BudapestImage:Budapest_aussicht.jpg|thumb|240px|The Danube River and the leafy hills of Budapest/Buda|Buda '''Budapest''' is the capital city of Hungary. Home to some 1.8 million inhabitants, it is the country's commercial and administrative center. ==Understand== Located on both sides of the '''Danube River''' and featuring both the rolling hills of '''Budapest/Buda|Buda''' (on the west bank) and the organized, gridlike layout of '''Budapest/Pest|Pest''' (east bank), these two very different cities united by convenience into one city offer the traveller a Viennese-style aura at half the price. But Budapest (pronounced "BOO-dah-pesht") is still very much its own city. The people are charming, and for the most part very helpful. They are proud of what this ancient capital has to offer, and proud of their contributions to European culture, especially in the field of music, a universal language one doesn't need to speak to appreciate. ===Orientation=== Image:ChainBridge_Pest.JPG|thumb|240px|The Chain Bridge and a view of Pest Aside from the river itself, the best reference points for orienting yourself are the bridges crossing the river. From north to south, they are: * '''Árpád Bridge''' (''Árpád híd''), a modern bridge linking to northern Margaret Island. The longest bridge in Budapest with its 973 meters. * '''Margaret Bridge''' (''Margit híd''), easily identified thanks to its distinctive angled shape with a mid-bridge branch to Margaret Island; trams 4 and 6 cross the Danube here * '''Chain Bridge''' (''Széchenyi lánchid''), completed in 1849, the oldest, arguably most beautiful and certainly the most photographed of Budapest's bridges, floodlit at night * '''Elizabeth Bridge''' (''Erzsébet híd''), completed in 1903. Originally it was a chain structure bridge as the Chain Bridge; it was exploded by the Germans in 1945. The present one is a cable bridge, the reconstruction of the original, re-opened in 1964. * '''Liberty Bridge''' (''Szabadság híd''), elegant but simple, opened 1896; connects the Gellert Baths on Budapest/Buda|Buda with the Great Market Hall on Budapest/Pest|Pest * '''Petofi Bridge''' (''Petofi híd''), for a long time the southernmost bridge, with quite large traffic, linking the Great-boulevard of Pest with Buda. * '''Lágymányosi Bridge''' (''Lágymányosi híd''), the newest bridge in Budapest, with modern architecture and a spectacular lighting system, where mirrors reflect the beam of the upward facing floodlights. ==Districts== Budapest is administratively divided into 23 districts, but for time being Wikitravel uses a simpler division: * Budapest/Buda|Buda — the hilly west side of the Danube (Districts I-III, XI-XII) * Budapest/Castle Hill|Castle Hill — District I of Buda, the oldest part of the city containing the eponymous Castle and many of Budapest's best-known attractions * Budapest/Pest|Pest — the flat east side of the Danube, covering the modern commercial core of the city (Districts V-IX) ==Get in== ===By plane=== '''Ferihegy International Airport''' ('''BUD''', ''Ferihegyi nemzetközi repülotér''; pronounced "Ferry-hed'") is the country's largest airport and the hub of the Hungarian national carrier [http://www.malev.com Malév]. It has two terminals a few kilometers apart, imaginatively entitled "Terminal 1" and "Terminal 2", but since all international flights now use Terminal 2 and there are no scheduled national flights, you are unlikely to ever see Terminal 1. This is a Good Thing, since Terminal 1 (opened May 7, 1950) was built by the Soviets and looks like it, while Terminal 2 (dated November 1, 1985) is spacious, well-lit and squeaky clean. Terminal 2 is further split into terminal 2A, used exclusively by Malév, and 2B, used by everybody else, but this distinction is largely theoretical since the terminals are in the same building and about 5 mins on foot from each other. One way of getting to and from the airport is to take the '''Airport Minibus''', a "shared taxi"-type operation that rounds up passengers going in the same direction and will take you to or from anywhere in Budapest for a flat fee of 2100 forint per person. Join the queue at the airport and you'll be on your way in 15 minutes; for the trip back, call the center (pref. with 24h advance notice) and they'll be there to pick you up. Another option is to take a normal '''taxi'''. It's somewhat faster than the Airport Minibus and if your not travelling alone it will also be cheaper, the official fare is