths. Just across from this is the Main Food Hall and Market, and opposite that, the popular pedestrian shopping street known as Vaci Utca.
All definitely worth a visit, and a perfect way to spend a full day (or less if you like): From your hotel on the Pest side, stroll along VU until you arrive at the Market/Food Hall. Plan to get there just before lunch so that you can browse and buy paprika gifts and other little things from the bountiful and colourful produce and meat stalls, and then have a local lunch upstairs. After lunch come back outside the way you came in and you will be at the foot of the beautiful Freedom bridge on your left (you must see it lit at night). Stroll across the bridge, pausing to admire the Danube below, the dozens of Fishermen along its banks, and the cruise traffic gliding up and down the water, until you get to the other side where you will find the Gellert Hotel and the cave church and Gellert hill directly in front of youo. Head to the Cave church and climb the hill - it is a beautiful, well maintained leafy park full of pretty walkways, flowers, trees and unexpected look-out points with spectacular views of the river and city below. There are a variety of walking paths and stairways for all climbing abilities. At the top you will find the massive freedom statue and a few refreshment kiosks, souvenirs and washrooms. Take your time to enjoy and wend your way down where at the bottom where you started, you will now find yourself directly in front of the entrance to the Gellert baths (about 25 feet away literally), and ready to enjoy a great soak in the warm water these restored Art Deco relaxation zones. You can adjust your time to enjoy the views and bathing experience as you wish. Its all really good.

The outdoor baths in the city park refered to by another poster are the Szechenyi Furdo and are also wonderful. They're in another part of town but still very easily accessible. Nothing could be better than these on a sunny day in Budapest. Take your newspaper or magazine and enjoy.

The Fishermans Bastion area is also good for views and churches and is about a 5 minute tram ride from Gellert hill on the same side as those attractions.

Back again near the Food Hall is Raday Utca which is known for its wall-to-wall restaurants. Some are well worth a visit.

There are several day trips available by boat and train and a web search will detail both. I'd only book once I get to Budapest.

A quick tip : Use the airport mini-bus service to get you to
and from your hotel instead of a cab. It is very well organised, cheaper and easy to use, located immediately as you exit the arrivals area. You just sign up at the desk, pay (return fare) and are issued with an outbound and return ticket. When your shuttle is ready, you are called and away you go. For the return trip, have your return stub on hand and have your hotel reception call to book your pick-up time 24 hours in advance. Thas it.

Budapest is a beautiful city, very easy to negotiate and with a large percentage of the city population speaking English. Its definitely one of my favourites in Central Europe. Was just there for my 4th visit last October and can't wait to go back. Have fun.

M.

bratsandbeer

We stayed at Hotel Pest which is a block off Andrassy Avenue. It is about a block from the Opera House. YOu can catch a bus on Andrassy. There are many different ones going to different parts of the city. There is also the metro close by. Budapest metro is the second oldest system - London the first. Budapest tap water is very safe - we were told it is safer than bottled water.

You can take a bus down Andrassy to Heros Square and to the park with old buildings statues etc. Also, close by is a famous spa.

We liked just walking down Andrassy and stopping in the small grocery stores to buy candy, fruit etc. Stopping at the cafes for coffee etc.

You must have that transport pass. They have checkers hop on a bus or metro and check everyone and then hop off. One girl on our bus did not have a pass and they took her off. The fine is quite steep - not sure how much.

yk

Metro Line 1 is one of the OLDEST subway lines in all of Europe - opened in 1896 for the millenium celebration of the initial "birth" of the city Budapest in 896. It is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site.

The rest of the metro lines are more modern. Trams are easy to use. Definitely get the metro pass if you're there for a few days.

Many people like to stay up on the hill of Buda; but I enjoyed our stay on the Pest side.

ellen75005

Wow, thank you all so much - this is why I love Fodor's! You've all given me so much to consider. We love to walk and it sounds like Budapest is a good walking city. I'm going to reread all of your posts to absorb them. How funny that a metro line is a UNESCO world heritage site!

And Jeff, I'll be sure to say autobus

Thanks again,
Ellen

ellen75005

Mathieu,

You answered a question that I had but forgot to ask; transportation into the city from the airport. We'll use the mini bus option.

When we travel, we try to stay away from the peak tourist months (especially August) and do the shoulder months, but alas, it's not my wedding , so our dates were set. At least the weather will probably be good.

Ellen