Oh, Caleb and I remember our first trip to Budapest. We were quite overwhelmed because the language and culture were so different from our own! But we got through it and liked it so much that we returned and stayed there for a time!
We want your first trip to Budapest to be stress-free so you can relax and enjoy delicious chicken paprikash and spectacular Hungarian wine. Today, we’re here to help with our first-timer’s guide to Budapest’s most important advice!
You’ll learn all of our Budapest insider tips that we wish we had known when we first visited since Budapest offers something for you whether you’re a foodie couple like us or not. Let’s get started with a sneak peek video of some of the city’s major attractions!
Budapest General Tips for First-Time Visitors:
1. Stay in Pest, District 5 or 7
Budapest is separated into two parts: Buda and Pest. The castle is located in Buda, which is significantly quieter and has fewer restaurants, cafes, and nightlife options. We strongly advise you to stay on the Pest side, in Districts 5 or 7, for a central position, especially if you’re a couple like us who enjoys visiting wine and cocktail establishments.
When you’re ready to explore a castle, you can walk or take public transportation to Buda. If you become lost, check the street signs to determine which district you are in. They have the district number on them!
2. Purchase Parliament Tours Online In Advance
We tried twice to acquire tickets for the parliament tour at the ticket office, but they were both sold out. To ensure a seat, we recommend purchasing them in advance on their website.
3. The Finest Time For A River Tour Is As The Sun Sets
We went on three river cruises to see which tour operator and time of day worked best for you. The most magnificent cruise time is around sunrise when the majestic buildings begin to light up with the purple and pink sky.
It’s also beautiful after sunset when the buildings are more visible, but the architecture is less noticeable. Daytime is the worst.
4. Avoid The Ruin Bars At Night And Head To The Farmer’s Market
We found the ruined bars to be packed with people in their twenties drinking cheap highballs, but we like a nice, romantic cocktail atmosphere. If that’s you, go to the ruin bars on Sunday mornings instead.
They have a great local farmers market inside, where we got the tastiest smoked cheese we’ve ever had. Ideal for unusual gifts to take home!
5. Learn A Few Fundamental Terms
This will help you appreciate the culture and communicate effectively. Just don’t do what I did: keep saying hello instead of thank you.
*waiter delivers me a cocktail* I say, “Hi.” Embarrassing.
6. Bring flip-flops, A Swimsuit, And A Beach Towel At Any Season
You’ll need them if you want to go to any thermal bath (which you should). You can buy them there, as Caleb did, but they’re pricey and unattractive.
7. Bring Forints, Not Euros
If you try to pay in Euros, the locals will give you a terrible exchange rate; instead, pay in Forints. Pay with a credit card and select the local currency when prompted to get the best exchange rate.
8. Get a Budapest Card
It will give you unlimited rides on public transportation and save you money on the most popular attractions.
9. Many Things Don’t Open On Sundays
When we lived there, we discovered that many businesses were closed on Sundays, opened late, and closed early. This is particularly true in supermarkets and many eateries. You will almost certainly discover some things open. Just know this before you leave.
10. If You Want To Go To New York Cafe, Order A Coffee
The New York Cafe is a popular tourist attraction since it is considered one of the most beautiful cafes in the world. We went and tried a 24k gold cappuccino to see if it was worth the hype and cost.
Honestly? It is not. The cuisine is subpar and pricey, but the cafe is stunning. So, just order the lowest item on the menu to see it.
Foodie Tips:
11. Eat Foods Other Than Goulash And Langos
Langos, chimney cake, and goulash are probably the most well-known Hungarian delicacies. While they are great, you should also sample some of the local dishes.
They’re substantial, paprika-heavy, and quite flavorful. Make sure you bring stretchy jeans, okay? Calories do not count on vacation. That is something we all know.
12. Avoid Getting Chimney Cakes From Street Stalls
We know they smell great as you go by, and they’re so inexpensive. But we’ve had the worst experiences at these stalls. They’re pre-made and hard, rather than crispy and soft, as they should be.
