January break in Budapest - Good idea or bad???

mtierney5

Hi all,

Planning a few days away in early January. Just myself and the wife. 3 nights. Was thinking about Budapest but know nothing at all about it....

Anyone been there recently and how would you rate it....???

I need direct flights from Dublin too and not too early in the morning, kids to drop off and get sorted etc.... So im kinda limited....

Cheers

adamski8

Very cold that time of year. People have very polarised views of it, a lot to do with rude people. If there isnt a particular reason and with no historical interest i would skip it

ballooba

adamski8 wrote: »

a lot to do with rude people.

That's just an opinion that was expressed by a few people on a recent thread.

I found Budapest great. Plenty to do. Good food and wine and you won't break the bank. I found the Hungarians perfectly pleasant.

roro2

ballooba wrote: »

I found Budapest great. Plenty to do. Good food and wine and you won't break the bank. I found the Hungarians perfectly pleasant.

I second that opinion. I went in January too - it was cold but no more so than other central European cities at that time of year.

ronan45

Its very cold but its a really beautiful spot.

Karede

Hi

We were in Budapest in February this year and we loved it. It snowed heavily for 2 of the 4 days we were there but did not hinder the trip. Unlike here, footpaths and roads were cleared immediately.

The people were lovely and we actually made friends with some we met in bars. Lots of cafes and lovely restaurants with good prices!

Lots to do and see and I would recommend doing the bus tour so you see both sides of the city...highlights...citadel-(amazing views), parliment buldings,Szecheni baths & great market hall.

We cant wait to go back!!!

delricyo

Been there 3 times. My brothers wife is from Budapest.

I really like the city. I find it easy to get around. Hope to go back again soon.

There are some horror stories going around. Ive never experienced anything except an overpriced taxi. Twice the price because the concierge hailed one for us !!

I would expect it to be cold. Expect temps well below zero.

Taxi's - Always ring one of the ranks instead of hailing on the street

Public transport - Very easy to use. Pick up a day or weekly travel pass - works out much cheaper

Restaurants - Never had any problems with them. Like any restaurant, keep an eye on your bill for anything extra you didnt order.

Bars - If you must go to an Irish bar, I suppose Becketts never Nyugati station is grand. My brother really likes Kiado (sp) bar near the opera house.

Enjoy your trip !

adamski8

ballooba wrote: »

That's just an opinion that was expressed by a few people on a recent thread.

I found Budapest great. Plenty to do. Good food and wine and you won't break the bank. I found the Hungarians perfectly pleasant.

Not just a recent thread. Lots of older ones too. And on other travel forums. Myself ive heard it from several friends. Like i said it seems to be a city that polarises peoples views.

munchkin_utd

adamski8 wrote: »

Not just a recent thread. Lots of older ones too. And on other travel forums. Myself ive heard it from several friends. Like i said it seems to be a city that polarises peoples views.

Ive been there 4 times and to be honest its a funny place.
Its very very big and stuff is well spread out and sortof hidden.
Unlike say Prague or other cities that developed organically, it kindof has no pattern to it probably thanks to the soulless comunist planners. And theres no main square or focal point. Theres a pedestrian street with a few shops but its a pretty poor innercity for such a monster of a city. It'd be like as if the centre of London was no more than what you have in Drogheda or Navan.

Anyhow, the point being that if you just wander aimlessly around then (from personal experience) you might even have it hard to find a place to drink a pint.
I was there another time with someone who knew the place and we found a whole street full of bars.
So my advice is, defintely make sure to get a guide book or do research in advance so you can find the areas where the bars and restaurants and shops and whatnot are hidden.

mtierney5

Thanks so much everyone!

The replys have been great... Still not sure if ill take the plunge and go. Flights are that bit long too...

Makes me think a closer city would be a safer bet and easier to get to!

Thanks anyway, will decide soon!

dingding

Barcelona might be worth thinking about as an alternative.

Shorter flights and nice city centre.

London is also great but you were probably there before.

Red Pepper

There are 15 better destinations according to this list but I see Vienna at #17 and I much preferred Vienna to Budapest. Budapest was a let-down for me and I was there for several weeks.

http://www.tripadvisor.ie/TravelersChoice-Destinations-cTop-g4

And dont ask me how Dublin is 9th!

I was in London again at Easter and I have to say that city just gets better and better.