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Budapest travel guide
A Gothic parliament on the Danube, a castle hill and thermal baths.
Photo: Efrem Efre / Pexels · Pexels License
Budapest is two cities in one: hilly Buda with the Castle District on the west bank, and flat, lively Pest with the Parliament, the Basilica and the Jewish Quarter on the east. The Chain Bridge links them and you can walk between the highlights in a day. Three days lets you add a thermal bath, Gellért Hill and the City Park. The currency is the Hungarian forint, not the euro.
Plan your Budapest trip
Best things to do in Budapest →
15 honest picks with costs, timing and skip-it-ifs.
Where to stay in Budapest →
4 neighbourhoods compared, with hotel picks per budget.
Budapest in 3 days →
A day-by-day route grouped by area.
Day trips from Budapest →
3 easy escapes by train or bus.
Budapest City Quest →
A printable self-guided treasure hunt.
Budapest quick facts
- Best time to visit
- April–June and September–October. December has Christmas markets; July–August is hot and busy.
- Money
- Hungarian forint (HUF, Ft). Cards are widely accepted. Choose to pay in forints when a card machine asks.
- Airports
- Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD), about 16 km south-east of the centre.
- Airport to city
- Bus 100E Airport Express runs around the clock to Kálvin tér and Deák Ferenc tér. It needs its own ticket: 2,500 Ft, bought with a bank card at the Pay&GO device on board, in the BudapestGO app or at machines. Regular tickets and the 24-hour travelcard are not valid on it (checked October 2026).
- Getting around
- Walk the centre and use trams, the metro and buses. A single ticket costs 500 Ft (700 Ft on board); a 24-hour travelcard costs 2,750 Ft and a 72-hour one 5,750 Ft (BKK, checked October 2026). Tram 2 along the Pest riverbank is a sightseeing ride in itself.
- Budget
- Usually cheaper than Western Europe for food and transport; thermal baths and central hotels in summer and December cost more. Compare live prices.
- Language
- Hungarian. English is common in the centre.
- Plugs
- Type C and F, 230 V.
Only have one day? Do these three
Top things to do in Budapest
- 1. Hungarian Parliament Building · 7,000 Ft for EEA citizens, 14,000 Ft for others
- 2. Fisherman’s Bastion · Lower terraces free 24/7
- 3. Matthias Church · Paid entry
- 4. Buda Castle (Royal Palace) · Courtyards and terraces free
- 5. Széchenyi Chain Bridge · Free
- 6. St Stephen’s Basilica · Paid entry
Watch: Budapest in one video
Video coming soon
Our walk-through of Budapest is in production. See all videos.
Turn sightseeing into a game
Budapest City Quest
Follow 12 quest stops from the Parliament along the Danube, over the Chain Bridge and up Castle Hill to the Fisherman’s Bastion, with riddles, photo missions, a kids’ mode and a printable map.
Get the questBudapest FAQ
How many days do you need in Budapest?
Two days covers the Parliament, the Chain Bridge and the Castle District. Three days lets you add a thermal bath, Gellért Hill and the Jewish Quarter at a relaxed pace.
Does Budapest use the euro?
No. The currency is the Hungarian forint (HUF, Ft). Cards work almost everywhere. If a card machine offers to charge you in euros, choose forints.
How do I get from Budapest airport to the city?
Take bus 100E Airport Express to Kálvin tér or Deák Ferenc tér. It runs 24/7 and needs its own 2,500 Ft ticket, which you can buy with a bank card on board. Regular tickets and travelcards are not valid on it. Price checked October 2026.
Is the Fisherman’s Bastion free?
The lower terraces are free at all times. The upper towers cost 1,700 Ft between 9:00 and 19:00 (until 21:00 from June to September) and are free outside those hours (2026).
Which thermal bath is best for a first visit?
Széchenyi in the City Park is the classic, with big outdoor pools that steam in winter. Go on a weekday morning, bring flip-flops and a towel, and book online.
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