Budapest Travel Guide: What to Know Before Your Journey to Hungary’s Capital City
Heading to Budapest soon but not sure where to start? Our Budapest travel guide is here to help! Below we share our tips for navigating Hungary’s terrific capital city. You’ll find information about public transportation, currency, safety, public holidays, general etiquette, and a round up of our favorite Budapest neighborhoods.
What to Know Before Visiting Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary, located in Central Europe next to Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Ukraine, and Austria. Once a state within the powerful Austro-Hungarian Empire, Hungary is now a member of the European Union and has a long and tumultuous history, much like other countries in Central Europe.
The name Budapest is actually drawn from the unification of two formerly different cities: Buda and Pest, each lying on opposite sides of the Danube River. If you’d like to know more about the history of Budapest, we recommend our Downtown Pest and Buda Castle district tours to give you an overview of this fascinating fusion that formed a lively European capital.
Currency
Although a member of the EU, Hungary maintains its own currency, the Forint. At the time of writing, one US dollar is about the equivalent of 375 Ft, depending on exchange rates. While most places in Budapest accept credit cards, it’s always good to have cash on hand just in case. There are many ATMs and exchange places throughout the city. However, we don’t recommend exchanging currencies at the airport as the rates there are very high.
Safety in Budapest
Budapest is generally a very safe city to visit. However, as in most cities, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings and cautious of petty crime. Particularly in popular tourist areas, pickpockets are ready to take advantage of distracted tourists. Take care to keep your belongings secure at all times.
Getting Around in Budapest
Public Transportation in Budapest
Budapest has an excellent public transport system with four metro lines, buses, trams, and trolley-buses. Single tickets are only valid for one journey and cannot be transferred from the metro to other means of transport. You can buy tickets on the BKK mobile app or in the metro stations themselves. A 24-hour pass costs about $6.50 at the time of writing this post. You can validate your tickets by stamping them in the machines located in every metro station, tram, and bus. Don’t forget to validate. The fine for not doing so is steep (50 Euros!). There are ticket inspectors that regularly check tickets are not known to be forgiving!
By Taxi or Car
Another option to get around the city is by taxi. You can easily order one through several apps, which all have an English language option: Taxify, City Taxi and Főtaxi. If you want to pay by card, ask the driver beforehand. If the driver refuses and offers to take you to an ATM, just walk away. Many taxi drivers try to take advantage of tourists, so we recommend using the apps we have listed above to guarantee a good rate.
If you’d prefer to drive your own vehicle while in the city, there are a number of parking options available. Budapest’s four different parking zones range in price from $0.50 per hour to $1.50 per hour. You can find a full list of parking guidelines and locations here. If you’d prefer to have your own private driver, reach out to us at info@insightcities.com and we can arrange all your transportation needs.
From the Airport
The direct bus from Budapest airport to the city center departs every 10-15 minutes (or every 30 minutes during the night). This is Bus 100E and will take about 45 minutes, depending on traffic. The bus operates 24/7 so is a great option no matter what time you arrive. Tickets can be purchased at the airport ticket booths, inside the bus, or on the BKK mobile app. This ticket is only valid for the airport shuttle and has to be validated upon entering the bus. Expect to pay about $5.50.
Hungarian Public Holidays in 2025
Below are the important Hungarian public holidays for 2025, which may affect public transportation schedules and opening hours for stores and museums.
- January 1 – New Year’s Day
- March 15 – Revolution Day
- April 18-21 – Easter Holidays
- May 1 – Labor Day
- June 9 – Whit Monday
- August 20 – St. Stephen’s Day
- October 23 – Republic Day
- November 1 – All Saints’ Day
- December 25 & 26 – Christmas Holidays
Visiting during a particular season? Check out our blog posts covering Budapest’s seasonal offerings: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter.
Emergency Services
On the rare chance, that you should end up needing emergency services while in Budapest, it’s good to know who to contact. The general emergency number for the European Union is 112. Call this number and you will be connected to an operator who speaks English.
There are also specific emergency numbers for Hungary.
104 – Ambulance
107 – Police
105 – Fire
General Etiquette
As in all cities, it’s important to remember that while you are a visitor, Budapest is also the home of many people who live and work in the city every day. Do your best to keep the city clean and pleasant for visitors and locals alike. Respect local quiet hours and be aware of your surroundings.
Learn a Few Words in Hungarian
Hi —> Szia [see-ya]
How are you? —> Hogy vagy? [Hodge vadge]
Thank you —> Köszönöm [Koh-sur-nom]
Sorry —> Bocsánat [Bots-ana-t]
Cheers —> Egészségedre [Egg-esh-ay-ged-reh]
Tipping
At restaurants, it is recommended to tip about 10%. Check the bill first however, as sometimes the tip is already included.
Budapest Neighborhoods
Old Town – District One
The Old Town district of Budapest, also known as the Castle District, is a historic area with roots dating back to the 13th century. The neighborhood is now an upscale part of the city full of must-see sites including Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion, and Matthias Church. Visitors can also enjoy stunning views of Budapest from the Castle Hill. Because it is home to many popular tourist attractions, this area is a bit pricier than other neighborhoods but is full of charm and beauty.
City Center – District Five
Budapest’s 5th district is located along the Danube River and is the historic city center of Pest. Iconic landmarks such as the Hungarian Parliament Building, St. Stephen’s Basilica, the Shoes on the Danube monument and the Chain Bridge can be found in this neighborhood. Visitors indulge in high-end shopping on Fashion Street and Vaci Street, dine at fine restaurants or casual bistros, and relax in elegant cafes. This district is also quite pricey due to its prime location and sights.
Terézváros – District Six
Terézváros is named after Queen Maria Theresa and is a bustling neighborhood along Andrassy Avenue, combining residential streets with major cultural institutions like the Hungarian State Opera House and the Liszt Academy. With its stately avenues, historic architecture, and luxury shops, this district offers something for everyone. Terézváros is constantly evolving and is a vibrant and diverse area of Budapest to explore.
Erzsébetváros – District Seven
This district is Budapest’s historic Jewish quarter which is now a nightlife hotspot full of so-called “ruin bars” – neglected pre-war buildings that were transformed into lively cafes, bars, bistros and restaurants. The neighborhood retains a strong Jewish influence, with three synagogues in the area including the largest in Europe – the Dohány Street Synagogue. District seven also hosts the iconic New York Cafe, known as one of the most beautiful cafes on earth. You can find out more about this area on two of our tours – Ruin Bars & Alternative Communities in Budapest’s 7th & 8th Districts or A Journey Through Jewish Budapest.
Ferencváros – District Nine
This residential district in Pest has easy access to the city center and the Danube and is known for its exciting jazz scene. Visitors to Budapest can see the Great Market Hall, Müpa Budapest, the National Theatre, the Holocaust Memorial Center, Trafó Arts Centre, Groupama Arena, and Corvinus University, and great views of the Danube and Gellert Hill from this neighborhood.
Újlipótváros – District Thirteen
Expect a fashionable district north of the Parliament building, known for modernist housing developed in the 1930s and 1940s. Considered one of the most intellectual and liberal districts in Budapest, its biggest draw is Margaret Island, a popular island-park in the Danube with gardens, a water park, the zoo, and more.
Is there a question you have or a topic we didn’t cover in this post that you’re curious about? Check out our other Budapest blog posts or feel free to reach out to us directly at info@insightcities.com! We are happy to answer questions regarding your upcoming trip to Budapest or neighboring capitals in Central Europe.