Where to stay in Budapest?

Budapest is divided into two by the Danube, Buda and Pest. Buda is more historic, quiet, has more green space and hills, and this is where the old castle district is located with many historic sites. Pest also has many historic sites (such as the Parliament and St. Stephen’s basilica), but is more urban and has easier access to great restaurants, bars and nightlife. If you are visiting Budapest for the first time, my recommendation would be to stay in Pest. If you want to have more quiet and wish to stay in Buda, that is a fine option too, just make sure to stay close to the Danube or very close to metro stop or a transportation hub.

I highlighted with yellow the areas which are considered central and I would recommend you start looking at accommodation there:

This area is mostly located in District V and District VII. Anywhere “within the boulevard” (the rounded boundary on the east side of the yellow area) you are within walking distance from a metro stop or a main tramline. Public transportation is excellent in Budapest, so I recommend trying to stay in close proximity to a metro or tram stop.

Some areas to consider:

· Erzsébet tér / Deák Ferenc tér area – The heart of the city center, all public transportation connects here and is an absolutely central location for restaurants, shops, bars, etc and is also walking distance from the Danube. Because of these attractive features, it is also quite popular with tourists.

· Vörösmarty tér / Vigadó tér area / bank of the Danube – Very close to the river, more pricy but a beautiful area with many pedestrian streets, shopping, fancy restaurants, Chain Bridge, etc. Also very touristy, but for a reason.

· District VII (especially the area from Deák tér /Dohány St Synagogue all the way to Erzsébet boulevard and Teréz boulevard, e.g., the area around Király utca, Wesselényi utca, Akácfa utca, Dob utca, etc) – This area is very famous for its ruin bars and nightlife. Definitely not on the quiet side but a LOT of fun if you want to go out!

· Kálvin tér area (also known as Palace District) – Charming historic buildings, many universities, museums, pedestrian streets great for walking, good restaurants, Great Market Hall, Liberty Bridge, etc. I personally really like this area and always lived close to it, not as busy as the previous listed areas but close enough that you can get there in no time.

· Szabadság tér / Kossuth Lajor tér / Jászai Mari tér area – Close to the Parliament building and Margaret Island, historic buildings but less busy than the main downtown areas. This is a pretty, walkable area close to the river, but not as many restaurants and bars.

· Oktogon / Blaha Lujza tér area – If you stay in this area, you will get a better picture of how regular Hungarians live. Great restaurants and bars, close to central locations, but a little grittier and not as quiet.

Getting around in Budapest

Budapest has an excellent public transportation system so it's easy to get around in the city without a car. You can plan your trip in Google Maps (using the Directions feature and then selecting public transportation) or with the BudapestGO app.

You can use the same type of ticket or pass to access all public transportation in Budapest (such us metros, buses, trams, etc. Boats have an extra surcharge.). At all metro stop and most major bus stops you will find a BKK vending machine where you can buy tickets or a pass using your debit or credit card.

If you get single tickets (or a block of 10 tickets), it's not enough to just buy them! Make sure to validate a ticket each time you start your travel. There are many "undercover" ticket inspectors who will fine you if you don't have a validated ticket while you are travelling. Also, keep your ticket until you completely exit your metro stop, as the inspection often happens as you head out.

If you are spending around 3 days in Budapest, my recommendation is to get a 3-day pass (72-hour Budapest-travelcard). This does not need to be validated, you just have to keep it on you each time you travel (and show it to the inspector, if asked). This is the easiest way to use the public transportation system unlimited times without worrying about validating a ticket each time you travel. They also have a 24-hour Budapest travel card option as well, if you are only spending a shorter time in the capitol.

More information on public transportation tickets and passes on BKK's website: here

Ticket types and prices: here