Budapest

green n gold

Hi, heading to Budapest early October for a week. 1st time heading there, any advice, tips, recommendations welcomed, thanks.

fdevine

Few threads on here with recommendations & advice

I found Tripadvisor very useful for suggested itineraries & theres an app called Sygic Travel that allows you to tailor your own

Get a travel card - public transport is exceptional although the city is very walkable. So much to see it's nearly impossible to list everything.

Chain Bridge (expecially at night), Parliament Buildings (day and night), Shoes on the Danube, Danube cruise (with or without dinner) and/or hydrofoil to Vienna, Gellert Hill, thermal baths, market, museums, Hero Square, Terror House, the original Metro that runs up Andrassy Ave., the squares, the churches, the museums, catch an opera, everything......

Spoilt for choice with restaurants too but Zeller Bistro should be high on anyones list. Hachapuri for something different.

We had two days there. Would have loved the luxury of a week.

Antar Bolaeisk

There's a really cool caving experience in the Buda hills

I'd highly recommend the pipe organ concert in St. Stephen's Basilica

never_mind

Whatever you do go to Szimpla Kert!!!

schizo1014

Going to Budapest shorty also and was hoping someone could recommend pubs etc where and a where not to go?

ILikeBoats

The ruin bars are pretty cool, probably more expensive than the local bars

never_mind

schizo1014 wrote: »

Going to Budapest shorty also and was hoping someone could recommend pubs etc where and a where not to go?

Place I recommended above is amazing... just walking about you'll find loads. And so dangerously cheap...

Professor Moriarty

green n gold wrote: »

Hi, heading to Budapest early October for a week. 1st time heading there, any advice, tips, recommendations welcomed, thanks.

Budapest is great but if I was out there for a week I'd divide my time between Budapest and Vienna (train about 2.5 hours). Unless you've already been to Vienna - in which case Bratislava is even nearer and worth a couple of days.

maximoose

Professor Moriarty wrote: »

Budapest is great but if I was out there for a week I'd divide my time between Budapest and Vienna (train about 2.5 hours). Unless you've already been to Vienna - in which case Bratislava is even nearer and worth a couple of days.

Spending 10 days in Buda/Vienna/Bratislava next month - anything in Vienna / Bratislava you'd particularly recommend?

Professor Moriarty

maximoose wrote: »

Spending 10 days in Buda/Vienna/Bratislava next month - anything in Vienna / Bratislava you'd particularly recommend?

I'd spend more time in Vienna than Bratislava. Depends on what you're into, really. For me, it's castles, museums and cathedrals.

Vienna has a week's worth whereas Bratislava has two days' worth. The old town and the Blue Church are definites in Bratislava. Vienna has too many sights to mention to be honest.

dinnybyrne

Been a while since I was there but there is a really cool food market (mostly mean) in what looks like an old train station. Sorry cant remember where but its near the danube. Also went to a shooting range and shot a variety of guns for a very reasonable price

green n gold

Thanks for the contributions, Vienna is somewhere i'm thinking of alright for a night or two. Appreciate the mentions of pubs and eateries, i value firsthand knowledge of that stuff.

Skyfloater

Beware of the taxi drivers using a remote fob in their pocket to click forward the meter when you're not looking. Exception is taxi from the airport, where you go to the official kiosk and get a print out of the fixed price.

shar01

Heading there myself on Wednesday for five nights. Very walkable city.

Szimpla Kert. Fisherman's Bastion. Stayed in Gellert last time - deffo do the baths - like floating in a cathedral.

Central market. Night-time boat cruise. Folk dancing show.

Day trip to Vác.

Bratislava - meh. An overnight would be enough. Castle was nice.

Vienna - yes. Especially if you've seen the The Third Man.

shar01

Skyfloater wrote: »

Beware of the taxi drivers using a remote fob in their pocket to click forward the meter when you're not looking. Exception is taxi from the airport, where you go to the official kiosk and get a print out of the fixed price.

Actually this happened to us in Bratislava. I read that you should agree a price first. We did and by God was that meter going to show that amount. He kept hitting a button on the dash. Price was still dirt cheap so feck it.

Mr rebel

I really want to visit Budapest but the flight times from Dublin (and flying back to Dublin) are horrible with being extremely early/late.

shar01

Mr rebel wrote: »

I really want to visit Budapest but the flight times from Dublin (and flying back to Dublin) are horrible with being extremely early/late.

