capital and largest city of Hungary

Europe > Central Europe > Hungary > Central Hungary > Budapest

Budapest (http://www.budapestinfo.hu/home_en.html) is the

capital city of Hungary. With a unique, youthful atmosphere, world-
class classical music scene, a pulsating nightlife increasingly
appreciated among European youth, and last but not least, an
exceptional offer of natural thermal baths, Budapest is one of
Europe's most delightful and enjoyable cities. Due to the exceedingly
scenic setting, and its architecture it is nicknamed "Paris of the
East".

The modern-day Budapest results from the amalgamation of two

historic cities lying right opposite each other over the Danube river.
Buda is the western (left) bank side, with the high hill atop which the
Buda castle sits. Pest is the relatively flat eastern (right) bank side,
with the Parliament, numerous other stately buildings, and busy
streets retaining all their 19th century architectural heritage.

In 1987 Budapest was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site

for the cultural and architectural significance of the Banks of the
Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter and Andrássy Avenue.
Districts
Although Budapest is administratively divided into 23 numbered
districts (always written in Roman numerals) it is colloquially often
divided into parts, roughly corresponding to the two major cities of
Buda and Pest, which it comprises.

Listings of particular points of interests - museums, historic

monuments, restaurants, bars, hotels, shopping opportunities and
such - can be found in the following articles:

5 km Wikimedia maps | Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Map of Budapest
Inner city

Budavár (Buda Castle) (Inner part of District I)

The oldest part of the city containing the Castle and some of
Budapest's best-known attractions such as Fishermen’s Bastion,
the Labyrinth and Mathias Church. All areas are part of the
UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Víziváros (Water Town) (Outer part of District I)

The Danube bank including the Castle Bazaar and Rudas Thermal
Bath is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Belváros (Inner City) (District V)

The highlight of this area is the Parlament, the Saint Stephen
(István) Basilica and the Promenad (Corso) with beautiful views
of the Danube and to the Castle Hill. All area is part of the
UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Terézváros (Theresa Town) (District VI)

Historical districts full of monumental buildings, museums, luxury
shops along Andrassy Avenue are part of the UNESCO World
Heritage Site. Most theatres and accommodation are here.

Erzsébetváros (Elizabeth Town) (District VII)

Here is the Jewish Quarter.
 Józsefváros (Joseph Town) (District VIII)
Here is the Palace Quarter with many historical buildings
including the Hungarian National Museum.

Ferencváros (Francis Town) (District IX)

Important buildings and museums like the Great Market Hall
(Nagyvásárcsarnok) and the National Theatre.

Outer Buda

South Buda (Districts XI and XXII)

The south part has famous wine cellars. The Gellért Hill Nature
Preserve Area with citadel and the beautiful Gellért Bath are part
of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Hegyvidék (Highlands) (District XII)

The greenest part of Budapest. Many hiking, trekking, mountain
biking possibility.

North Buda (District II)

Óbuda (Old Buda) (Southern part of District III)

The third, smaller town before the unification to the north with
museums and a small historical center.
 Aquincum (Northern part of District III)
A great place for archaeology, water sport and recreation.

Csepel (District XXI)

Outer Pest

Angyalföld (District XIII)

Famous for its contemporary art galleries, and Margaret Island,
the green oasis in the middle of the city.

Városliget (City Park) (Western part of District XIV)

Here is the Heroes Square with museums of its, and a 1:1 copy of
a Transylvanian Castle-Palace called Vajdahunyad vára. All these
are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Zugló (Eastern part of District XIV)

Kőbánya (District X)

North Pest (Districts IV and XV)

A very few old building, some country town feeling, a good
starting point for exploring northern Pest County and the Danube
Bend by car, train or bus.

East Pest (Districts XVI and XVII)

 South Pest (Districts XVIII, XIX, XX and XXIII)
Includes Kispest, Pesterzsébet, Pestszentlőrinc, Pestszentimre,
Soroksár.

Of course, quarters often offer their own atmosphere due to their

history and inhabitants. Roughly speaking, areas near to, especially
inside of Nagykörút (Great Boulevard or Ringroad, served by Tram 4
and Tram 6) are considered central, even if some of these are in less
than perfect condition and not typically frequented by tourists. In
Pest, Kiskörút (Small Boulevard) is traditionally considered as the
border of the centre proper, including some highly touristed areas.

The Hungarian national parliament

Informally, quarters are known under their own historical name

which are often referred to by the locals. The names are often linked
to members of the House of Hapsburg or - in fringe areas - the
names of villages or towns which later became part of Budapest.
Particularly interesting quarters are Belváros (Inner City) and
Lipótváros (Leopold Town), together form the Belváros district (a bit
confusing but usually the biggest or oldest quarter gave its name to
the entire district), the heart of Pest, including a number of major
sights but also beautiful squares and cafés. With the Parliament, a
number of ministries and banking houses, Lipótváros is also a major
political and business centre of the country. The name refers to the
Hapsburg Emperor Leopold I whose coronation to the King of
Hungary in 1790 gave rise to the name of the then-new quarter.

Újlipótváros (New Leopold Town) The inner part of the XIII. district
(so called Angyalföld), just outside of the Great Boulevard north of
Leopold Town with the marvellous Margaret Bridge at its corner, was
built between the 1910s and 1930s. It is considered as one of the
finest residential areas in Budapest with a relaxed, inviting
atmosphere and a number of restaurants, cafés and small shops. It
also comprises the Vígszínház (Comedy Theatre) and a few tiny off-
mainstream cinemas. The quarter is traditionally home to a
population with Jewish background as the activity of people such as
Raoul Wallenberg, Giorgio Perlasca, and Carl Lutz was linked to this
area (see history).

Terézváros (Theresa Town) VI. district. Among others, it contains

Nyugati pu. (Western Railway Station), an architectural sight, and
areas neighbouring districts V. and XIII. The then-developing quarter
was named after a visit of Habsburg Empress and Queen Maria
Theresa in 1777.

Erzsébetváros (Elisabeth Town) VII. District. While parts of it are not

yet renovated, it contains the famous Synagogue in the Dohány
street. The quarter was split off from Terézváros and asked for
permission to be named after the wife of Franz-Josef I, popularly
called Sisi, in 1882.

Understand

History

Antiquity

The first settlement on the territory of Budapest is accounted to

Celtic tribes. During the first century CE, the Roman fortification on
the territory of present-day Óbuda (now part of Budapest) gradually
developed into the town of Aquincum which became the capital city
of the province of Lower Pannonia in 106CE. The Romans founded a
fortress known as Contra Aquincum on the other side of the river
which is assumed to have developed into the later town of Pest.
This was part of the Limes, marking the eastern border of the
empire, and was gradually given up by Rome during the early fourth
century, becoming part of the Hun empire for a few decades. The
Huns were a confederation of various nomadic nations and tribes
inhabiting the Eurasian steppe, and not Magyars, but Attila, the King
of the Huns, is considered a national hero and Attila is a common
given name in Hungary.
Early Middle Ages

Once the horse-riding Magyar (Hungarian) tribes arrived in the

Carpathian Basin in 896CE, Óbuda served as the seat of the Magyar
high-chieftain (or prince) Árpád. After a century marked by frequent
raids on Christian western Europe, the erstwhile Hungarian prince
Géza realised that converting to Christianity was the key to survival
in Europe. The Christian Kingdom of Hungary was founded by the
crowning of his son, Szt. István (Saint Stephen) on 1 January 1001
(or possibly Christmas Day of 1000). As visitors will quickly realise,
Saint Stephen became an omnipresent national symbol, as did the
artefact known as Saint Stephen's Crown (the Holy Crown of
Hungary) which was regarded as a legal entity that was by law
equivalent to the country itself during medieval times. It is still
unclear whether the millennium-old crown used in this function for
many centuries and shown in the Parliament today, was used by
Saint Stephen.

In the following centuries, Buda emerged as the most important

royal seat. In 1241/42 the Mongol Empire conquered the territory
along with large parts of Europe - this short but devastating
conquest of the country is still remembered as Tatárjárás - the name
reflecting the erroneous confusion of Mongols and Tatars at the
time. Medieval Hungary reached its zenith under King Matthias
(Matthias Corvinus), the vividly remembered Renaissance ruler
whose patronage of arts and sciences made Hungary, a notable
power at the time, the first European country to adopt the
Renaissance from Italy. However, after residing in Buda for decades,
he moved his seat to Vienna in 1485 for the last five years of his life
after defeating the Hapsburg Holy Roman Emperor Frederick III.

In 1541, Buda and Pest fell to the Ottoman Empire and were taken
back 1686, when the Hapsburg Empire centred in Austria conquered
the country on its way to becoming a major European power. Marks
of these two cultures are still part of everyday life in Budapest.

The 19th-century - formation of Austria-Hungary and Budapest

After the anti-Hapsburg revolution in 1848–49 (defeated through the

decisive help of the Russian Czar) the 1867 Compromise
(Kiegyezés) with a weakened Vienna made Buda the capital of a
near-autonomous Hungary, a large, multi-ethnic kingdom comprising
half of the newly created Dual Monarchy of Austria-Hungary. In this
peculiar double-state the monarch was Emperor of Austria and King
of Hungary, two autonomous realms.

The following half century marked by peaceful development counts

among the most successful times in the history of the country and
its capital. With the 1873 unification of Buda, Pest, and Óbuda, the
city of Budapest was created. It saw a leap in terms of
industrialisation, urbanisation, population, and the development of a
capitalistic society. It even aimed at rivalling with Vienna, the
Millennium in 1896, marking a thousand years of Hungary, offered
the perfect excuse for large-scale projects such as the Parliament,
Vajdahunyad Castle, or the Grand Boulevard (Nagykörút) the first
electric underground railway in the world (now Metro yellow line).
Budapest was transformed to a world city during these decades,
enriched by Austrian, Jewish, Slovakian, Serbian, Croatian, Roma
and other cultural influence. This age is remembered as the
'Monarchia' (or as 'K. u. K.', abbreviation for Imperial-Royal in Austria
and other parts of the Empire) and associated with the rule of Franz
Joseph I. (I. Ferenc József) who died in 1916 after 68 years on the
throne.

In this period, the city was the home of two world-famous

Hungarian inventors -- the father of the electric locomotive, Kálmán
Kandó, and inventor of the match, János Irinyi -- and of two
renowned composers, Béla Bartók and Zoltán Kodály. There is no
other European city which had given so many Hollywood filmmakers
in the early 20th century, such as Budapest.
The world wars

Neither the Habsburg empire nor Hungary survived World War I in

their previous form - leaving Budapest as the capital of a now
independent Hungary which lost two thirds of its territory, most of
its non-Magyar population, and a few million Hungarian speakers, to
neighbouring countries. The city's population reached one million
around 1930. During the interwar years under the rule of regent
Miklós Horthy, a former Admiral of the Austro-Hungarian fleet,
Hungary became an ally of Germany. Near the end of World War II,
Nazi Germany occupied Hungary after it attempted to negotiate
separate peace with the Allies, and eventually installed a bloody
dictatorship putting the hitherto fairly unimportant Nazi
Nyilaskeresztes (Arrowcross) party in charge. While practically all of
the 400,000 Jews in the countryside were murdered by German
Nazis and their Hungarian nyilas sympathizers, roughly 60% of
Budapest's Jewish community was saved during the Holocaust.
People who are remembered for helping the local Jewish
community include Raoul Wallenberg, the famous Swedish
diplomat, who organised the distribution of Swedish passports by
his embassy to as many Jews as possible, and the Italian Giorgio
Perlasca, who – pretending to be a Spanish diplomat – rescued
many thousands of Jews, but there were many other foreigners and
Hungarians who participated in this effort. Air raids and a terrible
three-month siege towards the end of World War II resulted in the
death of over 38,000 civilians and the destruction of much of the
once so lively city.

From communism to contemporary times

After the war, Budapest slowly recovered and became a showcase

for the more pragmatic policies of Hungary's hard-line Communist
government under the dictatorial rule of Mátyás Rákosi. The city
was, however, also the main site of the 1956 uprising which was
successful in installing a reform-oriented (albeit communist)
government of Imre Nagy. This was swept away before long, after
the Soviet leader Khrushchev decided to send in the tanks feeling
that Hungary was slipping away from under Moscow's control. The
Soviets installed János Kádár as the leader of the communist state
who, after over thirty years of controversial rule, was voted out of
leadership 1988 by the central committee due to health issues, and
died in 1989.

Since the peaceful 1989 'system change' (Rendszerváltás) which

was achieved as a compromise between reformist party forces and
the opposition (notably including a younger self of the current prime
minister, Viktor Orbán), Budapest transformed in appearance and
atmosphere, a process further accelerated by the country's long-
awaited joining with the European Union in 2004.
Climate

Budapest

Climate chart (explanation)

J F M A M J J A S O N D

25 27 27
22 22
16 15
20 22 21
11 17 17 8
6 12 12 4
3
6 5
0 2 2

39 37 38 47 65 70 50 50 43 47 60 50

Average max. and min. temperatures in °C

Precipitation+Snow totals in mm
 Imperial conversion

J F M A M J J A S O N D

76 80 80
71 71
62 60
67 71 70
51 62 62 46
42 54 53 39
37
43 42
33 36 35

1.5 1.5 1.5 1.9 2.6 2.8 2 2 1.7 1.9 2.4 2

Average max. and min. temperatures in °F

Precipitation+Snow totals in inches

Winter (November until early March) can be cold and there is little
sunshine. Snowfall is fairly frequent in most years, and nighttime
temperatures of −15°C (5°F) are not uncommon between mid-
December and mid-February.

The spring months (March and April) see variable conditions, with a
rapid increase in the average temperature. The weather in late
March and April is often very agreeable during the day and fresh at
night.

Budapest's long summer - lasting from May until mid-September - is

warm or very warm. Budapest has as much summer sunshine as
many Mediterranean resorts. Sudden heavy showers also occur,
particularly in May and June.

The autumn (mid-September until late October) is perhaps the best

season for tourists as it has little rain and long sunny days with
moderate temperatures. At the end of October the weather often
turns abruptly colder.

Quality of life

For those with a reasonable budget, Budapest offers a rather high

quality of life. In terms of culture, cuisine and general 'vibe',
Budapest is comparable to other major European cities (see
dedicated sections), while prices are lower.

It's just as well that prices are lower because local pay is
significantly lower than in western Europe (for example, a skilled
worker earns a minimum of 161,250 Hungarian forint (Ft) per month
in 2017 before tax, while unskilled labourers earn a minimum wage
of Ft127,650 per month.

There is a rise in the number of homeless people seen in metro

stations doorways in Buda and in Pest. While this does trouble
locals who often grew up without seeing explicit homelessness
(before 1989), this issue usually does not present a safety risk to
travellers.

Official tourist information

1 Tourism Office of Budapest (http://www.budapestinfo.hu) ,

1115 Budapest, Bartók Béla út 105-113 ( : 'Móricz Zsigmond
körtér' further Tram 19, 49 to 'Karolina út'), ☏ +36 1 438-8080 (tel:+
361438-8080) . You can get some very good free items, including
a map of Budapest, a map of Hungary with all the youth hostels
and prices and a very complete brochure about the northern part
of Hungary (available in many languages).
2 Tourinform Call Center (http://tourinform.hu/english) , Sütő
utca 2 (Deák Ferenc tér) ( : Deák Ferenc tér), ☏ +36 1 438-
8080 (tel:+361438-8080) , toll-free: +800 36 000 000 (tel:+800360
00000) , info@hungarytourism.hu (mailto:info@hungarytourism.h
u) . M-F 08:00-20:00. Can help with local information,
accommodation, and free brochures, maps, postcards, and
souvenirs.
3 Tourist Information Centre, Buda Castle (Szentháromság tér), I.
district, Tárnok u. 15 (From : Deák Ferenc tér or : Szél
Kálmán tér take Bus 16 to Dísz tér). Daily 09:00-18:00. This
information point stocks a comprehensive range of free leaflets,
maps and listings magazines and free guidebooks which offer
 lots of ideas about sights and sounds, gastronomy, shopping, by
night and lifestyle. You can also book shows, concerts and
sightseeing tickets.
4 Tourist Information Centre – City Park, XIV. district, Olof
Palme sétány 5 (Ice Rink - : 'Hősök tere'). M-Th 10:00–18:00, F
Sa 10:00–20:00 (09:00–18:00/20:00 spring and summer time).
The office is an attraction in itself, as it is in a very nice location,
with a beautiful view from the window. In summer you can see a
little lake with people boating, and in winter, the lake is frozen and
used for ice skating. You can book shows, concerts and
sightseeing tickets and get information about city parks, free
maps and free guide books.

