Recommended Stay Time

Around 3 nights and 3-4 days

Currency in Hungarian Forint

Local currency is Hungarian Forint

Transport

Eventhough Budapest has a lot of means of transport adaptable to the student budget, I personally only used the subway twice, to get to and from the train station. I think this is a city you have to walk around to discover, it may take you a couple of days to see it on its entirety, but it is worth it. It is not a big city, and it is very easy to walk. Regardless, the subway runs from 4.30am to 23pm, so as a last resource you could use it to move around, if you are too tired. Similarly, there is the option to go on buses or trams.

Accomodation

When i went there with my 6 friends, I stayed in a hostel in the center by the name of Pal’s Hostel. This accommodation is located in the center of Budapest, and depending on the room you are given, you may be able to see the Synagogue from your balcony, as we were able to.

This accommodation has a range of prices from 37€ to 28€ the night, depending on how many people are in the room. In my experience we were given a small apartment with 6 beds, a bathroom, a shower room and a small kitchen fully equipped. We only used the apartment to sleep there and have breakfast, but its location was extremely comfortable, as it was in the center of everything.

Activities

Chain Bridge: This is a very nice place for pictures, and it is just a bridge to walk on, nothing special. It is the main bridge connecting Buda and Pest over the Danube river.

Basilique of St. Esteban: This is Budapest’s cathedral, and it is one of the biggest religious buildings in the city. Going inside was amazing, as it is an architecture that I am not used to, so I found it very interesting. It is also very pretty to see from the outside and to take some pictures. It is located near the city center.

Budapest Parliament: If you are interested in architecture and historical politics I recommend you to go inside. We payed for an english tour, and it was very interesting. It is a beautiful building, but if you are not interested in this type of activities, you can avoid going inside as depending on the tour, it can be up to 15€ per person.

Buda Castle: You can get up here on the funicular for a cheap price, and it has amazing views. It is worth going, both during the day to see the amazing views of both Buda and Pest, but also during the night, as you can see the lights of the city, and it is very pretty.

Ruda Thermal Baths: When I was in Budapest, my friends and I went to this Thermal Baths, and they were an amazing experience. It was very relaxing and fun, and even though we had to behave ourselves for the sake of the other fellow tourists, it was an amazing feeling after having walked the city for the two previous days. The price for this experience is 4000 HUF which is around 13€.

Food Tips

Something you must try while being in Budapest is Kürtőskalács. This is a cone-shaped sweet yeast dough, roasted over charcoal, and then coated with melted butter and granulated sugar.

Dionysus Tavern is a small local dinner, with fresh seafood, resembling Greek typical dishes. When we went there the food was delicious, and the service was even better. It is true that the prices could have been a bit cheaper, but regardless, we were happy to pay it since the food was so delicious.

Another place we went to have lunch was Lángos, a small fast food local, which sold pizzas, of all types and varieties, for a very cheap price. What we liked about this place was that we actually got a couple of big pizzas for all 6 of us, trying out Hungarian ingredients, and with a delicious result. This local was in the Central Market of Budapest, so even if you do not go to this suggestion, you should go check out the market, because on the top floor you can find a lot of places to eat.

Packing Tips

Budapest is not a city which involves special packing. The only thing I would recommend is to take two pairs of comfortable shoes, as you will be walking a lot. Another recommendation is that if you do decide to go to the Thermal Baths, you take an appropriate swimming suit.

In summer time you must be prepared for high temperatures, so take comfortable and fresh clothes.

Written by Elena Lamana Aristegui