Depending on the length of your stay, try flying into Budapest for a few days then train to Bratislava, spend a night there and fly out.

green n gold

Flight out leaves Dublin at 9.45 am, arriving there at 1.45 local time, return flight departs Budapest around 2 pm local time, landing Dublin at 4.35 pm. Happy enough with those times tbh, arrive, get to hotel , have a stroll about the city center and get a glimpse of what may lay ahead to explore, have dinner, maybe a few drinks after.

green n gold

shar01, enjoy your break. If you come on anything out there interesting at this time of year share your experience if you get a chance to post a few lines on your return. Beer fest is on the weekend i land (could be a bad thing, lol ). Anyway, have fun out there.

schizo1014

So heading this weekend for a stag and was wondering does anyone have any ideas what a crowd of us could do i.e group activities. I see green n gold mentioned the beer festival which is definitely an idea but apart from that is there anything that doesn't revolve around drink?

fdevine

schizo1014 wrote: »

So heading this weekend for a stag and was wondering does anyone have any ideas what a crowd of us could do i.e group activities. I see green n gold mentioned the beer festival which is definitely an idea but apart from that is there anything that doesn't revolve around drink?

There are cruises on the Danube both day and night. We booked with Legenda

https://legenda.hu/en

There are lots of thermal baths. Some operate late and some even do club nights.

http://www.bathsbudapest.com/budapest-bath-parties

Caves maybe?

http://www.budapest.com/city_guide/sights/caves/castle_cave.en.html

Sports, group activities & casinos are available too, including shooting ranges

https://www.tripadvisor.ie/Attractions-g274887-Activities-c56-t210-Budapest_Central_Hungary.html

shar01

green n gold wrote: »

shar01, enjoy your break. If you come on anything out there interesting at this time of year share your experience if you get a chance to post a few lines on your return. Beer fest is on the weekend i land (could be a bad thing, lol ). Anyway, have fun out there.

Yeah - feckin beer festival. Had booked the flights then saw the dates :mad:

Did a lot of walking despite the intention being to chill. The weather was good. Cold in evenings.

Arrived late on Wednesday - used miniBud from airport direct to hotel - 25euro one way (for four of us - think it's fixed price).

Zwack museum & distillery - interesting. Unicum silva is not bad - puts hairs on your chest Museum has largest collection of minatures.

St Margaret's Island.

Szimpla - twice. The farmer's market on Sunday was busy.

Stayed in the Gellert so went to thermal baths every morning and a couple of evenings. Bliss.

Memento Park. Bus goes @ 11am and comes back @ 1pm. It's okay.

Just kinda wandered around... Went to a flea-market on Klauzai Ter - few streets behind Szimpla.

Have a great time.

green n gold

Thanks shar01, will look into a few of those, heading Saturday morning for a week so I think I can sacrifice Sunday for "research " on the beer festival. 😆

shar01

green n gold wrote: »

Thanks shar01, will look into a few of those, heading Saturday morning for a week so I think I can sacrifice Sunday for "research " on the beer festival. ��

Week is perfect. You can afford to have a day of rest or go to mass :P

I recommend the Bangkok Thai restaurant - on Só u.3, up near Central Market. Good few Thai ex-pats were there.

And while Szimpla is a tourist trap and might be a bit more expensive (eur2.50 vs eur2), it's still a good night out.

Have a great time.

maximoose

Professor Moriarty wrote: »

I'd spend more time in Vienna than Bratislava.

We had 4 days in Vienna and 2 in Bratislava - glad we only had the two as we would have been struggling for things to do after that! Lovely little city but it's very little indeed.

green n gold

Ok, back from a very pleasant week, weather was good, upto 20 degrees by day, nights coolish. Stayed the entire week in Budapest, surprised by really how much to see and do, never strayed away from there.
A few practicals - First thing before you even leave the airport, BKK koisk for city travel pass (approx 15.70 euro for 7 days) Use of trams, buses, metro, river ferries. Public transport is excellent.
Value Very good food for approx 50- 60 % of the price of here. Pint of beer between 1 euro and 2 euros. Cigs just over 4 euro for 20. Clothes, electronics etc more expensive than here, especially branded clothing (Levis etc).
Touristy, but a river cruise is a must, especially after dark ( one hour cruise 9 euro). All the main attractions are well advertised and worth seeing, city park, buda castle hill,fishermans bastion, the baths.
A night time visit to Margarets island (take the scenic riveside tram no.2) is worth doing for 9 pm, The musical fountain display lit up is pretty cool to the hour long music (youtube it)
Having plenty of time, a nice day was had getting the 25 min public bus trip up into buda hill and taking the childrens train through the forest and the riding the 1km long chair line down the hill, great views down onto the city beneath.
Some of the buildings are very impressive, Parliment building, St.Stephens basilica, all of the buda castle region.
Lots to see in do in this lively city, i was a bit suprised to admit that for me it was up there with Barcelona, Rome or Paris as a city to savour.

maximoose

The interior of St Stephens Basilica is incredible

Lots to see in do in this lively city, i was a bit suprised to admit that for me it was up there with Barcelona, Rome or Paris as a city to savour.