Get in

By plane

The Budapest International Airport serves the city. If no flight is

suitable, you can check flights to Vienna, Zagreb, Debrecen or
Bratislava and arrange to take a train or bus to Budapest.

1 Budapest Franz Liszt International Airport (https://www.bud.h

u/) (BUD IATA Budapest Liszt Ferenc Nemzetközi Repülőtér
pronounced "list-ferents", often still called by its old name Ferihegy)
 (It's located about 16 km (9.9 mi) south-east of the city centre).
Hungary's chief airport.

Destinations: Budapest has direct flights to most major European

cities. Many of these are operated by the budget carrier WizzAir (htt
ps://www.wizzair.com) , which is based here and is now in effect
Hungary's national airline. Other budget operators include Easyjet,
Ryanair, Jet2, Norwegian and Vueling. This competition holds down
prices on the traditional airlines such as KLM and Lufthansa.

Direct destinations around the fringes of Europe include Reykjavik,

St Petersburg, Moscow, Kiev, Kutaisi, Baku, Astana, Tel Aviv and
Agadir. Gulf carriers connect via Doha and Dubai to the Far East,
Australasia and Africa. There are no direct flights between Budapest
and North America: connect via London, Amsterdam or Paris.

SkyCourt food & retail area

At the airport: the central information number is +36 1 296-9696 or

+36 1 296-7000. Luggage services can be contacted on +36 1 296-
5965.

All flights use Terminals 2A and 2B. Terminal 1 closed in 2011 when
the flag-carrier Malév Hungarian Airlines folded.
There's no practical distinction between Terminals 2A and 2B, and
they're freely connected landside by corridors and airside by
"SkyCourt" food & retail area. (Originally 2A served Schengen Area
destinations, and 2B the rest of the world, but this has been
dropped.) Check-in and bag-drop desks 1-30 are in Hall 2A and
desks 31-60 in Hall 2B, but do not correspond to the gates. This
means that if 2A has a long line for security, you can get airside
through 2B (and vice versa), as both lead into the SkyCourt.

There are several small cafes in Skycourt and in 2A & 2B near the
gates. Duty-free stores are operated by Heinemann (http://www.hein
emann-dutyfree.com/budapest_en/) . They're seldom a bargain - by
all means blow away your last local currency here. But if you're
looking for something in particular (eg Tokay wine), check prices in
advance on their website and compare with downtown supermarket
prices. You can usually only buy duty-free if you're taking a direct
flight: if you're transiting another European airport, security there will
confiscate liquids.

Wizz Air has a wide network of

budget flights from Budapest

Getting between airport and city: the main options are bus, bus &
metro, bus & train, and taxi / transfer.
Bus line 100E (https://bkk.hu/en/timetables/#100E) Airport
Express
This runs from city centre to Airport Terminal 2 every 10 minutes
during the day, every 20 minutes early morning and late night,
taking 30-40 minutes. The city centre bus stop is by Deák tér at
Károly krt in front of Városháza Park; look for a blue articulated
bus with an airplane sign. The only stop on the way is called
"Kálvin tér", but it's around the corner into the top of Üllői út. The
airport bus stop is just outside Terminal 2 Arrivals. The bus runs
every day, outbound 03:40-00:40, city-bound 05:00-01:20. The fare
is Ft2200; you're encouraged to buy tickets from vending
machines or at customer service kiosks, but the driver will issue
tickets and give change. Be careful not to buy the 350Ft tickets,
these are not valid and if you stamp them in the bus, they will be
wasted.
Metro + Bus line 200E (https://bkk.hu/en/timetables/#200E)
Some stations of Metro M3 are closed until May 2023 - see
warning box under "Get around."
Bus line 200E runs between Terminal 2 and Kőbánya-Kispest
Metro station, taking 25 min, bus fare Ft350. You there buy a
Metro ticket for another Ft350 and ride line 3 to the city centre,
about 20 mins to the main interchange at Deák Ferenc tér. Better
still, you can buy a transfer ticket (átszállójegy) for Ft530 which
covers both bus and metro. The bus runs all day every day, with 7-
8 minutes frequency during the day, 30-60 minutes at late night.
The metro runs every 3-5 mins, 04:30-00:00. If the connections are
slick, this route takes 45 minutes. During the closure of the
southern section of Metro M3, 200E is extended to Nagyvárad tér.
The metro replacement bus will follow the same route into town.
Reckon at least hour in these circumstances, as city centre will be
snarled with extra traffic.
Train + Bus line 200E (https://bkk.hu/en/timetables/#200E)
Kőbánya-Kispest also has a mainline train station, with trains
every 10-15 min to Budapest Nyugati in the northern city centre
taking about 25 min. More likely you'd change here to reach
eastern towns such as Szeged, Kecskemét, Debrecen, Miskolc for,
and Szolnok where you can change again for trains into Romania.
Do not board a train for Budapest Keleti: it will make a grand 6-
hour scenic tour of the countryside before looping back to the city.
Reach Kőbánya-Kispest from the airport on Bus 200E as
described above.
On the way, the bus runs past Ferihegy station, which used to
serve the former airport Terminal 1. Trains do stop here but the
place is dismal and dilapidated, you won't feel safe, and the ticket
machine has probably been vandalised. Stay on the bus for
another 5 min unless you're frantic to catch a last train.
Taxi: the only licensed taxi operator at the airport is Főtaxi (http://
www.fotaxi.hu) - don't accept offers from drivers or touts waiting
 around Arrivals. However, you can order via phone/app a taxi to
the terminal from other company, too. A trip inbound to central
Budapest will cost from Ft10000. Queue at the taxi stand first to
receive a written quote for your fare, then pay it when you arrive at
your destination. Pre-ordering by phone may get you a better
price.

Note that Főtaxi does not provide child seats of any kind, whereas
MiniSud shared shuttle does.

Shared Transfer: the official shared shuttle for the airport is

MiniBud (http://www.minibud.hu/en) . From a central hotel fares
would be around Ft5000 single, Ft9000 return for one person, plus
Ft1000 per extra person. Check prices and make reservations on
the company's website.
Private Transfer: to the city with Meet and Greet service is by ATB
(https://www.atbtaxi.com) . One to three people will cost Ft7200,
pay the driver in cash. Online booking is possible up to 16 people,
beyond that contact them for a quote.

By train

Keleti pályaudvar (Eastern Railway

Station)
Direct trains connect Budapest with much of central and eastern
Europe. For timetables and fares, the easiest system to navigate is
Deutsche Bahn (https://reiseauskunft.bahn.de//bin/query.exe/en) .

Berlin: one direct train (11 hr) from Budapest Nyugati via Brno,
Prague and Dresden, continuing to Hamburg. Several indirect
services from Nyugati or Keleti take 12-15 hours, usually changing
in Prague.
Munich: five direct trains (7 hr) from Budapest Keleti via Vienna,
Linz and Salzburg; indirect services changing in those cities.
Vienna: direct trains every 1-2 hours (2:37 hr) from Budapest
Keleti. Also several from Budapest Déli changing at Györ. Change
in Vienna for Venice. There is also a daily first-class ÖBB-UZ
sleeper through-car (147/749) to Vienna coming from Kiev via
Budapest Kelenfold and Budapest Keleti, but may be quite
expensive.
Graz: one direct train (6 hr) from Budapest Déli, otherwise change
in Vienna.
Zürich: one direct train (11 hr) from Budapest Keleti, otherwise
change in Vienna.
Prague: five direct daytime trains (6½ hr) from Budapest Nyugati
via Bratislava, Breclav and Brno, plus one overnight train (10 hr)
from Keleti.
Bratislava: eight direct trains (2½ hr) from Budapest Nyugati.
Košice: seven direct trains (3½ hr) from Budapest Keleti.
Warsaw: one direct daytime train (10 hr) from Budapest Nyugati
and one overnight train (13 hr) from Keleti.
Bucharest: two overnight trains (16 hr) from Budapest Keleti via
Arad, Deva, Sibiu and Brasov in Transylvania. Daytime connections
are via Timisoara. Bucharest is nowadays the best route for
Istanbul.
Ljubljana: one direct train (8 hr) from Budapest Déli, otherwise
change in Zagreb or Salzburg.
Zagreb: two direct trains (6 hr) from Budapest Déli, otherwise
change at Zidani Most. Change in Zagreb for Split.
Belgrade: this line is closed until 2022 because of engineering
work in Serbia. Normally there are two direct daytime trains and
one overnight (8½ hr) from Budapest Keleti via Novi Sad. Change
in Belgrade (spelt "Beograd" on DB) for Sarajevo, Podgorica and
Bar. This is also the usual route for Sofia and Istanbul, but it's slow
and with unreliable connections.
Lviv: one direct train (14 hr) from Budapest Nyugati via Debrecen
and Chop. Other indirect services from Keleti or Nyugati. Change
at Lviv for Kiev and Odessa. This is probably also the simplest
route to Moscow, but look for other means of transport. There is
 also a daily first-class ÖBB-UZ sleeper through-car (147/749) to
Kiev coming from Vienna via Budapest Kelenfold and Budapest
Keleti via Chop, but may be quite expensive.
Railway stations

Stations in Budapest, as elsewhere in Hungary, are frankly a bit

rough. The fabric of the buildings is in poor repair, stations and
trains are hard to access for people with disabilities, and passenger
facilities are very limited. Do not expect luggage trolleys or clean
toilets. English is rarely spoken by staff except at international cash
desks. If you haven't pre-booked online, be prepared for long queues
at the ticket office. Hazards include bad exchange rates, predatory
taxi drivers, aggressive drunks, and pickpockets.

There are three large terminus stations for long-distance trains:

Nyugati (west), Keleti (east) & Déli (south). These are surrounded by
decent cafes, fast food places, and other facilities.

Nyugati station, opened in 1877

2 Nyugati pályaudvar (Western Railway Station), Nyugati tér ( :

Nyugati pályaudvar, bus 9, 26, 91, 191, 226, 291, tram 4, 6). Daily
02:30-00:50; international cash desk: Daily 07:30-19:00, between
30 June and 25 Aug 05:50-19:00. International trains to Prague,
Berlin, Hamburg, Warsaw and Lviv. Domestic trains to Esztergom,
Vác, Cegléd, Szolnok, Debrecen, Nyíregyháza and Szeged.
Services: ticket vending machines, E-Ticket terminal, Budapest
Season ticket sale, credit cards accepted. Luggage storage (daily
03:30-24:00). Parking near the station, bike parking at the station.
(updated Apr 2018)

Keleti station was built in the 1880s

3 Keleti pályaudvar (Eastern Railway Station), Baross tér ( :

Keleti pályaudvar; bus: 5, 7, 7E, 8E, 20E, 30, 30A, 108E, 110, 110E,
112, 133E, 230; tram: 2M, 24, trolley: 73, 76, 78, 79M, 80; night bus:
907, 907A, 908, 931, 931A, 956, 973, 973A, 990). Daily 03:45-24:00,
International cash desk in Business Waiting Room: Daily 6:00–
21:15. International trains to Munich, Vienna, Zurich, Kosice,
Warsaw, Bucharest, Sibiu and Belgrade, announced in English.
Domestic trains to Békéscsaba, Miskolc, Szerencs, Sátoraljaújhely,
Eger, Győr, Komárom, Szolnok, Szombathely, Tata and Tatabánya.
Services: Ticket vending machine, E-Ticket terminal, Budapest
season ticket sales, credit cards accepted. Decent restaurant.
Parking near the station. Luggage storage open daily 03:30-23:30.
Customer Service Office located beside track #9, open daily 04:00-
 23:30, sells souvenirs, City Tour, Budapest card, START Club card
for cash only. See map of the station (https://www.mavcsoport.h
u/file/46453/download?token=Ujw5gOjS) here. (updated Apr
2018)
4 Déli pályaudvar (Southern Railway Station), Alkotás utca,
Krisztina körút corner ( : Déli pályaudvar, bus: 21, 21A, 39, 102,
139, 140, 140A; tram: 56, 56A, 59, 59A, 59B, 61; night bus: 960, 990),
☏ +36 40 494949 (tel:+3640494949) . Daily 03:00-00:30,
International cash desk: daily 05:30-18:30. International travel
ticket, seat reservation, travel card can be paid in euros with
change in forints. International trains to Graz, Ljubljana and
Zagreb. Domestic trains to Lake Balaton, Győr, Komárom,
Mosonmagyaróvár, Székesfehérvár, Tatabánya, Tata, Pécs and
southwest Hungary. Suburban trains to Pusztaszabolcs via
Százhalombatta. Services: Ticket vending machine, E-Ticket
terminal, Budapest season ticket sales, credit cards accepted.
(updated Apr 2018)

On their way to the terminus, long-distance trains may also stop at

two smaller stations: Kelenföld (west) and Kőbánya-Kispest (south
near the airport).

5 Kelenföld vasútállomás (Kelenföld Railway Station), XI. Etele

tér ( : Kelenföld vasútállomás, a bus hub and the 'Etele tér Bus
Station' is nearby. The following bus lines terminate here (City Bus)
 8E, 40, 40B, 40E, 87, 88, 88A, 101B, 101E, 103, 141, 172, 173, 187,
188, 188E, 250, 250B, 251, 251A, 272; Volánbusz (Intercity) lines:
689, 691, 710, 712, 715, 720, 722, 724, 725, 727, 731, 732, 734, 735,
736, 760, 762, 763, 767, 770, 774, 775, 777, 778, 798, 799, 1257;
Passing through city bus: 53, 58, 108E, 150, 153, 154; night bus: 901,
907, 918, tram 1, 19, 49). Domestic cash desk daily 03:30-00:15.
Trains stop here on the way from Vienna, Lake Balaton and cities
in western Hungary. (updated Apr 2018)
6 Kőbánya-Kispest vasútállomás (Kőbánya-Kispest Railway

Station), X. Sibrik Miklós út/Vaspálya út 10 ( : 'Kőbánya-Kispest'

metro station is also here. Plus bus hub, including Bus 200E to the
airport.), ☏ +36 40 494949 (tel:+3640494949) . Cash Desk daily
03:00-00:50. Has trains from eastern Hungarian cities, eg Szolnok
and Debrecen: change at Szolnok for trains to Romania. Services:
ticket vending machine, E-Ticket terminal, Budapest season ticket
sales, credit cards accepted. Some cash desks also sell
'Volánbusz' tickets. (updated Apr 2018)

By bus

Hungary’s national bus network is operated by Volán Association (ht

tps://www.volanbusz.hu/en/#indexmainpage) . To get to Budapest
from another Hungarian city, bus is often the best option. For
services, discounts, schedules and on-line booking possibilities
check Hungary#Get around.
International bus routes are operated by Eurolines (https://www.eur
olines.eu/) +36 1 318-2122. Most connections run two or three
times a week; connections to/from Austria and Slovakia run daily.
Incomartour (http://www.incomartour.com.ua/private_face/Avtobus
-Chop-Budapesht-/) operates a connection to/from Chop in Ukraine
four times a week.

Eurobusways (http://www.eurobusways.com) offers direct, door to

door transfers from/to any place in Central and Eastern Europe

Flixbus (https://www.flixbus.de/) offers multiple connections per

day mostly from German-speaking cities.

