Looking for any recent travelers to Budapest. There sems to be conflicting opinions on getting the 2-3 day transit pass. We hope to do a lot of walking to sightsee but can there be a case made for getting a pass or is it cheaper to just buy carnets as we do in Paris for multiple rides. Also any suggestions regarding what not to miss and any favourite restaurants or memorable meals would be really appreciated..

We loved the baths (the ones up in the park, Shevengiy or something like that) and also the big central market - good for shopping and eating. A river cruise in the evening would be lovely. We loved Budapest and hope to get back there one of these days.

I've been to Budapest 4 times in the past 7 years each time for between 2 and 7 days and personally never saw need for the travel pass. So much can easily be covered on foot, and the rest taken care of by a booklet of 10 tickets for the trams, buses and subway.

The baths are a not to be missed experience. The two popular ones are : the Art Deco Gellert baths located right beside the grand hotel by the same name on the hill beside the Citadel and directly in front of the Freedom Bridge which has the big Food Hall and market at the other end and the pedestrian shopping street Vaci Utca just a few feet away from that (theres 5 things you can walk to and spend a whole day enjoying, all in very close proximity of each other and without need for public transport getting from one to the other though there are plenty of trams passing by), and the beautiful outdoor (and indoor) Szechenyi baths (referred to in suec1's post above) located neat Heroes Square.

Pictures of both can be seen here : http://www.google.ca/search?q=budape...2&ved=0CCwQsAQ

I'd also recommend having coffee and cake at one of Budapest's famous coffee houses. Ruzwurm and Gerbeaud (located off Vorosmarty Square at the other end of Vaci Utca, so you can reward yourself after walking and shopping) are two good ones but there are others as well.

If you go to the Gellert baths there is an unusual sight nearby - a church in the rocks - doesn't take much time and I think its free but it was an interesting place to walk thru.

We did a tour of the Parliment - it was pretty over the top and evidently more of a headache for the country to upkeep than a source of pride.

Thanks so much for these replies,I now have more things on my to do list!! The baths sound very interesting, can one see them without actually using the baths?? Thanks for the reply about the transit pass that is so useful..also didn't think of the tour of Parliament...will think of you all as we have a coffee with cake...can't wait til September.

"...can one see them without actually using the baths?? "

No, not really. Since they are bathing spas with participants in various states of undress, there's some measure of privacy and not open to viewing. The Gellert baths are divided into separate men's and women's sections. The indoor swimming pool with bubble effects is open to both sexes for which a swimsuit and bathing cap must be worn.
The outdoor baths and pool at Szechenyi are open to both sexes and a cap must be worn in the swimming pool. The fast spinning whirlpool and sparkling baths are wonderful, as is the waterfall, with warm water cascading on your shoulders.

My favorite restaurant in Budapest is Cafe Bouchon; lowkey, warmly welcoming; approximately 1/3 tourists 2/3 locals; excellent Hungarian-influenced continental food; unbelievably helpful maitre d'/owner (speaks English very well) - flexible for vegetarians and those with allergies. it's a place we (our family) go when we're feeling down because the warmth of the place makes us feel special and a bit pampered

Cost is perhaps $30-$50 per person, going all out, all included (three or fourourses, wine, tip; easy to get by with less)

You started off asking about the transit passes: they make life easier, but it's a very manageable city on foot and you'll find that individual tickets bought in little books of 10 will cost less

UNLESS you forget to bring your booklet ... there are stiff fines for no ticket or no validation on your ticket and the pass avoids that (if you remember to bring it) ... and while there are cashiers in every metro station, finding a place to buy tickets near a bus or a tram is not just challenging, it's basically impossible most of the time