We're interested in visiting Budapest as independent travelers, but are wondering if the language problems would be too much of a barrier. We speak English only. Could some of you who have similar language handicaps and who have been to Budapest give some suggestions on travel there? For example,
what about telephone use, buying public transportation tickets, pension reservations, menus printed in English in some places, etc.? Any info you can give would be very helpful.

For most places in Europe, especially large cities, I would never let language barriers prevent me from going. I do speak some German and French and try to use them. German helps in Prague. But I speak no Hungarian - how many people do? I communicated in English in Budapest. It is alway good to learn a few phrases and words before you go anywhere (eg., please, thank you, hello, do you speak English?). Many tourists count with there hands if they don't know the numbers. Remember though that 1 is the thumb in most of Europe, not the index finger. The only time I think that you will have serious problems with languages is when getting into lengthy conversation, such as making a complaint or asking for an explanation. I had some trouble at a spa in Budapest, but I just watched what others did and got along ok. Even in China I was able to make out ok, but that was much more difficult than anywhere in Europe. At most hotels you will likely find an English speaker. Get a good phrase book before you go, and if nothing else you can point to the phrase in the book to ask questions or anything else you may need to say (such as asking for towels). Budapest is an interesting city - go and have a great time.

My wife and I were in Budapest last May. A very pleasant city that still shows the ravages of 40 years of neglect. We really like the city and speak only English. Even if you were familair with other foreign languages, Magyar has little correlation to anything I have ever seen.

We had absolutely no problems whatsoever. We stayed at the Marriot, right on the river and virtually everywhere we went someone spoke English.
We even took a taxi to a small, local restaurant recommended by Rick Steves and someone spoke English there.

One thing to beware of: take taxis form only those recommended by your hotel. The taxis in Budapest can be real ripoff artists.

We arrived by train, walked around the city including the castle district, the Jewish Synagogue (a must see) the cathedral(needs cleaning,

Wonderful foor, the paprika chicken alone makes me want to return.

The language should not be a barrier. Get a nice guidebook and enjoy!

We had no trouble in Budapest. I recommend the home of Dr. Walter Fleps, Bogar utca 20/b, 1022 Budapest, Hungary. He is a retired attorney who speaks English. The room with large, good breakfast in November 1997,was $40/night, with a lovely terrace which overlooks Budapest. He has several "tours" written out, which tells the history & other info of what you see.

Hungarian is not in the Indo-European family of languages and the hungarians understand that this means we are unable to make guesses the way we can with franch, spanish, italian or german. And they are THRILLED if you know any hungarian at all![The best second language to have there is german btw]. As long as you have good maps and figure out where you are going the subways work very well. Two warnings though. Validate that ticket! And if someone looking quasi official stops you in the subway show them the validated ticket!! You will be harassed a bit by hawkers in the tourist areas. Just say 'no' and walk on... Do be careful of your possesions as you would be in any large city. BTW your hotel taxi may be better than the rip-off ones, but usually they are somewhat higher than the taxi companies recommended by the guidebooks as honest. These include Fo Taxi, Volantaxi, City Taxi and Ywllow Pages.
Budapest is *wonderful* ... an amazing link between the Hapsburgs and the Ottomans. It has a long way to go in its quest to democratize and modernize, and it isn't as relentlessly picturesque as Prague, but the Magyar culture is a rich and exciting one. I was fortunate to both be with a native Magyar and to have learned a little hungarian myself, but Budapest is very "do-able" without the language.
I'm going back in June and I can't wait!

we were in budapest last year and had no problem buying travel passes or really anything. as a matter of fact with a day pass on the subway and tram system you can add the train to szetendre for about a dollar. if you are worried about language there is a thing you can buy at rand mcnally or other travel stores. it has pictures of just about everything you would need and you only have to point if you have a problem. its about four by six inches and folds.