Budapest: Full Travel Guide

1. Fisherman's Bastion — viewpoint over Pest and the Danube. Free entry, but upper towers cost 1,000 HUF ($3). Address: Szentháromság tér 5. Best at sunrise to avoid crowds.
2. Parliament Building — one of the world's largest parliaments (691 rooms). Guided tour 10,000 HUF ($28) for adults. Address: Kossuth Lajos tér 1-3.
3. Széchenyi Baths — the largest thermal baths in Europe. Full-day weekday entry 9,900 HUF ($28). Address: Állatkerti krt. 9-11.
4. Buda Castle — historic complex on the hill. Walking the grounds is free; museums from 3,000 HUF ($8.50). Address: Szent György tér 2.
5. Chain Bridge — city symbol connecting Buda and Pest. Free to walk across, best at sunset.
6. St. Stephen's Basilica — main Catholic cathedral. Free entry; dome climb 2,000 HUF ($5.60). Address: Szent István tér 1.
7. Andrássy Avenue — Pest's main avenue, a UNESCO site. Home to the Opera House and boutiques.
8. Heroes' Square — monumental ensemble with the Millennium Memorial. Free entry, City Park nearby.
9. Central Market Hall (Nagycsarnok) — covered market with souvenirs and local food. Open daily except Sunday. Address: Vámház krt. 1-3.
10. Gellért Hill — viewpoint and citadel. The walk up takes 20 minutes; entry free.

Budapest is good year-round, but each season has its character. Spring (March-May) — 10-20°C, gardens in bloom, few tourists. Summer (June-August) — hot, up to 35°C, plenty of tourists, hotel prices 30-40% higher. Autumn (September-November) — comfortable, up to 25°C in September; October-November cool. Winter (December-February) — cold (-5 to +5°C), but Christmas markets are running, and the baths are particularly enjoyable.

Budapest is well-connected to most major European cities via direct flights. Carriers include Wizz Air, Ryanair, Lufthansa, KLM, Air France, and many others. From the airport to the center: bus 100E (2,200 HUF, $6.20) to Deák Ferenc tér Square, or taxi (fixed price 9,500 HUF, $27). You can also arrive by train from Vienna (2.5 hours, from 13 euros) or by FlixBus from neighboring countries.

Budapest has 23 districts, but tourists are interested in 5-7. Pest (5th, 6th, 7th) — the center with Parliament, basilica, restaurants, and clubs. Buda (1st, 2nd) — quieter, with the castle and viewpoints, but more expensive. Near the railway station (8th) — budget hotels, but the area is less safe at night.

Single ride ticket 450 HUF ($1.25), 24-hour pass 2,500 HUF ($7), 72-hour pass 5,500 HUF ($15.50). Tickets sold at machines (accept cards) and ticket offices. The metro has 4 lines (M1-M4); tram #2 runs along the Danube with the best views. Taxis: Bolt or Főtaxi; average ride in the center 2,500-4,000 HUF ($7-11).

Must-try: gulyás — beef and paprika soup, lángos — fried dough with sour cream and cheese, chicken paprikás with dumplings, and of course, Tokaji dessert wine. Budget eats at Central Market Hall — lángos 800-1,200 HUF ($2.20-3.40). Cafe lunch — 3,000-5,000 HUF ($8.50-14). Restaurant dinner with wine — 7,000-10,000 HUF ($20-28).

• Currency: Hungarian forint (HUF). Rate: 1 euro ≈ 400 HUF (2025).
• Tipping: 10-15% in restaurants; often included as a 'service charge'.
• Tap water is safe, but many buy bottled.
• Free Wi-Fi in most hotels and cafes, 4G in the metro.
• Budapest is safe, but stay alert in the 8th district (near the station) at night.
• For the baths, bring a towel and flip-flops (sold on-site but more expensive).

Below are answers to the questions travelers ask most often before their trip.