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Budapest

A stunning mix of history and nightlife

Budapest presents a city where history and modern life coexist clearly. The Danube River cuts through the center, dividing Buda’s hills from Pest’s busy streets. Both sides feature grand buildings like the Parliament and St. Stephen’s Basilica alongside lively cafes and local markets. Thermal baths provide daily relaxation for residents and visitors alike. Walking along the river reveals views of bridges and skyline lights at night. The city balances tradition with contemporary culture, making everyday experiences accessible to anyone exploring its streets or public transport system.

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City in Hungary

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 7.0

General Safety:	7
Health & medical:	7
Accessibility:	6
Tap water:	8

Read details

3/5

English is widely spoken in tourist areas, hotels, and restaurants, but older locals and those outside the center may not speak it fluently. Learning a few Hungarian phrases can be helpful.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Budapest Summary

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‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

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Outstanding for thermal baths and historic architecture. Relax in spa baths, cruise the Danube, explore castles and enjoy panoramic viewpoints.

Place score

8.3

Best at:

Walkable

Architecture

Historic sites

Guided tours

Nightlife

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 7

Seniors

❤️ 9

Couples

💻 9

Digital Nomads

Hungary – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type F Type C: Type F: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Hungarian Forint (HUF) £1 ≈ HUF 437.70
Cashless info:	Rating 4/5 Cashless payment is widely accepted in Hungary, especially in urban areas, though smaller vendors may prefer cash. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary in Hungary, with 10-15% added in restaurants if not included. Small tips for taxi drivers and hotel staff are also common.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is not permitted in Hungary, except in designated areas or during special events.
Public smoking:	Smoking is banned in indoor public spaces and transport. Designated smoking areas are available.

Hungarian Revolution Day (March)	Public events and closures occur, especially in Budapest.
Saint Stephen's Day (August)	Expect fireworks and celebrations across Hungary.
Christmas (December)	Festive markets and holiday closures are common.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 112 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Bolt, Főtaxi, Uber
Other:	Hungary is known for its thermal baths, historical architecture, and vibrant cultural festivals. Public transport is efficient in cities.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Budapest, Hungary

❄️

Jan

❄️

Feb

🌤️

Mar

☀️

Apr

☀️

May

☀️

Jun

☀️

Jul

🔥

Aug

☀️

Sep

🌤️

Oct

🌤️

Nov

❄️

Dec

High season:	May - Sep.
Shoulder season:	March - April, Oct., Dec.
Crowdedness:	9 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Christmas markets run from mid-November to 31 December, busiest at weekends in December

July and August often exceed 35°C; plan sightseeing early or late and cool off in the thermal baths

Don't miss

💦 Soak in the historic Széchenyi Thermal Baths
🏛️ Admire the Parliament Building from the Danube promenade
🌇 Watch sunset from Fisherman’s Bastion over Buda Castle
🛥️ Cruise the Danube River under the Chain Bridge lights
🍲 Taste chimney cake and goulash at Central Market Hall
🚡 Ride the funicular up Castle Hill for sweeping views

You've been here?

Why travel to Budapest?

Budapest blends old-world charm with a youthful, energetic atmosphere. The city is full of stunning landmarks, from the majestic Parliament Building to the historic Buda Castle. At night, the city transforms into a lively hotspot with ruin bars, street food and river cruises. Plus, the famous thermal baths offer the perfect way to unwind.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Hungarian Parliament Building
The Hungarian Parliament Building stands as a majestic Gothic Revival landmark on the Danube's banks, featuring intricate spires and grand halls that embody Budapest's rich architectural heritage and historical significance.
2 Buda Castle
Perched on Castle Hill, this historic fortress offers panoramic views over the Danube and city. Its architecture spans centuries, featuring Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles, while museums showcase Hungarian art and history.
3 Heroes' Square
Heroes Square stands as Budapest's grandest monument, honoring national heroes and emperors. Its massive statues overlook a vast plaza, framed by the Hungarian National Museum and the Parliament's iconic dome in the distance.
4 St. Stephen's Basilica
This iconic Gothic church dominates the Hungarian capital's skyline, featuring a massive dome and intricate stained glass. Its twin towers frame the Danube, while the interior showcases centuries of art and history within its grand nave.
5 Fisherman's Bastion
This historic terrace offers panoramic views of the Danube and Buda Castle. Its Gothic towers and red roofs create a fairytale atmosphere, while the surrounding park provides a peaceful retreat from the city bustle.
6 Hungarian State Opera House
7 Dohány Street Synagogue
8 Matthias Church
9 Széchenyi Chain Bridge
10 House of Terror