around 3500 forint per car. A third common option is to take the '''Centrum Bus''', which runs every half hour and, for 600 forints, will take you to central Deák Ferenc tér/Erzsébet tér and let you fend your way from there. The cheapest way is to take [http://www.bkv.hu/angol/busz/reptervissza.html '''Reptér busz'''] to Kobánya-Kispest, from where you can continue on to central Pest with the blue metro for a total cost of two tickets (320 forints at time of writing). ===By train=== Budapest has a number of train stations (''pályaudvar''), the main ones being '''Keleti'''(''Eastern''), '''Déli'''(''Southern'') and '''Nyugati'''(''Western''). Be sure to check where your train is leaving from! Transferring is fairly painless though, as Keleti and Déli are both on the subway red line, while Nyugati is just a few stops away on the blue line. ===By Boat=== There is a scheduled hydrofoil service on the Danube to and from Vienna and Bratislava daily between early April and early November operated by '''Mahart''' [http://www.web-set.hu/webset32.cgi?Mahart_P@@EN@@38@@370949001]. ==Get around== Public transportation in Budapest is run by '''[http://www.bkv.hu/angol/home/index.html BKV]''', which has a useful English-language site. As of July 2004, single tickets cost 145 Ft a pop, or 180 Ft if you buy them on boarding. It's probably best to get a day pass (1150 Ft) rather than try to understand the byzantine system of transfers, however, or risk getting fined. Most up-to-date information about tickets and prices can be found [http://www.bkv.hu/angol/jegyek/index.html on BKV's ticket and pass information site]. One ticket is good for only one direction on one line. Ticketing is apparently based on the honour system, but they do check tickets at major exits quite frequently. The '''[http://www.budapestinfo.hu/en/card/main.html Budapest Card]''' is an excellent discount card for travel within the city. You can get it in 2 or 3 day versions, and along with allowing free travel on all public transport, it also gives you discounts at museums, restaurants etc. At time of writing, the 2-day card is 4350 Ft while the 3-day card is 5450 Ft. ===By metro=== Budapest's '''metro''', consisting of three main lines, is the oldest in continental Europe. It's in good condition and an excellent way to get around the city. The yellow M1 line sometimes still uses old wooden metro cars, and is a fun change from the ordinary, Soviet-style steel metros seen elsewhere in Central Europe. Sometimes called the Millenary Metro, because it was built to celebrate the thousandth year of Hungarian nationhood in 1896 along with the Millenary Monument, the yellow line was recently renovated for its hundredth anniversary. The stations covered in white and dark brown-red ceramic tile signs are the originals. They are easily distinguished from the Soviet-style metro stations and cars on the other two lines, the red M2 line and the blue M3 line. Be careful of '''ticket inspectors''' who prowl the platforms and stations of Budapest's metro and seem particularly keen to target tourists. You must have a ticket for each trip or interchange on the metro; pleas of ignorance will go unheard. If you're issued with an on-the-spot fine by one of these red armbanded officers, it is cheaper to pay on the spot than later on by mail. ===By tram=== '''Trams''' are tourist-friendly way of getting around, slower but more scenic than the subway and particularly useful on the nearly subwayless Buda side of the river. ===By bus=== Where the trams don't go, there are '''buses'''. Budapest has a dense bus network, also with connections to the surrounding cities. ===By train=== '''HÉV''' suburban railways connect central Budapest to several suburbs but are of little use to most visitors, with the notable exception of the line to scenic little upriver Szentendre. The same train takes you to [http://www.sziget.hu Sziget Fesztivál], Central Europe's biggest summer festival. Connect from Batthyány tér on the subway red line. ===By nightbuses=== Budapest has a less frequent and extensive, but still good night transportation system. Nightbuses have a letter 'É' (''éjszakai'' = night in Hungarian) in their name like "6É" or "42É". Buses run every 15-60 minutes from around 11 p.m. until 4 a.m.; you need the same ticket as for daytime. If you don't want to spend a lot of money on taxi, they can be very useful. Check the [http://www.bkv.hu/angol/ejszakai/index.html Budapest Transport