BUDAPEST CITY BREAK – COMPLETE GUIDE

Sometimes we all need a break. To get away from that daily grind, let our hair down and just relax, party, or explore a new location can be the perfect solution. For many, that comes in the form of a sea change, or a mountain hide away. These days though, City Break’s are growing in popularity, and for many around Europe, choosing a Budapest City Break is a no brainer!

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So what exactly is a City Break?

Well, it really doesn’t differ too much to any other break you might think of. A sea change is simply a trip to the ocean, offering different views, surrounds and lifestyle for a few days. So too with a trip to the mountains. A City Break, therefore, is a trip to another city to explore, let the hair down, and soak in an entirely new culture, place, surrounds and people.

In this article, I am going to examine how you can enjoy something that has been popular around Eastern Europe for some time now, and has been rapidly growing in popularity a lot further afield recently. That is, a Budapest City Break.

Table of Contents

• Why Budapest?
• Where is Budapest?
• How to get there
• Things to do in Budapest
• Where to stay
  • Luxury
  • Mid Range
  • Budget
• What to pack
• Where to eat
• How to get around
• Summary

Why Budapest?

There are any number of reasons that you would choose a Budapest City Break as your getaway. It is a city that almost guarantees to be totally different from where you come from, and will provide the break from your reality that you are searching for. Here are just a few reasons that Budapest should be at the top of your list!

It’s cheap! If there is one thing that we are all looking for when we wish to indulge ourselves in a weekend (or longer) away, it’s finding a good deal. A Budapest City Break will provide that WITHOUT you even having to search for a package. Prices in Budapest are so low that you won’t even have to bother. Plus, flights and accommodation are very affordable too, and we all know how they are the biggest bank account killers for any vacation.

Ruin Bars. If you are looking to party somewhere different, and nightlife is on the cards, then you have to check out Budapest’s Ruin Bars. These eclectic bars opened a couple of decades ago inside old abandoned buildings in the cities old district. Each bar has its own personality, if not even an actual name, and they are becoming one of the most popular hangouts for locals and international visitors.

Architecture. Budapest architecture is amazing. You only have to wander the streets to see some incredible sights that will have you constantly craning your neck upward. Get out to some of the amazing view points around the city as well, such as Buda Castle, and really soak it all in.

Restaurants and Cafes. Budapest is a real foodies paradise, with traditional restaurants around every corner. You don’t have to go far to find an amazing goulash, or some incredible stews. Even in the Central Markets, you can stop and have a hot goulash for lunch! Add to that the famous Hungarian Chimney Cakes cooking on every corner, and you will find that you can’t go very far without stopping by to indulge a little.

It’s handy. Budapest is easy to get to. There are flights coming into the country from all over Europe and further abroad, all day and all night long. It is close to major centers such as Vienna and Bratislava. Now that Croatia has joined Schengen, there’s not even a border crossing anymore. There has never been a better time to try out a Budapest City Break than right now.

Where is Budapest?

Budapest is the Capital City of Hungary, and is located in the Central North of the Country. It lies along the River Danube, in the center of the Carpathian Basin.

Budapest sits geographically close to the Slovakian Border at only 139 km. Bratislava is only 200 km away, and Vienna a mere 217 km.

How to get there

Getting to Budapest is rather easy, and depending upon where you are coming from, you may have several options open to you, making it even easier to arrange your Budapest City Break. Here are the most common.

Fly – Flights to Budapest arrive all day long from centers all over Europe. So if you are already on the continent, it couldn’t be easier. They are usually a really good price too, with budget carriers such as Ryan Air, Whiz, Jet2 and Easy Jet running regularly.

Internationally, locations such as the United States, Canada and Australia don’t generally see direct flights to Budapest. Most major carriers DO fly to Budapest, but will have short stopovers at major hubs on the way.

Train – Budapest has 3 major international train stations. Trains run regularly from both Bratislava and Vienna. Click HERE for train tickets and prices.

Bus – Buses run from all over Europe to Budapest. This has long been the choice of travel for budget travelers and backpackers, especially since the introduction of companies such as Flixbus. The great thing about traveling by bus though, is that you can get to Budapest from nearly anywhere on the European Continent.

Road – It goes without saying that there are major highways connected to the Capital City of Hungary, so traveling by car is always an option. Being only 217km from Vienna, and a stone’s throw from the borders of Slovakia and Croatia, means that if you are in those countries, a Budapest City Break isn’t far away.

