Budapest - tips for a MSE weekend ?

nollag2006

Just booked a short break for Mrs nollag's birthday to Budapest (early December) and am staying in the Hilton on the Buda side. I've been doing some research of different attractions but I wondered if anyone had food or sightseeing recommendations - doesn't have to be dirt cheap but reasonable ideally!

Thanks

N

RedBern

There's loads of nice places to eat - we were surprised by how good the food was - and inexpensive. The only time we overpaid was when we were offered drinks at the end of the meal - firewater type rubbish - which, when we got the bill had cost more than the meal had! (even so it wasn't too bad ). I think the Hilton is near the Fisherman's Bastion - and we were close to there also ... have a great weekend.

topmum

U lucky thing - green with envy here lol. Spent 3 days in Budapest over the summer and it was great! Firstly you will be relying on public transport and unfortunately once you are there it is not easy to work out what trams etc you need. (we figured out it must be a state secret lol) Go on to this web site once you know what you want to see and look what transport you need. http://http://www.bkv.hu/english/home/index.html

Dont go for a Budapest card, it works out expensive. Much cheaper to buy books of 10, which you can buy at main underground stations. We bought ours at Moscow Square. You 'compost' the tickets yourself on the trams, so we found that if we only compsted one ticket it was ok lol But make sure you use the correct amount on the underground.

Definately try a Therme - they are both beautiful and very enjoyable. They are a little expensive tho.

We had a trip to the Chinese Market at
VII. Kőbányai út 21-23, Open: 7am-6pm daily, Tram 28, 37
Mainly Chinese stall-holders selling cut price designer fashions, shoes, silks and housewares that they have brought over on the Trans siberian Railway. Do not take a bag tho as bag snatches and pick pockets are allegedly rife her. It is a fascinating place to visit - but do take care.

We took the fenicular up to the top of Castle Hill and the views are beautiful. Also the old town up there is lovely.

Try looking on this web site http://www.budapestinfo.org/ and see what takes your fancy.

We found the Hungarian people to be very helpful and were genuinely pleased to welcome you to their country.

Enjoy your break and let us know how it goes.

:beer:

Dylanwing

The Childrens Railway is highly recommended. It is a great ride, a nice break from the noisy City, and the enthusiasm of the youngsters is fantastic.

mrs_thrifty_2

Hello - we went back in June and had a wonderful time. Recommend going to Margaret Island - we went as part of a boat trip with an hours stop there. also we found our way to the top of Gellert hill - well worth the views. You get tram number 4 and go to its terminus Fehervari and then walk to Moricz Zsigmont Korter where you catch bus 27 and when you see the sign " citadella " get off. As for food well we found a turkish self service place which was near Margaret Bridge on the Pest side and about 300m from the tram stop. on the right with the river behind you. Definitely go to a thermal bath - we went to szechenyi and enjoyed it very much.

Foosterino

I stayed in the Hilton for my honeymoon - its a lovely hotel with fantastic views. Its really romantic to view the city in the Fisherman's Bastion at night (though it might be cold in December)

The only problem we had with the Hotel is that you are away from the action on the Pest side. Its a not bad going to things - a 20 minute walk down hill but up hill we found more challenging. Through the day there's a bus that drops you off at the tram/train station and that's a good way to get the good stuff. Through the night you rely on taxis. There's always some hanging about the hotel and we never had a problem with the drivers and prices etc. But you know you're in a good area when they bring the tourist tours to view your hotel. LOL

If you want an entertaining night out try the Sir Lancelot's restaurant, it may sound cheesy but its a medieval themed restaurant where you get served plates of meat and beer in jars by buxom wenches. It was great fun and not expensive.

Its not an expensive place to eat/drink at all. Clothes aren't too expensive either I picked up some lovely t-shirts at a Tesco for less than a £1.

It a place I definitely want to go back to!

Foo
x

nollag2006

Thanks all.

What is the best and easiest way to get from the airport to the hotel? I understand that there's a shuttle bus, but does the BKV 3 day card cover this?

As for using the trams and metro, how easy is it to buy tickets? I understand that you need to get a new ticket every time you change metro line.

Any good restaraunt recommendations ? Which is the best spa to go to?

philipjg

Eden is a fantastic restaraunt and actually very cheap as well.

http://www.edenetterem.hu/index.php?l=en

richardw

Foosterino wrote: »

The only problem we had with the Hotel is that you are away from the action on the Pest side.

Yep, have to agree with that.

TBeckett100

restaurant buffet place (caviar etc and all types meat, spft drinks included) very classy believe me and £15 a head. go to bettany ter on the tube, walk left when you get out of the station (nr the river) and walk up to the next bridge. hang a left and its on the corner.

useless

The cheapest way to get to the centre from the airport is by bus, and then the metro. You can buy a ticket from the newsagent in the airport, for less than a £1, to cover one single journey. If I remember rightly, you might need a 2nd single ticket to cover the metro part. There are quite a few taxis and a special airport minibus type things, but these will be more expensive. All these routes should be covered in the guidebooks.

Don't forget, if you are in one of the thermal baths, you normally get a proportion of your entrance fee back if you leave within an hour or two.

For uber cheap grub, try langos from one of the indoor markets. These are fried dough type things (not great for the health conscious) and you can choose from various different savoury toppings, such as garlic, sour cream and cheese. These cost just a pound or two.

As others have mentioned, restaurants in general are very good value for money, and you won't feel like you have to watch what you are spending at all. The vienna-style cafes are also good value for money and have some very nice cakes.