Plc.'s site] for the actual lines! There are plans to extend night bus system in the near future (more lines, more buses.) ==See== Most of Budapest's famous sights are concentrated on Budapest/Castle Hill|Castle Hill on the Budapest/Buda|Buda side, in downtown Budapest/Pest|Pest and along the riverside walkways. The main sights on '''Budapest/Castle Hill|Castle Hill''' are: *The '''Royal Palace''' (''Királyi palota''). The most popular attraction on the hill. *The '''National Gallery''' (''Nemzeti Galéria''), inside the Royal Palace wings B, C and D houses an astounding collection of paintings. *The '''Fisherman's Bastion''' and lookout terrace (''Halászbástya''). For great view across the Danube to Pest. *'''St Matthias Church''' (''Mátyás templom''). Dominant neogothic church crowning Budapest's cityscape - unfortunately in terrible condition. The '''Danube Bridges''', especially the '''Chain Bridge''' (see #Orientation|Orientation above) are really attractive and make it worthy to promenade along the river bank. You can have a superb glimpse over them from the ''Citadella'' on the top of Budapest/Buda|Buda's '''Gellert Hill''' (''Gellérthegy''). '''Margaret Island''' (''Margitsziget'') and its large parks (see Budapest/Buda|Buda) is a very pleasant place to relax and wander. Perfect for a sunny afternoon! '''Downtown''' (''Belváros'') of '''Budapest/Pest|Pest''' is the administrative and business centre of Budapest and the whole of Hungary. The main sights here are: *The '''Parliament Building''' (''Országház''). A neogothic confection. *'''St. Stephen Cathedral''' (''Szent István Bazilika''). The main church of Budapest is an important example of classicist(?) architecture, recently renovated. *'''Great Synagogue and the Jewish Museum''' (''Dohány utcai Zsinagóga'') The biggest Synagogue in Europe(?). The '''Andrássy út''' boulevard in Budapest/Pest|Pest stretches from Downtown (''Belváros'') to the '''City Park''' (''Városliget''). It is listed on UNESCO World Heritage List|UNESCO's World Heritage List and has some important sights along it, including: *The '''State Opera House''' *The '''House of Terror''' (''Terror Háza'') [http://www.terrorhaza.hu/index2.html]. An impressive but depressive museum about nazi and communist terror. *The '''City Park''' (''Városliget'') at the far end is probably the most pleasant of Pest's districts and houses a number of interesting if low-key attractions which are often overlooked: **'''Heroes' square''' (''Hosök tere'') - with the Millenium Monument **'''Museum of Fine Arts''' (''Szépmuvészeti Múzeum'') has an incredible range of European artwork from Greek and Roman times to the present. ==Do==  Image:Szechenyi.jpg|thumb|200px|Inside Szechenyi bath * Budapest is a famous spa city, so go '''bathing'''! The most famous spas are the ''' Gellért Baths''', which is the tourist option, on the Budapest/Buda#Do|Buda side, or the '''Széchényi Baths''' right next to the Zoo on the Budapest/Pest#Do|Pest side where the locals go. * Catch the '''opera''' at Budapest/Pest#Do|Pest's spectacular State Opera or a performance of '''classical music''' at any of Budapest's many concert halls. *'''Cinemas''' (mainly in Budapest/Pest#Do|Pest) are a favourite pastime. Not just the big American blockbusters showing in badly subtitled versions all over the continent, but also smaller art films most people in their countries of origin haven't seen. Films are almost always subtitled rather than dubbed, which makes movie-going convenient for non-Hungarians. http://www.budapestsun.com/movies.asp *'''Cave walking''' in the Budapest/Buda#Get out|Buda hills. Another way of passing a few hours is to visit the Caves on the Buda hills. There are 2 major caves, Pálvölgy Cave and Szemlo Hill Cave. Some of the guides do not speak any English but they give a free English pamphlet for the tour. *'''Budapest/Buda#Castle Hill|Buda Hill Labyrinth'''. The Labyrinths are accessible by two points on the Buda hills. Originally parts were formed from hot water springs and then during WW2, they were linked with some of the cellars on the hill to create an air raid shelter for up to 10,000 people and a military hospital. The labyrinth is now a popular tourist attraction. * Enjoy the many '''cafés''' all around Budapest. High concentration of popular cafeterias are found in ''Ráday utca'' and ''Liszt Ferenc tér''. Or board the ''A38'' boat (at Petofi Bridge, Budapest/Buda|Buda side) for a beer and various