Bus stations

Budapest’s long distance bus stations are located outside the city
centre, but are very well connected to the rest of the city. The main
stations are:

7 Népliget Bus station (http://www.volanbusz.hu/en) (Népliget

autóbusz-pályaudvar), Üllői út 131. ( : 'Népliget' station), ☏ +36 1
219-8086 (tel:+361219-8086) , +36 1 382-0888 (tel:+361382-088
8) , info@volanbusz.hu (mailto:info@volanbusz.hu) . Travel
Centre M-F 08:00-18:00, Sa-Su 08:00-16:00; Waiting Room daily
04:30-23:00; Public (disabled) toilet daily 04:30-22:45, ATM and
public telephone daily 04:30-23:00; Baggage storage daily 06:00-
21:00; Snack Bar and currency exchange 6:00 to 20:00;
Newspaper sales M-F 06:00-20:00, Sa-Su 06:00-16:00. Buses from
abroad and most of Western Hungarian destinations arrive and
depart here. It's a fairly modern station with reliable facilities.
Don't forget to check-in if you travel abroad. Orangeways buses
depart opposite side. (updated Nov 2016)
8 Stadion Bus Station (http://www.volanbusz.hu/en/) (Stadion
autóbusz-pályaudvar, formerly known as Népstadion autóbusz-
pályaudvar), Hungária körút 48–52. ( : 'Puskás Ferenc Stadion'
station), ☏ +36 1 251-0125 (tel:+361251-0125) . Information
05:30-21:00; Domestic pre-purchase ticket office M-F 06:00-18:00,
Sa Su 06:00-16:00; Ticket office M-Sa 06:00-18:00 Su 06:00-16:00.
This is the big hub for Northeastern Hungarian destinations. It's a
quite modern but somewhat dirty station built underground. Lines
(selected): Suburban bus #396-397 to Veresegyház via Szada.
Long distance bus #1020, 1021 Salgótarján (108-112 km, hourly,
1¾ hour) via Hatvan, Mátraverebély, Pásztó. #1023 Hollókő 2 hr
via Pásztó, #1031 Ózd via Borsodnádasd, #1034 Jósvafő (201
km, daily two, nearly 4 hr) via Ózd, Aggtelek, #1035 Kazincbarcika
(190 km, 3 hr, daily) via Ózd, #1040 Gyöngyös (~80 km, hourly, 1-2
hr) via Hatvan, #1045 Fallóskút (110 km, daily three, 2½ hours,
scenic trip) via Mátrafüred, Mátraháza, Kékestető (the highest
 point of Hungary, 1¾ hr, daily three-four, some terminated some
even not stop here!), Galyatető. (updated Nov 2016)
9 Árpád Bridge Bus Station (http://www.volanbusz.hu/) (Árpád
híd autóbusz-állomás), Árbóc utca 1–3. ( : 'Göncz Árpád
városközpont' station), ☏ +36 1 329-1450 (tel:+361329-1450) .
Daily 06:00-18:00. This is a smaller station for some Northern
destinations and suburban traffic; use it to and from Pilisvörösvár,
Szentendre, Esztergom or Visegrád. (updated Nov 2016)
10 Kelenföld Bus Station (http://www.volanbusz.hu/en)
(Kelenföld autóbusz-állomás), Somogyi utca 35. ( : 'Kelenföld
vasútállomás' station), ☏ +36 1 382-0888 (tel:+361382-0888) .
Cash desk: M-F 06:00-21:00, Sa Su 06:00-16:00. This station ie
next to Kelenföld Railway Station, at the terminus of metro line 4.
Useful for getting to Statue Park and some suburban destinations.
Lines go to Biatorbágy, Érd, Százhalombatta and surrounding
area. (updated Nov 2016)

By boat

11 Mahart International Port (http://www.mahartpassnave.hu/e

n/) (Nemzetközi Hajóállomás), Belgrád rakpart (near Iranyi street
corner) ( : Ferenciek tere, 5 min by walk), ☏ +36 1 484-4000 (tel:+
361484-4000) , hydrofoil@mahartpassnave.hu (mailto:hydrofoil@
mahartpassnave.hu) . M-F 09:00-16:00. Operates a scheduled
 hydrofoil service on the Danube to and from Vienna and Bratislava
between early April and early November.

Get around

1 km Wikimedia maps | Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Map of Budapest

Orientation

The Chain Bridge and a view of Pest

Orientation is not a big problem in Budapest. The river Danube splits
the city into two areas: Buda and Pest. Aside from the very centre,
the city's structure is quite logical. Landmarks in Buda as the Royal
Castle or Citadella Castle also help you to find your way. Besides the
Danube itself, the best reference points for orienting yourself are the
bridges crossing the river. From north to south, they are:

5 Megyeri Bridge (Megyeri híd) (At northern city border). The

newest one. A cable-stayed bridge. Built in 2008. There are 4
lanes and 2 hard shoulders. Part of the M0 motorway.
6 Árpád Bridge (Árpád híd). A modern bridge linking to Northern
Margaret Island. The longest bridge in Budapest at 973 m. Also
the busiest bridge in Budapest.
7 Margaret Bridge (Margit híd). Easily identified thanks to its
distinctive shape: it makes an approximately 35 degree turn half-
way across, at the southern tip of Margaret Island. Trams 4 and 6
cross the Danube here. Close to its on the Buda side is the
northernmost destination of the Muslim pilgrims: the Tomb of
Gül baba.
8 Chain Bridge (Széchenyi lánchíd). Completed in 1849, this is
the oldest permanent bridge over the Danube. It’s also the least
busy bridge in Budapest, since it’s not connected to any main
roads arguably most beautiful and certainly the most
 photographed of Budapest's bridges, floodlit at night. The bridge
is closed to pedestrians for reconstruction until 2023.
9 Elisabeth Bridge (Erzsébet híd). Completed in 1903. Its original
chain structure was destroyed in World War II, and was
substituted by a modern cable bridge which opened in 1964. The
narrowest facade's building of Budapest is 6.2 wide. It is on the
Buda side of the Elizabeth Bridge and can easily be spotted while
crossing the Danube from Pest.
10 Liberty Bridge (Szabadság híd). Elegant and complex, opened
in 1896; it connects the Gellért Baths (Gellért fürdő) in Buda with
the Central Market Hall (Nagy Vásárcsarnok) in Pest.
11 Petőfi Bridge (Petőfi híd). For a long time the southernmost
bridge, it links the inner ring road (Nagykörút) of Pest with Buda.

12 Rákóczi Bridge (Rákóczi híd). The second newest bridge in

Budapest, with modern architecture and a spectacular lighting
system where mirrors reflect the beam of the upward facing
floodlights. Built very next to a railway bridge on its southern side.
It was called Lágymányosi híd before 2011.

On foot

Many of Budapest's highlights are easy to approach walking, and in

the centre you find more pedestrian zones from year to year. Car
drivers tend to respect pedestrians and often give advantage on a
cross-walk even if there is no traffic light. Due to the lack of bike
lanes, cyclists have to weave around pedestrian traffic; be prepared.
Don't wear high-heeled shoes in the centre as there are lots of stone
pavements, especially in the Castle Hill.

Public transport

Note: Works on Metro Line 3 continue until May 2023.

From March 20, the line operates normally on weekdays,
with the exception of two closed stations. "Lehel tér" and
"Nagyvárad tér" are served by replacement shuttle buses
only. During weekends, the line is closed except for the
northern section Replacement buses operate between the
southern terminus "Kőbánya-Kispest" and "Göncz Árpád
városközpont".
(Information last updated 20 Mar 2023)
 Note: A number of places (streets, squares, parks) were
renamed mid-2011, which resulted in the renaming of a
number of stops of public transport. If unsure - ask! Most
people are well aware of the changes and will be happy to
help you. Also many schedules were modified, some buses
circulate less frequently, while other means of transport
may have their operating time extended. Schedules are
shown in every stop unless vandalised.

You'll find several points of interest within walking distance, but

Budapest is a sizeable city, so unless you drive your own car (or
bicycle), you will inevitably use some form of public transport. The
good news is that the urban area is well covered by four metro lines,
blue urban buses, yellow trams and red trolley-buses, and the whole
system is fairly easy to understand. On the other hand, schedules
are not quite as reliable as in, say, Vienna, vehicles are not always
the cleanest, and tickets have become increasingly expensive.

Citizens of Hungary or other EU, EEA Member States or Switzerland

aged 65 or older can travel free. ID card or passport is sufficient to
justify your age.
Public transportation in Budapest is run by Centre for Budapest
Transport (BKK) (http://www.bkk.hu/en/) , which has some useful
English-language pages on their site including current schedules (htt
p://www.bkk.hu/en/timetables/) and fares (http://www.bkk.hu/en/p
rices/) . Vehicles run from around 05:00 to 23:30 (or, on Christmas
Eve, to 16:00). After that an extensive night bus network is available.
There is also an online route planner and informational service (htt
p://futar.bkk.hu) . Connections are shown on Google Maps (https://
www.google.com/maps) .

If you only visit Budapest for a few days as a tourist, you may find
the following lines particularly useful:

Metro 1, 2, 3, 4 connect the suburbs with the biggest

transport hubs, numerous tourist highlights and central hotels.
The metro network is rather simple, there are no splits or merges
of lines, no shortened routes in normal operation.
Tram 2, 2M runs along the river Danube on Pest side.

Trams 4, 6 follow Nagykörút (Grand Boulevard) offering service up

to every 3 minutes at peak times.
Trams 19, 41 along the Danube on the Buda side.

Bus 7, 7E, 8E, 108E, 110E and 133E connect Keleti railway station
with the city center and many points of interest in Buda and Pest.
Bus 16, 16A and 116 go to Buda castle.
 Bus 105, 178 connect Hősök tere (Hero's Square), goes up and
down Andrássy avenue to Deák square/Erzsébet square before it
goes across the Chain Bridge to Buda.
Bus lines 100E and 200E serve the airport. Special fare applies on
100E.

Public transport maps are displayed in all metro stations, city centre
tram stops and underpasses. A very useful free app is SmartCity
Budapest (http://en.smartcity.hu/) which provides public transport
routes without requiring an internet connection.

Tickets and passes

If you intend to travel a lot, and you probably will, travel cards are far
less expensive than single tickets. As of August 2018 most useful
tickets and travel cards (https://bkk.hu/en/tickets-and-passes/price
s/) for tourists include the following:

Single ticket (vonaljegy): Valid for one journey within the city
limits, transfer not allowed on buses and trams, but one transfer is
allowed between metro lines ). Ft350, Ft450 if purchased from the
driver (available on designated lines). There is also a short section
ticket (metrószakaszjegy) for Ft300, valid on the metro for
travelling up to a distance of 3 stations from where you start.
Transfer ticket (átszállójegy): Valid for one journey within the city
limits, one transfer allowed. Ft530.

Time based tickets (időalapú jegyek): Available only with the

BudapestGO mobile application (https://bkk.hu/en/tickets-and-pa
sses/mobile-ticket/) . Unlimited number of transfers within the
time limit, within the city limits. 30 minutes: Ft530, 90 minutes:
Ft750. The last travel can be finished after the time limit is over.
Validate the ticket each time you board.
10 single ticket book: Ft3,000 (10 tickets for the price of 8.6)

One-day travel card (napijegy): Valid for 24 hours after purchase

Ft1,650, or Ft3,300 for 2-5 people travelling together.
Three-day travel card (háromnapos turistajegy): Valid for 72 hours
after purchase Ft4,150 (Ft1,383 per day).

Seven-day travel card: Valid on the day when purchased and on

the following six days. Ft4,950 (Ft707 per day).
5/30 travel card: 5 one-day travel cards. This booklet of 5 slips is
valid for 30 days. Before beginning a 24 hour period of travel,
mark the date and time with pen on an unused slip. Do not tear
even used slips out of the booklet. Useful if your stay is 5–6 days
long or if you won't use public transport every day. Ft4,550 (Ft910
per day).
 Fourteen-day pass (kétheti Budapest-bérlet): Valid for 14
consecutive days with a photo pass (take a passport size photo to
the ticket office). Valid also on MÁV trains and suburban yellow
Volán buses Ft7,000 (Ft500 per day)

One-month pass (havi Budapest-bérlet): Valid for 30 or 31

consecutive days. Valid also on MÁV trains and suburban yellow
Volán buses. Ft9,500 (Ft317 per day)

Monthly pass for students: Valid for 30 consecutive days, with a

Hungarian student ID, Ft3,450. Some foreigners may be able to
buy one without a Hungarian student ID, but if stopped they will be
fined, even possessing a ISIC or other student ID.
Budapest card (http://budapest-card.com/en/) (Budapest kártya):
allows you unlimited free travel in the city, and also gives you
discounts at museums and restaurants. There are available cards
for 24h, 48h or 72h. All of them are valid from the first use and
free for a child under 6 years (with a cardholder). Every card give
free entrance to the Budapest Zoo and valid for 2 walking tours in
Buda and Pest. One-day card Ft3,900, Two-day card Ft9,900 (Hop
on Hop off bus and boat included), three-day card Ft7,900
(Ft2,633 per day).

To have a care-free trip throughout Budapest, you should always

have a public transport ticket, pass or a Budapest Card, when using
this service. The fine is Ft16,000, or Ft8,000 if paid on the spot. You
may run into ticket inspectors, especially in trams and buses on
Sunday, but mostly they are busy guarding the entrance and exit to
some of the metro stations. They hardly speak English and some
were reported to be extremely keen on checking tourists. Ticket
control inspectors can ask for your ID, however they are indeed not
considered police officers under Hungarian law.

Metro

M2 Keleti Station (Railway station

connection)

Budapest's underground network is an excellent way to get around,

it connects the suburbs with railway and autobus stations, several
centrally located hotels, museums and sights. The system consists
of four lines. Line 1, 2 and 3 cross at Deák tér station (Deák square,
in Pest centre), while Line 2 and 4 cross at Keleti pályaudvar
(Eastern Railway Station) and Line 3 and 4 cross at Kálvin tér (Kálvin
square). Metro lines are well represented on maps scattered on
platforms.

Usually ticket inspectors guard the entrances of the downward-

moving escalators and they only let those passengers move further
who show them their validated tickets or passes. Passengers pass
by the ticket validation machines before they reach the guards and
the downward-moving escalators. It is best to purchase a discount
booklet of 10 tickets. Do not separate the tickets and punch one
ticket prior to each boarding of a subway train.

Metro 1 (yellow line) connects Mexikói út (Mexikói road, a

transport hub in Central-Northeast Budapest) with Vörösmarty tér
(Vörösmarty square in Pest's commercial and touristy centre), and
also passes the Opera and Hősök tere (Heroes' square). It was
built to commemorate the 1000th year of Hungarian nationhood
in 1896 (thus often called Millennium Subway). It was the first
underground built in Continental Europe and second in the world
after London. Although the vehicles are not original, the beautifully
rebuilt, tile covered stations are a gorgeous historical memory of
Budapest's richest period (1880–1910).
Metro 2 (red line) connects Déli pályaudvar (Southern Railway
Station, in Central Buda) with Örs vezér tere (Örs vezér square, the
biggest transport hub of Eastern Pest), and also takes you to Széll
Kálmán tér (former Moszkva tér, Buda's biggest transport hub),
Kossuth tér (Kossuth square, around the Parliament in Pest
centre) and Keleti pályaudvar (Keleti Railway Station, in Pest).
Although the construction started in the 1950s, the line was
opened between 1970 and 1972. Having been completely rebuilt
 since 2004, its stations seem brand new, and the old Soviet trains
have been replaced by modern Alstom Metropolis ones.
Metro 3 (blue line) goes from Újpest-Központ (residential area
in Pest's Northern suburbs) to Kőbánya-Kispest (transport hub in
Central-Eastern Pest, terminus of bus 200E to the airport), passing
Nyugati pályaudvar (Western Railway Station) and different
stations in central Pest. Opened between 1976 and 1990.
Metro 4 (green line) connects Kelenföld vasútállomás
(Kelenföld Railway Station, transport hub in Central-Southern
Buda) with Keleti pályaudvar (Eastern Railway Station, transport
hub in central Pest). It has stations at Újbuda-Központ (Újbuda-
Center, where Allee Shopping Mall is located), Szent Gellért tér
(Saint Gellért square, site of Gellért Hill, Gellért Spa and Danubius
Gellért Hotel) and Fővám Tér (Fővám square, site of the
Vásárcsarnok (Central Market Hall) and the southern end of Váci
street). The line was built between 2006 and 2014, the result is
state-of-the-art stations and trains, and uses automatic train
operation.
Tram

In 2006 the world's longest trams

started their service on lines 4 and 6
Budapest's 35 tram lines are a tourist-friendly way of getting around.
They are slower, but more scenic than the metro and particularly
useful on the nearly metro-less Buda side of the river. Be careful
with doors, they open on different side of the tram on different
stops.