Boat – One thing that many visitors to Budapest don’t realize is that you can actually get to the city on a river cruise from Vienna and Bratislava. What better way to kick off a Budapest City Break than that!

Things to do in Budapest

Budapest is a vibrant and humming city. There is so much to see and do, that some visitors simply don’t know where to begin. It is also almost impossible to see and experience it all in just a single, short trip. The great thing about a Budapest City Break though, is that usually you have an idea of what sort of break that you want. If you are looking to party, you probably won’t be cruising around the monuments and architecture. Right? So then, you can tailor your break to your specific needs.

Here are my choices of some wonderful things you can do in Budapest on your break.

• Push the limits in the Spa’s – To be more precise, the Szechenyi Spa Baths. Simple Spa Baths during the day turn into a full on rave party at night, with unlimited alcohol and and “anything goes” mentality.
• Party in the Ruin Bars – This eclectic collection of bars is situated inside an old abandoned building in the Old District. All feature their own distinctive personalities, and are a must visit for any visitors to the city. Check out the original and most famous one – Szimpla Kert.
• Explore some Castles – If you love castle, much like I do, then you will love Budapest. You can go catch a free escalator up into famous Buda Castle, where you can soak up the views of the Danube and the Pest side of the river, then have a coffee in the cafe. Or you can head to the end of Andrassy Avenue and take a stroll around the incredible Vajdahunyad Castle.
• Be amazed at the Architecture – The city of Budapest is overflowing with wonderful examples of architecture of all different styles. From the Old Town architecture, to the more modern examples you will find at the Neprajzi Museum or the nearby House of Music.
• Eat your body weight in Food – You can’t go very far in Budapest without finding a wonderful local “traditional” Hungarian restaurant to sample. No visit to Budapest is complete without at LEAST having a Goulash, a Chimney Cake, and a Langosh!
• Check out some Views – There are 4 great places for views in Budapest. But as with everything, we all have our favorites. For a price, you can climb to the top of the St Stephen’s Basilica, and get decent views. Even better, head up to Buda Castle. Slightly along from Buda Castle, you will find Fisherman’s Bastion, with nearly identical views, but you have to pay. For the VERY BEST views in Budapest though, head up to the Citadel! Even if it is closed for maintenance, there are still view points all over the hill top that are unbeatable.
• Soak up a Cruise – Not only can you cruise all the way down from Vienna on the river, but when on your Budapest City Break, you can actually book a cruise on the river. Party away the night with dinner and drinks, while enjoying the gorgeous lights of the city as they drift by.
• Visit some Museums – Budapest has some wonderful museums, and if getting in touch with some culture is what you are about, then the city has you covered. From the Museum of Fine Arts, to the off beat House of Terror, there is surely something to keep everyone happy.

There are plenty of things to do in Budapest to make your Budapest City Break a memorable one! I am currently sitting IN Budapest writing this article, and am already jealous of you!

Where to stay

One thing that Budapest has in spades is hotels. You are spoilt for choice, and most are very central. You will have no problems finding something in your price range that will be handy for all that you want to see and do. Here are my top picks that will be perfect for your Budapest City Break.

Luxury

KEMPINSKI HOTEL CORVINUS BUDAPEST

You couldn’t get any more central that the Kempinski in Budapest. Handy to everything, and most things right out your front door, it couldn’t be more perfect. The breakfast buffet is amazing, and the hospitality superb.

Other places of note in the Luxury range are:

Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace, Corinthia Hotel Budapest, The Ritz Carlton Budapest

Mid Range

TG HOTEL SUITES BUDAPEST

Amazing apartments to stay in, with the best location you could ask for. Staff are incredible, and the apartments have all the facilities you could need.

Other Mid Range places to stay include, Hotel SaSone Budapest, art’otel Budapest by Radisson

Budget

MAVERICK HOSTEL AND ENSUITES

Wonderful rooms and location. Staff are super nice (is that an expression?) and the rooms are really great for a hostel. They also provide the opportunity to drop luggage early in a lockable room, or do so after check out, which is a nice touch.

Another great Budget place is the Connection Guest House

Looking for the best Budget accommodation? Hostelworld have you covered with all of the very best budget friendly accommodation around town. Check them out at THIS LINK.