🎡Places for activities

1 Széchenyi Thermal Bath
This historic thermal bath in Budapest offers healing mineral waters and elegant architecture. Visitors enjoy indoor pools, saunas and a spa garden. It remains one of Europe's most famous wellness destinations for relaxation and rejuvenation.
2 City Park
3 Memento Park

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Margaret Island
2 Gellért Hill
3 Normafa
4 Great Lake
5 Pálvölgyi út

🛍️Shopping

1 Great Market Hall
Central market complex built in 1897, housing over 400 stalls selling fresh produce, spices and local crafts. Its iron‑and‑glass architecture showcases Hungarian culinary traditions amid bustling city life for visitors everyday.
2 Ecseri Street Market (Flea market)
3 Old Street Café
4 Andrássy Avenue and the Underground
5 Arena Mall üzletközpont
6 Gozsdu udvar
7 Street Fashion

🎈Events

Sziget Festival
Budapest Wine Festival
Budapest Spring Festival
Budapest International Documentary Festival
National Gallop
Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix
Jewish Summer Festival
St. Stephen’s Day Fireworks
Chimney Cake Festival

Explore on map

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Knowledge before you go

Thermal baths are a must; bring flip-flops and a swimming cap.
Use trams and metros; buy a travel pass and always validate tickets to avoid strict on-the-spot fines.
Carry some Hungarian forints, as smaller shops, markets and old cafés may not accept cards or euros reliably.
Cross the Danube at sunset via Chain Bridge, then climb Buda Castle Hill for panoramic night views and fewer crowds.

How to travel to Budapest

Budapest is well connected via Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD), with direct flights to many cities. Trains connect Budapest to Vienna, Prague and other European destinations. International buses also run frequently.

Access summary

From Budapest Ferenc Liszt Airport (BUD): 100E Airport Express bus, about 35–45 min.
From Vienna: Direct trains to Budapest Keleti, usually around 2.5–3 hours.
From Prague: Direct and indirect trains to Budapest, typically about 6.5–7.5 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Budapest

Budapest offers a wide range of accommodations, from budget hostels to luxury hotels. The Jewish Quarter is perfect for nightlife lovers, while the Buda side is quieter and more scenic.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

IntercityHotel Budapest

9.0

Boutique Hotel Victoria Budapest

9.2

Intercontinental Budapest By IHG

Anantara New York Palace Budapest - A Leading Hotel of the World

9.1

Hilton Budapest

9.0

7Seasons Apartments Budapest

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Budapest

Budapest has an efficient and affordable public transport system, including trams, buses and metro lines. The M1 metro is one of the oldest in the world. Walking is a great way to explore central areas and boats offer a scenic way to cross the Danube.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-30 %

Daily expenses in Budapest are around 30% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

+1 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to HUF) is 1% worse than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£46	£96	£240
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£19	£38	£75
🍝 Food per day	£22	£51	£143
🚕 Transportation per day	£5	£7	£21

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£24
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£9.50
🍟 Fast food combo	£7
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£8
☕ Cappuccino	£2.50
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£2.40

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.15
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£12.50
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.40

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£7.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£55
🤧 Cold medication	£10
💇 Basic haircut	£11.50

Safety information overview

General safety

Budapest is generally safe, but beware of pickpockets in crowded areas and scams involving taxis and exchange rates. Ruin bars can get rowdy, so keep an eye on your belongings.

Health & Medical

Healthcare is good, with well-equipped hospitals and pharmacies available. EU citizens can use their EHIC card. Tap water is safe and there are no major health risks for travelers.

Accessibility

Most major tourist attractions and transport options are accessible, but some older buildings lack elevators. Public transport has improved accessibility, but cobblestone streets can be challenging.

Tap water

Tap water is clean and safe to drink. There are public drinking fountains in parks and squares, so carrying a refillable bottle is recommended.