Particularly useful lines for tourists are:

Tram 4 and 6 run along Nagykörút, Pest's inner ring road, providing
access to all four metro lines at multiple stations, and crossing
over to north Buda (Hegyvidék and Óbuda) on Margaret Bridge
(Margit híd) and south Buda (South Buda) on Petőfi Bridge –
another beautiful view. Lines 4 and 6 only diverge for their last two
stops that the tourists are unlikely to visit.
Two lines running along the Danube river
19 / 41 in Buda passing Víziváros and South Buda

2 and 2M in Pest passing Belváros.

All these are considered a part of the cityscape. Both offer beautiful
view of the opposite side.
Bus

Blue urban bus in Pest

Budapest has a dense bus network, which also connects the

agglomeration and suburban zones with several metro and train
stations and the city center. The numbering system is easy to
understand. Numbers below 299 indicate regular bus routes.
Numbers with an added 'E' (for example 7E) indicate express
services that don't stop at all stops (however, lines without the letter
'E' may not stop at all stops either). Numbers with an added 'A' have
shorter routes than their regular counterparts (for example bus 30
has a longer itinerary than 30A). Numbers above 900 indicate night
services. (Numbers between 300 and 899 are suburban services
provided by Volánbusz. BKK tickets and most tourist passes are not
valid on them, but daily, weekly and monthly travel cards are.)

Particularly useful lines for tourists include:

Bus 7, 7E, 8E, 108E, 110E, 133E – all connect Keleti railway
station with Blaha Lujza square (Blaha Lujza tér, junction with
tram 4, 6), Pest city center and many points of interest in Buda.
Beware of the pickpockets!
 Bus 16/16A/116 go to Buda Castle from Széll Kálmán tér (former
Moszkva tér). Bus 16 starts from Deak Ference Ter, the main
metro line hub.
Bus 200E runs to Ferihegy Airport from Kőbánya-Kispest Metro 3
station.
Trolley-bus

Budapest's 13 trolley-bus lines run in Northeast and Central Pest.

Unless you are a trolley buff, you're unlikely to use them frequently.
However, some of them pass through the City Park (Városliget) and
cross Andrássy avenue (Andrássy út), giving you beautiful views
while using this eco-friendly mode of transport. Line 70 from
Kossuth square (Kossuth tér, next to the Parliament) to City Park
(Városliget) also passes through the lively Nagymező utca,
Budapest's "Broadway".

Suburban rail

Green suburban railway lines (called hév) connect central Budapest

with several suburbs, but most of them are of little use to visitors.
Your tickets and travel passes are valid only within the city
boundaries, otherwise you should purchase a supplementary ticket
(kiegészítő jegy) at a ticket office.
 H5 (Batthyány tér–Szentendre), Batthyány tér uderpass (It
connects at Batthyány tér with metro 2, at Margit híd (Margaret
bridge) with tram 4/6.). Goes upriver to the picturesque village of
Szentendre. The same train takes you to Sziget Fesztivál (http://w
ww.sziget.hu/festival_english) , Central Europe's biggest summer
music festival. After the first underground stop this line surfaces
and runs alongside the Danube river providing a nice view to
Margaret Island. A single ticket/pass plus need an (extra)
Metropolitan area single ticket, Price: Ft350 or buy a full ticket at
cash desk Ft700.
H6 (Közvágóhíd–Ráckeve) line, Soroksári út (Take tram 2
toward south to terminal, further walk 100m more to south.
Opposite to the 'TESCO Soroksári út' hypermarket). First train 04:35,
last around 23:35, some trains going just to Dunaharaszti külső or
Tököl. takes you to Ráckeve, which is famous for its Serbian
church (about 1 hour and 10 min.) Timetables (http://www.bkk.h
u/en/timetables/#H6) A single ticket/pass plus need an (extra)
Metropolitan area single ticket, Price: Ft560 or buy an full ticket at
cash desk Ft900.
H7 (Boráros tér-Csepel) line, Boráros tér (Take tram 2, 4 or 6 to
stop 'Boráros tér'. Also there is the 'Boráros tér city bus hub' bus
#15, 23, 23E, 54, 55, 115, 212, 223M terminated here). Three to five
per hour, between 04:40 and 23:40. takes you to the heart of
 Csepel (21st district). Timetables (http://www.bkk.hu/en/timetabl
es/#H7) . A single ticket/pass valid for entire journey. (updated
Nov 2016)
H8 (Örs vezér tere–Gödöllő), Örs vezér tere (Northeast corner)
(Örs vezér tere metro 2 station take the underpass). takes you to
the beautiful royal castle of Gödöllő, almost one hour. A single
ticket/pass plus need an (extra) Metropolitan area single ticket,
Price: Ft560 or buy an full ticket at cash desk Ft900.
H9 (branch of H8)

Other

The cogwheel railway entering the

terminus Széchenyi hegy

Some other means of public transport can be useful if you get tired
of regular buses and trams, or if you want to escape from the hustle
and bustle to the lush green hills surrounding Budapest.

13 Tram 60 (Cogwheel railway) (Fogaskerekű vasút). A tram-like

railway with historic charm, running from Városmajor terminus
(two stops from Széll Kálmán tér station by tram 59 or 61)
climbing Széchenyi hill (Széchenyi hegy), Buda's popular picnic,
excursion and sledging place. BKK tickets and passes are valid.

14 Boat (https://mahartpassnave.hu/en) , Vigadó Square.

Mahart Passnave (and other companies) offer boat tours in and
around Budapest. Most services run at reduced frequency (or not
at all) in the winter off-season. (updated Apr 2023)
15 Buda Castle funicular (http://www.bkk.hu/) (Budavári sikló),
Clark Ádám tér (Take bus No.16 or 105 from Deák Ferenc tér).
Daily 07:30-22:00. This handsome, short funicular line takes you
from Chain Bridge (Lánchíd) Buda end to Buda Castle. Built in
1870, completely destroyed in World War II, rebuilt only in 1986.
BKK tickets and passes are not valid. As one might expect, it is
relatively expensive and touristy. Ft1400/2000 (one-way/return
ticket, June 2022).
16 Széchenyi Hill Children's Railways (https://gyermekvasut.hu/
en/timetables/) (Széchenyi-hegyi Gyermekvasút), Hűvösvölgyi út
(Lower terminus) (You can reach the "Széchenyi hegy" terminus by
the Cogwheel railway or the other "Hűvösvölgy" terminus by taking
the tram number 61 from "Széll Kálmán tér".), ☏ +36 1 397 5394 (te
l:+3613975394) , info@gyermekvasut.hu (mailto:info@gyermekva
sut.hu) . it's a narrow gauge line, operated partly by children. This
11.2 km (7.0 mi) long line runs on the Buda Hills, giving a beautiful
 look at the nature around Budapest. Ft800/1400 (one-way/return
ticket, June 2022). BKK tickets and passes are not valid.
17 Zugliget Chair-lift (http://www.bkk.hu/) (Zugligeti libegő),
Zugligeti út, 97 (Lower station). A chair lift taking you from
"Zugliget" to "János hegy". While on the upwards journey you're
facing the hillside, you have a nice view while travelling
downwards (from János hegy to Zugliget). Ft2000 return ticket.
BKK tickets and passes are not valid.
Night services

Budapest is covered by 43 night bus lines and tram 6 operating non-

stop. Numbers are triple-digit, starting with '9'. Buses run every 15–
60 minutes from around 23:00-04:00. The main linking points of the
night bus network are Széll Kálmán tér (former Moszkva tér) in Buda
and Astoria (junction of Kossuth Lajos utca–Károly körút) in Pest.
Daytime tickets and passes are valid.

Most useful night routes are:

Tram 6 – Running along the Nagykörút, Pest's inner ring road,

every 10–15 minutes at night, usually very packed.
Buses 907, 973, 973A – Substitute buses 7 at night

Bus 979, 979A – Runs on Andrássy út as metro line M1 does

during the day
 Bus 956 – Covers most of the route of metro line M2

Buses 914, 914A, 950, 950A – Cover the route of metro line M3

On-line maps and schedules are available on BKK's home page (htt
p://www.bkk.hu) . Real time traffic updates are posted on BKK Info
(http://www.bkkinfo.hu) There are a few Android/IOS apps for
timetables, search for the word "bkk". BpMenetrend is one of them:
Android (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=hu.bpmene
trend.activity&hl=en) , iOS (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bpmen
etrend/id360445890?mt=8) .

Most night buses require boarding through the front door. Security
guards or the driver inspects the tickets or passes prior to boarding.

By car

Apart from the summer holiday, Budapest has heavy traffic with
long-lasting traffic jams in the morning and in the afternoon. If you
don't want to spend your visit to Budapest in a traffic jam, leave your
car in the hotel's garage, and use the public transport.

If you drive across city centre, plan your journey, otherwise you can
get into tough situations. For example you cannot turn left in most
of the crossings of the inner ring road (Nagykörút) or on the main
avenues like Andrássy út, Váci út, Üllői út or Rákóczi út.
By taxi

Budapest's taxi drivers mostly are not fluent in English or any other
foreign language, but it does not necessarily mean that they intend
to overcharge their foreigner guests. Use one of the major taxi
companies with English speaking switchboards to avoid problems.
Most companies' websites now have pages in English.

Do not accept offers from taxi drivers waiting in the airport

terminals or railway stations. Use your common sense, sit only in
taxis logoed by bigger companies.

If possible, as stupid as it may sound, try to pick a taxi with the

meter in a place where the driver can't fiddle with it while driving.
While the fare per kilometre stays the same, apparently it's possible
to "bump" the price by adding extra basic fees.

Most taxis parked in the central areas do not belong to radio taxi
companies and charge much more than the usual Ft200 per km. Ask
about their price in advance or call any of the taxi companies above.

After dark it is often best to negotiate the fare at the beginning of

the ride as drivers often charge exorbitant rates to unwary travellers.
Be sure to make sure your change is in Hungarian forint or euros
and not in another country's currency. Most taxi drivers only take
cash payments but some of the larger taxi companies now equip
their cars with POS terminals (allowing you to pay by plastic).

Be very careful when taking taxis to or from nightclubs. There are

multiple reports of drivers taking passengers to a different location
(one that pays them a commission) and charging a fare up to 10
times the normal amount.

If you would prefer a luxury taxi, like a Mercedes, they can usually be
found at the upmarket hotels. Fares, of course, are higher in these
cars but the drivers are more reputable and more likely to speak
English or German.

Calling your own taxi will be less expensive than having one booked
for you in a hotel; it's also almost always cheaper to call a taxi than
to enter a waiting one or to signal one that drives by you.

Ride-hailing is available in Budapest:

Bolt (https://bolt.eu/en/cities/budapest/) . (updated Jul 2020)

By bicycle

Budapest may be one of the most exciting places of Europe, but it's
still not a cyclists' paradise. Generally, the city is not prepared for
cyclists' presence, although the situation is slowly changing.
Budapest has been home to Europe's biggest cycling demonstration,
Critical Mass (http://criticalmass.hu/) , where in 2008 more than
80,000 people participated. Bike delivery is becoming a common job
(you'll see NetPincér and Wolt cyclists everywhere), and there are
more than a few gem bike paths, along either side of the Danube
river traversing all the way to Szentendre on the Buda side.

Bike lanes of varying quality exist but are not universal and don't
form a good network. In many places, the bike lane is a part of the
pavement, with only a yellow line separating it from the pedestrian
zone; in some places (e.g. on the upper quay on the Buda side of the
Danube, between the Chain bridge and the Elisabeth bridge) the bike
lane and the pedestrian pavement even swap sides with no warning.

In the city centre (e.g. Andrássy út), expect cars parking on bike
lanes, and drivers opening car doors recklessly; on pavements,
expect pedestrians wandering into the bike lane.

Many native cyclists regard cycling not as a means of transportation

but a form of extreme sport. You can see them zigzagging between
pedestrians in bike lanes, ignoring red lights (but, thankfully, not
traffic), cycling along one-way streets in the wrong direction,
alternating between using the road and the pavement where no
cycle lane exists, at speeds of more than 30 km/h (20 mph). Quite a
few cyclists don't have any lights; when cycling after dark, be
prepared for surprise encounters.
If, while walking, you hear a shout, be prepared to get out of the way
quickly. Many cycles don't have bells, and pedestrians are not used
to bells either; if you're cycling, expect many pedestrians to ignore
your bell. Also, beware of pedestrians wandering onto marked
bicycle paths, especially in areas with heavy pedestrian traffic.

Large parks like the Városliget, the Margaret island and the
Hajógyári (a.k.a. Óbudai) island are pleasant for cycling.

Cycling is forbidden on the lower quays on both sides, but the upper
quays mostly have bike lanes; however, in many parts pedestrian
traffic is so high that cyclists can't make good speed.

Cycling is typically forbidden on most hiking trails of the Buda hills,

but mountain bikers tend to ignore this.

If you think you are ready, renting a bike is easy but not cheap.
Expect to pay Ft2000-3000 for a day.

Budapest has a number of bike rental companies. Some of them

are:

Budapest Bike (http://www.budapestbike.hu/rent-a-bike) , +36

30 944-5533. Rent a bike starting at Ft2000 for 6 hours.
Yellow Zebra Bike (http://www.yellowzebrabudapest.com/) ,
Lázár utca 16, ☏ +36 1 266-8777 (tel:+361266-8777) . Apr-Oct:
 09:00 - 20:30. Nov-Mar: M-Th 09:00-18:30, F-Su 09:00-19:00. Bike
range from 3-speed cruisers to trekking and road bikes (at higher
prices). Rent a bike starting at Ft900/hour, Ft3000/day (same day
return), Ft4000/24 hours. Deposit required. (updated Jul 2017)
Bikebase (http://www.bikebase.hu/rentabike.php) , +36 1 269-
5983. Bike rentals available for Ft2,000 for 24 hours.
Dynamo Bike (http://dynamobike.com) +36 30 868-1107. Cute
bike rental shop and bakery cafe. Bike rentals starting at 3,000 per
day.
For the center, consider buying a "ticket" (1/3/7 days, and longer
passes) for city's Mol/Bubi bikes. This municipal initiative allows
riding up to 30 minutes for free, and then you can just park and
get a new bicycle for another half an hour. They have useful
mobile app which shows all the parking lots (about 70 around the
city). Extremely convenient and cheap compared to buses.

By scooter

Although not as fancy as in Rome or Paris, scooters are becoming

more common in the streets of Budapest. Inside the city scooters
can be driven on the tram and bus ways, often buzzing in between
traffic. Although most car drivers are quite used to the scooters
around them, some can still be slight irresponsible. Ignore their
pushiness and drive conservative and you should not experience any
problems. The best roads are the main ring roads as these have
plenty of space and good asphalt. The smaller in between roads and
roads in hilly Buda can be of lesser quality with some unexpected
potholes or tough to see speed bumps.

A limited number of companies offer scooter rental and scooter

tours inside the city centre. Expect to pay around Ft6,000 for a day.
Some companies that offer scooter rental are:

Retro Robogó (http://www.retro-robogo.hu/) , +36 70 432-0444.

Rent a scooter starting at Ft3,600 per day (week rental).

In Hungary scooters with an engine up to 50cc can be driven without

license plate and only a regular car drivers license. However these
50cc scooters cannot be driven with a passenger. Helmets are
compulsory. For scooters and motorcycles with an engine size
above 50cc a licence plate and motorcycle driver's licence is
required. If you are experienced with driving a scooter, it is a great
way to experience the city

By skateboard

Pest is ideal for skateboarding. Pavements are wide and smooth

without too many pedestrians to avoid. Police won't pay you any
attention as long as you are using your skateboard for transport and
not trying to do tricks.

See
Individual listings can be found in Budapest's district articles

The Danube River and the leafy hills

of Buda

The Danube. This is what's unique about Budapest, the urban river
landscape. This feature can be admired in several ways: from
panoramic points, such as Fisherman's Bastion or Gellért Hill's
Citadella in South Buda, promenading along the river banks, or from
the river's perspective, from a boat. For romantic views of the city,
go at night. There is a number of bridges (see Orientation above)
that arch over the river and define Budapest. Most famous is the
Chain Bridge (Széchenyi Lánchíd), owing its name to the suspension
structure: the bridge is made of chains whose links are huge dog-
bone shaped metal bars linked by pins at their ends. And there is
also the magnificent Elisabeth bridge (Erzsébet híd) and the Liberty
bridge (Szabadság híd). To get away from all the hustle of the city
visit Margaret Island (Margitsziget), reachable from the Margaret
bridge. Its large parks (see Buda) are a very pleasant place to relax
and wander, perfect for a sunny afternoon.

