gidlaurie

Hi Fodorites, Me Again! Well we're really doing it, will be in Budapest in 8 more days! We are staying at the Mercure Korona, at Kalvin Square on the Pest side. Can anyone help me plan transportation from airport to Kalvin Square? We don't mind train/bus if it is relatively direct.
Also, can someone recommend a site where I can print a map of the trams and trains within Budapest? THANKS! We want to do the following itinerary:
Airport - Hotel
Hotel - Great Synagogue
Great Synagogue to Castle Hill
Castle Hill to Central Market Hall
Central Market back to Kalvin Square/Hotel

Thank you for helping make this happen!

bilboburgler

you can catch the train from the airport and walk or take a taxi. You can catch the bus from the airport.

Mathieu

I'd take the mini bus (shuttle) service from the airport to your hotel. It is slightly more expensive than other alternatives (but still relatively inexpensive), quick and efficient and even includes the return ride back from hotel to the airport at the end of your stay. Search my other posts for more details as I've repeated the info many times in previous posts.

The great synagogue, Central food market and Castle hill are very near each other. You can walk to all of them from each other in an afternoon. I'd do them in that order from your hotel, and make a day of it enjoying them at leisure knowing that they were that close. Go to the market at lunch time and eat there.


M.

Taltul

I would suggest taking the hop on and off bus(Budapest City Tours) that goes all around Budapest. Many of the sites are spread out and you can get everywhere with the bus. I personally didn't take it (we spent 6 days in Budapest so we took our time), but until you get to know the tram system (which is excellent), you can already be enjoying the city from the top of the bus.
On Castle Hill, a must-see is the underground tunnels Buda Castle Labyrinth - great for kids and adults. Don't miss it. Also climbing to the Liberty statue is a must - a fantastic view of Budapest, the Danube etc...and the statue is enormous.
And the Central food market is fun to go to - plus there's a whole floor of open stalls to buy souvenirs.
Don't bother going into churches, cathedrals etc... if you have to pay.

Ian

Unless your teens are different than most, I would rule the baths out. imho

The hike up to (and down from) the statue might be good. It is an urban forest path & would take about an hour round trip. Certainly Castle Hill. Central Market for lunchables.

Ian