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Custom tour packagesBudapest
Budapest is a sprawling city split by the mighty Danube River. It's a gorgeous destination for travel in Central Europe. Are you interested in history, architecture, relaxation, or culture? You'll have plenty to look forward to on your trip to Budapest. Choose a comfortable hotel and don't miss the famous spas. Buda is ancient and Pest is modern. A series of bridges connects them. Both sides of the river claim places on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Sights in Budapest include Buda Castle, the Danube Embankment, and Andrassy Avenue. The Pest side has broad avenues like Paris, with several ring roads and avenues radiating from the center. You can walk through central Budapest, but there is also excellent public transport. A ride on the subway or streetcars is a must for any visitor to Budapest. It's easy to escape the crowds of tourists, since the sights are spread throughout the city.
The Paris of the Danube.
Budapest combines historic architecture and rich culture with modern style.
Unlike Western Europe, Budapest and Hungary is not the euro, helping keep the Hungarian capital quite affordable. Don't miss Hungary's wines, some of the best in Central Europe. Hungarian cuisine is generally considered the region's best, mixing meat dishes such as goulash with spices, especially paprika. Budapest is a cosmopolitan city, and its many Michelin-starred restaurants demonstrate its culinary diversity. Hungarians are especially proud of their music, which is made evident by Budapest's nightly concerts. The bar and restaurant scene is evolving rapidly, making it one of the coolest places on our map. Your Budapest vacation may just be the best you've ever had!
Popular itineraries featuring Budapest
Spend some time in Budapest on a tour that takes in other cities in Hungary and neighboring countries. Our custom tour packages including Budapest and other destinations throughout Hungary and Europe make multi-city trips hassle-free. We take care of getting you from place to place, accommodation, excursions and activities.
Things to do in Budapest
We've got a broad range of city tours, day trips and excursions to keep you busy in Budapest. Explore Jewish Budapest, get to know the city fast with a private walking tour, or explore the delights of Hungarian cuisine with a gourmet food and wine tour. Budapest is also an excellent base for day tripping to many of Hungary's other highlights. When we send you your customized itinerary you will be able to choose additional excursions to include in your vacation package or consider adding later.
Buda Private TourWhere to stay in Budapest
With Budapest's accommodation options ranging from boutique and luxury hotels, to affordable B&Bs and apartments large enough for seven people to share, whatever kind of accommodation you need, we've got it covered. Take your pick from staying on the Pest side of the river, where most of the city's restaurants and nightlife are to be found, or on the quieter Buda side, close to the castle. Once we start preparing your customized itinerary we will present our recommended options for you to select from.
Elegant Heritage Hotel
A beautifully renovated palace just a few steps from the Opera House, this hotel is ideally located on Andrassy Avenue right in the city center.
Modern Design Hotel
Centrally located larger hotel with modern amenities and a variety of rooms. You'll be able to walk everywhere and easily discover and enjoy Budapest.
Luxury Heritage Hotel
Located in a newly renovated historical building in the city's heart. Staying in a former palace with all the modern amenities is a dream come true.
From our team
What we love about Budapest
I like Budapest for its unique atmosphere as well as the impressive architecture and the lovely local people. My all-time favorites are the local subway system, which is the oldest in continental Europe (even King Franz Josef I traveled on its M1 line!) together with the ruin bars - the incredibly cool drinking joints inside dilapidated pre-war buildings.
Sasha
Trip Planner
Budapest: the most stunning city for me in Central Europe. Everyday it shows me its beauty, sometimes it is just some tiny little thing, like the sunshine on a gorgeous building. Every single time I see the view from the Pest side or from the Buda side I still get very emotional and feel really lucky to live in this beautiful place. On the other hand, Budapest is full of fun things to do. There is always something going on in this clean, safe and livable city. What I like the most besides the wide streets and Margaret Island is the outstanding coffee culture, with the amazing new wave of specialty cafes. Budapest, you are the best!
