There aren’t many more universally adored cities than Budapest. It’s a city of both architectural and natural wonders. It’s easy to get around, cheap (by European standards), safe, and approachable for visitors. The streets are lively, but far less congested than places like Paris, Barcelona, or Rome.
Still, seemingly minor things such as knowing how to properly pronounce “Budapest”, how to use the metro without getting fined, what the tipping culture is like in Hungary, and which rideshare app to use will go a long way to ensuring an optimal experience.
If you’re arranging your first visit to this Central European wonder, continue reading to discover the 17 tips and things to know before visiting Budapest that will make for a more enjoyable, rewarding trip.
1. Know How to Pronounce “Budapest”
Unbeknownst to many, the “Pest” in Budapest is actually pronounced “Pesht,” with an “SH”-sound.
While it might seem of minor importance, imagine your hometown seeing millions of annual visitors and everyone pronouncing it incorrectly. Locals will appreciate hearing their city’s name annunciated how it’s supposed to sound!
2. The Danube Divides the Buda Side from the Pest Side
First-time visitors are probably unaware that the city used to be three entirely different cities with three different governments—Buda, Pest, and Obuda. In 1873, the three sections merged and formed modern-day Budapest.
Today, the Danube River acts as the divider between the former cities of Buda (west of the river) and Pest (east of the river).
3. You’re Going to Spend More Time in Pest
Two of the most notable attractions in the city are located on the Buda side: Buda Castle and Fisherman’s Castle. Gellert Hill, offering a stunning summit viewpoint of the city, is also in Buda.
Otherwise, everything you’re going to want to see and explore is on the Pest side, such as the Hungarian Parliament Building, St. Stephen’s Basilica, Heroes Square, Vajdahunyad Castle, the Hungarian Opera House, and most of the ruin bars. Further, the most picturesque residential neighborhoods and appealing architecture in general are located in Pest, particularly in the areas just off historic Andrassy Avenue in Districts V, VI, and VII.
The central business district is also in Pest, making Buda significantly less bustling than Pest overall. Keep this in mind when researching where to stay in Budapest.
4. Budapest Is Extremely Safe
Hungary is an unbelievably safe country to visit. And while big cities are sometimes the exception in otherwise safe countries, Budapest has very little crime. Even the drinking water is totally safe!
There really aren’t any “dangerous” neighborhoods in Budapest. The isolated areas just outside of the large train stations can provide some unpleasant sights on occasion, but you don’t need to be concerned about safety when visiting Budapest. To provide evidence, the most recent data shows a homicide rate of 0.8 per 100,000 people in Budapest. By comparison, that figure is nearly 100% lower than London, 300% lower than Amsterdam, 700% lower than New York, and 2000% lower than Houston.
A recent poll revealed that Hungarians feel more safe walking alone at night than Spaniards do in Spain, Norwegians do in Norway, Irish do in Ireland, and Italians do in Italy—all countries that are considered very safe to visit.
Obviously, don’t let your guard completely down. It’s important to stay aware of your surroundings. But it’s not something you need to worry about, which is always refreshing when traveling.
5. Air Conditioning Is Hit or Miss
Hungarians are generally very environmentally friendly and focus on minimalizing their ecological footprint, which is a contributing factor to the historic lack of AC here. For others, it’s simply not affordable.
However, recent summer heatwaves have revolutionized the air conditioning industry in Hungary, forcing many to succumb to their beliefs (or wallets) and invest in AC.
In 2010, just 4% of Hungarian residences had an air conditioner. As of 2022, that number had skyrocketed to 27%.
Still, that means 73% of residents as of 2023 did not have a way to cool off indoors. While that figure is likely significantly lower in Budapest vs. more rural areas, you’re still going to come across some places without AC. If you’re visiting from mid-June to September during a heatwave, this could be an annoyance, so perhaps prioritize finding a place to stay that has it. Most bars and restaurants in central areas will be air conditioned, however.
6. Public Transportation Is Fantastic
Public transport in Budapest is fantastic, so there’s no need to rent a car. You really might not need to even get into a car throughout your whole stay in Budapest unless you plan on venturing somewhere well outside the city. The Budapest Metro is one of the better forms of public transportation in Europe. In fact, the M1 line, which opened in 1896, is the second-oldest underground railway in the world.
