Info from our guide in Budapest

[Jancruz]

Transportation, Currency, Taxis

 

Most taxi drivers would accept USD or Euro, but since the only official legal tender is Hungarian Forint in Hungary (HUF) they don’t have to. If you want you can change some money while in transit at the Airport. Do not change a lot as the rate is not the best there usually.

 

Normally in the city you can change at the following rates outside of the hotel in the exchange offices:

 

1USD = 210HUF

 

1Euro = 265HUF

 

Anyway in many places you may pay with Euro. We are in the EU but since we are not in the “Euro zone” yet, it is not compulsory to accept Euro. Credit cards (Visa or Master card) are widely accepted and also there are many ATMs in town which give you a very good rate.

From restaurants you can get the waiter to call you a taxi, ask for City taxi which is the most reliable company in Budapest (phone: 2 111 111)

 

Public transportation

 

In Budapest there is an excellent public transportation you will be most likely to use some of the trams, the old more than 100 years old historical underground and some buses. You can get one day, three days or one week visitor passes which enables free ride on all means of public transportation (You can get these at the metro stops). Or you can manage with single tickets BUT remember you always have to validate these once you get on the vehicle by punching! Passes need no validation/punching - you just have to carry them with you! http://www.bkv.hu (Budapest transport Company)

 

Or you can get the Budapest card which comes in 48 and 72 hours validity periods, it gives you full cover for the public transportation + free entries to museums + discount in some museums, shops, restaurants etc.

 

 

 

Music & Entertainment

 

Folklore concert

 

If you want to know more about the Hungarian folk music, dances, traditions and gipsy music go to see a performance. The best ones are the show of the Danube folk ensemble and the Hungarian National Folk ensemble. It is a combination of Hungarian folk music, dances and some gipsy music. It is an excellent quality not the “usual tourist” show! There is a show every evening at 20.00. Ticket price is: 5600HUF (28USD).

You can check this out on the web on http://www.ticket.info.hu

 

 

 

Boat cruise on the river Danube

 

* DUNA BELLA - daytime sightseeing cruise (Duration: 1 or 2 hours) 2 hours: 1 h cruise + 1h walk on Margaret Island

1 hour: skiping the island walk Included: 2 drinks (wine, beer, soft drinks, "Duna Bella" cocktail)

 

Price: 3.600 HUF/person (18USD) • Departure: Budapest, 5th district, Vigadó tér - Boat Station Pier 7

* DUNA LEGENDA - nighttime sightseeing cruise (Duration: 1 hour) sound, view and vision show

Included: 2 drinks (wine, beer, soft drinks, "Duna Legenda" cocktail)

 

Price: 4.200 HUF/person (21USD) • Departure: Budapest, 5th district, Vigadó tér - Boat Station Pier 7

 

You can check this out on the web on http://www.legenda.hu

 

 

 

I am happy to book your Folklore concert or boat cruise before you arrive!

 

(It is advisable to book ahead since you never know when the tickets sell out)

 

 

 

Classical music

 

We are very proud that a brand new, great concert hall opened in Budapest it is called Palace of Arts. Check out their web side for classical concerts! http://www.muveszetekpalotaja.hu

 

 

 

Opera and Ballet

State Opera House. You can get very good seats for 30-35 USD/person and the performances are excellent. There are different operas and ballets almost every night and every first Monday of the month there is symphonic orchestra concert.

 

Also you can participate in a guided tour of the Opera house, every afternoon at 15.00 and 16.00. You just go there and buy your ticket (2200HUF), no prior reservation is needed.

 

http://www.opera.hu

 

 

 

Museums

 

There are of course many museums in Budapest.

 

I would recommend either the Museum of Fine Arts (international art, very rich collection of paintings) which is in the City Park http://www.szepmuveszeti.hu , or the National Gallery (only Hungarian art) which is situated inside the former Royal Palace on the Buda side. (In these museums - and in many others – the permanent collections are free to visit.)

