Looking to travel Travel to Budapest?
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport, BUD, commonly called Ferihegy, serves Hungarian capital city of Budapest and is the largest of the country’s four commercial airports. The airport is 10 miles southeast of Budapest and provides connecting service primarily within Europe, but also to Africa and the Middle East. The airport handles some 14 million passengers a year. Passengers will know the airport as the headquarters for Wizz Air, the country’s low-cost flagship, and a base for Ryanair.
To reach the heart of Hungary’s capital from Budapest Airport, find the booth in the Terminal 2 arrival area that “Information and tickets” for Budapest’s BKK public-transportation network. You can by transport tickets here as well as the handy Budapest Card, that offers unlimited use of city transport along with admission to museums, thermal baths, tours, and other discounts. For taxis, catch the line by the taxi kiosk and pay around 22 euros to get to the center of Budapest.
Travel to Budapest: Top Things to Do
Buda Castle & Castle Hill
This massive 13th century Baroque castle over the Danube housed all the kings of the empire since its time of construction in the 13th century. It remains an impressive palace with around 200 rooms. It was built as a show of defense against attacks by Mongol and Tartar invaders, but was damaged during the WWII (and since, restored). The inside of the palace now houses the Hungarian National Gallery and the Budapest Museum History Museum.
Parliament Buildings and Crown Jewels
Enjoy an intriguing walk around the streets surrounding the parliament buildings, where you will also find the Museum of Ethnography. It is the third largest parliament building of the world, inaugurated in 1896 and remains a marvel of Neo-Gothic design. The complex spreads out some 12 miles and contains more than 600 rooms.
Guided tours of the Parliament take around 45 minutes and cover the main entrance stairs and hall, the old House of Lords and the Hungarian Crown Jewels. Tickets run around $15 and are best bought in advance rather than managing the long slow lines.
St. Stephens Basilica: Travel to Budapest
St. Stephens Basilica dates back to 1851 and is named for the first king of Hungary. The building was damaged during WWII but restored later successfully. There is holy relic on view under glass that is believed to be the right hand of the Hungarian king. Concerts are often performed under the basilica. Guided tours are available include the chapel, the relics, the treasury and panoramic views of Budapest from the cupola.
Fisherman’s Bastion
These are Neo-Romanesque defense walls built in the Middle Ages. Seven towers represent the seven Magyar tribes that settled in the Carpathian Basin in 895. It’s a good place to enjoy views of the Danube and Margaret Island. A bronze statue of Stephen I erected in 1906 can be seen between the Bastion and the Matthias Church and provides information about historical events and facts around the site.
The Danube Promenade
The Duna flows from Budapest along the boundaries of the city. A promenade near the river leads to the Elisabeth and Chain bridges that offer spectacular views of the architecture of Budapest.
Train by Children
The Children’s Railway (Gyermekvasút) was built after World War II and is run by children (under supervision of adult railway workers). The kids do various jobs, from selling tickets to traffic management. Similar projects were common in the Soviet Union during the Stalin era. All seven stops along the Children’s Railway are worthy stops and known for their historical significance if not scenic beauty. A museum at Hüvösvölgy station displays items from the Communist era. Expect to be saluted (and salute back!) when exiting the train.
Expert Tips for Visiting Budapest
Pronunciation of Budapest
Make sure you know how to pronounce the word Budapest. It is known as “boo-da-Pesht” rather than “pest.” English is widely spoken, especially in tourist zones.
Swimsuits: Travel to Budapest
Budapest is also known as the city of baths as there are more than 100 mineral pools. Be sure to pack at least one swimsuit. The Szechenyi Thermal Bath is the most popular place in Budapest for swimming.
Separate Cities of Buda and Pest
In the past, Buda and pest used to be two different cities running beside the river of Danube. Buda was the home of royalty while Pest was known as a bustling commercial hub with hotels and bars. The cities merged in 1873, blending the fairytale feel of old Europe with emerging modern sensibilities.
Ditching the Euros: Travel to Budapest
Not all the venues in Hungary take Euros so keep plenty of Forints with you. Although Hungary is a member of the European Union, the currency can be glitchy. State banks offer better rates than foreign banks. In general, a 1,000 Forints equals around $3.50 and 3.15 euros.
Ruin Bars
Check out the Budapest “ruin bars that are a mix of parties and pubs. Find them at apartments, shops, warehouses and rooftops. parties and pubs. There are cheap drinks and dance parties along with amazing snacks with craft beers on the hand.
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