Currency used in Hungary

These are Hungarian Fonts, the currency used in Budapest. To us Americans, they’re strange because they have high numerical values but low currency value. The best place to take out the money in Budapest is at any Budapest Bank. The transaction rate is about 300 HUF is $1 USD or 360 HUF is 1 Euro. This general exchange rate will help in your best budget tips for Budapest.

My Budget for Budapest

• $54 USD one-way flight from Venice Mestre to Budapest International Airport
• $204 USD for a 3-night stay at an Airbnb (Late March on Weekend Stay)
• $20 USD for public transport tickets (Including airport transfer)
• $175 USD for food and drink
• $453 USD TOTAL for a 3-night stay in Budapest & flight from Venice Mestre Airport

The Best Budget Tips & How to Spend Money in Budapest

• Take advantage of the cheap and reliable public transport!
• Save plenty of money for eating and drinking out because Budapest restaurants are some of the most unique in Europe
• Almost all places accept card but make sure to take out some cash for various activities such as donating to the church or synagogue

Remember if you would like to learn more about Budapest, Hungary, then you can visit my all-inclusive guide for free here!

The post The Best Budget & Spending Tips for Budapest, Hungary appeared first on Nick's Travel Tips.

This is a picture of the public transportation map in Budapest. Like any other city, tickets are available for purchase at any metro stop. I recommend buying the 10 trip package for a 3 day weekend for two people. It costs 3,000 HUF for a 10 journey ticket, which saves money in the long run since a single trip ticket is 350 HUF.

What to Know About Each Type of Public Transport in Budapest

Metro in Budapest – Best for getting to and from the airport as well as to Szechenyi Baths

Tram in Budapest – Best for short trips & over the bridge

Bus in Budapest – Best for to and from the airport as well as short trips

Approximate Prices for Public Transport in Budapest

• Single ticket: HUF 350 ($1.20 USD)
• Single ticket bought on the spot: HUF 450 ($1.55 USD)
• Block of 10 ticket: HUF 3,000 ($10.25 USD)
• Airport Shuttle Bus: HUF 900 ($3.10 USD)
• Transfer Ticket: HUF 530 ($1.80 USD)
• Short Section Metro Ticket for up to 3 Stops: HUF 300 ($1.02 USD)
• Metro Area Ticket: HUF 250 ($0.85 USD)
• Monthly Budapest-pass for students: HUF 3,450 ($11.75 USD)

Other Useful Tips for Public Transport in Budapest

• Buy your tickets! There are sometimes officials who go around on Budapest public transportation and ask to show your tickets, there will be a large fine if you do not have your verified ticket
• Access a guide to Budapest public transport provided by the city here!
• Use Google Maps or the BKK FUTAR App on your phone to plan your destination (Apple Store Link)

Remember if you would like to learn more about Budapest, Hungary, then you can visit my all-inclusive guide for free here!

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This map to the left are the neighborhoods of Budapest. The areas I circled are the best places to stay for convenience. Each neighborhood has different advantages but I stayed in district 5 (V). Remember that most restaurants and popular areas are on the right side, while the left consists of Buda Castle as well as Citadella. However, Budapest is so easy to walk around and take public transportation so a good location is well worth the money.

Hotel/Airbnb Recommendation for Budapest

The Airbnb I booked, hosted by Eszti

If you have begun your search into staying in Budapest, then you most likely know that Hungary is a cheap destination. To the left is one of the photos of where I stayed. It was a lovely studio hosted by Eszti and has everything you need for your stay at a great price! The location is unbeatable, close to the tram, metro, and the bus stop where you get off from the airport!

Remember if you would like to learn more about Budapest, Hungary, then you can visit my all-inclusive guide for free here!

The post The Best Location & Where to Stay in Budapest, Hungary appeared first on Nick's Travel Tips.

A cafe with pets! What more could you want? You will get to hold a snake and have a chameleon walk across the back of your neck while drinking your coffee. I prefer the reptiles because they don’t poop on the tables, but you can ask the waiters/waitresses for whatever you’d like. You usually stay for about 3 or 4 animals then leave because of the high demand. The only downside is slightly high prices and the place can smell like…well a zoo. Find more details about Zoo Cafe, one of the best restaurants in Budapest, here!

Mazel Tov

Budapest is known for young, trendy, hip restaurants. Mazel Tov is among the top eateries on this list. Mazel Tov serves Mediterranean Cuisine in a trendy setting. It is a great dining experience but there is also usually a long queue to eat here unless you’re in on an off day. Find more details about Mazel Tov, one of the best restaurants in Budapest, here!

Trofea Grill

Trofea Grill is a perfect place for anyone to try as much Hungarian cuisine as they want. It’s buffet style and not that expensive for all you can eat. Additionally, they give you unlimited drinks! There’s a bar where you can have fresh meat/seafood grilled for you, or help yourself to the buffet. If you’re trying Hungarian cuisine or even Eastern European Cuisine for the first time, I strongly recommend you try everything you can. I recommend some of these traditional foods on my list of 5 must-try foods while in Budapest. Find more details about Trofea Grill, one of the best restaurants in Budapest, here!

Remember if you would like to learn more about any of the places included in my guide for where to eat in Budapest, Hungary, then you can visit my all-inclusive guide for free here!

