Budapest is one of those cities that instantly pulls you in. Divided by the Danube into historic Buda and lively Pest, it’s known for grand architecture, thermal baths, cozy cafés, and incredible food. Easy to explore on foot or by public transport, the city has a unique energy that made it one of our favorite places in Europe.
dreaming of budapest again
Budapest is located in the heart of Central Europe. The city lies along the Danube River, one of Europe’s most important waterways, and sits between Western and Eastern Europe. It is southeast of Vienna, south of Bratislava, and within easy reach of cities like Munich, Prague, and Zagreb, making it a perfect stop on a Central European itinerary.
Geographically, Budapest is divided by the Danube into two parts: Buda, the hilly and historic side, and Pest, the flat and vibrant center of city life. Landmarks such as Buda Castle, the impressive Hungarian Parliament Building, and the iconic Széchenyi Chain Bridge highlight its unique setting along the river.
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Getting to Budapest is straightforward, with options for every type of traveler. Whether you prefer flying into the international airport, taking a scenic train ride, hopping on a bus, or driving yourself, the city is well connected and easy to reach from across Europe and beyond.
Budapest is easily accessible via European highways.
Travel times from other cities:
Vienna – 2.5 hours
Bratislava – 2 hours
Zagreb – 3.5 hours
Belgrade – 3.5 hours
Brno – 3 hours
Munich – 6 hours
Important:
You need a vignette (e-vehicle toll sticker) for the Hungarian highway. It’s best to buy it online from the official website.
You can take a bus to Budapest from many cities in Europe. These are often budget-friendly and surprisingly comfortable! Good providers include:
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD) is located approximately 20 kilometers from the city center. Did you know it’s the largest airport in Hungary? The airport has excellent connections to the city center. Budapest now has many destinations across Europe, including:
The best way to get from the airport to the center of Budapest is using these options:
🚌 100E Airport Bus (direct to the city center)
Price: approx. 5€
Travel time: 35–45 minutes
🚌 200E Bus + Metro
200E → Metro M3
Price: approx. 1€
Travel time: 40–50 minutes
🚖 Taxi
Official taxi company: Főtaxi
Price: approx. 20–40€ to the city center
📱 Bolt / Uber alternative
Bolt works great in Budapest
A good alternative for getting to Budapest is by train. The city is a major railway hub in Central Europe and therefore excellently connected to the international rail network. The city has three main train stations:
Many trains travel to and from Vienna, Bratislava, Belgrade, Munich, Vienna or Prague among other destinations to Budapest.
One of the most beautiful and impressive buildings in Europe is the Hungarian Parliament Building, also known as the Parliament of Budapest. The 268-meter-long building, located directly on the banks of the Danube, is one of Budapest’s landmarks. It is one of the most beautiful and popular sights in the city.
You can also visit the Parliament. You can buy tickets on the official website. The 45-minute guided tour is available with an audio guide in various languages.
01.01 – 31.03
Monday from Sunday
8:00 – 16:00
01.04 – 31.10
Monday – Sunday
8:00 – 18:00
01.11 – 31.12
Monday – Sunday
8:00 – 16:00
*as of 1st January 2024
Ticket for EEA citizens ➡︎ 6000HUF (around 15€)
Student ticket for EEA citizens (aged 6-24) ➡︎ 3000HUF (around 7,50€)
Ticket for non-EEA citizens ➡︎ 12000HUF (around 30€)
Student ticket for non-EEA citizens (aged 6-24) ➡︎ 6000HUF (around 15€)
For visitors under the age of 6 visiting the Parliament is free.
*as of 1st January 2024
It has 10 courtyards, 13 elevators, 27 entrances, 29 staircases, 691 rooms and 365 towers, one for each day of the year.
When you visit Budapest, you can’t miss the Széchenyi Thermal Bath. It is also one of the city’s most famous sights. With its striking yellow facade, it is located in the city park near Heroes Square. Due to its size, the bath is the largest of its kind in Europe. The water of the Széchenyi Bath has healing properties. It is open all year round and is one of the oldest thermal baths in Budapest. The Bath was named after the statesman Count István Széchenyi.
