Budapest
- aishacassiewilliam
- Jun 4, 2023
- 16 min read
Eastern Europe is the place to be besties, and Budapest will be your perfect introduction into why that is!
I know more and more people have started hopping over to Budapest for a cheap weekend break in a city known for its ruin bars, incredible nightlife, thermal baths and boat parties on the Danube. But honestly, Budapest is so much more than that! With some of the most incredible architecture, rich history, mountains of things to do, it's a truly lovely city which I honestly recommend to anyone.
Hungary still doesn't use the Euro (yipee!) and despite seeing an influx of tourism over the past few years, still remains one of the most affordable city breaks in Europe! It's a Backpaker's heaven, with some of the most well known party hostels in Europe, most meals costing under a fiver, and a bucket load of affordable activities, it's no wonder pretty much every single person on an interrail trip is heading here. That being said, it's also absolutely stunning. At times you'll feel like you're in Paris or Vienna, but without the huge strain on your budget - win win!
So get George Ezra blasting in your headphones and let me show you how to visit Budapest on an instant noodle budget.
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Best Time To Go
Budapest is another one of those great year round destinations. Summers are hot and sunny, prime for rolling around on Margaret island and drinking in beer gardens. Winters are cold and cosy, ideal for warming up in a thermal bath and seeking shelter from the snow in cosy ruin bars. So, depending on the type of trip you're after, theres no real bad time to visit Budapest!
One big factor to bear in mind is that Budapest is a prime stag and hen do location. This will often mean that on weekends the city is significantly busier and accommodation will be more expensive! If you can avoid visiting over the weekend, do it, thank me later!
Accommodation
Okay, Budapest is a big ole city - In fact, it's actually two large towns, Buda and Pest. So on first glance it's a little confusing knowing where to stay, and this will again, ultimately depend on the kind of trip you're planning. I'll outline the different districts first, before I go into detail of specific places to stay.
There are 23 districts in total, with the central districts being I, V, VI, and VII (shown on the map below). These districts will likely be the only areas you'll end up exploring, and therefore make the best areas in which to stay! However, each of these districts do offer something different.
District I - This is the only central district on the Buda side of the river. this district is also known as the castle district - home to Buda castle, the fisherman's bastion and other historical points of interest. The Pest side of the city (including Districts V, VI and VII) are connected to District I by the Chain Bridge, The Margit Bridge and Elisabeth Bridge. There are some accommodation options here, however you will be a fair distance from the majority of bars/restaurants in the city - maybe not the best place to stay if this is your first visit!
District V - On the Pest side of the city, this district is also known as Belváros (Inner City) or Downtown Budapest & Lipótváros. This area is essentially your main shopping/political/economic district - much of it is pedestrianised and you'll find the parliament building, many (more expensive) bars and restaurants as well as many mainstream shops etc. here. It's a really built up, beautiful part of the city, but as a backpacker/budget traveller, you wont find many accommodation options here! The vast majority of hotels/accommodations are on the luxury/5 star end.
District VI - Again, on the Pest side, this district is sort of the cultural centre of the city. Its not quite as upmarket as district V, but it's one of the prettier, more relaxed areas of the city. It's home to the Opera House, Liszt Ferenc Music Academy, and the Operetta Theatre. There are some accommodation options here, and you're in closer proximity to more of the city's nightlife, bars and restaurants - However, this area is a little quieter.
District VII - This is probably my top pick in terms of where to stay if it's your first time in Budapest. This area is commonly referred to as the jewish quarter. It's home to Budapest's famous ruin and garden bars, as well as loads of other great food and drink options. Generally, if you're not staying within district VII, I'd recommend staying in close proximity to this area as you'll almost definitely end up coming here a lot!
Below I've highlighted the best hostel options in the city. Some of these I've stayed in, others I've found and would recommend based on price, location and reviews. It does seem that in recent months the prices for Budapest hostels have increased a fair bit! However, prices are still cheaper than what you'd get in western Europe - maybe just shop around between different booking sites to ensure you get the best deals though!
Note, all prices are midweek, for a single person in June 2023. All prices and ratings are from Hostelworld.com.