 

If you would like to know more about the communist era I’d recommend the House of Terror. Excellent museum, but definitely not a cheerful visit! http://www.terrorhaza.hu

 

The Hungarian National Museum has an excellent museum on Hungarian History, covering the 1000 years in Europe and the part of XXth century history is especially very good! http://www.nemzetimuzeum.hu

 

 

 

Spas

 

You may visit one of the many baths for which Budapest is so famous for.

 

The most famous is Gellért Bath. http://www.gellertfurdo.hu

 

 

The other one which has been recently renovated is Széchényi Bath – (Széchenyi fürdõ). http://www.budapestgyogyfurdoi.hu or http://www.szechenyifurdo.hu It is smaller, located in the hart of the city park and although it is a beautiful building perhaps you would be running into more locals here than in Gellért bath. Both are always busy though!

 

 

 

Cuisine

 

Please forget about your diet in Hungary, to try the specialties is an absolute must J!

 

(*** expensive) (** normal) (*inexpensive)

 

 

 

A popular meeting point for locals in the theatre district is Franz Liszt Square (Liszt Ferenc tér) where there are several indoor and outdoor cafes (E.g.: Carma *, Menza *, Buena Vista * etc.)

 

 

If you like nice local places - where many locals go - I would suggest the restaurant called Articsóka **. (address: Zichy. J. u.17) http://www.articsoka.hu

 

It is very nice, with a fun atmosphere, nice waiters, excellent food and reasonable prices. Try their cold sour-cherry soup and weal paprikas with noodles and cucumber salad!

 

 

 

In case you happen to go to the Opera, I would recommend a place next door to it. It is called Belcanto *** http://www.belcanto.hu. After the performances a lot of people go there, they have a piano player, a singer and a violinist who play live and at certain times the waiters line up and sing as well. It is great entertainment and the food is nice too. (Here you need reservation, little pricey)

 

 

 

Another nice restaurant near the Opera House in the theatre district is Vörös és Fehér (Red and white)**. http://www.vorosesfeher.com

 

 

 

Nosztalgia restaurant ***is just few blocks behind the Four Seasons. http://www.nosztalgiaetterem.hu

 

 

 

In front of the Hotel Intercontinental there is boat restaurant called Spoon café **, it is very nice and stylish with great food and atmosphere and with a superb view! http://www.spooncafe.hu

 

 

 

Budapest has always been famous for its coffee houses. The tradition lives on even today.

 

I recommend Café Central ** http://www.centralkavehaz.hu (very nice home made style dishes e.g “lecso” + great pastries) or Gerbaude Café ** on the main square of the shopping area (try gerbaude cake or strudel with sour cherry or poppy seed!). You can go to these cafes for lunch or just pop in for a coffee or drink during the day!

 

 

 

A very trendy, new restaurant with full of life is Mokka **. http://www.mokkarestaurant.hu

 

 

These were just few of the ideas so I can guarantee that you will not get bored while visiting Budapest!

 

Cheers,

[steamboats]

Hi Jan,

 

Great information! I can confirm that the public transportation is easy to use. But I think there were little boxes where you had to cancel your tickets (I can be wrong). I remember that there are ticket machines with an English language option. The machines do only take cash and Forint (no Euro). We got our tickets at the hotel´s concierge (paying in Euro).

 

We did a sightseeing cruise on the Duna Legenda which I can highly recommend. The cruise is narrated (headsets where you can choose out of 30 or so languages) and the narration is very good. You even get a free drink.

 

steamboats

[Let yet?]

Jan thank you for the information we will be in Budapest Oct 18th & 19th sure hope you all are having sunny weather.

 

Steamboats you will be leaving very soon for your trip ENJOY and thank you for all of your information on Munich.

 

KD, Florida

[steamboats]

KD,

 

Thanks, I´m just packing my stuff. Kid and cats are already "moved" to grandparents. I´m leaving to have some Applestrudel there :D for dinner.

 

steamboats