how much hungarian forint to take?

useless

hi guys,

am embarking on a 7 week break for 2 to budapest - any suggestions about how many £ to exchange into forint?
we plan to do several bath trips, a bit of sight seeing, use public transport a bit, eat out every night - but nowhere flashy, and bring home a few presents, and go for a few drinks.
we were thinking of about £200 each - what do you think?

briona

Hi Useless (it somehow feels wrong to call you that!)

I went to Budapest in 2004 for 5 days and I just withdrew my forints at bank machines when I was over there, but even then I think I spent well over £200! (and I was on my own, drinking tea in cafes, not eating meals except in the hotel, not buying lots of souvenirs – mostly just visiting things and paying for taxis to and from the airport).

I don't think any of these Eastern European destinations are as cheap as they once were and, from recollection, anything remotely touristy (museums, galleries, monuments etc) charged very touristy prices! As they are due to join the Euro in the next couple of years (it was supposed to be this year!) many of their shops display prices in both forints and Euros, and these prices are very much in line with prices in Western Europe, i.e., very rarely a bargain, especially on Vaci Utca, their main tourist shopping area!

I think for two people over 7 weeks, £400 is bit over-optimistic – sorry!

Hope that helps

Briona

useless

oops! not concentrating! meant 7 days not weeks.

thanks for your advice!!!

briona

useless wrote: »

oops! not concentrating! meant 7 days not weeks.

thanks for your advice!!!

LOL. I did wonder but thought that maybe you were spending that long there with a view to relocating or something! Thinking back, I probably spent £300+ so you could probably get away with close on £400, but it depends on if and where you eat out and what you do during the day.

I opted not to use the tram system which, in hindsight, was a mistake. Budapest is VERY far-reaching and the sights are, what seems like, miles apart. I would have saved myself a lot of time and plasters (!) had I have braved the trams. I believe they are cheap but apparently the conductors don't buy into the whole "I'm-a-tourist-I-don't-understand-the-fares" thing so making sure you have the correct ticket is important! The Budapest Card (can be bought from the airport and gives free entry into many sights) MAY give some free travel on public transport, but I'm not sure.

http://www.timeout.com/travel/budapest/

Budapest is a great city though – hope you have a fab time!

Briona

useless

briona wrote: »

LOL. I did wonder but thought that maybe you were spending that long there with a view to relocating or something! Thinking back, I probably spent £300+ so you could probably get away with close on £400, but it depends on if and where you eat out and what you do during the day.

I opted not to use the tram system which, in hindsight, was a mistake. Budapest is VERY far-reaching and the sights are, what seems like, miles apart. I would have saved myself a lot of time and plasters (!) had I have braved the trams. I believe they are cheap but apparently the conductors don't buy into the whole "I'm-a-tourist-I-don't-understand-the-fares" thing so making sure you have the correct ticket is important! The Budapest Card (can be bought from the airport and gives free entry into many sights) MAY give some free travel on public transport, but I'm not sure.

http://www.timeout.com/travel/budapest/

Budapest is a great city though – hope you have a fab time!

Briona

thanks for that!! hope it is a good holiday too, i need it!!

Dylanwing

Budapest is quite dear by comparison with Poland/ Czech Republic. The bill in the cafe/ restaurant won't add up, and I can guarantee that ignorance is no excuse on a tram. The conductor watched me try to operate the old machine to stam my ticket and I just could not work it out, as the tram moved, he pounced - Luckily he realised we could not pay the fine, so he took a 'reduced fine', for which we got no ticket!! Don't miss the Childrens Railway, a fantastic ride, great fun, and a welcome break from the bustle of Budapest. The wax museum by the Citadel is good... If you like truly appalling waxworks models.