Name | Price per night | Rating (/10) | Pros | Cons |
Unity Hostel @ Udvar(rom) | £9 (8 bed mixed dorm) | 7.4 | Cheapest option on Hostelworld. Location is great, right in the jewish quarter and above a ruin pub. has a small but functional kitchen. | Can be loud due to the ruin bar below. Some reports of the hostel not being the cleanest. |
Avenue Hostel | £16 (12 bed mixed dorm) | 8.8 | Booking includes free breakfast! Beds have curtains and even have pod-bed options for a slightly higher price. Great location (close to jewish quarter). Dinner also included if you purchase a drink for €3! | Mixed reviews on the atmosphere at this hostel, seems like it's a calmer one for Budapest! Some reports of the outside of the building being 'creepy' but this isn't reflected inside. |
Flow Spaces | £17.50 (8 bed mixed dorm) | 9.0 | I stayed here! Beds are great, lots of locker space and curtains! kitchen spaces are spacious and include free tea and coffee. Location is okay - maybe a 15/20 minute walk from the jewish quarter. | Bathrooms were sometimes a bit dirty and the atmosphere wasn't the best when i was there! good place for if you're working though as had a designated working space. |
MP Hostel Budapest | £13 (12 bed mixed/female/male dorm) | 8.3 | Great location in the jewish quarter. Has a kitchen though this is only equipped with microwaves and fridges. Nice staff. | Some reports that the beds are quite hard the the hostel is quite quiet. |
The Hive Party Hostel | £20 (8 bed mixed dorm) Though prices do seem to vary A LOT depending on time of year/week! | 8.7 | This is one of Budapest's most popular party hostels. It is incredibly social and located in the heart of thew jewish quarter. there is a larger courtyard in the middle which hosts live music and parties year round. | there is a kitchen, however it isn't well equipped. This is very much a part hostel so expect it to be loud until the early hours! |
Things To Do
Budapest is one of those cities which is absolutely jam packed with things to do! However, I don't think the city can be described as a 'hidden gem' anymore. It's become massively popular with tourists from around the world and as a result, I've definitely seen prices increase! That being said, it's still such a fun city and still a lot cheaper than western Europe/US/Australia. Just beware there may be crowds and for some activities you will need to book in advance!
Free walking Tours - This is definitely becoming a theme for these blogs! I've done two different walking tours around Budapest and both I would recommend highly! The city is pretty sizeable so it definitely helps having a guide for a few hours to show you around the main spots so you can get your bearings and learn more about the history, culture and hidden spots to eat and drink! There are a few you can find on Guruwalks, but I would definitely recommend doing a general city tour, like this one! If you do have the time, there are also tours that focus on specific areas - such as the castle district (we did this one, it's great!) or the jewish quarter. Remember, booking onto the tour is free, but bring some cash so you can tip your guide at the end!
Explore the ruin bars - I guess less of an activity, more of a place to drink/eat, but you really cant visit Budapest without checking out the ruin bars! These are essentially bars/pubs/restaurants that have been set up in derelict buildings - expect mismatched furniture, graffiti plastering the walls and some really unique places to hang out! I'll suggest some of my faves in the where to eat/drink section below.
Thermal baths - Budapest is situated on a fault line where beneath the ground thermal springs jet skyward, releasing some 40,000m3 of warm, mineral-rich water each day. The city's inhabitants have taken advantage of this and have bathed in these waters in the many thermal baths throughout the city for hundreds of years. and great news - you can too! The thermal baths are some of Budapest's biggest tourist attractions and there are plenty you can go and visit! (I have a confession to make here - I cannot stand the thermal baths! I don't really like hot tubs or sharing bodies of water with strangers - but, I have actually visited two so I'll give my opinions on them both!) Arguably, the most famous is the Széchenyi Bath, You'll most likely have seen photos of this one on social media - It's the one with the big yellow building! These are the largest, most popular baths with a total of 18 indoor and outdoor pools. If you fancy it, the famous Spa-ty is hosted here every Saturday from 9:30pm too - you can book online here (be warned though, I hear it's kinda gross and ticket prices start at a hefty £56 per person!). General admission to these baths isn't the cheapest, at 9,4000HUF (around £21.80) per person when booked through the official website - more information and booking can be found here. Famed for its beautiful art nouveaux architecture, the Gellért Spa is probably the prettiest bath in the city. Though I haven't visited, it sounds like a more relaxed option compared to the Széchenyi baths, probably more suited to couples! There are fewer baths here, but expect a more tranquil experience. Again, ticket prices start at 9,4000HUF (around £21.80) per person, and more information and booking can be found here. Another spa I would recommend is the Rudas baths. The main reason I would recommend this spa is for the rooftop pool which gives you stunning views over the Danube and chain bridge (the indoor pools are nothing special though!). This spa is also open at night on Fridays and Saturdays so can be the perfect spot for admiring the city lit up at night - You can even enjoy a drink whilst sitting in the pool! Entry to these baths are slightly cheaper, starting at 8600HUF (around £19.90), and more information and booking can be found here.
