Budapest for First Time Visitors

installation of the word "Budapest" in the red, white and green, at Millenial monument in the background - Budapest for First Time Visitors

First Time in Budapest? Browse our guide to to help you get the most of your stay!

Budapest is quite large with its 23 districts and even the city center is quite big to cover all its attractions on foot.

It pays to plan your trip ahead, especially if you come only for 1 – 2 days.

When to Visit?

The Hungarian capital has become an extremely popular travel destination since it offers plenty to see and do all the year round.

Summer months are the busiest, especially July and August.

TIP: Time your visit to a special event or holiday for an even memorable vacation. Easter is a nice time with the trees and parks all green again.

Christmas Time

Budapest has a couple of lovely Christmas markets offering local food, drinks and all sorts of gifts.

  • The Xmas fair at Vörösmarty Square is among the top holiday markets in Europe open from 10. November till 31. December 2017. Besides the culinary delights, it welcomes guests with concerts and children programs.
  • The Christmas market by the Basilica also attracts lots of visitors with a small ice rink, light painting show, concerts and a huge selection of food.

TIP: If you prefer a quieter time, come early spring or late September-October. You will still find plenty exciting programs and activities to keep you busy for a couple of days.

Challenges You Might Encounter

Do Hungarians Speak English?

Most people, especially the younger generation, speak enough English so you will have no trouble getting by. If you learn some Hungarian expressions, like:

  • Thank you!/Köszönöm!
  • Good Morning!/Jó reggelt,
  • Good Day!/Jó Napot,
  • Good bye!/Viszontlátásra!
  • Please/Kérem szépen

you will also be able to put a smile on the often grumpy faces of locals!

Getting Around

The public transport network is extensive with

  • 4 metro lines: M1 Underground (Yellow Line: connects the city centre, along Andrássy Av,  with City Park), M2 (red line), M3 (blue line) and M4 (green line)
  • 3 major tram lines (trams 4, 6 along Grand Boulevard, tram 2 on the Pest bank of the Danube – great for sightseeing),
  • public boat travel (especially D11 and D12 lines) – also a budget-friendly way to see some of the top attractions,  and
  • numerous other bus and trolley bus services.

Airport – City Centre

There are several ways to get to the centre from Budapest’s Liszt Ferenc Airport. The simplest option is to use the new airport shuttle bus service No. 100E. Although many travellers complain that Bus 100E is congested.

It will take you to Deák Ferenc tér – in 40-60 minutes depending on traffic – where you can change to one of the 3 metro lines that meet there or trams.

The first airport bus departs at 03:40 AM the last one at 01.20 AM and runs every 20 minutes. Ticket for Bus 100E is 900 HUF.

Travel Card/Budapest Card or Single Tickets?

A 24-hour travel pass is only 1 650 HUF the 72-hour travel card is 4 150 HUF. Both are valid for all lines of public transport within the city limits.

In comparison the 24-hour Budapest card is 5 500 HUF/29 EUR, the 72-hour card is 10 900 HUF/37 EUR. The tourist cards are only worth the cost if you can make use of all the discounts they include:

  • unlimited travel on public transport
  • free entry tot he Lukács Themal bath
  • two guided walk tours (in Pest and in Buda)
  • free entry to the permanent exhibition of a dozen museums/art galleries, and
  • discounts on a range of activities/services

Most of the inner city is easily walkable but at the end of a day it’s more convenient to ride back to your accommodation.

TIP:  Buy a collection of 10 single tickets at discount price (costs 3 000 HUF) instead of buying single tickets (costs 350 HUF). If you will be using public transportation often then it’s worth getting a travel card or Budapest Card depending on the length of your visit and travel plans.