Have to agree! Very lively, friendly and safe city with a load of history and lots to do. Probably the best walking tour I've done in Europe

fdevine

Just a note to any smokers going to Budapest. You can only buy cigarettes in designated tobacco shops called "Nemzeti Dohánybolt" (National Tobacco Shop)

The majority of these that we experienced while there are places with covered windows which can look intimidating.

https://budapestnights.blogspot.ie/2013/07/nonstop-tobacco-shops-in-budapest.html

green n gold

On the subject of cigarettes, the shop windows are blanked out, just the sign visible as stated in above post. In the very center of the city on the street on the right leading towards the Danube (Josef Attila U- is the street) there are two tobacco stores side by side, the one nearest to the river end has very helpful young staff with perfect english who i found very helpful and pleasant. Cartons of 200 cigs worked out as 40 euro, packs or 20 - 4 euros.
Different topic, but anyway, Zeller bistro is a great restaurant, booking essential though, probably a bit above mid price range over there but still a lot cheaper than here for the quality served. Right in the centrer is cheap eating house Meatology, limited menu of varieties of burgers, if anyone has eaten a tastier real meat burger please do share. Bors gastro fast food joint in szimpla kert is a must for a quick cheap lunch on the go, delicious and pretty unique grilled baguettes and soups for a few euro, there will be a queue of locals and tourists but worth the few mins wait.

lazeedaisy

Heading tomorrow to visit the Christmas markets, can't wait, first time for my mum and I, any advice?

exaisle

lazeedaisy wrote: »

Heading tomorrow to visit the Christmas markets, can't wait, first time for my mum and I, any advice?

Bring your togs! Visit the Szechenyi baths...get there on the M1 metro....relax in 38degree water while it's freezing above the water line..they have a huge outdoor bath...and steam rooms and saunas too...

If you're into history, the House of Terror can be a very sobering experience. It's the former home of the secret police...

If you're into shopping, there's lots to see...especially shoes! There's also a huge shopping mall at Mammoth..get there on the M2 metro.

Be sure to visit the Castle...brilliant views of the city and the river...and take a river cruise. Dinner and a cruise is very reasonable and can be booked in advance.

Enjoy!

fdevine

+1 for Zeller Bistro and +1 for the river cruise (with or without dinner)

Also recommend one of the baths. We did dinner & baths at the Rudas which was a great experience

The only problem you'll have is not having enough time to do everything

bottlebrush

would recommend visit to synagogue and memorial garden on Dohany str if you can. largest synagogue in Europe, second largest in the world. agree house of terror is a must for those interested in world war two and cold war history and 1956 revolution. I also visited memento park to see the collection of massive communist statues taken down after the fall of communism.

maximoose

If you do House of Terror - get the audioguides!

Walter Sobchak III

If you are into your coffee and cake try Cafe Gerbeaud on Vorosmarty Ter or Cafe Callas beside the Opera House. Both really good coffee houses.

Chancer3001

Trofea grill. 15-20 euro for all you can eat and all you can drink.

Champagne and wine included. Food cooled fresh for you.

It's class

xlogo

Chancer3001 wrote:

Trofea grill. 15-20 euro for all you can eat and all you can drink.

Chancer3001 wrote:

Champagne and wine included. Food cooled fresh for you.

Do you have to book (or can you book)??

Wisesmurf

Few additions that I haven't seen mentioned,

Curry house- very good indian

New York café - very opulent place. You can get a coffee and cake for about 20 quid pp. It's well worth spoiling yourself.

Most of all. Use a Revolut card if you have one. The exchance rate is so much better with it. Everyone, does contactless (even the market stallers)

Szimpla kert is the best ruin bar.

There's a bus to the city centre from the airport 100E. Go out the door and walk 50m left. It costs 3 euro and takes 30 mins to the city. It only stops 3 times. One of them should be close to any accommodation. They go every 30 mins

City is very walkable, we didnt take any other public transport.

The thermal baths are amazingly relaxing.

Chancer3001

xlogo wrote: »

Do you have to book (or can you book)??

No booking. Walk ins. There's 3 of them in Budapest.

The best one is near one of the main bridges.

You'll find it with Google

fdevine

Walter Sobchak III wrote: »

If you are into your coffee and cake try Cafe Gerbeaud on Vorosmarty Ter or Cafe Callas beside the Opera House. Both really good coffee houses.

There's also a fabulously ornate cafe above the Alexandra Bookshop on Andrassy Utca

http://visitbudapest.travel/budapest-restaurants/bookcafe/

maximo31

Thinking of going end of January.
What is the best option for flying in there? Flights that i have looked at all seem to arrive very late in to Budapest.

maximoose

Flew with Ryanair on a Friday in October, 7am from Dub arrived in at 10am

green n gold

I flew with ryanair out of dublin at 9.45am on a saturday morning in october, landed about 1.45 pm local time. Easy passage through airport and 20 minute to taxi to hotel. Metro into the very center and got some late lunch, perfect few hours after to get our bearings and stroll around and explore a little.