St Stephen's Basilica is named after

the first Hungarian king, and it is one
of the tallest buildings in the city

Most of Budapest's famous sights are concentrated on Castle Hill

on the Buda side, in downtown so called Belváros and along the
riverside walkways.

On Budavár the main highlight is the Royal Palace (Királyi palota),

which is the most popular attraction on the hill. It is home to the
National Gallery (http://www.mng.hu) and the Historical Museum of
Budapest (http://www.btm.hu) , with exhibits about medieval
Budapest and history of the Royal Palace. To the north you can find
the funicular on a big square southestern corner, while in the eastern
part there are some medieval excavations and castle ruins from 14-
17th century. Towards the north, by the Dísz tér corner, is the Golden
Eagle Pharmacy Museum (Arany Sas Patikamúzeum), with a
collection of pharmaceutical objects from the Renaissance and
Baroque eras. Near there is the Café Ruszwurm, or 'the Heaven for
coffein and sweets addicts'. A hundred meters east is a local pride,
the Matthias Church (Mátyás Templom), which is a Neo-Gothic
church crowning Budapest's cityscape, and the 'Fisherman's
bastion', (Halászbástya), a lookout terrace with impressive views
across the Danube to Pest. In the next building is the Marzipan
Museum, which is a children's favourite. On the castle northwest
corner is the Military Museum (https://www.militaria.hu) if you
interested for uniforms, weapons, maps and other Hungary-related
military objects from 11th century until nowadays. If not, you must
to go there because the view from there is worth a short detour.
Almost all of west Buda hill is visible from here.

Central (Belváros) of Pest is the administrative and business centre

of Budapest and the whole of Hungary. Visiting first the Parliament
Building (Országház) is good choice. A Neo-Gothic jewel, it is
beautifully situated overlooking the Danube. It is very much worth
going inside. Opposite the Parliament, the Museum of Ethnography
is located, and just couple hundred metres is St Stephen's Basilica (h
ttp://basilica.hu) , the main church of Budapest and an important
example of Neo-Classical architecture. Take 2 stops by M3 to
Astoria station and visit the Jewish quarter (part of Unesco World
Heritage), the main Hungarian Jewish holy place the Dohány Street
Synagogue and Jewish Museum (http://www.dohany-zsinagoga.h
u/) (Dohány utcai Zsinagóga), the largest and certainly among the
most beautiful ones in Europe. Take the underpass toward National
Museum (http://www.museum.hu) , on the way admire the Eötvös
Loránd University (http://www.btk.elte.hu/en) on Múzeum körút. It
is worth dropping by for a short visit. Visitors can rest in the lush
Trefort Garden or have a refreshment in the popular Bölcsész
Terasz, an open-air cultural garden that has musical performances
as well as food. If you take metro to Kálvin tér, you can visit another
important museum which is the Applied Arts museum (http://www.i
mm.hu) . Outside the centre towards the south take tram 2 to visit
the famous Zwack Unicum, a type of alcoholic spirit, company
museum, and the new culture hub near to Lágymányosi bridge
include the Ludwig Museum of Modern Art (http://www.ludwigmuse
um.hu) .

Heroes' Square

Budapest Opera

Eastwards from the city centre (Belváros) the 'Andrássy út' boulevard
in Terézváros stretches to the City Park ('Városliget'). It is listed on
UNESCO World Heritage Site and has some important sights along
it. First is the State Opera House, one of the most beautiful opera
houses in the world. The main staircase was an important element
of the building in the 19th century for ladies to show off their new
gowns. Second is Oktogon (eight angled) square House of Terror (ht
tp://www.terrorhaza.hu/en) , the former secret police headquarters
that now is a museum which objectively documents the terror of the
Nazi and Communist eras. Next are some eastern culture museums
in the Hopp Museum of East Asian Art (http://www.hoppmuseum.co
m) a great collection from China, Japan, India, Nepal, Tibet and
Mongolia. Nearby is another similar collection, namely Ráth György
Museum. Along the boulevard after Oktogon square, you will find
many embassies in nice, over 100 year old villas. At the road's end is
the Heroes' Square - with the Millennium Monument. Opposite is the
Museum of Fine Arts (http://www.szepmuveszeti.hu) with an
incredible range of European artwork from Greek and Roman times
to the present. Especially valuable is its collection of Spanish
Baroque painting. Behind it there is the zoo and the Gundel
restaurant, one of the best of the capital. Woodpark area starts here,
with the City Park ('Városliget') at the far end, probably the most
pleasant of Pest's districts and featuring several interesting if low-
key attractions which are often overlooked. A castle on a little island
on a lake, - Vajdahunyad Vára, - built for the 1898 World Fair. In the
winter, the lake is turned into the city's biggest ice rink. Nowadays it
houses an agricultural museum. Also in the park is the Transport
Museum.

On Buda side north from castle you will find the Gül Baba Türbéje (ht
tp://www.museum.hu/museum/index_en.php?ID=27) , a shrine
where Gül Baba (literally Rose Father, from whom the Rózsadomb
(Rose Hill) was named) lies. Take H5 to Szentlélek square, which is
the heart of Óbuda (Old Buda) district. Near to the square is Victor
Vasarely Museum showing many works of the famous Hungarian-
born post-modern painter Vásárhelyi Győző (1908-1997), and the
Kassák Museum at the Zichy Castle showing works of the modern
Hungarian artists as well as modern Hungarian art. Also near the
square is the Kiscelli Museum (http://www.kiscellimuzeum.hu/) , the
Budapest Picture Gallery. More one stop on H5 is the city biggest
archeological site: the Aquincum (http://www.aquincum.hu) , a city
in the Roman times, where there are some ruins of thermal baths,
built on stone and decorated with mosaics and paintings.

Far to west (South Buda) is the Memento Park (http://www.mement

opark.hu) , an open air museum in Budapest, dedicated to
monumental statues from Hungary's Communist period (1949–
1989).

Southward from the Castle is the Budai Vigadó (Hungarian Heritage

House) (https://hagyomanyokhaza.hu/en) . Between 1898 and 1900
winners of an architectural competition faced a demanding project:
build a theater and library to suit the needs of the residents of Buda
on the site of a former arsenal. Aladár Árkay and Mór Kallina worked
to change the pre-existing building into a cultural center. The
Vigado’s outside is constructed in a relatively simple, eclectic style,
but the interior boasts an impressive Art-Nouveau hall with a marble
staircase and pillars and a spacious, ornate theater. Today, it is also
known as the Hungarian Heritage House and is the home theater of
the Hungarian Folk Ensemble (http://www.ticket.info.hu/en/progra
m/folklore-performances/hungarian-state-folk-ensemble) .

Music related museums are also in the city: the Kodály Museum, the
Liszt Museum, former home of Ferenc Liszt, the most famous
Hungarian composer, where a collection of his personal objects and
instruments can be visited. Bartók's House and the Music Museum,
includes a collection of musical instruments and the Bartok archive.

Do
The simplest, and perhaps best of all: get a map, circle the things
you want to see, divide up your time and stroll around in the city.
Spend time in charming cafés or restaurants, preferably not right
at the main tourist sites, look at the market stands, walk on a
bridge in the evening. The lively atmosphere of this jewel of a city
both by day and by night cannot be experienced via guided tours,
locked into a tourist bus/boat. Locals are usually happy to help,
also to tell you what they think is best to see, what is better to stay
away from or for a little chat just to keep up their English or
German. Don't hesitate to ask questions.
 Hungaria Koncert (http://www.hungariakoncert.hu) , ☏ +36 1
317-1377 (tel:+361317-1377) , hunkonc@ticket.info.hu (mailt
o:hunkonc@ticket.info.hu) . Operates cruises with lunch or
dinner daily at 14:00, 19:00 and 20:00. This service is 90
minutes with hot buffet lunch or dinner. During the cruise, the
Parliament, Chain Bridge, Royal Castle, Palace of Arts, etc.
can be seen.
Rent a bike. Rents are around Ft1,800 for half a day. Szentendre is
a 2 hours ride from the centre and you get to see nice places,
much of the way is at the Danube. If you prefer more organised
ways, a guided bike tour gets you some exercise and introduces
you to the local geography. For example, staff at Buda Bike
[underground garage at the plaza in front of St Stephan's Basilica]
are very friendly. They also rent bikes. Bike map on the Net (http://
www.mozgasvilag.hu/budapesti-kerekparut-terkep)
Walk in the City park (Városliget) with your children. Walk around
the lake and feed the ducks. See the statue of Anonymus at the
Vajdahunyad Castle, a fairy-tale-like building. Széchenyi Spa, right
next to the lake, is also enjoyable for children (see also the Baths
section).
In the winter, the same lake is transformed into the large ice-
skating rink (http://www.mujegpalya.hu) with an astonishing
view during winter. It is a popular place for children and teenagers.
 The nearby Circus (http://www.fnc.hu/eng/our-show) (Fövárosi
Nagycirkusz - Great Circus of the Capital) offers performances
with international artists.
Next to it, the Budapest Zoo - one of the oldest in the world -
offers more than 800 animals to be seen in a historic atmosphere.
Experience an opera at Budapest's beautiful State Opera House or
a performance of folklore or classical music at any of Budapest's
many concert halls (details under Performing arts).
Budapest River Cruise (https://budapestdanuberivercruise.com)
is an option to discover the city with Danube boat which takes 75
minutes and you can visit the most popular places with it.

Festivals

Budapest offers a multitude of fairs and festivals. A few of them are:

March

Budapest Spring Festival (http://www.btf.hu/) . A dazzling variety

of cultural events mainly revolving around classical music and
performing arts - including folklore.

July

1 Formula One, Mogyorod village (Take from M2 Örs vezér tere a

'H8' suburban rail). Grand Prix or Formula One motor racing - the
 next F1 is 21-23 July 2023. Bring your own water and packed
lunch as catering at the track is not great. (updated Sep 2022)

August

Firework above Danube River (Tűzijáték) (Betweeen Petőfi Bridge

and Árpád Bridge). 21:00 on 20 Aug. National Holiday. Sound &
light show with fireworks. Around half hour open air show. Free
except if you wish to see from the air.
Jewish Summer Festival (http://www.zsidokulturalisfesztival.h
u/) . Another array of cultural and music events, with a Jewish
touch.
2 Sziget (http://sziget.hu/festival_english) . Festival on Óbudai
Sziget (Óbuda Island) Attracts rock fans, world music hippies and
the usual festival crowd every August. It has become one of the
best-known festivals in Europe, offering a multitude of cultural,
culinary and musical events. Day tickets cost €45 and festival
passes, including camping cost €170 if purchased before 15 April
and €200 after. Festival passes without camping cost €30 less.
Sleeping in a tent under the open sky instead of a hotel room
gives the complete festival feeling. Safes are available for
valuables. (updated Jan 2017)
Performing arts and classical music

Apart from a renowned music scene, Hungary has a surprisingly rich

theatre and art scene and, not surprisingly, Budapest is the epicentre
of it. The season begins in mid-September and ends in June.
Productions range from classic dramas and traditional operas to
post-modern dance performances. The following venues can be
particularly interesting for non-Hungarians. Tickets are bookable
about one month beforehand at Interticket (http://www.interticket.h
u) , the Hungarian theatres' official booking engine with a booking
fee of 10% + Ft50.

Cinema

In spite of increasing funding difficulties, high quality cinema has

remained alive in Budapest. For contemporary non-mainstream
European and Hungarian titles turn to Budapest’s excellent art
house film chain, Art mozi (http://www.artmozi.hu/) , most of their
branches are provided with a café or pub and offer pleasant
atmosphere to spend your evening. A few selected cinemas of this
chain: Uránia National Cinema (http://www.urania-nf.hu/) | Uránia
Nemzeti Filmszínház where you can see the mainstream European
artistic films with new Hungarian ones, the latter sporadically
subtitled in English; Cinema Puskin (Puskin Mozi) an elegant,
decorated multiplex offering quality, but generally easy-to-watch
Hungarian and foreign films; Cinema Művész (Művész Mozi) is
probably the most popular “Art Mozi” theatre in Budapest; Film
Museum Örökmozgó (Örökmozgó Filmmúzeum) is your best choice
if you’re in mood to see a film from the times when Leonardo
DiCaprio was a child, mostly film in original language and are
subtitled in Hungarian. Mainstream cinemas mainly show subtitled
or dubbed Hollywood films and Hungarian romantic films. After the
shopping centre revolution in the late 1990s, more than two thirds of
the city’s cinema screens are operated by international chains and
franchises. Two examples are: Corvin (http://www.corvin.hu/) , one
of the oldest, although completely modernised cinema in the city.
The most centrally located cinema is the Palace Westend (http://ww
w.westend.hu/) in Pest.

Thermal baths

Individual listings can be found in Budapest's district articles

Gellért Baths

Budapest has many thermal springs and its fame is still rising as a
major European Spa location. The baths are among last vestige of
Turkish culture in Budapest; some baths indeed date back to Turkish
times. However, Hungarians have modified and moulded this
tradition into something of their own during the last four centuries.

Thermal baths contain several thermal pools. They are usually

complemented with multiple steam baths, massage services and
other therapies including drinking cures. Unlike in some
Scandinavian or German baths, Budapest baths mostly require you
to wear your bathing suit. Among foreigners, Russians seem to be
most frequent visitors to Budapest's baths, followed by Italians and
Americans.

A tradition of night bath parties has evolved, often revolving around

various branches of electronic music, see e.g. Cinetrip (https://spart
ybooking.com/cinetrip-2/) .

Traditional public baths

Traditional public baths used to have a slightly outdated but

nowadays improving service and admission system and allow an
authentic bathing experience with locals around you. At the cash
desk, you sometimes have to select treatments in advance, often
they are offered in distinct places of the building. Bathing time is not
restricted, and, depending on the system, if you're finished earlier,
part of your fee is repaid. Towels and sometimes bathrobe can be
rented either at the entrance or inside. Changing clothes can be
done either in a common area with lockers (gender segregated) or in
cabins (kabinok) which may come in different size and is highly
useful for families. While newer systems may be introduced,
according to the proper ancient ritual you're handed a token with a
number, which is also written on a blackboard inside the cabin door
as a security code: you must remember cabin number. To access
your cabin again, show your cabin and a token to attendant, and
s/he'll open the door and check the number inside. In swimming
pools, swimming caps are sometimes obligatory, and are often
available for sale or rent.

Modern baths

Modern baths, such as Danubius Grand Thermal Hotel, are usually

called spas, although their central component are thermal pool and
multitude of steam baths/saunas, which is not always typical for
spas in other parts of the world.

Sports

Football: the Hungarian national soccer team play at Puskás

Aréna in Zugló district, completed in 2019. Several club teams
play in the city, with those in the top tier (Nemzeti Bajnokság or NB
1) including Ferencvárosi, Újpest, Honvéd and MTK Budapest.
 The city has many health clubs, yoga & pilates clubs, riding
schools, swimming pools and squash and tennis courts. On
Margaret Island you will find joggers, and swimming in the Hajós
Olympic Pool. Sports facilities are inexpensive in Budapest.

Caving

Caving in Budapest ranges from well-lit and renovated

Szemlőhegyi cave, where you can go to parts of the cave in a
wheelchair, to some of the more extreme tours in the Pál-völgyi–
Mátyás-hegyi cave system, where you have to squeeze through
several metres long passages with no room to spare. The Pál-
völgyi–Mátyás-hegyi cave system is recommended for the
adventurous (and non-claustrophobic) who wants "proper caving"
instead of the more "tourist friendly" alternatives. The tours lasts
between 2½–3 hours and much of the time is spent crawling or
climbing, so some degree of fitness is needed. The guided tour
includes a helmet, headlamp and overall so bring good shoes.
Guides are professional. English guided tours are usually on
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays late in the afternoon, but can
be pre-booked by groups at other days as well. Bookings need to
be for at least 4 people.

Please do not litter, write your name on the cave wall or damage the
cave in any other way. Part of the experience is the feeling of being
in unspoiled nature.
Work
Teaching English is a popular profession for travellers and people
moving to Budapest.