You can buy tickets either on site, on the official website or through other providers such as Get your Guide. However, we recommend that you buy the tickets online in advance.
The bath is open on all weekdays and holidays according to weekend opening hours
Monday – Friday
07:00 – 20:00
Saturday – Sunday
08:00 – 20:00
Daily ticket with locker ➡︎ from 29€
Daily ticket with private changing room ➡︎ from 32€
Sauna session ➡︎ 6€
Fast track ticket with private changing room – morning entry ➡︎ from 37€
Fast track ticket with locker – morning entry ➡︎ from 34€
Fast track ticket with private changing room – afternoon entry ➡︎ from 37€
Fast track ticket with locker – afternoon entry ➡︎ from 34€
*as of May 2024
The Széchenyi Thermal Bath is located about 4 kilometers from the center. To get here you can either walk, which takes about an hour, or by bike, e-scooter, bus or metro. The best way to get here is to take the M1 (yellow line) from the center to the Széchenyi Fürdő station. The M1 line is the oldest and shortest line of the metro in Budapest.
We recommend you to come very early in the morning or late in the evening, as the bath is one of the most popular attractions in Budapest and it gets very crowded during the day.
You will probably experience the most beautiful sunrise on the Fisherman’s Bastion. The rampart construction, which is around 140 m long and 8 m wide, is located on the Buda Castle Hill with the Matthias Church in the background and was built on the site of the medieval fish market in Buda. As a viewing terrace, it offers a wide view of the Danube and Pest.
It is one of the most beautiful and popular viewing terraces overlooking the Danube and Pest and was originally built for a fishermen’s guild. The monument with its seven towers and an impressive open staircase is undoubtedly one of the most popular sights in Budapest.
Buda Castle was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 and is one of the most impressive buildings in Budapest with great views of the Danube and the Pest. Its history dates back to the beginning of the 13th century and served as a residence for the Hungarian kings. Buda Castle towers over the city and today houses the Hungarian National Gallery, the Historical Museum and the Széchenyi National Library.
You can also visit Buda Castle and book various tours. It is located not far from the Fisherman’s Bastion and you can either take the Buda Hill Funicular or walk the route. From the Chain Bridge it takes around 10 minutes to walk to the top.
Buda Castle is the highest building in Budapest and the largest in Hungary.
Margaret Island is an approximately 2.5-kilometer-long and 500-meter-wide island in the middle of the Danube, located between the Árpád Bridge and the Margit Bridge. The island is located in the heart of Budapest. It features a large, beautifully landscaped park and is also known as the recreational island or green lung of Budapest. Margaret Island is car-free and hosts concerts, open-air events and festivals, especially during the summer months.
The best way to explore the island is by foot or bike. You can rent bikes one at the beginning of the island or generally all around the city.
At the end of Andrássy Avenue is Heroes’ Square with its 36-meter-high Millennium Monument and it’s also the gateway to the City Park, which includes the Széchenyi thermal bath and Vajdahunyad Castle. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the most important squares in Budapest and was built for Hungary’s heroes of history. Next to Heroes’ Square are the Museum of Fine Arts and the Art Gallery.
There are countless good restaurants and café’s around Heroes Square. There is also a large lake here that is drained in winter and you can then go ice skating there. In general, there is a lot to see and experience in the area around Heroes Square.
In the Budapest City Park (Városliget), next to the lake, thermal baths and many other sights, you will find the Vajdahunyad Castle. The castle was built in the medieval style and is unique in its kind with a castle gate, pointed towers, gables and battlements. It was built in 1896 and has housed the Hungarian Agricultural Museum since 1907. Vajdahunyad Castle is connected to the rest of the park by four bridges and many areas can be visited, including the Castle Gate Tower and the Apostle Tower.