What to pack

If you are heading to Budapest, and it is only for a short city break, then my suggestion is to just stick to hand luggage. I have written an easy to follow article of tips for traveling with hand luggage only, which you can read HERE. Otherwise, here are my tips on what to bring with you, as essentials for traveling for your short, Budapest City Break.

• Passport – Don’t forget it! Of course, if you are traveling from within the Schengen area, this is no problem. Coming from outside though, you will need to make sure your passport is packed, as well as any visa you may require to enter Hungary. Check your visa requirements with the handy tool provided below, if you are unsure of your requirements.
• Toiletries and Sunscreen – Depending on the time of year you are traveling. Just make sure to have everything in small tubes (under 100ml) that meet the restrictions of your chosen airline. If you are traveling by land, then no need to worry!
• Appropriate clothing – Check the weather forecasts for Budapest before you leave home, and make certain to pack appropriately!
• Swimsuit – Are you hitting the spa? Does your hotel have a hot tub/jacuzzi? Then you might want to make sure you have your swimsuit packed.
• Ibuprofen – Hangovers are just the start of reasons you might need it! It’s always good to have, especially in a foreign country. The last thing you want to be doing is hunting around for a pharmacy.
• Travel Health Insurance – A MUST HAVE for any time that you travel. Get the very best value from SafetyWing by checking out my complete review HERE.
• Cash and Credit Card – In Hungary they use the Forint. If you plan to use cash, then get some in advance. DO NOT get it at the airport. Otherwise, I found that most places in Budapest take Visa and MasterCard, so you won’t have a problem.
• Ear plugs – Do you sleep on the plane? Are you staying in a busy hotel or hostel? Then these can be a lifesaver!

Where to eat

There are SO MANY places to eat in Budapest, that I really didn’t need to include this section. You will never have an issue finding a place to get a good meal.

I will mention a couple though, and depending upon where you stay, they may suit you or not. When I travel, I like to travel on a budget, so finding the good cheap places is sort of what I do!

If you are on a Budapest City Break and it is your first time here, you really have to try the local foods. So here is a tip for each of my favorite local food places around the Old Town area of Pest.

Frici Papa is a great authentic Hungarian restaurant that is not overpriced. Actually the prices are really good. If you are looking for a nice place to eat, and a good goulash to sample, then try this place out. You can find it HERE on Google Maps.

Langosom is a really good place to find decent priced Langosh, one of my favorite Hungarian snacks. You can find it HERE on Google Maps.

The other food you really have to try is the Chimney Cakes. They are amazing and tasty. But you DO NOT want to buy one from just anywhere. If you go to the right place, you can get one half price of most of the places that sell them around town. So you have to get creative to find them.

Fortunately I can give you a headstart. First, if you are walking up Andrassy Avenue, then about halfway you will find a nice little Chimney Cake food cart. They sell them for only 700 Forint. Find it HERE on Google Maps. The reviews on Google aren’t good, but I had a great experience.

The other place is to head to the Metro Station. At the Astoria station, there is a great Chimney Cake place also selling them for 700. Right up the stairs on street level, a shop sells them for 1400! So it is worth looking around.

How to get around

Getting around in Budapest is pretty easy. Having said that, I found it confusing the first time, as there are not many signs at metro stations in English. Taking a look at the map and working things out for yourself isn’t very hard though.

If you are going to use the public transport for a few days on your Budapest City Break, then you might want to buy a 72 hour pass. If you are only going to use it one or twice, then just single passes will get you by. You can easily buy any of these from the ticket machines that are literally everywhere. They even take visa and mastercard.

If you arrive by bus or train to Budapest, then you will find yourself at a major transport hub. From there you can easily catch the metro to the city center. If you then need to get further to your accommodation, there are trams that run everywhere, and city buses. The public transport network is amazing!

If you arrive at Kelenfold, catch the M4 Metro across to the city center. From Nepliget, it will be the M3. Both link up nicely with trams at the other end.

If you fly into the city, then the 100E bus runs from the Central Square in Pest to the airport. This is also the easiest way to get to the airport when you leave as well. The buses depart the square every 20 minutes, and take around 45 minutes to get to the airport.

Summary

A Budapest City Break is a great option for a getaway from the rigors and stress of your everyday routine. Plan ahead, and you will have the best time. I guarantee!