Bettina
Operations Executive
I love the distinction between the two parts of this beautiful city - Buda and Pest. Each of them offers so much to discover and appreciate. The whole place has this monumental air about it, and for a good reason too, considering that you have countless options of things to fill your days with in Budapest. If I can suggest anything - make sure to book enough time for your visit, trust me, you won't be bored!
Igor
Team Leader for Central Europe & Baltic Region
Where can you go from Budapest?
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Videos About Budapest
Frequently Asked Questionsabout Travel to Budapest
What are typical opening hours in Budapest?
Standard shop opening hours Monday to Friday are 10:00-18:00 and Saturday 10:00-13:00. Department stores usually open at 10:00, while grocery store, bakeries and supermarkets are open 07:00-20:00. Many shops open until 20:00 or 21:00 on Thursdays. Shops are closed on Sundays, except shopping malls. Museums are generally open from 10:00 to 18:00, and usually close on Mondays. Naturally, synagogues are closed Saturdays.
How do I get around Budapest?
Almost everything is within walking distance in Budapest, but if you want to spend less time on foot and more time seeing the sights, public transport is quick and inexpensive.
Only some bus drivers sell tickets, but they do not make change and tickets purchased on the bus are more expensive. If you are using single tickets do not forget to validate your ticket when you get on the vehicle. On buses and trams the ticket is validated by a punch or electronic machine on board. Punch your ticket before you get down to the platform when using the metro. If you're going to be using public transport a lot (more than 5 journeys a day) whilst you are in Budapest we recommend a 24 or 72 hour travelcard. If you're only going to make a couple of journeys a day, then you can save a little compared to the cost of single tickets by buying a book of 10 tickets.
The Metro, day Buses and Trams run 4.20am-midnight
Night bus services - on the Grand Boulevard N.906. first 12.35AM last 4.35AM
Taxis are an option, though much more expensive than public transport, with the flag fall alone costing as much as a single journey by public transport.
Is Budapest a safe city?
Budapest is definitely a safe city with the proviso that as with any other big city there are some standard precautions you should take, such as being watchful of your wallet or purse, don't flash thick wads of banknotes or expensive jewelry and don't leave your bag or bike unguarded, don't walk alone late at night in unlit deserted streets, don't withdraw cash from ATMs in dark deserted places, don't accept drugs or unsolicited sexual approaches, don't trust people that you instinctively feel fishy, unreliable, way too strange.
Where can I park a car in Budapest?
Parking in Budapest is not easy to come by. Larger hotels often have underground parking facilities. However, you can expect to pay a high price for convenience, with most luxury hotels charging around $50 per night for parking. For around $20 a day, you can use a multi-story car park. On-street parking is strictly policed. There are paid parking bays, and you must buy a ticket for the entire time the car is to be parked there. Certain zones also have time limits, particularly in the most central districts. For more information, see this link. Before deciding to take a car to Budapest, consider the various other ways you can get there (bus, train, plane, private transfer) and the fact that the public transport in the city is inexpensive and reliable.
How can I get local currency?
Budapest has many good exchange places, so never change money on the street. We recommend taking out Hungarian Forints from the ATMs inside banks, but you can always ask your receptionist for the closest recommended ATM or exchange place.
Are there vegan options?
The region's best cuisine, Hungarian delicacies extend beyond goulash, and almost every restaurant in Budapest offers options for vegans and those with other dietary restrictions. If you have a sweet tooth but are vegan, or have diabetes or lactose/gluten intolerances, visit Plantmilkyway. This confectionary uses only plant-based, sugar-free ingredients. If you're vegan but love a good burger, both Istvánffi Burger and Las Vegans can meet your needs. Another good option is Napfényes, a restaurant and confectionary with an a'la carte menu offering many vegan alternatives to classic Hungarian dishes.
How much can I expect to spend per day?
A simple lunch with drink is roughly $10 per person, while a proper dinner at a restaurant with drinks is more like $25 per person. Ten rides on public transportation costs about $10. Museum entrance fees ted to be around $5-13.