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Budapest’s vibrant neighborhoods, historic architecture, and pedestrian-friendly streets are best explored on foot. An added advantage is that many of the popular tourist attractions are within a short walk from each other. If you do not wish to walk everywhere, you can use the efficient and extensive public transport system. As far as possible, avoid driving in the city, as parking is scarce and several one-way streets make navigation quite tedious.

Public Transportation

The BKK operated public transport network consists of over 200 bus routes, 4 metro lines, and several tram lines. A single ticket on most of the bus routes and all trams and metro lines costs 350 HUF. A transfer ticket which allows 1 transfer costs 530 HUF. You can also purchase a 24-hour Budapest travelcard for 1,650 HUF and enjoy unlimited day long travel on buses, trams, and the metro. There is a scheduled boat service on the Danube river from spring through fall. One-way boat fares are 750 HUF. Use the Funicular service to travel up to Castle Hill from Clark Adam Square. The fare is 1,100 HUF for a single ride and 1,700 HUF for a return ticket.

Taxis

Taxis are easily available throughout the city. Official taxis bear a yellow license plate, a yellow taxi sign and an ID badge on the dashboard.

Biking

Budapest offers close to 100 miles of designated cycling pathways and the city’s official bike-share program is called BuBi (short for Budapest Bicycle). Visitors can buy a 24-hour ticket for 500 HUF and enjoy access to over 1,300 bikes across 100 plus bike stations in the city. Each ride should not exceed more than 30 minutes.

U.S. nationals do not need a visa to enter Hungary for up to 90 days for business or tourism. For foreign nationals, please check the Schengen Visa Info website.

Things to do and places of interest in Budapest

A city that dates back to the Old Stone Age, Budapest is steeped in history, and offers a range of sights and attractions. Architecturally, the city is a treasure trove with Roman, Neo-Gothic, Renaissance and Ottoman styles on display. Culturally, you will discover something new in the food, drinks, and round the year line-up of festivals. The scores of thermal baths are reason enough for a dedicated trip for wellness and relaxation. With so much to see and do here, it is quite likely that you may want to travel to Budapest more than just once!

• Head to the historic Castle Hill District to check out Buda Castle, as well as other monuments such as the Neo-Gothic structure of Halászbástya (Fisherman’s Bastion), the Magyar Nemzeti Galéria (Hungarian National Gallery), and the Romanesque-style Matthias Church. Also visit Museum of Music History and Museum of Telephony while exploring Castle Hill.
• Visit other popular tourist attractions such as the Hungarian Parliament Building, the Hungarian State Opera House, the Dohány Street Synagogue (also known as the Great Synagogue), St. Stephen’s Basilica, and Hosök tere (Heroes Square).
• Book a walking tour for a full picture of Hungarian culture, including food and sights.
• Stroll through Memento Park and see more than 40 statues and plaques of famous leaders like Marx, Lenin and others.
• Wander along Andrassy Avenue, a mile long Parisian-style boulevard and browse through the quaint shops, cafés and restaurants in the area.
• Walk across the 380-meter-long Széchenyi Chain Bridge, the first permanent stone bridge that spans Danube river connecting Pest and Buda.

Tips and tricks for visiting Budapest

Invest in a Budapest Card

Earn significant discounts and savings, a few free tours, and unlimited usage of all public transport when you buy a Budapest Card. The card comes with a validity of 24-hours, 48-hours or 72-hours and costs between 6,000 HUF – 11,600 HUF depending on the duration you choose.

Don’t miss the thermal baths

The fürdoks (thermal baths) in Budapest are open all year round. A soak in one of the baths is a quintessential Budapest experience. With over 100 thermal springs, various baths around the city cater to different tastes, from relaxation to cures for illnesses. Check out the 1913-built Széchenyi Spa and Swimming Pool, one of the largest bathing complexes in Europe. Széchenyi offers 18 pools of medicinal natural hot spring waters. Visit the Gellért Spa for its grand Art Nouveau architecture, and Art Deco details. History buffs will appreciate the Király Bath that dates back to the Middle Ages, or the 16th-century dated Rudas Bath. Don’t forget to pack a swimsuit when you visit Budapest!