Tickets for the museum cost 2500 HUF (around 6€) per person. If you want to take photos in the museum and inside the castle, this costs extra.
One of the most famous and impressive buildings in Budapest is the St. Stephen’s Basilica, built in 1905. It is the most important church in Budapest and its dimensions only become clear when you enter the church and look up at the 96-meter-high dome. A highlight here is a visit to the observation terrace with great views and a climb along the fascinating large dome. You can either take the 300 or so steps or use a modern elevator to get up here.
The basilica is open from Monday to Saturday from 09:00 to 17:45 and on Sundays from 13:00 to 17:45. Tickets can be easily purchased at the ticket office right next to the basilica. We can recommend the all-in-one ticket, which includes entry to the church hall, panoramic terrace and treasury and costs 6000 HUF (around 15€).
It's one of the largest buildings in Budapest and can host around 8,500 visitors. It is also the largest church in Hungary and has some really lovely views over the city.
The Gellért Baths, built in Art Nouveau style, are one of the most famous thermal baths in Budapest. It may be a little old, but it has not lost its unique charm. It is located right next to Gellert Hill and the Citadel on the Buda side near the Liberty Bridge and offers a great insight into the bathing culture and architecture of the early 20th century. There are around 10 pools with temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius and several sauna and steam bath areas.
If you want to swim in the large indoor pool you will need a swimming cap. In the entrance area there is also a small shop where you can buy swimming caps, towels, slippers and much more.
The Gellért Thermal Bath is open daily from
09:00 – 19:00
A daily ticket with locker usage costs per person
Monday – Thursday
10.500 HUF (around 25€)
Friday – Sunday
12.500 HUF (around 30€)
Holidays & Peak Season
13.000 HUF (around 32€)
*as of May 2024
The Széchenyi Chain Bridge connects Roosevelt Square on the Pest side with Adam Clark Square at the foot of Buda Castle Hill. With a length of 375 meters, it is the oldest and most famous of the nine Budapest bridges over the Danube. The Chain Bridge is undoubtedly one of the most famous landmarks in Budapest and from here you have great views of the city, especially when the city is illuminated in the evening.
You can cross the bridge on foot and since 2023 only buses and taxis are allowed.
On the Buda side of the Danube in Budapest, the 235-meter-high Gellért Hill rises with the Citadel and the Statue of Liberty at the top. The hill was named after Saint Gellért, who was thrown to his death from this hill. The Citadel was built around 1848 after the Hungarian War of Independence was defeated. From here you have one of the best and most beautiful panoramic views of Budapest.
Probably the most convenient way to get up the hill to Buda Castle is with the Buda Hill Funicular. You can take the cable car every day from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm all year round. The two gondolas run continuously every 5-10 minutes according to the passengers’ needs. A round trip costs 5000 HUF (around 12€).
The largest and most magnificent opera house in Hungary is in Budapest. It is located on the famous Andrássy út (Andrássy Avenue) directly next to the Opera metro station on line 1 (Földalatti), which opened in 1896. The State Opera was built between 1875 and 1884 in the neo-Renaissance style and consists of a total of three floors.
When you visit Budapest, you probably can’t miss the famous Ferris wheel in the city center. It is around 55 meters high and has 42 half-enclosed gondolas from which you can have a really beautiful view of the city. It is located in the middle of Erzsebet Square in downtown Budapest next to the Kempinski Hotel.
Adults pay about 8 euros for a ride.
One of the coolest places in Budapest is the Szimpla Kert Ruin Bar. It is a unique place in the historic Jewish quarter of the city. Established in 2002, it was one of the first ruin bars in Budapest, transforming an abandoned building into a lively social meeting place with a unique flair. Whether just for a drink or the whole evening, a visit to the Szimpla Kert Ruin Bar is a must for you when you come to Budapest.