Generally speaking, finding a full-time job is fairly difficult unless you

speak Hungarian. You should also be prepared that Western
standards at job interviews regarding personal life and diversity
issues do not always apply. Do not be surprised if you are asked
about your smoking habits. Also, companies are not always
prepared to fully understand and accept people from diverse
backgrounds. You should be prepared that most places won't hire
you until you speak at least a little Hungarian. Restaurants with a
specific country's cuisine, such as Italian restaurants and pizzerias,
tend to hire people from that country to make the food more
authentic.

Buy
When receiving change from a taxi journey, make sure that the
money is actually Hungarian. Some taxi drivers have been known to
give unsuspecting passengers obsolete Romanian banknotes (lei).
 Paprika and more, Great Market Hall

Many reliable exchange bureaux can be found in the city centre near
Deák Ferenc tér metro station. For example, there are two shops
next two the tourist information. These shops as well as other shops
in the area offer a better rate than other banks at tourist spots such
as international bus stations and the castle hill. The rate might be
even better than getting cash from ATMs. There is also no extra
charge. If you're looking for money exchange in the Keleti station, be
sure to check exchange rates at all the three money exchange shops
along the platforms; they offer differential prices. See
Hungary#Money for information on currency and exchange rates.

A chocolate shop in Budapest

Most of the visitors from far away end up shopping in Pest in the
middle of the city: Váci utca and nearby. It is historically the most
expensive part of the city. You'll find Hungarian linens and lace,
pottery, and other items, in souvenir shops.
You definitely want to visit the Great Market Hall (Nagy
Vásárcsarnok) at Fővám tér, the renovated market hall with essential
atmosphere (it's at the south end of Vaci). Prices for the same items
vary a lot between sellers and aren't set in stone so be sure to
compare and bargain.

Non-speciality shopping

Also, chain stores can be found along the Váci utca (C&A, H&M,
Clinique, Estee Lauder, New Yorker, etc.)

The shopping malls locally known as "Plazas" are usually good for
buying clothes, but prices may vary wildly even in shops next to each
other. For electronics, the cheap supermarkets like Electro World and
Media Markt are good targets, but the quality is on par with the
prices. Due to the low cost of labour, a tradition in repairing mobile
phones and other appliances exists, and buying second hand
electronics is normal. This service is usually offered in smaller
private shops.

Absinthe is available for purchase at common liquor stores, a must-

have purchase for the European traveller. Many brands available in
the Market Hall and liquor stores are of poor quality (or not even
"real" Absinthe).
Eat
Individual listings can be found in Budapest's district articles

Hungarian food deserves to be (and often is) mentioned among the

country's main sites. As in other cultures, the Hungarian approach to
food combines pride in their own traditions with a readiness to
accept outside influences. The result is a vibrant restaurant scene
where an Asian-Hungarian fusion restaurant may well be of genuine
interest. Luckily, prices are significantly below western Europe's with
around €4 for a budget lunch, and around €8-14 for a nice evening
meal in a mid-range restaurant, depending on place and appetite.
Above €20 per person is definitely considered expensive, but there
are enough lavish places above this price range for those looking for
something special.

Local specialities often revolve around meat (pork, beef, veal, or

poultry), often involve liberal use of paprika, however not necessary
of the hot kind. Due to a historical translation error, "goulash soup" is
indeed a soup, not the "goulash" that visitors may be familiar with
from home which is known as "pörkölt".
 Budapest Street Goulash

Major specialities include:

gulyás(leves) usually translated as 'goulash soup' - a filling meat

soup (usually beef) with potatoes and paprika, among other
ingredients. Served as main dish or as a (heavy) starter. The name
refers to the Hungarian version of a cowboy taking care of a
'gulya' (cattleherd).
paprikás veal or chicken cooked in delicious creamy paprika
sauce (not spicy)
pörkölt a stew with of sautéed onions and - paprika. Similar to
what is served as 'goulash' abroad.
halászlé - fishermen's soup served differently depending on region

töltött káposzta - stuffed cabbage, the cooked cabbage leaves are

filled with meat and in a paprika sauce, served with sour cream
(similar to crème fraîche or crème acidulée)
Balaton pike-perch (fogas)

gyümölcsleves - fruit soup - cold, creamy and sweet, consumed

as a starter.

From the desserts, you may not want to miss

 Somlói galuska, a poem on biscuit dough, cream and chocolate
sauce, invented by Károly Gollerits at Gundel
Gundel palacsinta - Gundel pancake (crepe) - with a filling
prepared with rum, raisin, walnuts, and lemon zest, served with a
chocolate sauce, and the careful reader may guess its birthplace.
Kürtőskalács, (chimney cake) a delicious sweet dough pastry
which is cooked on a chimney shaped spit and coated in butter
and sugar to form a crispy crust. After the cakes are cooked they
can be rolled in a variety of toppings such as cinnamon sugar or
chocolate.
There is also a great variety of wonderful pastries/cakes (Torta),
some of which you will recognize if you are familiar with Viennese
pastries. You may want to try Dobos torta (Dobos cake, named
after József Dobos), and Rigó Jancsi a light chocolate-cream
cake.

In addition to traditional Hungarian fare, which is recommended,

there are numerous other cuisines available in Budapest. The
adventurous gourmand can enjoy a different cuisine each meal for a
week. Restaurant prices in Budapest are very reasonable by
American and Western European standards with a general rule being
that you would pay twice as much for a similar meal in New York,
London or Paris.
Coffee houses

Coffee houses (kávéház) were a traditional Budapest institution,

somewhat resembling Viennese lifestyle. Visit to one should be on
every traveller's agenda. These are places are great to spend some
time at a cup of coffee and a delicious cake, but some of them
(especially in the higher price range) offer meals as well. With
dozens of places in the city, the best-known, landmark coffeehouses
(and among priciest) are: Gerbeaud (http://www.gerbeaud.hu/)
(Vörösmarty tér 7-9), Művész Kávéház (http://www.muveszkavehaz.
hu/) (Andrássy út 29), New York Kávéház (http://www.newyorkcafe.
hu/) (Erzsébet krt. 9-11). Other Kávéházs worth visiting include the
cafe at the Hotel Astoria, Cafe Central, the Cafe Mozart, Wall Street
and the oldest in Budapest, the Ruszwurm in Buda castle.

Restaurants

This is a huge city article, so detailed listings go in the district articles. This article should only provide a brief overview.
Learn more

Hungarian cuisine and restaurant experiences are happily

remembered by visitors, even if the Hungarian diet may seem rather
meat-based to many western visitors. The city has large variety of
great places to eat at prices quite reasonable for western-
Europeans. Like in some other cities, a number of restaurants see
tourists as scapegoats. It is a good idea to avoid restaurants in the
heart of the most touristic areas like Váci utca, especially if all
customers seem foreigners, as you'll likely be served mediocre food
with a high bill padded with number of bizarre charges. In some
restaurants anything you don't explicitly ask for, but appears on your
table, is likely to be charged for. Don't take restaurant tips from
suspicious individuals on the streets, ask at your hotel or local
friends.

A wide variety of decent food for not reasonable prices can be found
at the lively Ráday utca, venue of a number of cultural events, near
Kálvin tér. But simply strolling the more central areas, e.g. near the
Great Ringroad (Nagykörút), or the Pozsonyi út, will be enough to
bump into nice places to test local cooking skill (though not
necessarily with a menu available in English). Top-notch quality food
(1st category restaurants) charge a wide range of prices (from
starters around Ft1,000, main courses Ft3,000-10,000, and menus
from Ft5,000). Perhaps the most reputed among top restaurants is
the Gundel (https://gundel.hu/en/) near Városliget. Check the
prices before you decide to go, but it offers a good value Sunday
brunch for around Ft5,000.

Walking along the Danube on the Pest side, you see a lot of
restaurant and bar boats. Most of them serve traditional Hungarian
and international dishes, some of them are function more as bars.
Thanks to the beautiful panorama across the Danube and the castle,
these places provide an unforgettable experience.

Of special note: Hungarian law does not require restaurants to

forward either the (included) service charge or the added tip to the
wait staff. Dubious restaurants, especially those favored by tourists,
will simply pocket the extra Forint into their private coffers. While it
is customary to tip 10% of the bill, it is important to ask your waiter if
the service charge is included in the bill and if the staff receives
either the service charge or any additional tip. Obviously, it is better
to frequent restaurants which treat their staff well, but you may not
know in which kind of establishment you are dining until you receive
the bill and inquire.

Chains

Only cross-district chains are listed here; see district articles for
individual restaurants.

Wasabi (http://www.wasabi.hu) , Podmaniczky ut 21 ( :close to

Nyugati station). M-F 11:00-17:00. Excellent Japanese and Korean
food. Lunch Ft3,790. The Buda unit: Szépvölgyi ut 15 (train station
Szépvölgyi ut) 11:00-23:00.
Trófea Grill (http://www.trofeagrill.hu) . The best among all-you-
can-eat (buffet) and all the alcohol you can drink. Best to book a
 table in advance. Has 4 locations. 1 on Buda downtown by
Margaret Bridge (Margit körút 2)
Leroy Cafe, Pest (5 locations), Buda (3 locations). (See district
article Pest for details) Mid- to high-priced restaurant chain that
offers Hungarian classics with other Italian and European cuisine.
Very fashionable interiors and popular with the well-paid white
collar crowd. Reservations are recommended during traditional
peak times. When eating here, always make sure that you won't be
slapped on an extra 100% service charge. Read the menu before
entering the restaurant carefully and insist on talking to someone
who speaks English.

Vegetarian/vegan

Govinda (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Govinda/191421937
570602) . M–F 11:30–20:00, Sa 12:00–21:00. Great
vegan/vegetarian restaurant in Budapest. You can choose from
different menus every day or just order separate dishes;
moderately priced. The Govinda chain has three restaurants in
Budapest. The main restaurant is at Vigyázó Ferenc utca 4,
Govinda Vega Corner is at Papnövelde utca 1, and the Govinda-
Buda is at Árpád fejedelem utca 33. See maps (https://osm.org/g
o/0KfA3sYkc--?m) , Vigyázó Ferenc utca 4 (https://osm.org/go/0
KfA3sYkc--?m)
 Edeni Vegan (http://www.edenivegan.hu/) , Iskola utca 31 (1 block
from Batthány tér metro station), ☏ +36 6203 0775 75 (tel:+36620
3077575) . Daily 08:00-20:00. Cafeteria-style restaurant, large
portions, relatively cheap. Food may vary depending on day, time,
and dishes chosen. Tofu goulash recommended. Staff are very
helpful at explaining the dishes so ask what they are if you don't
know. Cash only. There is an ATM at the bank across the street.
(updated Jul 2017)

Grocery shopping

If you want to take home some Hungarian paprika, Pick szalámi, or

Tokaji wine, grocery shops are naturally cheaper than specialised
souvenir kiosks.

In the central areas, you will find smaller grocery shops such as the
Hungarian chains GRoby shops (https://www.groby.hu/uzletek/) ,
CBA shops (http://www.cba.hu/) , and the usual European suspects
Spar (https://www.spar.hu/content/aspiag_spar_hu/hu_HU/uzletek.
html?_charset_=UTF-8&keyword=budapest&searchtype=1&targetPa
ge_1=%2Fcontent%2Faspiag_spar_hu%2Fhu_HU%2Fuzletek.html&ta
rgetPage_2=%2Fcontent%2Faspiag_spar_hu%2Fhu_HU%2Ftermek-k
ereso.html&targetPage_3=%2Fcontent%2Faspiag_spar_hu%2Fhu_H
U%2Freceptek.html&targetPage_4=%2Fcontent%2Faspiag_spar_h
u%2Fhu_HU%2Fszolgaltatasok%2Fosszes-kereso.html) and Tesco
Express shops (http://tesco.hu/aruhazak/expressz) .

Further from the centre, you can find foreign-owned hypermarkets

like Auchan (http://www.auchan.hu/) & Tesco (http://tesco.hu/aruh
azak) with the usual range of goods.

Cooking class

The best way to get to know a culture is through its food! Join a
Hungarian host in cooking a Hungarian menu in an authentic
Hungarian home.

Easy Cooking Budapest offers the perfect program: shopping at a

local market, then cooking together in a small group at an
apartment, while tasting some wine and Pálinka.
www.easycookingbudapest.com

Kosher

This is a huge city article, so detailed listings go in the district articles. This article should only provide a brief overview.
Learn more

Hanna's Kosher Kitchen, VII. Dob utca 35, ☏ +361 342-1072 (tel:+
361342-1072) . Features classic Hungarian food, but Kosher.
Kinor David, VII. Dohany utca (next to the big Dohány Temple), ☏
+36 1 413-7304 (tel:+361413-7304) , +36 1 413-7305 (tel:+36141
 3-7305) .
Salamon glatt kosher restaurant, 1072 Budapest, VII. Nagydiófa
u. 27 (next to King's Hotel), ☏ +36 1 413-1487 (tel:+361413-148
7) , +36 1 413-1488 (tel:+361413-1488) , +36 30 743 6938 (tel:+3
6307436938) (Cell), +36 20 966 6160 (tel:+36209666160)
(Cell).
Rothschild Supermarkets (located throughout the city centre)
offer Kosher goods too.

Others

Halal food is not traditional for Budapest but a number of places are
available. Check this Muslim site (http://busralilmuhminin.blogspot.
hu/2011/01/halal-husboltok-es-ettermek.html) for meat shops
(húsboltok) and restaurants (Éttermek).

A version of döner kebab (as known e.g. in Germany) is sold under

the Greek name "gyros" (often by Turks!). Translated from Turkish
döner, gyros means "rotate" or "spintop" in Greek - a reference to the
meat being rotated on a stake.

One good moderately priced Turkish halal place is Szeráj on Szt.

István körút opposite to the theatre building of "Vígszínház",
between Nyugati tér Margaret Bridge.
Drink
Individual listings can be found in Budapest's district articles

Budapest offers plenty of places to drink, from cool and ultra-hip to

rowdy and down-market. If you are in the mood for a particularly
Hungarian experience, visit a so-called borozó (wine pub). These
offer cheap yet tasty Hungarian wine on tap at outright hilariously
low prices if you manage to find one outside the tourist circuit.

Hungary is famous for its wines produced at Balaton area and Eger.
Among red wines the best are Kékfrankos, Egri Bikavér "Bulls Blood”
and white wines the Szürkebarát and Chardonnay are popular. One
of the most favorite is the Tokaji, a sweet white wine.

You should try not to miss out on the Hungarian spirit, palinka, made
from fruits such as plum, apricot, cherry or Williams pears.

Unique Hungarian soft drinks to try are Traubi Szoda (a white grape
soda) and Márka (a sour cherry soda).

Sleep
Individual listings can be found in Budapest's district articles

Budapest offers a wide range of accommodation in all price classes

from the hostels which start at €7 per night, to small cheap pension,
to the luxurious 5-star hotels, although the costs of staying here are
notably higher than elsewhere in Hungary.

Arriving trains are often met by touts offering free rides to hostels,
as well as little old grannies offering their apartments for rent. Try to
figure out exactly where you're going before you choose - or, better
yet, visit any of the many travel agencies to browse the many
options in a more comfortable environment.

The most expensive are on or near Castle Hill, dozens of reliable

backpacker hostels are mostly across the river in Pest. However,
Buda has better air quality due to the closeness of the hills and the
forests lying to the west from the city.

Apartments may be a cheap alternative for those making extended

stays.