If the underground isn’t convenient for you based on your start and end points, an above-ground tram or bus will get you from Point A to Point B efficiently.
It’s even worthwhile to take the tram just for fun! The No. 2 tram straddles the Danube River and is considered one of the most scenic forms of public transit in Europe.
7. Validate Your Metro Tickets in Advance
Before boarding a metro or tram in Budapest, it’s critical to have already validated your ticket. If an inspector catches you with an invalidated ticket, you are subject to a fine. Keep in mind this is a separate process from buying your ticket.
To validate your ticket, push the end of the ticket (the side with the barcode on it) into the little opening of the validation machine before or upon boarding the train or bus. These machines are found on the platforms of metro stops and in the front and back of trams and buses.
Once you’ve validated the ticket, do not crumple it up and throw it away. Keep it handy, as there might be an inspector that boards the bus or waits at the exit of a metro station.
8. Download the BOLT App to Order a Taxi
Again, you might not need to use this mode of transportation at all in Budapest, but if you do, make sure you schedule a ride via a rideshare app rather than hailing one down. This way, you know exactly how much you’re going to pay for each ride.
BOLT is the most popular and reliable rideshare app in Budapest. Uber does not exist here, but BOLT works just like Uber. The rides are really cheap, usually just $5-10 to go anywhere within several miles.
9. Visit Szimpla Kert During the Day to Avoid Lines
Szimpla Kert is Budapest’s most popular ruin bar. It’s actually a collection of several different bars, all with a different vibe and theme, packed into a courtyard of an old, abandoned building in the Jewish Quarter.
Szimpla Kert is well worth visiting, but I’d avoid it past 7:00 or 8:00 if you want to either get in without waiting in line or avoid the crowd. That is, unless you’re looking for more of a party vibe!
Budapest generally isn’t a very congested city, but this street is often the main attraction for partygoer visitors, so be prepared for noise if you’re hanging around Szimpla past sundown. Definitely go around lunch or in the afternoon to have a more relaxed experience if that’s what you’re after.
10. Explore All of Varosliget Park, Not Just the Main Attractions
Heroes Square, Vajdahunyad Castle, and Szechenyi Bath are all conveniently located in Budapest’s largest city park, Varosliget.
A common mistake people make when visiting Budapest is seeing these attractions and leaving the park. I highly recommend taking an hour or two to roam the rest of the park. The Museum of Ethnography boasts an incredible display of architecture, where the ground essentially rises from the surface, allowing you to walk on top of the museum below.
Overall, Varosliget is one of my favorite parks I’ve been to. The 302-acre park was designed in the late 19th century and has something for everyone—basketball courts, tennis courts, ping pong tables, volleyball courts, running lanes, multiple playgrounds, open grassy areas, and much more. It’s a popular place for locals to get a run in or bring their kids to play on the evenings and weekends. Walking a loop around the 2.48-mile track will make you feel like a local, even if only for a bit!
11. Avoid Buda Castle and Fisherman’s Bastion During Peak Hours
Another area worth trying to avoid during peak hours is the combination of Buda Castle and Fisherman’s Bastion. You’ll likely check off both spots at the same time, as it’s most convenient to see one before making the 10- to 15-minute walk to the other.
Again, it’s generally very easy to avoid crowds in Budapest. But you’re not going to be able to avoid swarms of people around Buda Castle and Fisherman’s Bastion from late morning to late afternoon, particularly during the summer months.
Aim to see them in the morning if you want to stay away from large groups, or in the evening for sunset, as it likely will be a bit quieter by then. Fisherman’s Bastion is open 24 hours, and the courtyards outside of Buda Castle are as well.
12. Leave Budapest for a Day Trip
Budapest is an amazing city, but the rest of Hungary is overlooked by visitors. The country overall has a lot more to offer yet remains mostly off the tourist trail.
Fortunately, a few of the best places to visit in Hungary outside of Budapest are very close to the city.
The Danube Bend is a beautiful, mountainous region that can be easily reached from Budapest by boat (2 hours) or train (45 minutes). This is my personal favorite Budapest day trip idea, as the setting in this area is incredibly scenic. It can be refreshing to get out of the city and experience nature and have easy access to outdoors activities like hiking, biking, and kayaking.