The most famous large market hall in Budapest is located very close to the Liberty Bridge on the Pest side. It is one of the most popular sights in the city. There are around 180 market stalls and shops on three floors, as well as two supermarkets. The upper floor is occupied by souvenir shops, bistros and snack bars. In addition to meat, fruit, vegetables and fish, you can also buy souvenirs, leather goods, clothes and many other great products here.
The market is open from
Monday to Friday
06:00 – 18:00
Saturday
06:00 – 16:00
Closed on Sundays
At over 330 meters long, the Liberty Bridge is, alongside the Chain Bridge, one of the most famous and beautiful bridges in Budapest. The Liberty Bridge was built in 1896 and connects the hilly Buda with the flat Pest. On one side is the Gellért Thermal Bath and on the other the large market hall.
The bridge fell victim to the German Wehrmacht in 1945. It was rebuilt in August 1946.
The Danube Promenade is a very nice place to stroll and linger. It is located on the Pest side and runs along the Danube from the Chain Bridge to the Elisabeth Bridge. Here you will also find the Shoes on the Danube Bank memorial, which was erected in Budapest in 2005. It is also a good place to sit in the evenings and enjoy the views.
The Roman Catholic Matthias Church stands majestically on Castle Hill and overlooks almost the entire city. It is located in the Fisherman’s Bastion section and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The church was originally built in the 13th century, but has been destroyed and rebuilt several times over the years. Matthias Church is one of the most important landmarks in Budapest and, with its striking, colorful roof, it’s one of the most beautiful and popular buildings in the city.
The church is open daily from
9:00 – 17:00
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There are countless good accommodations in Budapest. From luxury hotels to budget hotels and hostels to apartments, there is a large selection and there is something for everyone. Here are some accommodations that we can recommend to you.
Hungarian cuisine is generally very hearty and heavy, often spicy and rich in meat. Garlic and paprika are also a must. Budapest has a huge range of culinary options. You can choose between great traditional restaurants, cute café’s and trendy bars. There is also a large selection of beautiful markets with good local products.
In general, Hungarian breakfast is a wonderful mixture of savoury and sweet dishes. Often people eat classic bread with cold cuts and egg dishes. Hungarian scrambled eggs consist of onions, Hungarian sausage called Kolbász and paprika. Here are some breakfast places that we can recommend to you.
Another restaurant is Retek Mini in the city center. A cute little place with great atmosphere and great Hungarian cuisine.
On your trip through Budapest you should check out the Pörc & Prézli Étterem Restaurant. The food here is also delicious and the people here are super friendly.
In Budapest there are countless really good bars and places where you can sit and enjoy a few nice drinks. The city is also very famous for its ruin bars, which are simply unique and exude a special flair and charm. Here are some very cool bars in the city.
Budapest Airport is located about 20 kilometers from the center. The best way to get to the center is by bus line 100E, which runs about twice an hour. A ticket for one trip costs 2200 HUF (about 5€) per person. A taxi ride to the center costs about 30€.
You have the option of buying tickets either at the small ticket booths at the stations or from the machines. In addition to countless different types of tickets, it is best to buy a 24, 48 or 72 hour ticket with which you can travel on the bus, metro and tram.
The transport network in Budapest is really well developed and it is easy to get from A to B. You rarely have to wait more than 10 minutes for the metro, tram or bus and you can easily explore the city using public transport. Budapest also has a well-developed train station from which many trains leave every day to Hungary and other European countries.
Budapest’s magnificent café, a meeting place for coffee lovers.
You’ve probably heard of or seen the New York Café in Budapest. Marble, frescoes, chandeliers, and ornate columns create a unique ambiance. Historically a meeting place for Hungarian writers and journalists, today it combines culture, cuisine, and tourism. A visit is worthwhile for anyone who wants to experience architecture and a classic coffeehouse atmosphere – even if the prices are on the high side.