Instead, visit Kiraly Kalacs kurtokalacs, a small blue store. Thank you later.
13. Visit the Central Market Hall, But Don’t Dine Upstairs
It’s a great place to see local artists and farmers sell their food and vegetables, and the interior is stunning!
However, a local guide informed us that the food and souvenir stalls above are primarily for visitors. The quality is subpar, and the price is excessive. So avoid that.
14. Drink All Of The Wine
You’ve probably never heard of Hungarian wine since, as our acquaintance, a wine judge, told us, it’s not exported. But it’s so good (especially if you enjoy white wine) that we can’t drink anything else now. Additionally, it is inexpensive.
Another enjoyable spirit to try is Unicum, a typical Hungarian aperitif.
15. Do Not Clink Beer Glasses
According to folklore, Austrians celebrated the defeat of Hungary’s revolution in 1848 by toasting/clinking beer. So now it’s considered impolite to rejoice with beer!
Any other drink is fair game, however!
16. Check Your Bill For Pre-added Tips
We recommend tipping 10-12% in restaurants, as this is customary in Budapest. However, we discovered that many fancier restaurants had already included a service tax on the bill.
So, the finest Budapest restaurant tip is to double-check your bill before paying to avoid double-tipping!
17. Eat In Bakeries
To be honest, we enjoy Budapest’s bakery scene. There are so many delicious buttery alternatives to pick from, and it is an inexpensive way to eat. We recommend starting the day with a bakery and coffee, saving money for a fancier meal and beverages!
Tips For Navigating The City:
18. Walk Or Take Public Transportation
Walking is the greatest method to travel around Budapest; it is beautiful and easy to navigate. However, if you only have a few days and need to get from Buda to Pest, you should consider taking a bus or tram.
If you’re taking public transportation, try to stick to trams (our favorite) instead of buses because they’re more gorgeous and won’t get stuck in traffic like buses do.
19. Download The Budapest Go App
If you utilize public transportation, this software will save you a lot of time!
You can plan routes, view timetables, and even purchase transportation tickets directly from the app. Download it here before you leave so you don’t forget, but then you can’t because there is no Wi-Fi.
Fortunately, there is usually a McDonald’s close in Europe that offers free wifi.
20. Do Not Hail A Taxi
Most taxis/rideshares in Budapest have consistent pricing, but there are some “freelancers” who drive around and completely rip you off.
It’s preferable to phone the taxi company or, as we prefer, simply utilize the Bolt or Uber app. They are both official taxis and use the same pricing structure throughout.
21. Validate Your Public Transportation Ticket
Once you’ve purchased your ticket, make sure to validate it by scanning the barcode on the bus/tram doors or in the driver’s compartment. If you’re using the metro, the validation box is at the top of the escalator before you descend to the platform. Otherwise, you can get fined.
You do not want to end yourself in a Hungarian prison, right? ↑ I’m exaggerating, but you get the point.
22. Take the Bus To The City Center From The Airport
The easiest alternative is to take the 100E immediately from the airport; it’s located outside the arrival area and costs about USD 6 per person! It’s much cheaper than a taxi, very simple to use, and prompt!
We hope you find our Budapest travel advice useful and have a lovely, romantic time in the Danube gem. If you have any questions about arranging your vacation, please ask in the comments!
Conclusion:
To summarize, Budapest is a bustling city that combines its rich past with a modern flair, making it a memorable destination for first-time travelers. The architectural majesty of Buda Castle and the Parliament Building, as well as the lively ambiance of the ruined pubs and thermal spas, cater to everyone. You’ll be able to fully appreciate Budapest if you’re aware of local customs, grasp the transportation system, and arrange your trip with flexibility.
Whether you’re exploring its historic streets or enjoying Hungarian cuisine, your visit to Budapest in 2024 will be filled with unforgettable experiences and memories. Safe travels!
[…] and I had visited Budapest several times and even lived there. So we’ve spent much time and money visiting the gorgeous city […]