Before you Travel
Bookings needed & things you can prepare in advance to make the most of your time once in Budapest
The huge majority of travelers visit the following attractions. They need to be booked to avoid huge queues or to guarantee availability.
The First tickets you should book in advance are the ones for the tour of the Parliament. You'll get access to the beautiful central staircase, the great vaulted hall, the Hungarian Crown Jewels and the Hungarian Holy Crown. By booking you'll be able to select a timeslot and the language you prefer the tour to be in.
The second tickets you should book are the ones for the Great Synagogue. You'll be able to select the day you want to get in and it will give you access to skip-the-line tickets and a guided tour of the Synagogue, the Heroes’ Temple, the Raoul Wallenberg Memorial Park and the graveyard.
And the last tickets you should definitely book to get a full relaxing experience are the ones for the Széchenyi Thermal Baths. You'll also skip-the-line at the entrance and get access to 3 outdoor spa's and 15 indoor pools of the largest thermal spring bath complex in Budapest.
PASS TO MAKE THE BEST OF YOUR VISIT
There's a Pass you can buy to enter attractions and make your access to them a lot easier. The Budapest Card is valid to enter over 17 Museums and you can choose a 24, 48, 72, 96 or 120-hour card. It also gives access to unlimited public transport during the validity of the card, two walking tours and some discounts at local restaurants.
There are different ways to get from Ferenc Liszt International Airport to the center of Budapest. I recommend these 2 options the most:
The cheapest option: Public Transport
Bus 100E departs from the airport every 30 minutes (all day) and the trip takes approximately 35 minutes to get to its final stop, Deák Ferenc tér M Metro station. Regular tickets for the airport shuttle bus cost 900 HUF per person and can be purchased from the customer service centres, newsagents, ticket offices or ticket vending machines in the arrivals hall.
The most comfortable and easiest option: Private Transfer
If you book a private transfer in advance, you'll have a driver waiting for you at the arrivals hall. He will take you to the door of your acommodation in a little bit over half an hour. The price depends on the distance to the hotel, but calculate around €30 per car.
Once in the city, the best way to get to know it is walking so you get to see more of its beautiful streets. For further distances, the best 2 ways of transport are:
Public Transport
It has trams, buses, boats and metro. They're very frequent from 4.30 to 23:00. After that, only buses run with less frequency. Single tickets are 350 HUF, a 1-day ticket is 1650 HUF, a 3-day ticket is 4150 HUF, a weekly ticket is 4950 HUF. It's included in the Budapest Card, which is available for 24, 48 or 72 hours.
For a most comfortable & Panoramic way: Hop On - Hop Off buses
There are 3 different companies that offer this service with different options:
Big Bus offers classic, premium or deluxe tickets for 1, 2 or 3 days. The three include a walking tour on the Pest side. Premium and deluxe tickets include a Hop on -Hop off river cruise, and the deluxe also includes a free Night Tour and Castle shuttle. Prices go from € 19.80 per person.
City Sightseeing has 24, 48 or 72-hour tickets and you can include a boat and a night tour. Prices go from € 22 per person.
Green Sightseeing buses offer a 48-hour ticket to access 3 routes. It includes a river cruise, a walking tour, a meal with goulash and beer and a discount booklet for shopping and dining experiences. Prices go from € 25 per person.
Book your tours, guides & activities: the best tours sell out fast. Try to do your research and book before you go. Have a look at our Love Your Trip selection, we have the best services and experiences in town.
If you need advice to choose your activity or you’re looking for something specific, send me a message.
Have you just started to plan your trip? Too many things to decide? Too long do it all by yourself? Special needs or wishes? Then, you should plan your trip with a local to get tailored travel plans & advices.
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