The Budapest Card is the official city pass for Budapest, which can significantly reduce the cost of exploring the city. With the card, you can use public transport (metro, bus, and tram) for free, get entry to over 30 museums and attractions, and receive discounts (10–50%) at restaurants, spas, tours, and many other partner businesses. You should consider beforehand whether the card is worthwhile for you. Often, you need to visit a certain number of attractions and sights for the card to be worth it.
The Budapest Card comes in many different versions and time models:
BudapestCARD 24 hours:
Price: 44€
BudapestCARD 48 hours:
Price: 56€
BudapestCARD 72 hours:
Price: 72€
BudapestCARD 96 hours:
Price: 90€
BudapestCARD 120 hours:
Price: 100€
-as of November 2025
Online: You can conveniently pre-order your Budapest Card on the official website.
Pick-up points in the city:
For example, at the Tourist Information Office (Budapestinfo).
At the airport: Pick-up options are available upon arrival.
Official sales outlets:
The card is also available at selected BKK and tourist information offices.
Experience unforgettable adventures, experiences and lots of fun – discover the best tours and activities in Budapest with GetYourGuide!
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Budapest is a diverse and beautiful city where coffee culture is lived. Between historic coffee houses, modern specialty coffee spots, and creative concept cafés, everyone can find their favorite. It’s a wonderful blend of tradition and modernity. Many young cafés focus on minimalist designs, excellent coffee, delicious snacks, and a relaxed working atmosphere.
Cafés in Budapest are a true place of well being – whether for a leisurely breakfast, a break during sightseeing, or working on your laptop. The city also boasts a vibrant barista scene that values quality, sustainability, and freshly roasted beans. There are several trendy neighborhoods, both on the Buda and Pest sides and along the Danube, where you can always discover hidden gems run with creativity and passion. Budapest offers a cool variety that will surprise even the most passionate coffee lovers – everyone can find their personal favorite café here ♥︎.
Budapest is a true paradise for photographers and Instagrammers, with a new and impressive photo spot and viewpoint waiting around almost every corner. Countless locations are perfect for Instagram shots. Whether it’s majestic viewpoints overlooking the Danube, colorful facades in the Jewish Quarter, or elegant architecture along the famous boulevards – Budapest is full of unique, photogenic backdrops. Anyone looking for cool, creative, and absolutely Instagrammable spots will find a perfect mix of classic highlights and hidden gems here.
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🚊 Tram is a relaxed way to get around and do a bit of sightseeing along the way. It’s ideal if you want to travel slowly through the city – often along beautiful streets, by the Danube, or through charming neighborhoods.
🚇 Metro is often the fastest way to cover longer distances within the city. It’s especially convenient if you want to travel between different districts.
🚌 Bus is generally recommended if you want to reach places that aren’t well served by the metro or tram – for example, the outer districts or hilly areas.
The best time to visit a city like Budapest is generally from April to June and September to October. These are the most popular months, as you’ll usually find pleasant temperatures between 18 and 28°C and there are likely to be fewer tourists (although it’s always about the same amount of time).
🌞 Summer (July–August)
Very hot, temperatures often exceeding 30°C. Great for parties, thermal baths, nightlife, open-air events and festivals.
❄️ Winter (November–February)
Mostly very cold temperatures (0 to -5°C). Christmas markets around December are incredibly beautiful and transform the city into a fairytale wonderland. This time of year is also perfect for: thermal baths, cafes, indoor photo spots, ice skating and drinking mulled wine.
Budapest can be considered relatively inexpensive compared to many European cities, such as Rome, Paris, London, Lisbon, or Amsterdam. Food, public transport and activities are affordable, while hotel prices vary depending on the season. Overall, you can expect moderate to low travel costs – perfect for getting good value for your money. You should budget around 100-150€ per person per day for all relevant expenses, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
The city is perfect for a weekend trip or a long weekend. Two to three days are enough to see the highlights, while four days are ideal for a more relaxed experience. In a weekend, you can explore major sights such as Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion, the Parliament Building, the Danube Promenade, thermal baths and the city center with its cafes, restaurants and bars.