Chill on Margaret island - A must do if you're visiting in the spring/summer! Margaret island sits in the middle of the Danube and can be accessed by the Margit bridge which connects both the Buda and Pest sides of the city with the island. Home to the famous Sziget festival in August, this huge park has a billion gorgeous picnicking spots, bike rental places, a couple of lush bars and restaurants and is my absolute favourite place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city! Bring a picnic and some beers and soak up the sunshine! Entry is free, but if you need to use the bathroom, you'll need to pay a couple of Forint (in cash!).
Take a river cruise - There are loads of options for taking a cruise down the river! These normally will come with an audio guide and is a great option for seeing the city from the water! If you don't fancy booking, there will be ticket touts all along the riverbank on the Pest side offering the most basic cruise option for around €10 per person. However, if you were looking for a lunch/dinner/party cruise, these are best booked online! For more chilled out dinner/drinks options - there are loads available online, this website seems to have lots of great options! Alternatively, if you're fancying more of a party, Boat Party Budapest has some great options with tickets starting at €34.99 for a two hour booze cruise with unlimited drinks - you can find more information and book online here.
Wander the city! - Budapest is an absolutely beautiful city and there is so much to just take in! Be sure to explore at night too, because it becomes truly special when it's all lit up! highlights include: The castle district and Fisherman's bastion, the Parliament building, St Stephen's basilica, Heroes square, Vajdahunyad castle and the Chain bridge.
Visit the citadel - I'll be honest, its a bit of a walk, but once you get to the top - the views are awesome!
Places to Eat/Drink
Budapest is a city where you're gonna encounter so many different global cuisines! You're truly spoiled for choice for places to eat and drink, and there are so many options if you're on a tighter budget!
As is the case with most cities, it's generally best to avoid the more metropolitan/commercial districts (i.e. district V) if you want the best value/most delicious meals! I'd highly recommend sticking with the jewish quarter for the best eats - you'll find loads traditional restaurants, fast food and international restaurants here and prices are generally super affordable!
Traditional Hungarian food is cosy and warming, quite meat heavy and super delicious! If you haven't already, i'd recommend trying goulash (hearty beef stew with paprika, potatoes and is often served with mashed potato - a super comfort dish!), chicken paprikash (chicken in a creamy paprika sauce, often served with potatoes), and if you're vegetarian give lángos a try (a type of street food which is essentially fried bread with a selection of toppings - traditionally cheese and sour cream.)
Below are some of our fave restaurants and bars, as well as a few options we didn't get to try, but are highly rated and generally affordable!
Restaurants
Frici Papa - This is always my number 1 restaurant recommendation to anyone visiting Budapest! It's a super traditional restaurant with really friendly staff, huge, delicious portions and you can expect to pay less than £5 for most meals!
Drum Cafe - If you're looking for something cheap, right in the city centre, I'd recommend this place! They specialise in lángos and goulash, however there are plenty of other traditional dishes on the menu. Theres a small amount of outdoor seating here also!
Belvárosi Disznótoros - This is another traditional restaurant that sits in the centre of the city. The menu is particularly meat heavy, however prices are great for the quality of food you get! There are two locations, I've marked both on my map below.
Városház Snack - If you're looking to get off the tourist trail then this will be the place for you! Its a super local place with no english menu (have the google translate app at the ready!) but apparently the food is cheap and delicious!
Tahina bite vegan food - Vegan and veggie friends - I got you! This Lebanese place serves only plant based dishes that are authentic and look super tasty! Expect to pay around the £5 mark for most meals!
Bars
Szimpla Kert - One of Budapest's most famous ruin bars. Technically it's loads of little bars in one ruin bar complex, so theres really something for everyone! It has lots of little nooks and crannies as well as a nice garden area and frequently has DJs playing so you can have a little boogy if you fancy! Just a warning though, its definitely not the cheapest, the staff/bouncers aren't the friendliest and the toilets are an absolute horror - I still think it's worth a visit though!