Learn
Budapest's universities are sufficiently well-regarded and draw
exchange students from near and far. There are a number of
universities and other tertiary institutions in Budapests. Many of
them offer degrees or courses in English, German, or French.
Particularly popular, even though not cheap, are the medical
university courses offered in German and English.
18 Central European University (http://www.ceu.hu/) , Nador u.
9, ☏ +36 1 327 3000 (tel:+3613273000) . A small but excellent
American private university mainly funded by the Soros
foundation (associated with Soros György, George Soros, "The
Man Who Broke the Bank of England"), offers an extensive
graduate program in a wide variety of courses in political,
economical and environmental fields.
19 Eötvös Loránd University (http://www.elte.hu/en/index_nofla
sh.html) . The flagship university in Hungary, founded in 1635,
offering bachelor, master and PhD level degrees in certain fields in
English.
20 Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music (http://lfze.hu/en/home)
(Zeneakadémia), Liszt Ferenc tér 8 (M1 Oktogon), ☏ +36 1 462-
4600 (tel:+361462-4600) . World-renowned music academy in the
heart of the city.
21 Corvinus University of Budapest (http://www.uni-corvinus.h
u/) , Fővám tér 8 ( , Tram 2, 47, 47B, 48, 49, bus 15, 115), ☏ +36 1
482 5023 (tel:+3614825023) . Welcome Office M-F 09:00-12:00.
formerly the University of Economical Sciences, colloquially
known as 'Közgáz': Offers Bachelor and Master courses in many
languages (updated Nov 2016)
22 Budapest University of Technology and Economics (http://w
ww.bme.hu/) (Műegyetem; Budapesti Műszaki és
Gazdaságtudományi Egyetem (BME)), Műegyetem rkp. 3 ( , tram
19, 47, 47B, 48, 49, 56, 56A, bus 7 (to North end) Szent Gellért tér
stop; Tram 4, 6 or bus 212 (to South end of the complex) to Petőfi
híd, budai hídfő stop), ☏ +36 1 463-1111 (tel:+361463-1111) ,
info@bme.hu (mailto:info@bme.hu) . B.Sc. and M.Sc. level
engineering courses available for foreigners in English, French
and German language at the International Education Center of the
university. (updated Nov 2016)
23 Semmelweis University (http://www.semmelweis-univ.hu/) ,
Üllői út 26 ( : Corvin-negyed), ☏ +36 1 266-0452 (tel:+361266-04
52) , kovacse@rekhiv.sote.hu (mailto:kovacse@rekhiv.sote.hu) .
The flagship institution in medical education and research,
offering courses in English and German. International students
make up 24% of the total student population.
24 International Business School (http://www.ibs-b.hu/)
(Nemzetközi Üzleti Főiskola, IBS-NÜF), Tárogató út 2-4 (Tram 56,
56A, 59B, 61 to Kelemen László utca), ☏ +36 1 391 2500 (tel:+361
3912500) , info@ibs-b.hu (mailto:info@ibs-b.hu) . An institute of
higher education offering numerous undergrad and some
postgraduate programs, mostly providing Oxford Brookes
University and Hungarian degrees in English and/or Hungarian
languages. (updated Nov 2016)
 Debrecen Language School (http://www.nyariegyetem.hu/)
(Debreceni Nyári Egyetem Budapesti Nyelviskolája), Váci u. 63. II/1.
( Ferenciek tere, tram 2, 47, 47B, 48, 49 Fővám tér), ☏ +36 1 320
5751 (tel:+3613205751) , budapest@nyariegyetem.hu (mailto:bud
apest@nyariegyetem.hu) . Offers Hungarian language classes
year round at all levels in Budapest, Debrecen and Sopron.
(updated Nov 2016)

Stay safe
Central Emergency: dial 112
Ambulance: 104
Fire: 105
Police: 107
Váci utca – dos and don'ts

This narrow street begins at Fővám square (Fővám tér) in front of

Central Market (Nagyvásárcsarnok) and ends at Vörösmarty square
(Vörösmarty tér). Supposedly being one of the main tourist attractions
of the city, Váci Street is visited by all the tourists arriving to Budapest.
Enjoy this lively place, shop in its fashion stores, buy Hungarian and
foreign literature in its great bookshop, eat in the American fast food
restaurants if you intend to, but avoid being victimized by its many
tourist traps and scams:

Avoid its restaurants and bars, mainly between Vörösmarty Sq and

Elisabeth Bridge (Erzsébet híd). Most of them offer mediocre food at
exorbitant prices.
Whatever restaurant you go, always see the prices on the menu.
Every restaurant is obliged to put its full menu with prices outside the
restaurant. If you can't find this, the place is most likely to be very
expensive.
Never enter its erotic/topless bars. It would cost a hundred times
more than you can imagine in your worst dreams and you will have to
pay anyway.
Don't try to pick up girls. There are many great places to meet
Hungarian women, but Váci Street is not one of them.
Change money only in exchange offices. Though not as frequent as
it used to be ten years ago, Váci Street still has street money
changers waiting for you. Don't use their service.
 See details in Tourist traps section below.

As a general rule, you find better quality and prices outside Váci utca.

Crime

Budapest is potentially one of the safest cities in the world for its
size. There are no slums or districts you should avoid, particularly
not in the touristy areas or nearby. As a traveller, you should take
only normal precautions: don't show off your money and don't wear
flashy jewellery. Magyars tend to be friendly with foreigners; racism
or xenophobia against tourists is practically unknown.

As in most other big cities, pickpocketing is the most common

crime against tourists. The rate of picked pockets is relatively low by
Western European and U.S. standards, and you're unlikely to have
any problem if you follow some basic rules you wouldn't forget in
Paris, Brussels or Vienna. The most important rules are that you
never wear a backpack or purse on your back in public
transportation or other places with a lot of people, and make sure
that you have your wallet in one of your front pockets.

Younger Hungarian policemen mostly speak some basic English.

Tourists have no reason to be afraid of them unless they break the
law.
During the peak tourist season, police patrolling major tourist areas
are accompanied by bilingual or multi-lingual students who assist
with problems or complaints. Police have also opened a 24/7
TourInform office in one of Budapest's busiest areas. It is located at
Sütő Street 2, District V, and they are able to receive complaints and
render assistance in English and German.

By night

Budapest's Chain Bridge and Castle

Hill at night

Mostly there's no reason to have concerns about Budapest by night.

In practice, the whole city, including all the touristy areas, Pest
within the inner ring road (the line of Szent István körút–Teréz körút–
Erzsébet körút–József körút–Ferenc körút, popularly known as
Nagykörút), and Buda are safe even before dawn. Most locals avoid
walking alone by night in outer zones of districts 8th and 9th in Pest,
as these are shady, though not particularly dangerous areas. Areas
in 8th district behind Népszinház utca - József körút can be a bit
risky, although the district is CCTV monitored by the police. If you
don't have special thing to do there, try not to have a walk at night at
Lujza, Dankó, Magdolna Streets and their surroundings: also, it's not
a very attractive area. Népszinház utca itself is not a very nice place
after dark but usually not risky.

Some big panel areas on the outskirts of the city (parts of Újpest
and Kőbánya, residential areas unknown by tourists) also not the
best places to have a walk without knowing where to go. The area
around Keleti pályaudvar is also not very friendly, but usually nothing
happens. Avoid homeless people asking for money or selling
something in the big underpasses. The subway at Nyugati tér
collects different types of people; it is generally not risky because of
heavy traffic day and night, but try not to look very "lost" there.

Beautiful during the day, bigger public parks like Városliget, are
better avoided at night. Don't take a healthy walk at Népliget after
dark. The famous 'chill-out' place at Római part (3rd district) can be
deserted especially after 01:00 and in the winter season, although
it's usually safe. Don't go to the dark paths alone around Citadella at
night.

Night buses and the tram no.6 passing through the city centre can
be very crowded at peak socialising times on Friday and Saturday
nights. You may come across aggressive drunk youngsters on the
vehicles or at the stops. Keep a low profile or avoid the public
transportation system on weekend nights. Major night lines are now
guarded by security staff.
Tourist traps

Like in several cities of the world, in Budapest the major scams for
the inexperienced visitor are taxis and restaurants. Much of the
following would apply to a number of highly touristed cities in
Europe.

In the past the airport taxis used to be a traveller's nightmare. Now,

things ave gotten better: Főtaxi - contracted partner of the airport - is
so far reported to be reliable and works according to advertised
prices; for details read the Airport transfer section. Főtaxi has a
stand outside the terminal building, enjoying the exclusive right to
wait there, though other companies can come to pick up passengers
if called by phone. Sometimes scam taxi drivers will still solicit
services inside the terminal to take you for a ride with a very hungry
meter. Fixed price information on the internet (http://www.ferihegyex
press.com/en/) .

Alternatives to Főtaxi include calling another trusted cab firm

(saving €5-10), or to use the Airport Minibus service. Airport Minibus
has a booth inside the terminal and they will allocate you to a
minibus with several others who are going to the same area of the
city. Depending on how lucky you are, yours may be the first
destination or the last. However, it is only cheaper than a taxi if you
are travelling alone. If you travel the from the city to the airport, pre-
order your taxi on the chosen company's phone number or call for
the Airport Shuttle (http://www.airportshuttle.hu/) . The Airport
Shuttle is reasonably priced, reliable and an efficient way to get to
the airport.

The situation around railway and bus stations is still not regulated.
The worst is probably Keleti Pályaudvar: never trust drivers hanging
around the arrival side; rather, order a taxi by phone (some cars
display their company's number). If that's not possible, take only
taxis with a logo of the bigger companies, and with a proper sign on
the roof and taxi licence plate. As a general rule, make sure the
taximeter is on (and not set to the special "extortionate rate for
unwary tourists") or agree the price with the driver beforehand. Many
cases have been reported in which taxi drivers have extorted
hundreds of euros from unwary visitors. Smaller crimes include
being given change in worthless, obsolete Romanian or other
currency, which is not instantly recognizable by tourists as non-
Hungarian currency. Other drivers take a longer route, which means
a higher price, if you don't have an agreed price. If you have an
agreed price, you can be sure to arrive to your destination in the
shortest route possible. A typical taxi drive within the central zones
should be in the range of Ft1,200-3,000 as of early 2014.
Similar abuses have also happened in restaurants and bars, almost
all of them in the vicinity of Váci utca in the touristy heart of Pest.
You should avoid the eateries and bars of the zone. However, these
are not typical, the majority of restaurants and pubs in Budapest are
reliable. In Hungary it's compulsory to put the menu card outside the
entrance; if it's not the case, don't enter.

Don't take any tip on the streets, especially if the person is

apparently a gift from heaven and is being very, very nice to you.

Don't befriend the girls hanging around Váci utca, and never accept
any invitation for a drink from them: you can be sure that they will
lead you to fake Champagne, but you will be left only with the bill,
and it's unlikely that a small conversation with them will be worth
the hundreds of euros. You'll find the same sort of girls in erotic and
topless bars; avoid them unless you're ready to pay your monthly
salary for a glass of wine. The standard trick is to produce a menu
with small print at the bottom stating that the first drink costs
Ft15,000 and consumption is compulsory. This modified menu
might be produced only when the bill is presented. Most of the
erotic bars in Budapest are tourist traps.

A common scam is for attractive women to walk up to men and ask

for directions to a particular bar. If you respond "I don't know", they
will ask you if you have a map and say "let's go together" they
commonly tell you a story such as "I just got in from Bratislava and
am just looking for a good place to get a drink...".

The most popular scam involves a blond girl and a shorter girl with
dark hair. They always act together and ask for a cigarette or the
time. Next, they invite single men for a drink, in a bar at Váci utca
only accessible by an elevator from the street. Once there, each
drink costs around €50, but you only find that out at the end when
you receive the €500 bill. So never go to the elevator bar
(Városközpont) at Váci utca.

Travellers are cautioned to avoid any establishment offering "adult"

entertainment. A common scam in these places is for an attractive
woman to join you at your table and ask for a drink. The problem is
that her drink will cost €250 or something similar. You will not be
allowed to leave until you pay. If you threaten to call the police you
will probably be informed that the bouncer is an off duty police
officer.

TopBudapestOrg maintains a list of blacklisted clubs and bars (htt

p://topbudapest.org/dos-donts-in-budapest/black-list-bars-night-clu
bs-budapest-hungary/) .

Money conversion: like in other places, even if a restaurant or bar

accepts euros, it's better to have forints since their conversion rate
is usually way worse than the rate at exchange offices. It is better to
avoid exchange offices inside airports and railway stations, those in
the centre of the city offer a much better exchange rate.

If you see people gambling on the streets, usually in popular tourists'

destinations like Buda Castle, stay away. The modus operandi
usually involves a guy playing the classic game of "hiding the ball".
This involves covering the ball (or small trinket) with either a bottle
cap or a match box and swirling it around with two other bottle caps
asking people to guess the position of the ball. The game is set in a
way that you can easily see the ball's position. This is done to lure
the unsuspecting person into placing a wager. There are usually two
main players and, between them, they will lose and win money back
and forth to give the appearance that it is a fair game: do not be
tricked. They are from the same gang. Once you get greedy and get
lured in, you will surely lose your money. The person in control of the
bottle caps will remove the ball from their position through sleight of
hand and you will never see your money back. Besides the two or
three other players involved, there are usually at least two lookouts:
one on each side of 'stage'.

On the other hand, Hungarian people are usually friendly, welcoming

and interested towards foreigners, and nothing should happen to
you unless you put yourself in harm's way. If you don't bother them
they won't bother you, and nothing should get in your way of having
a great holiday.

Stay healthy
Emergencies, ☏ 112 (free call).

Ambulance, ☏ 104 (free call).

For pharmacies, see each of our district articles. Each of

Budapest's 23 districts has a pharmacy that is open in the
evenings, on a varying rotation.
Emergency treatment centres (Hungarian: Orvosi Ügyelet) are
open 24/7. Read more in our various district articles.
25 Emergency Dental (http://semmelweis.hu/fszoi/) (Központi
Stomatológiai Intézet), VIII. Szentkirályi u. 40 ( , : Kálvin tér
further bus 9 to stop 'Szentkirályi utca'), ☏ +36 1 3176600 (tel:+361
3176600) . M-F 20:00-08:00, Sa Su 24 hr.
26 I. and XII. district Joint Emergency Medical Service for

adults (http://www.budavari-euszolg.hu/ugyelet.htm) (Sürgősségi

orvosi ügyelet), XII. Beethoven utca. 8 (Tram 59, 59A, 59B from :
'Széll Kálmán tér'), ☏ +36 1 2126636 (tel:+3612126636) ,
titkarsag@orvosiugyeletkht.hu (mailto:titkarsag@orvosiugyeletkh
t.hu) . 24/7. Outpatient and home patient care. Emergency
services free (for European) with European Health Insurance Card,
Card replacement form or E-112 Card.
 27 Emergency medical service for kids (Gyermekorvosi ügyelet

(FŐNIX SOS Rt.)), XII. Diós árok 1-3. main entrance (St. John
Hospital, Bldg. 24. (Doktor Kluge Endre út) - : Széll Kálmán tér
further tram 56, 56A, 59, 59B, 61 to stop 'Szent János Kórház'), ☏
+36 1 2125979 (tel:+3612125979) , +36 1 458 4500 (tel:+3614584
500) . M-F 20:00-08:00, Sa Su 24 hr. Emergency services free (for
European) with European Health Insurance Card, Card
replacement form or E-112 Card. +phone (special for foreigners)
+36 20 9990025

Connect
As of Sept 2021, Budapest has 5G from Telecom, Telenor and
Vodafone, and 4G from Digi. Wifi is widely available.

Cope

Embassies

The Consular Service site maintains a complete searchable

database of Honorary Consuls in Hungary (http://konzuliszolgalat.k
ormany.hu) .

