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-   -   Advice needed for the difference betwen the Buda and Pest side of the river (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/advice-needed-for-the-difference-betwen-the-buda-and-pest-side-of-the-river-102243/)

Renee Jan 25th, 2001 06:33 PM

Advice needed for the difference betwen the Buda and Pest side of the river
 
Hi, <BR> <BR>I noticed from some other postings that there are two sides of the river of where you can stay--the Buda side and the Pest side. <BR> <BR>Could anyone tell me the difference between the two in terms of staying there? Is there one side that most people stay at over the other? What are your suggestions? <BR>Thanks!

Neva Jan 25th, 2001 07:26 PM

Buda is the ambient old part of the city, Pest the modern one. Separated by a river and connected by a bridge decorated by fierce stone lions. I vastly prefer Buda. Everyone, please tell me I haven't mixed the two up. It's been eight brain-draining years since I crashed in the Citadel for two nights.

Mike Jan 25th, 2001 07:34 PM

Renee, <BR>Buda overlooks the Pest side. It is situated on a hill with a spectacular view of the river and the Pest side. The Pest side is more cosmopolitan with newer big name hotels. It is also where the shopping district and most cultural sights are located. If you want to be in the center of everything, Pest is the side for you. If you don't mind a short commute, from one side of the Danube to the other, I would suggest Buda. It feels like a neighborhood while pest feels like a big city. <BR>Happy travels.

Dave Jan 26th, 2001 08:14 AM

We stayed at the Intercontinental on the Pest (east) side. It was in the middle of the city, within walking distance of most sights. On the Buda (west) side are the old hotels, spas, and Castle. There are several bridges connecting the sides. I recommend staying on the Pest side.

mark Jan 26th, 2001 08:45 AM

The Buda side is hilly and green - the Pest side developed. If your interested in a view - the Marriott on the Pest side has an incredible view of the Chain Bridge and Castle; the Gellert on the Buda side has some rooms that look out over the Danube and the Pest side (free use of the spa is included in your room). As long as your close to the Danube and one of the bridges you should be fine on either side. <BR>Check out www.gotohungary.com

Renee Jan 26th, 2001 10:42 AM

Thanks for all the great advice everyone! Really appreciate it!

Thyra Jan 26th, 2001 11:47 AM

We stayed at a Pension on the Buda side, and though we had a nice view, I felt that we were too far away from everything. Legitimate taxi service (based upon our experience) was a tad...dodgy and the bus that was supposed to go into the city arrived an hour and a half late and packed, literally to the gills to the point where people were hanging out of windows! (This was in 1999) I would much rather have preferred a hotel on the Pest side, closer to the attractions and less dependent upon public transpo.

eva Jan 26th, 2001 01:13 PM

I'm a Hungarian tour guide,I had a lot of tourists thinking it nice to stay in the Castle District of Buda with the beautiful wiew,and realizing the mistake too late.You can see the the Buda side only from the Pest side.If price is not a problem stay in Intercontinental, Hyatt or Mariott.Interconti and Hyatt have higher fees for riverside rooms.In Mariott every room has a riverwiew,but half of the rooms are looking on the Gellert hill, and half on the Castle District,so double check it.Anyway Pest is convenient.Most of the basic sights are here-shops,restaurants,museums etc.- and the traffic to the 2 really important parts of Buda-Castle ,Gellert hill-is good.I'm living in the Pest city center and going to Buda is an excursion for me.

Renee Jan 30th, 2001 06:45 AM

Thanks to everyone for their input. <BR>Eva--if you see this, I'm wondering what tour company you are a guide with? <BR>Thanks!

eva Jan 30th, 2001 01:21 PM

Guides in Hungary are freelance. <BR>Me personally am working nowdays only in Japanese,First reason joinning this forum is to improve my completely spoilt English.I'm an old pro so if you have any quetion about anything in H.I'm ready to help.


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