Budapest Travel Guide: 12 Tips to Keep in Mind

Our recent trip to budapest has allowed me to return to a place that I knew many years ago, when Hungary belonged to the block Soviet Union.

I really wanted to return to see the transformation that this city that I once loved has had, and that despite the sad atmosphere that existed at the end of that dark era for Eastern Europe.

Now Hungary It is a country that belongs to the European Union, and the development of recent decades has enhanced the tourist attraction of this Central European city.

Best tips for traveling and visiting Budapest (our experience)

face your own trip to budapest, then we are going to give you some useful tips and recommendations that you should take into account when planning it, starting from the experience of our trip.

Documentation you need to travel to Hungary

As mentioned, for travel to Hungary from Spain it is enough to carry the ID and don't forget the European sanitary card which ensures you receive proper care in the event of a health incident.

How to fly to Budapest and what the airport is like

To fly to Budapest, from Madrid and Barcelona you have an offer of direct flights from several companies.

Specifically, of Iberia Express, Vueling, Ryanair and the Hungarian company Wizz, at prices that can really be very cheap if you travel out of season and buy tickets well in advance.

you will arrive at the Terminal 2a of an airport that will surely surprise you due to its small size compared to a European capital, which has the advantage of making it easier to get around.

How to get from the airport to the center of Budapest

To go to the city center, you have the bus line 100 offering a Express service to a central location.

But perhaps, as was our case, you would be interested in taking the bus line 200, which connects first with the metro, and opens up a range of possibilities if you stay in a hotel closer to the airport.

What is the exchange rate from Hungarian forints to euros?

Although Hungary Belongs to the European Union, this country is not under the scope of the euro, so to travel to Budapest you will have to exchange euros for Hungarian forints, which is the local currency.

The exchange rate is 1.000 florins for 2,70 euros.

Now, I tell you that you don't really need to change because everywhere they accept the card payment.

On our trip we exchanged a small amount of florins which, in practice, later remained with us as a souvenir.

Where to exchange currency in Budapest

If you prefer to pay with money, in the city you will find numerous ATMs where you can change currency.

Of course, we advise you not to change the ATM machines, which you find anywhere, because they charge a large commission.

Better option is change at OTP Bank ATMs, whose branches you can find with the help of Google Maps.

Where to stay in Budapest: best areas to look for a hotel

Obviously, for your tourist visit to the Hungarian capital, the ideal is to look for a hotel in the most central area, but it will also be more expensive.

to find one best quality / price ratioIf you go a little further away from the center you will find good alternatives, for which the advice is that the accommodation is located near a metro line.

On our trip we stayed at this four star hotel rated 8,2 in booking, where sleeping four nights in the first half of October cost us 330 euros.

How to get around Budapest by public transport

I can tell you that in Budapest you will find one very complete and efficient public transport network.

With Google Maps, you will not have a problem moving around metro, bus, trolley car and even trolleybus.

I assure you that when you need to get around, you will not have to wait more than five minutes to get on one of these transports that will quickly take you wherever you want to go.

It also has the advantage that the price of the tickets is very reasonable, and If you are already retired, you travel for frees.

The advice is that you buy a first one at the airport itself. pack of ten bills, which will cost you less than a euro each way.

You can purchase it at Public Transport Information Office that you find as soon as you leave the luggage area, with any of the machines located at the bus stop.

What to eat in Budapest: typical food

One of the attractions that we like the most when we travel to a new country is knowing what its gastronomy y what are your typical dishes.

In the case of Hungary, they are gastronomic products typical paprika, the salami, the foie gras and mangalica (chorizo ​​made from a type of pig).

If you are looking for local wines, both red and white, it has the Balaton wines, the best known being Sangre de toro.

As for typical Hungarian dishes, of course you should not miss trying the Goulash, a soup with meat and potatoes that can be somewhat spicy.

He too strudel and the chicken with paprika, and at Christmas time it is typical chowder.

Restaurants where to eat in Budapest

From the experience of our trip, we are going to recommend some restaurants where you can eat well and at very reasonable prices in Budapest.

Near the Basilica of saint stephen Do you have the Strudel House restaurant, which as its name says, is specialized in strudel.

Also in that area the establishment is recommended langos, a very popular bar where behind the scenes you can try the typical hungarian pizza.

Near the opera you have the Menza restaurant, and near the Plaza de los Héroes, the Paprika restaurant.

How many days do I need to visit Budapest?

When planning your trip, to make a complete and not hasty visit of the city, The ideal is to stay three full days, as was our case.

If you are taking a route through other cities in central Europe, the essential thing would be to spend two full days during which you can have a clear vision of what the city is like and visit its main monuments and corners.

What is essential to see and visit in Budapest

Essential things you have to do are visit Parliament, a truly impressive monument.

And also climb castle hill, where you can walk through the viewpoints of the Fisherman's Bastion, from where they have the most famous panoramic views of Budapest.

You must also visit St. Stephen's Basilica, the main religious monument of the city, and climb to the terrace of its dome, from where you have panoramic views from another perspective.

It is also essential to make a night cruise on the Danube to enjoy the illuminated monuments that are located on the banks of the river.

Another recommendation if you have time is to go to one of its famous spas, and of course, meet some of its famous ruined bars.

Also recommended places to visit are the Heroes Square in the Andrássy Avenue, which is declared World Heritage, as well as the Central Market adjacent to Liberty Bridge.

Here you have the most complete information with the best what to see and do in Budapest.

Tours and guided visits in Budapest

In Budapest you can also sign up for a tour or guided tour.

Of course the aforementioned night cruise on the Danube, and it is also recommended Free Tour of the Jewish Quarter in Budapest that we did during our trip.

Here you have complete information on Tours and guided visits in Budapest (other alternatives of Tours and activities in English and other languages)