The post Where to Eat – The Best Restaurants in Budapest, Hungary appeared first on Nick's Travel Tips.

A must-see in Budapest, Saint Stephen’s Basilica

One of the main attractions of Budapest is Saint Stephen’s Basilica. This Roman Catholic Church was finished in 1905. Free entry but recommended 1 euro donation. I only did the entry and felt that was enough, but if you’d like there are tours and panorama lookout in the dome available for purchase. Saint Stephen’s is one of the places you must go to in Budapest!

Buda Castle

Large walled castle with shops, museums, and archaeological sites. Popular sites include the Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church. The entrance to the castle is free, but there is a steep walk up to the grounds. A cable car ride to the top is available for 1800 round trip (1200 one way) for adults and 1100 round trip (700 one way) for children 3 – 14 years old. If you’re up there near the top of the hour, wait around for the changing of the guards ceremony. If you stand parallel along the gate edges, then you will get a front-row seat!

Matthias Church

This one of a kind church is a must-see in Budapest. There are many different styles that contribute to the church because various pieces were built in different eras. The interior is full of beautiful frescos and stained glass. There is also a small museum, gift shop, and a balcony to admire the architecture from above. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket office nearby for 1800 HUF for adults and 1200 for students.

Fisherman’s Bastion

The Fisherman’s Bastion is a decorative bastion within the walls of Buda Castle. This area was created for viewing the city. There are some free parts on the lower balconies but the paid entrance has the best views. These tickets can be purchased along with the church ticket at the ticket office nearby. Tickets will cost 1000 HUF (3.5 euro) for adults, and 500 HUF for students and children under 14. These tickets are highly recommended unless you plan on going to the bar on the main bastion where drinks will run for around 7 euro each.

Szechenyi Thermal Spa

One of the first things that people ask about when you talk about Budapest is the thermal baths. Szechenyi baths are the most popular and best looking, both outside and inside. They are somewhat expensive, (6,000 HUF weekdays, 6,200 HUF weekends around 20 euro), although you can stay for as long as you’d like. After you buy your tickets, you’ll be given a wristlet for your locker which is easy to figure out. The hard part is the changing rooms. These rooms have doors on BOTH sides, and most rooms do not have locks. My best tip is bring in your significant other, try to block both doors and change at the same time. Once inside, you can walk around to find a variety of baths, both indoor and outdoor, at different temperatures, as well as various steam rooms.

City Park & Heroes Square (Near Szechnyi Thermal Spa)

The area around the thermal spas also offers castle grounds to walk around (City Park) and a monumental square surrounded by a rotary (Heroes Square). There is also a zoo nearby, but I didn’t go in. City Park is nice to walk around since there is usually a street performer or someone doing spray paint art. The castle contains a museum and wonderful architecture. If you cross the bridge you will find Heroes Square, which is a large public square dedicated to the one-thousandth anniversary of the Hungarian State. Near this monument is the Museum of Fine Arts and Palace of Art, known for their collections of Hungarian art.

Citadella

Another walk up a hill, but there is a trail leading up to it near the entrance to the Gellert Cave Church. Along the way, there is a park and plenty of places to stop and check out the view. At the top are the Liberty Statue and some food/drink vendors. Make sure to get up here with a couple of cups and a bottle of wine for sunset during your stay.

Remember if you would like to learn more about any of the places included in my 3-day itinerary for Budapest, Hungary, then you can visit my all-inclusive guide for free here!

The post What to Do – The Best Sights & Attractions of Budapest, Hungary appeared first on Nick's Travel Tips.

If you’re staying in central Budapest, then you will want to do most of the stuff across the Danube river in one day. It’s easy enough to get across, but it makes sense to do it all together if you have limited time in your Budapest itinerary. Take the tram across the river to the Buda Castle during the day to explore the grounds. Make sure to check out Matthias Church and Fisherman’s Bastion while you’re there. Although it’s difficult to find a place to eat in this area, go down closer to the river for a bite to eat. Then you will have the opportunity to check out the best view of the Parliament building (unless you’re on the water). Afterward, you can walk or take a tram down towards the Citadella entrance. Get up here in time for sunset for a beautiful view.

Day 2: Dohany Street Synagogue & Szechnyi Baths

In the morning, get up to see the Dohany Street Synagogue. Hopefully it’s within walking distance of your place, but if not, it’s easily accessible by tram. The Synagogue has lots to offer with its own museum and deep history. Then take the metro over to the Szechnyi baths, which are about a 25 minute ride away. You will most likely spend a couple of hours here before you get sick of the smell and the crowd. Take a walk around the castle and check out the museums in the area before returning to central Budapest.

Day 3: Saint Stephens Basilica & River Cruise

Take a river cruise at night after a relaxing day doing anything that you might have missed on your Budapest itinerary. I recommend the night cruise instead of daytime because the parliament building looks best when it’s lit up at night. There are many programs that offer these cruises, but I recommend the one through Budapest River Cruises. You will be on a relatively large boat, but there is a roof deck for viewing and many interior common rooms/bars. This company offers decent prices and also includes a choice of 2 complimentary cocktails or beers.

Remember if you would like to learn more about any of the places included in my 3-day itinerary for Budapest, Hungary, then you can visit my all-inclusive guide for free here!

The post Your Unique 3-Day Itinerary for Budapest, Hungary appeared first on Nick's Travel Tips.