Köleves Kert - Budapest is also super famous for it's garden bars - this one is my fave! in the spring/summer it's a lush little hangout where you can sit under the trees which are lit up by fairy lights. Drink prices are generally pretty affordable but it does get busy!
Lámpás Student pub - I haven't visited but this bar comes highly rated on a list of hidden/local bars in Budapest (which can be pretty hard to come by!) It's an underground bar which frequently has live music and attracts mainly uni students - which is reflected in the price!
Red Ruin - This bar can be easily spotted by its red lights and communist themed decor. I only found this place in the afternoon when it wasn't open, but it looks like a cool quirky place with cheap drinks!
UdvarROM - If you're looking for a ruin bar but you're wanting to save some money then UdvarROM is the place to go. It's still a quirky little place with mismatched furniture and graffiti-d walls, but drinks prices are a little lower than the other, bigger ruin bars.
For a Dance
Instant-Fogas Complex - No Budapest city guide would be complete without a mention of Instant nightclub. This ruin bar is a true spectacle. It's absolutely enormous and contains a series of more nightclub style bars/rooms playing everything from pop to drum and base to electronic music to rock music. It's an absolute labyrinth and well worth a visit (note - not all parts of this bar will be open midweek!)
If you want any more recommendations, definitely check out Offbeat Budapest online! they have loads of great recommendations ranging between fancy places, to hidden gems, to local places and ruin bars!
Getting Around
The City Centre
Okay, so Budapest is a pretty sizeable city! I absolutely loved just walking around because you really do end up stumbling upon so may beautiful streets, buildings and street art - and this of course is free! Generally the central districts are easy to explore on foot, however, the city is also served by a really great public transport network of trams and metros should you need to use them!
We used Google maps to figure out which lines/transport to use and this was pretty reliable and straightforward (just pop in your start and end destinations and select the public transport option!) The easiest way to purchase tickets is through the BudapestGO app. You can download the app and manage all tickets for both the trams and the metros on your phone. Alternatively, you can buy tickets at various ticket vending machines around the city (you can pay by card too!) - or directly from the driver if you're travelling by tram (this will be slightly more expensive). Ticket prices are as follows:
Single ticket: 350HUF (80p)
Block of 10 single tickets: 3000HUF (£7)
30 - 90 minute tickets: 530HUF (£1.20) - 750HUF (£1.75)
24 hour - 7 day tickets: 650HUF (£1.50) - 4950HUF (£11.50)
The Budapest public transport website is incredibly handy and had a super useful guide you can find here (note - some of the prices you'll see in this guide may be incorrect as ticket prices have increased slightly as of April 1st 2023).
Top Tip! Many of the metro stations don't actually have gates to check your tickets - however there are guards everywhere who often target tourists to check their tickets. It may seem easy to travel without a ticket, but it's not worth the risk!
From The Airport
The cheapest way to get to/from the airport is by using the airport Express bus 100E. It runs between Liszt Ferenc International Airport and Deák Ferenc tér (right in the centre of the Pest side of the city - marked on the map below), running via Kálvin tér, another location on the pest side, but further down towards the Elisabeth Bridge. The journey takes around 40 minutes. The only ticket you can use on this bus however is the Airport Shuttle Bus Single Ticket, which can be bought on the Budapest Go app/tickets vending machines for 2200HUF (around £5). The bus runs 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, every 7-10 minutes during the day and every 30-40 minutes at night, between midnight and about 3:30am.
Be aware, there is another line that runs between the airport and Deák Ferenc tér, the 200E line. You cannot use the airport shuttle ticket on this line.
Alternatively, should you wish to travel by taxi - the average cost should be around 10, 670HUF (around £25), however this can increase depending on the traffic.
From The Train Station
Budapest has three main train stations, Keleti (East) Station, Deli (South) Station and Nyugati (West) Station - so make sure to check your tickets before you travel!
Keleti station - This is is the largest station and is located around 2KM from the city centre. The M2 and M4 metro lines, as well as busses 7, 73, 173 and 7E connect the city centre to this station. You'll likely use this station if you're travelling internationally.
Deli station - This station is located on the Buda side of the city and is connected to the city centre by the M2 metro line. You'll find trains departing to/from Vienna, Prague, Zagreb, Ljubljana and Lake Balaton (in Hungary) in this station.