Austria (https://www.bmeia.gv.at/hu/nagykoevetseg/budapest/
metanavigation/kezdolap.html) (Budapesti Osztrák
Nagykövetség), Benczúr u. 16. ( :: Hősök tere), ☏ +36 1 479-7010
(tel:+361479-7010) .
Azerbaijan (http://www.azerembassy.hu/) , Eötvös utca 14 (
: Deák Ferenc tér), ☏ +36 1 374-6070 (tel:+361374-6070) , +36 1
374-6071 (tel:+361374-6071) , budapest@azembassy.hu (mailto:
budapest@azembassy.hu) . M-F 09:00–18:00. Single entry €60,
processing time 10 days.
Belgium (http://www.diplomatie.be/budapest/) , Toldy Ferenc
utca 13, ☏ +36 1 457 9960 (tel:+3614579960) . M-F 09:00-16:00.
Canada (http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/hungary-hongri
e/) , Ganz u. 12-14 ( : Széll Kálmán tér), ☏ +36 1 392-3360 (tel:+
361392-3360) , fax: +36 1 392-3390, bpest@international.gc.ca
(mailto:bpest@international.gc.ca) . M-Th 08:00-16:30, F 08:00-
13:30.
Czech Republic (http://www.mzv.cz/budapest/hu/index.html) ,
VI., Szegfű utca 4 ( : Oktogon), ☏ +36 1 462 5014 (tel:+3614625
014) , consulate_budapest@mzv.cz (mailto:consulate_budapest@
mzv.cz) . M-F 09:00-11:00.
China (http://www.chinaembassy.hu) , Városligeti fasor 20-22 (
:), ☏ +36 1 413-2401 (tel:+361413-2401) , +36 1 413-2419 (tel:+3
61413-2419) , fax: +36 1 322-9067.
Croatia (http://hu.mvp.hr/) , Munkácsy Mihály u. 15 ( :), ☏ +36
1 354 1315 (tel:+3613541315) , vrhbp@mvpei.hr (mailto:vrhbp@
mvpei.hr) . M-F 09:00-17:00.
Denmark (http://ungarn.um.dk/) (Danmarks Ambassade,
Ungarn), Határőr út 37 ( :: Széll Kálmán tér, bus 39 to Határőr út),
☏ +36 1 487 9000 (tel:+3614879000) , budamb@um.dk (mailto:b
udamb@um.dk) . M-F 09:00-13:00.
Egypt (http://www.mfa.gov.eg/english/embassies/Egyptian_Em
bassy_budapest/Pages/default.aspx) , 1125 Istenhegyi út. 7/B (
: Széll Kálmán tér & bus 21, 21A to Kék Golyó utca), ☏ +36 1 225-
2150 (tel:+361225-2150) , fax: +361 2258596,
egyptembassybudapest@yahoo.com (mailto:egyptembassybuda
pest@yahoo.com) . M-F 09:00-15:00.
28 Finland (http://www.finland.hu) (Finn Nagykövetség,
Suomen suurlähetystö), 1118 Kelenhegyi út 16/A ( Szent Gellért
tér; Tram 19, 41, 47, 48, 49, 56, 56A to Szent Gellért tér), ☏ +36 1
279 2500 (tel:+3612792500) , fax: +36 1 385 0843,
sanomat.bud@formin.fi (mailto:sanomat.bud@formin.fi) . M-F
09:00-12:00.
France (http://www.ambafrance-hu.org/) , Lendvay utca 27 ( :
Hősök tere), ☏ +36 1 374 11 00 (tel:+3613741100) , +36 20 91 06
413 (tel:+36209106413) (For emergency), fax: +36 1 374 11 40,
BUDAPEST-AMBA@diplomatie.gouv.fr (mailto:BUDAPEST-AMBA@
diplomatie.gouv.fr) . M-F 09:00-12:30.
 29 Georgia (http://www.hungary.mfa.gov.ge) , H-1125 Virányos
út 6/b, ☏ +36 1 202 3390 (tel:+3612023390) , +36 1 202 3388 (te
l:+3612023388) , fax: +36 1 214 3299, +36 1 214 7637,
budapest.emb@mfa.gov.ge (mailto:budapest.emb@mfa.gov.ge) .
Germany (http://www.budapest.diplo.de/) , Úri utca 64-66 ( :
Széll Kálmán tér, bus 16, 16A, 116 to Kapisztrán tér), ☏ +36 1 488
3500 (tel:+3614883500) . M–Tu, F 09:00–12:00; Th 13:30–15:30.
Greece (http://www.mfa.gr/budapest) , Szegfű utca 3 ( :
Kodály körönd), ☏ +36 1 413 2621 (tel:+3614132621) , fax: +36 1
342 1934, gremb.bud@mfa.gr (mailto:gremb.bud@mfa.gr) . M-F
09:00-16:00.
India (http://www.indianembassy.hu/) , Búzavirág utca 14,, ☏
+36 1 325-7742 (tel:+361325-7742) , fax: +36 1 325-7745. M-F
09:00-17:30. Visa Application M-Th 10:00-12:00, Collection of Visa
16:00-17:00 Visa €55.
30 Indonesia (https://kemlu.go.id/budapest/en) , Városligeti
fasor 26 ( : Bajza utca), ☏ +36-1 413-3800 (tel:+36-1413-3800) ,
fax: +36 1 322-8669.
Israel (http://embassies.gov.il/Budapest/Pages/default.aspx) ,
Fullánk utca 8 (Bus 11, 111 to Móricz Zsigmond Gimnázium; bus
149 to Tüske utca), ☏ +36 1 392 6200 (tel:+3613926200) . M-F
09:00-12:00.
 Italy (http://www.ambbudapest.esteri.it) (Olasz Nagykövetség),
Stefánia út 95 ( : Keleti pályaudvar & bus 5, 7, 110, 112 to Stefánia
út / Thököly út stop; Trolley 72, 75 to Stefánia út / Thököly út stop),
☏ +36 1 460-6200 (tel:+361460-6200) , fax: +36 1 4606 260,
ambasciata.budapest@esteri.it (mailto:ambasciata.budapest@es
teri.it) . M-F 09:30–12:30.
Japan (http://www.hu.emb-japan.go.jp/index_h.htm) ( 在ハンガ
リー日本国大使館), Zalai u. 7 ( : Széll Kálmán tér, bus 156 to
Dániel út stop), ☏ +36 1-398-3100 (tel:+361-398-3100) ,
consul@bp.mofa.go.jp (mailto:consul@bp.mofa.go.jp) . M-F
08:30-12:30 & 14:00-17:45.
Republic of Korea ( 주 헝가리 대한민국 대사관), Andrássy út 109 (
:: Bajza utca), ☏ +36 1 462-3080 (tel:+361462-3080) , korcom@t-
online.hu (mailto:korcom@t-online.hu) . 08:30-17:00.
Macedonia, Andrássy út 130, floor 1-2 ( : Hősök tere), ☏ +36 1
336 0510 (tel:+3613360510) .
Netherlands (Holland Királyság Budapesti Nagykövetsége), Füge
utca 5-7 ( : Batthyány tér & bus 11 to Bimbó út), ☏ +36 1 3366
300 (tel:+3613366300) . M-F 08:30-12:30 & 13:00-16:30 for
phone. Visits by appointment only.
31 Norway (http://www.norvegia.hu/) , Ostrom u. 13 ( : Széll
Kálmán tér), ☏ +36 1 325 33 00 (tel:+3613253300) , fax: +36 1
325 33 99, emb.budapest@mfa.no (mailto:emb.budapest@mfa.n
o) . M-F 09:00-15:30, lunch: 12:30-13:00.
32 Philippines (http://budapestpe.dfa.gov.ph/) (Filippin
Köztársaság Nagykövetség), Gábor Áron utca 58 (M2:), ☏ +36 1
391 4300 (tel:+3613914300) , consular@philembassy.hu (mailto:c
onsular@philembassy.hu) . M-F 08:00-17:00. (updated Jul 2017)
Poland (http://budapeszt.msz.gov.pl/hu/) , Városligeti fasor 16
( : Bajza utca), ☏ +36 1 413-8200 (tel:+361413-8200) , fax: +36 1
351-1722, budapeszt.amb.wk@msz.gov.pl (mailto:budapeszt.am
b.wk@msz.gov.pl) . M Th F 09:00-13:00, W 12:00-17:00.
Romania (http://budapesta.mae.ro/en) , Thököly út 72 ( :
Keleti pályaudvar), ☏ +36 1-384-8394 (tel:+361-384-8394) , +36 1
220-1666 (tel:+361220-1666) (Consular phone),
budapesta@mae.ro (mailto:budapesta@mae.ro) . 07:30-14:30.
(updated Dec 2021)
Saudi Arabia (http://embassies.mofa.gov.sa/sites/Hungary/EN/
Pages/default.aspx) (‫)سفارة المملكة العربية السعودية سعود‬, Bérc utca,
16, ☏ +36 1 436-9500 (tel:+361436-9500) , hucon@mofa.gov.sa
(mailto:hucon@mofa.gov.sa) . M-F 09:00-15:00.
33 Spain (http://www.exteriores.gob.es/embajadas/budapest/
es/Paginas/inicio.aspx) , Eötvös utca 11/B ( : Oktogon), ☏ +36 1
202 40 06 (tel:+3612024006) , +36 1 202 40 15 (tel:+361202401
5) , fax: +36 1 202 42 06, emb.budapest@maec.es (mailto:emb.bu
dapest@maec.es) . M-F 09:00 - 16:30. (updated Jun 2017)
Switzerland (http://www.eda.admin.ch/budapest) , Stefánia út.
107 ( :Puskás Ferenc Stadion), ☏ +36 1 460 70 40 (tel:+3614607
040) . By appointment only.
Sweden (http://www.swedenabroad.com/budapest) , Kapás
utca 6-12 ( : Batthyány tér & bus 39 to Fazekas utca stop), ☏ +36
1 460 6020 (tel:+3614606020) , fax: +36 1 460 6021,
ambassaden.budapest@gov.se (mailto:ambassaden.budapest@g
ov.se) . M-F 10:00-12:00.
34 United Kingdom (http://ukinhungary.fco.gov.uk/en/about-u
s/our-embassy/contact-us/) , Harmincad utca 6 ( : Vörösmarty
tér; : Deák tér; bus 105), ☏ +36 1 266 2888 (tel:+361266288
8) , fax: +36 1 429 6296, info@britemb.hu (mailto:info@britemb.h
u) . M-Th 08:00-16:30, F 08:00-13:00.
35 United States (https://hu.usembassy.gov/) , Szabadság tér
12 ( : Kossuth Lajos tér), ☏ +36 1 475-4400 (tel:+361475-4400) ,
fax: +36 1 475-4764, acs.budapest@state.gov (mailto:acs.budape
st@state.gov) . In a monument building; read more: Lipotvaros.
After hours emergencies +36 1 475-4703/4924
Go next

Day tours

36 Apaj (50 km from Budapest). Take a tour in the Upper

Kiskunság Plain which is part of the Kiskunság National Park, the
closest Puszta. (updated Sep 2021)

Royal Palace of Gödöllő

37 Arboretum of Alcsút (http://www.dinpi.hu/alcsutiarboretum)

(Alcsúti Arborétum), Fejér County, Alcsútdoboz (West 40 km - take
M1 highway turn south after Bicske or By bus line 1253 to Felcsút
from Népliget bus station and walk ~2 km (daily 3-5 times)), ☏ +36
22 353219 (tel:+3622353219) , info@alcsuti-arboretum.hu (mailt
o:info@alcsuti-arboretum.hu) . W-Su 10:00-18:00. This Nature
reserve is part of the Danube-Ipoly National Park. Sights:
Habsburg castle remains, Castle Chapel, Palm House ruins,
House of Research, Dollhouse, Bear's House, Gloriette, Grotta, The
Lion Fountain, Crowned Bridge, giant plane tree, giant thuja. Ft700,
guided tours 2-hr-long Ft7000 per group.
Budakeszi (take city bus #22 from M2:Széll Kálmán square)
Located in a green area. The north gate of the Hegyvidék is a
good excursion place. There is a significant German minority with
own church and museum. Also famous for the Wildlife Park.
38 Érd, Pest county (the first train stop from Budapest/South
Buda). - a suburb of Budapest, the biggest village in all Europe

39 Esztergom (50 km north - intercity buses from M3 'Árpád

híd'/'Újpest-Városkapu' or train from Nyugati Railway Station (1 hour,

~Ft1500)). Site of the biggest basilica (church) in Central Europe
include the world's largest altarpiece which painted for a single
canvas, the richest collection of Hungarian ecclesiastical
treasures, the only Renaissance memory, of Hungary, the red
marble Bakócz chapel. Part of the UNESCO World Heritage
Tentative List.
40 Fót, Pest county (17 km north of the edge of Budapest). Visit
the Reformed church, a beautiful example of the Hungarian
Romantic architecture painted boarded ceilings, sculptures of its
made Carrara 's marble. The other main sight is the Károlyi Palace
(1850)

The "Limes Sarmatiae", "Devil's Dyke"

or "Devil's Ditch" in eastern Pannonian
plain, a group of lines of Roman
fortifications done by Constantine I
41 Gödöllő, Pest county (by MÁV suburban rail – Keleti pályaudvar
(http://www.mav.hu/en) or HÉV ("local/suburban trains" supported
by BKV (http://www.bkv.hu/en/suburban_railway_schedules) ) from
M2: 'Örs vezér tere' to Gödöllő (to Csömör is wrong direction, be
aware of the splitting of HÉV lines H8 and H9).30 km east). A town
full of parks, and home to Grassalkovich-kastély (Grassalkovich
Palace), formerly a Royal Palace also here is an Arboretum. This
palace was the occasional residence of Sisi, Habsburg Empress
Elizabeth. Visit the European rarity, a working, 200-year-old
Baroque Theatre in the Palace. The great royal park became
special with its old trees which could see Sisi in the 19th century.
Take a walk in the Gödöllő Landscape Protection Area (http://ww
w.dinpi.hu/index.php?pg=menu_2073) with lot of historical and
cultural memories such Sarmatian, Scythian and Avar places:
remains of cemeteries, earthworks, trenches in the neighborhood
of Valkó, Szada, Pécel setttlements and here is a part of the
famous the Devil's Dykes (Hungarian: Ördög/Csörsz árok or the
Limes Sarmatiae). Also there is one of the biggest pilgrimage
place, the Shrine Temple in Máriabesnyő village.

Mogyoród (east toward Gödöllő). The only Formula 1 racetrack in

Central Europe. Every year, hundreds of thousands of visitors
come to enjoy the event. Kart driving all year round at the nearby
Hungarokart Centre.
42 Pomáz, Pest county (Danube Bend east side). Teleki-Wattay
Palace and the Stone Hill
43 Pusztavacs, Pest county (54 km south-east of Budapest).
Equestrianism.
44 Ráckeve, Pest county (take suburban rail from 'Vágóhíd'
terminal). Famous for being the only standing Gothic Serbian
cathedral in Hungary and Savoya Castle.

45 Szentendre, Pest county (Danube Bend west side. From M2:

Batthyany Square, take a suburban train 'HÉV' (supported by BKV (ht
tp://www.bkv.hu/en/suburban_railway_schedules) ) to Szentendre -
19 km north). A picturesque town, the Mediterranean atmosphere
of its thanks to Greeks Dalmatians and Serbs who are settled
since the 14th century. At city limit can find the biggest open-air
ethnomuseum of Hungary. The most visited small town of
Hungary. Also known for exquisite marzipan products.
46 Vác, Pest county (on the Danube bend east side - reached from
Budapest by MÁV suburban rail – Nyugati pályaudvar (http://www.m
av.hu/en) , 32 km north). Visit a beautiful square, all houses of its
are national level protected monuments. Also must-see is
Memento Mori, this exhibition is a unique in all Europe in the
Dominican church crypt you can see naturally mummified corpses
in coffins. Otherwise, the Arc de Triomphe, built for visit of
Empress Maria Theresa, is here this is only one of ths kind in all
Hungary and only place in the country where you can walk on a
Baroque bridge which decorated sculptures

47 Vácrátót, Pest county. There is the richest botanical garden

of Hungary and the Manor of the Vigyázó Castle
48 Veresegyház, Pest county. Sight of its the bear sanctuary,
Roman Catholic Church: built in 1777, Roman Catholic cemetery:
in 1806 and 1849, Reformed Church: was built in 1786.

Rám Cleft near Visegrád

49 Visegrád, Pest county (Danube Bend west side). Famous for

its former royal palace partially rebuilt in Renaissance style,
medieval residential tower, and impressive citadel. remains of a
13th-century fortification system can be see here, including
hexagonal, five-storey residential tower, which like nowhere to be
found along the Danube River. Part of the UNESCO World Heritage
Tentative List. Suburban bus service by Volánbusz (http://www.vol
anbusz.hu/en/domestictravel/interurban) - Take a biking or
walking tour to Visegrád Mountains (sights of its: Illuminated
ditch (Holdvilág-árok), Rám Cleft (Rám-szakadék) titled as one of
 top nature sights of Hungary the last one started from Dömös
village
50 Zsámbék (30 km west of Budapest along the M1 motorway.

Take a suburban bus from M2: 'Széll Kálmán Square'). This village
famous for its 13th-century church ruins. The building is ruined
by a 18th-century earthquake, but the tower and wall sections
remains provide a unique backdrop for summer outdoor concerts
and to theatrical performances. Another interesting feature of the
village is the country's only museum of light.

For more on Pest County's places, see: Central Hungary.

Further away

51 Eger (150 km northeast). A small and charming town, a

possible one-day tour
Routes through Budapest
Mosonmagyaróvár ← Győr ← W E → END

Vác ← N S → END

END ← W E → Gyöngyös → Debrecen

END ← N S → Kecskemét → Szeged

END ← N S → Szekszárd → Pécs

Siófok ← Székesfehérvár ← W E → END

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