Penalty Fare, Rude Ticket Inspectors

Penalty fare for travelling without a valid ticket/pass is

  • 8 000 HUF if paid on the spot,
  • 16 000 HUF paid within 30 days, and
  • 32 500 HUF settled over 30 days.
a red punch machine and an orange ticket validation machine under it on a bus
Ticket validation machines

To avoid the awkward situation of getting caught without travelling a valid ticket and paying a hefty fine make sure you validate your ticket: through the orange/yellow colored ticket validation machines (or in older vehicles: red punch machines).

Travel cards/passes don’t need to be validated).

On metro you validate it before going down to the platform by escalator or in case of the M1/yellow line before boarding the train.

On

  • trams,
  • buses,
  • trolley buses,
  • suburban railway (HÉV) you validate the ticket upon boarding the vehicle: the machine either punches holes in the ticket (the red ones) or prints a series of numbers on it (usually the orange ones).

How to Avoid Getting a Penalty Fare?

Ticket inspectors do occasional checks on trams/buses/trolley and the HÉV. They are undercover and only put their official armband/ID card on when they are already on the vehicle and are about to begin ticket inspection.

At the metro they stand in 2-3 groups at the escalator leading down to the trains, might also board the train, or wait for passengers at the escalator leading out of the subway.

Inspectors sadly tend to target tourists uninformed or confused about the validation system. Often they talk rudely to the unfortunate tourists, demanding their valid tickets/passes and if they fail to present any – paying the penalty (8 000 HUF on the spot).

So do not board the metro without properly validating your ticket or having a valid travel card that has the dates indicating the validity period.

On the M1 underground/trams/buses/trolley bus/night services/suburban railway validate your ticket right after boarding the vehicle.

Read more about the penalty fares on the public transport company’s website!

Where to Stay?

To be in the thick of everything Budapest has to offer stay at one of the inner districts:

  • district V. – also known as Lipótváros is downtown Budapest
  • district VI. – aka Terézváros is the neighbourhood of Andrássy Avenue.[

How to Pay?

Most shops, supermarkets, restaurants, cafes accept all major debit/credit cards. At the food markets you can pay in cash only.

You can also buy public transport tickets from the ticket vending machines or at the few remaining ticket offices with bank card. Larger shops, downtown restaurants also accept EUR.

In any case, do bring some Hungarian Forints, the local currency with you (Hungary is not part of the EUR zone yet).

Top 10 Sights

First time visitors on a short stay should include the following Budapest landmarks in their sightseeing program, for a well-rounded initial impression on the city.

Cruises on the Danube

Buda side

Buda Castle District is a must with its rich history reaching back to ancient times. It’s the oldest part of the city and home to the

buda castle 1
  • Royal Palace,
  • Matthias Church,
  • Fishermen’s Bastion – spectacular panoramic view and a great restaurant,
  • several museums (both large and unique ones) and the National Gallery
  • medieval or Baroque town houses in romantic cobble-stoned streets, and
  • some nice selection of restaurants and cafes.

Várkert Bazaar & Gardens

The Castle Bazaar and Royal Gardens were completely renewed in 2014. A lovely place for a stroll before or after exploring the castle.

The refurbished, 19th century buildings, designed by Miklós Ybl, house various exhibitions.

The one in the southern palace introduces the history of the complex.

There’s also a

  • Gourmet Shop, carrying typical Hungarian delicacies (paprika, Tokaji aszú wine), and
  • a Cafe with terrace where you can enjoy the fine view by a cup of coffee, a glass of wine or whatever you fancy.[

TIP: For more picturesque views of the city walk up to the top of the Gellért Hill, to the tallest statue of Budapest: Szabadságszobor/Liberty statue.

Pest side

Inner City- Must-See Attractions

budapest chain bridge051 1
Chain Bridge/Széchenyi Lánchíd

TIP: The Basilica regularly hosts organ concerts, an excellent opportunity to see the interior and enjoy the fantastic acoustics of the church.

  • Parliament & Kossuth Square – the massive building with a domed center on the Pest riverbank was built at the turn of the 19-20 centuries. The interior can be visited on a guided tour, during which you can see the Holy Crown of Hungary’s 1st King, St. Stephen.

