🌍 Coming from the United States

If you're flying in from the U.S., your destination airport is Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD).

✈️ Best flight search engines:

Skyscanner – Great for comparing dates and prices.

Kiwi.com – Good for flexible itineraries or multi-city trips.

Kayak – Often includes smaller airlines and good hotel combos.

Google Flights – Super visual and easy to track fares.

Most flights will connect through major European hubs like Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam, or Paris.

🇭🇺 Coming from within Hungary

Budapest is extremely well-connected by train, car, and long-distance buses.

Where to stay in Budapest?

We recommend staying on the Pest side—close to attractions, restaurants, nightlife, and transport:

📍 Best Districts:

District V (Belváros-Lipótváros): Elegant, central, safe—close to Parliament, Danube, and Basilica.

District VI (Terézváros): Lively, close to Andrássy Avenue and nightlife.

District VII (Jewish Quarter): Young, artsy, full of ruin bars and food spots.

For quieter areas, try District I (Castle District) on the Buda side—historic and romantic.

Hotel recommendations

We recommend booking via Booking.com or Airbnb for the best deals and flexible options.

District V – Belváros-Lipótváros

Elegant & central – Parliament, Basilica, Danube all in walking distance

Promenade City Hotel

~ €85–95 | Clean, central, right near Váci Street

Hotel Erzsébet City Center

~ €80–90 | Comfortable, safe area, walkable to everything

District VI – Terézváros

Lively & cultural – Near Andrássy Avenue, great for walking or nightlife

easyHotel Budapest Oktogon

~ €60–75 | Super basic but reliable, clean, and in a top location

Medos Hotel

~ €70–85 | Comfortable, near Oktogon and metro/tram stops

District VII – Jewish Quarter

Young & buzzing – Street food, ruin bars, cool cafés all around

Maverick Urban Lodge (hostel & private rooms)

~ €60–75 | Stylish, social, clean – private bathrooms available

Silver Hotel Budapest City Center

~ €65–80 | Central, budget-friendly, basic comfort

District I – Castle District (Buda side)

Quiet & romantic – History, views, peaceful atmosphere

Hotel Charles

~ €70–85 | Short walk to Castle Hill, great value with breakfast

Budavar Bed and Breakfast

~ €85–95 | Charming and cozy with Castle views

Bonus Tip: Airbnb

In Budapest, Airbnb is safe and widely used.

You’ll find entire apartments in these areas from €60–100/night - ideal for couples or small groups.

Look for listings with:

"Superhost" status

Elevator access (some buildings are older!)

Good Wi-Fi + self check-in

Local transport tips

❌ Avoid local taxis.

Overcharging is unfortunately common.

Use apps like Bolt ,Uber or Főtaxi for safe and fair pricing.

Use public transportation

Budapest has an excellent and affordable public transport system:

Metro, trams, buses, and even boats.

🎟 Ticket Options:

24-hour ticket: 2,500 HUF (~6.5 USD)

72-hour ticket: 5,500 HUF (~14.5 USD)

7-day travel card: 6,300 HUF (~16.5 USD)

(Valid on all metro, trams, buses—unlimited rides!)

🎫 Purchase tickets via:

BKK vending machines (at metro/tram stops)

BudapestGO app (Apple/Android)

Don't forget to validate your ticket!

You will see a machine that will stamp your ticket before getting on the metro, they're hard to miss.

If you get your ticket on the app you will have to scan the QR Code before getting in.

Extra tips:

Currency & Payments

Hungary uses the Hungarian Forint (HUF) – not the Euro.

Most places accept cards, including contactless (Visa, Mastercard widely used).

Still, carry a little cash for small vendors, market stalls, or older cafés.

Use official bank ATMs (OTP, Erste, UniCredit) and avoid Euronet ATMs – they have very bad exchange rates.

Mobile & Connectivity

Budapest has great Wi-Fi coverage, even in many public areas.

If you're from outside the EU, consider:

eSIM or local SIM card (Yettel, Telekom, Vodafone) – you can get one at the airport or any mall.

Airalo offers eSIMs you can install before arrival.

Emergency numbers

112 – Universal emergency number (police, ambulance, fire)

People speak basic English in most tourist-related services.

Dining & Tipping

Tipping is customary: 10–15% is standard unless a service charge is already included. Many restaurants require reservations on weekends or evenings.

Water is safe to drink

Budapest tap water is high quality and totally safe, feel free to refill your bottle!

Toilets

Public toilets aren’t always free, carry 100–200 HUF coins just in case.

Big malls, museums, or fast food places usually have clean toilets.

Planning around Sundays

Shops often close early or stay closed on Sundays, especially smaller or family-run ones.

Restaurants and attractions are open, but groceries and pharmacies may be limited.

Pack for mixed weather

September in Budapest is usually mild (20–25°C / 68–77°F), but:

Layers are key – mornings and evenings can get chilly.

Pack a light jacket and umbrella, rain showers pop up now and then.

General etiquette

Locals may seem a bit reserved at first, but are warm and helpful once you engage.

A polite “Jó napot!” (Good day!) or “Köszönöm” (Thank you) goes a long way.

Don’t walk on bike paths—cyclists will let you know fast 😄