Nyugati station - This station is located on the Pest side of the city, but further towards Margaret Island. This station is served by the M3 metro line. Most trains here are heading internationally, to the north (but there are some exceptions!).
From The Bus Station
Népliget Bus terminal is located approximately 7.6 km from the city centre - most international services will terminate/start here. The Népliget metro stop is located close to the bus station and is served by the M3 line. Alway book international buses ahead of time as they will be more expensive if buying at the station!
Currency and ATMs
Just the basics when it comes to money
Currency: Hungarian Forint (HUF) approx 430HUF≈£1, 370≈€1, 345HUF≈1USD, 230HUF≈1AUD.
Best ATMs: There are loads of free withdrawal ATMs in Budapest! Generally aim for ones that are connected to banks - the best tend to be OTP, Erste, CIB and Unicredit. As always, AVOID Euronet ATMs like the plague.
Cash Vs. Card: Most bars, restaurants and shops will accept card - but carry cash with you just in case!
Safety
I'm gonna be brutally honest here - I've visited Budapest a couple of times now and I definitely feel like its somewhere you need to keep your wits about you a little more!
Firstly, you get a lot of stag and hen parties coming to Budapest to take advantage of the cheap drinks and top notch nightlife. Unfortunately, I have seen incidents where said parties get too drunk and leery leading to fights/inappropriate behaviour. You probably will encounter people who have drunk too much, so just be careful when you're on a night out!
Leading on from that, I feel like a lot of the locals/bar staff are sick to death of drunken tourist antics and as a result, I have found many locals to be quite cold/unfriendly to tourists. There are, of course, so many exceptions - but you will likely encounter some unfriendly people on your visit to this city. (looking particularly at Szimpla Kert - staff and bouncers are MEAN but the bar is still cool lol).
I hate that I have to comment on this, but I think warning is necessary - be especially careful if you're a solo female traveller. I have had some quite unpleasant interactions on Budapest when I've been alone - while it should never be our responsibility, just be aware of your surroundings and try to stick with others (gross, I know).
Despite this, Budapest really is a great city, don't let the negatives put you off! Just keep your wits about you whilst you're enjoying yourself and you'll be fine!
My Map
I've put all of my suggestions above onto this super handy, colour coded (stunning) Google map. Restaurants and bars I have highlighted appear when using the single £ sign filter - hence are some of the cheapest places to eat and drink around the city. Most of which I can personally recommend, however there are some which are just highly rated and cheap! Remember to download the map if you don't have a sim card/data in Hungary so you always have access!
TLDR - What are your top tips?
Stay on the pest side of the city - you'll be closer to the main attractions, bars and restaurants here!
Visit the ruin bars - No visit to Budapest is complete without visiting the famous ruin/garden bars. I've highlighted a few on the map above! My suggestions would be Szimpla Kert (the most famous, more chilled ruin bar), UdvarROM (a budget friendly ruin bar), Instant (the ruin bar to visit for a dance).
Always buy a ticket for public transport - Some stations don't have barriers, but they are crawling with ticket attendants who target tourists! You can easily buy tickets on the BudapestGO app.
Go to a thermal bath - even though I hate them, they are a staple of a Budapest trip! Széchenyi is the biggest and most popular (and hosts the spa-ty every Saturday night), Gellért is the prettiest and more relaxed, and Rudas has a rooftop pool (and is open at night on Fridays/Saturdays).
Visit the Jewish Quarter - You're gonna find the best bars and restaurants here - ideally it's best to stay as close as you can as you'll probably end up here most nights!
Eat at Frici Papas - I love this little restaurant! It's a traditional place in the Jewish quarter, the portions are huge, cheap and delicious!
Chill at Margaret Island - If you're needing a rest in the spring/summer, be sure to check out Margaret island for a picnic or just a stroll away from the chaos of the city!
Don't miss the castle district - Head over to the Buda side for a wander around the castle district, its absolutely beautiful and you'll get some great views over the city! entrance to the grounds, garden and fisherman's bastion is free too! You can even see the funicular which was used in Wes Anderson's 'Grand Budapest hotel'!
Be sure to have a wander around by the river at night! - Budapest gets even prettier at night! Bring a couple of beers and watch the sunset from the banks of the Danube and just appreciate how stunning this city gets after dark!
Take a cruise along the Danube - There are loads of different types of boat tours available, whether you fancy a dinner, a bottomless drinks party, or just a little tour from the water - the options are endless! You can find out more here.
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