TIP: Parlaiment Tour + Danube Cruise :

Visit the Parliament on a 1-hour Guided Tour then see the UNESCO-protected riverside of the city on a 1.5-hour boat excursion.

Andrássy út – A Parisian Boulevard

Walk along Andrássy Avenue, a more than 2 km long Parisian-style boulevard connecting the city centre with the City Park.

people on the avenue during a festival
Andrássy út during a festival

It ‘s lined with elegant palaces dating from the 19th century, a couple of museums, luxury boutiques, and some fine restaurants.

Two must-see sights are

  • the Opera House and
  • the House of Terror Museum – exhibitions on the age of communist and Nazi terror in Hungary.

The National Opera House also has varied programs all year round . It is also famed for its magnificent architecture making it must-visit attraction even if you aren’t an opera fan.

TIP: If you get tired of walking hop on the Millennium Underground (M1, yellow metro line), the first underground railway in continental Europe, built between 1860-63.

Thermal Baths

swimming pool and the clonnaded interior of the bath
Gellért Bath in Buda

Have a dip in one of the handful of historic spas feed by thermal springs rich in minerals.

The Széchenyi Bath in the City Park is an excellent choice at the end of your walk on Andrássy út.

The bath houses from the Ottoman era (16th century) reward you with stunning architecture and the experience of traditional Oriental bathing culture.

TIP: Try Rudas in the Buda side with an outdoor jacuzzi on its top,  wellness services and a restaurant.

In summer relax in the outdoor pools of the Palatinus on Margaret Island (listed among the world’s most beautiful outdoor baths).

The Great Synagogue

Budapest’s Great Synagogue in Dohány Street is a must-see attraction due to its stunning architecture and its significant role in the life of the city’s Jewish community.

Activities

Try one of the personalized tours and programs to

  • discover the unique, lesser-known sides of the city,
  • learn about Hungarian culture and way of life.

1. Budapest Urban Walk

The team of BUW has several tours that show visitors unique aspects of the city. Join their city tour that covers all the important sights mainly in Pest within 3,5 hours.

We here at BudapestByLocals.com also have some great tours/cruises and other programs.

2. Segway Tour – Fun Sightseeing

Tired of walking? Hop on a Segway and explore the city on two wheels with expert guiding (preliminary training is included).

3. Cultural Programs

TIP: A classical music concert or a folk dance program are great choices for cultural entertainment. Hungarians are talented musicians and dancers and the capital city boasts numerous concert halls.

You can reserve tickets online for both program genres through our website.

+1: Combine a 4-course Hungarian Dinner with Folklore Show every Friday evening in an elegant city centre restaurant. A wonderful program that allows you to learn more about local cuisine and culture.

4 Museums

Budapest is home to more than 100 museums and art galleries so it’s hard to pick which one to include in a first time visitor’s itinerary.

  • Budapest History Museum – located in the Royal Palace of Buda Castle the museum encompasses the story of the city from the ancient times to current days.
  • Hungarian National Museum – also a great source for learning about Hungary’s history from the earliest times up until the 1990-ies. See the museum’s website for more information.
  • Pinball Museum (Radnóti Miklós utca 18., distr. XIII., open: Wed-Fri: 16.00 – 0.00 am, Sat: 14.00 – 0.00 am, Sun: 10.00 – 22.00 ) – you can see and play on 150 retro pinball machines for the 3 000/2 000HUF entry fee, including some rare vintage pieces and the world’s biggest pinball machine, Herkules.  

With Kids: The Hungarian Railway Museum and Park is ideal for families with children.

  • Locomotives,
  • steam engines,
  • a small garden train,
  • scale models ensure an exciting time for everyone. For a more centrally located place drop by Miniversum on Andrássy Avenue.