Make sure not to miss Visegrad Castle if you pursue this option. One example of an itinerary is taking the train from Budapest to the town of Nagymaros (45 minutes) and then taking the ferry across the river (5 minutes) to the town of Visegrad. Explore both towns before walking up to the top of the castle, which takes about 30 minutes in itself. Nagymaros has both a bike rental and kayak rental shop as well, just remember that locals around here might not speak English.
Szentendre is a quaint village on the water, only a 20-minute drive from the city center. The narrow, cobblestone streets are a stark contrast from Budapest. The town is filled with boutique shops, cafes, art galleries, and colorful outdoor displays and is definitely one of the most popular day trips from Budapest.
Just outside of Szentendre is the Skanzen Open Air Museum. Even if museums aren’t your thing, I highly recommend setting aside a few hours to check this out. It provides a physical display of nine different regions of Hungary, including both present-day Hungary (such as the Hungarian Plains) and some areas that were lost following World War I, such as Transylvania. The visit provides context for how the nation and its people came to be and where certain traditions and values came from.
13. Remember to Tip (Around 10%)
A quick note: tipping at dine-in restaurants is customary throughout Hungary. You don’t need to tip an absorbent amount, but 10% is pretty standard.
14. Yes, People Speak Good English
It’s standard for people to wonder if people in Hungary speak English. After all, this is a country commonly thought of as Eastern European (although by every angle it’s Central European).
The vast majority of people in Budapest speak good English, young people in particular. It might be hit or miss with older folks, though if they’re working in the tourism industry, they surely will be able to communicate in English.
15. Still, Learning These Hungarian Words and Phrases Will Go a Long Way
You’ll be able to get around in Budapest without knowing Hungarian quite easily.
Still, that doesn’t mean it’s not worthwhile to learn some Hungarian. Locals very much appreciate it. There’s a stereotype that Hungarians are quiet, reserved people—and they are to an extent. But you’ll be surprised how quickly they open up once you make an effort to speak their language.
A few words and phrases to know:
Hi = “Szia”
Yes = “Igen.”
No = “Nem.”
Please = “Kérem”
Thank you = “Köszönöm.”
Good morning = “Jo reggelt!”
Excuse me = “Elnezest.”
Goodbye = “Szia!” or “Viszlat” [the latter is more formal].
My name is __ = “En [name] Vagyok.”
Do you speak English? = “Beszel Angolul?” (or just “Angolul?”)
I do not speak Hungarian = “Nem Beszelek Magyarul.”
16. Prioritize a Danube River Cruise at Night Over a Daytime Cruise
Boat is the best form of transportation to see the main attractions of Budapest all at once. There are plenty of tour operators running Danube River cruises day and night lined up along the docks in the city center, so you don’t need to plan more than 24 or 48 hours in advance.
I’d recommend an evening sunset cruise or even a night cruise. A lit-up Hungarian Parliament Building is, in my opinion, up there with the most beautiful architectural sights in the world. Buda Castle and Fisherman’s Bastion aren’t far behind.
Another tip is to try to find a boat that has outdoor seating. It makes a real difference. I’d also recommend getting to your dock 20-30 minutes early so you get near the front of the line to claim the best seat, which will hopefully be outdoors.
17. Explore Less-Visited Neighborhoods
The public transportation is great throughout Budapest, and the city overall is one of the safest in the world. You should take advantage of this and venture to more off-the-beaten-path areas.
I’d recommend District VI, which is still walkable to many of the hotspot areas. Many embassies are located in District VI and outer District VII in the neighborhood next to Varosliget, the city park. You’re not going to run into many tourists walking these quiet, beautiful, tree-lined streets.
The Ujpest neighborhood on the north side (District IV) is rarely occupied by travelers, but it offers a glimpse into a typical, middle-class Budapest way of life. The medieval architecture in Ujpest and the further-out districts is generally not as sensational as that of what you’ll see in or near the city center. However, you can find great cafes, restaurants, bars, and friendly locals in any district of the city. So why not venture out a bit?
In-Summary: Things to Know Before Visiting Budapest
Knowing these tips before visiting Budapest will save you a lot of time and hassle on your trip.
If you want to learn more about visiting Budapest or Hungary as a whole, you can find more helpful information here: Resources for Your Trip to Hungary.