Parks, Gardens, Arboretums

1. City Park (Városliget)

front view of the castle
Vajdahunyad Castle

The largest park of the city can be reached by M1 metro – it will be renewed by 2018. It’s home to the

  • Zoo & Botanical Garden,
  • the ecclectic Castle of Vajdahunyad (houses the Agricultural Museum)
  • the Széchenyi Spa, the National Grand Circus as well as
  • Gundel, a first class restaurant.

2. Margaret Island (Margitsziget)

The sprawling urban island can be accessed by trams 4, 6. Plenty of green, ancient trees, vibrant flowerbeds, monastery ruins, sport fields, a bath with wellness services (Palatinus is open now all year round) make it a must-see destination while in Budapest.

3. Károlyi Garden

a dozen people sitting at tables on the bar's terrace
Csendestárs Bar

The Károlyi Garden is a small park in downtown, between Károlyi utca and Múzeum krt., nice for a rest after a long stroll in the city.

Kids will also appreciate it since they can play at 2-3 playgrounds designed for various ages.

There’s also a public toilet at the eastern corner.

For a coffee and snacks, or a glass of wine sit in Csendestárs Wine Bar with a lovely terrace right next to the park.

Shops, Food Markets, Street Fairs

Budapest has several

  • shopping malls easily accessible from the centre (try Allee – tram 4, Corvin or WestEnd the latter two by tram 4 and 6),
  • a couple of food markets,
  • weekend farmers’ markets,
  • design fairs so you can shop for quality local food stuff, wines or souvenirs to take home.

TIP: In the shopping centers you’ll always find a Costa Coffee of Starbucks, bakeries and countless fast food restaurants.

Great Market Hall/Központi Vásárcsarnok

The historic Central Market Hall on Fővám Square, next to Liberty bridge is not only a source of quality local produce and gastro specialties, it is a sight in itself.

Grab some hearty Hungarian meal  – lángos, pancakes, stuffed cababge, roated meats – in one of the buffets on the gallery.

Belvárosi Piac/Downtown Market

The Downtown Market in Hold utca (near Szabadság Square and the Parliament) is more about eating out (try Stand 25 Bistro by a Michelin-star chef on the ground floor, local gastronomy in Buja Disznó or A Séf utcája on the gallery)

Andrassy ut is the place to hunt for luxury goods and designer fashion clothes. Fashion Street (it’s real name is Deák Ferenc utca) is also full of high-end designer shops (Zara, Tommy Hilfiger, Furla, Lacoste).

Pancs GastroPlacc in a Ruin Bar

Open: Sundays at 09.00 – 14.00

Location: Tűzoltó utca 22., district IX. (tram 4, 6, M3 metro Corvin-negyed stop)

Each Sunday the courtyard of the Élesztőház Craft Beer & Wine Bar turns into a farmers’ market with seasonal fruits and veggies, cheese, honey, preserves. Usually a range of programs accompany the event and it’s ideal for families with kids too.

Night Entertainment – 5 Bars

szimpla ruin bar
Szimpla Cafe’s inner garden

For a light side of Budapest drop in one of the countless

Ruin Bars, and Garden Pubs

Kazinczy Street is a good place to start your night out in district VII.

It’s home to

  • Szimpla kert,
  • Kirakat,
  • Ellátó Kert
  • Kék Ló Fashion Bar, and other quirky places.

Corvintető on top of a former department store, or Hellobaby for urban chic on Andrássy út.

Boutiq bar

Address: Paulay Ede utca 5., district VI.

Opening hours: Tue – Thurs: 18.00 – 01.00 am, Fri – Sat: 18.00 – 02.00 am

For a more refined atmosphere try Boutiq bar in a street running parallel with Andrássy Av. It serves quality cocktails made by expert and creative bartenders.

A38 ship on the Danube

Anchored in the Buda side near Petőfi bridge the former Ukrainian freighter has been the coolest party spot in Budapest for many years now.

Party nights by DJ-s, concerts, a restaurant and a roof terrace make it a must-visit place if you seek quality night entertainment.

You can also go partying on a boat on the Danube.[/checklist]