music performances. It is floating on River Danube and considered as one of Europe's coolest clubs. ==Learn== * '''Budapest University of Technology and Economics''': B.Sc. and M.Sc. engineering courses available for foreigners in English and German language at the [http://www.tanok.bme.hu/ International Education Center] of the university. * '''Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music''': world-famous music academy in the heart of the city. Check their [http://www.lfze.hu/hp/english/index.html English language pages] for more information. ==Work== ==Buy== Image:Budapest_GreatMarket_Paprika.JPG|thumb|Paprika and more, Great Market Hall Most of the visitors from far away end up shopping in Budapest/Pest#Buy|Pest in the middle of the city: ''Váci utca'' and nearby. It is historically the most expensive part of the city. You may want to check ''Nagy Vásárcsarnok'' at ''Fovám tér'' the recently renovated markethall with essential atmosphere. Prices may vary greatly. There are hypermarkets like ''Auchan, Tesco, Cora'' where daily stuff and food is cheap, and they offer usually wide range of articles. The ''"plaza"''s are usually good for buying clothes, but prices may wildly differ even in the shops next to each others. For electronics the cheap supermarkets like ''Electro World, Media Markt'' are good targets but their prices match the quality. ==Eat== Local specialties include ''paprikás'', ''gulyás'', ''Lake Balaton pike-perch'' (fogas), ''pörkölt'' (a goulash-like stew with lots of onions), ''halászlé'' (fishermen's soup served differently by regions), stuffed cabbage, and liberal use of paprika. ===Budget=== * '''Nagyi palacsintázója''' (Granny's pancakes): 2 outlets in Budapest/Buda#Eat|Buda: you can have sweet and salt pancakes with various fillings for a quite low price. *'''Govinda-Klub''' in Budapest/Pest#Eat|Pest. Hare Krisna, the saviour of vegetarians and budget-conscious travellers across Eastern Europe. Get your fill of tasty and very reasonably priced Indian and Italian dishes. The staff are helpful and some speak English. Highly recommended. ===Mid-range=== *'''Fatál''' in Budapest/Pest#Eat|Pest. Possibly Budapest's most famous restaurant, popular with tourists and locals alike and the one place worth going to on Váci utca. Prices have risen but remain affordable (1500-2500 ft), and reservations are essential if you show up even near lunch or dinnertime. *'''Leroy Cafe''' in Budapest/Buda#Eat|Buda. Great view of St. Stephen's Basilica. Original and tasty interpretations of the Hungarian food, as well as Italian and other varieties of European food. *'''Firkasz''' in Pest, near Nyugati station. Small and cosy with great atmosphere (including walls cutely decorated with objects associated with the newspaper trade) and excellent Hungarian food and wine. ===Splurge=== *'''Képiró''' in Budapest/Pest#Eat|Pest. Very modern Hungarian haute cuisine with some exotic influences. Highly recommended, the food is delicious. ===Coffeehouses=== Coffeehouses (''kaveház'') are a Budapest institution and visit to one should be on every visitor's agenda. As the name implies, these are places for a cup of coffee and a delectable pastry, not a full meal. Famous houses include '''Gerbeaud''' in Budapest/Pest#Eat|Pest (with wonderful 19th-century Habsburg interiors) and '''Ruszwurm''' in Budapest/Buda#Eat|Buda. ==Drink== Budapest offers plenty of places to drink, from cool and ultrahip to rowdy and downmarket. One particularly Hungarian experience is to visit a ''borozó'' (wine pub), where cheap but tasty Hungarian wine is available on tap, at ridiculously low prices if you find one off the tourist circuit. *'''Hungarian House of Wine''' in Budapest/Buda#Drink|Buda. Wine tasting open daily 12 PM to 8 PM. *'''Fregatt''' in Budapest/Pest#Drink|Pest. A British-style pub that's popular with foreigners. The interior is styled after a frigate. ==Sleep== Budapest offers a wide range of accommodation in all price classes, although the costs of staying here are notably higher than elsewhere in Hungary. Arriving trains are often met by touts offering free rides to hostels, as well as little old grannies offering their apartments for rent. Try to figure out exactly where you're going before you choose — or, better yet, visit any of the many travel agencies to browse the many options in a more comfortable environment. ===Budget=== *'''Diáksport Hostel''' in Budapest/Buda#Sleep|Buda. Flagship of Budapest's largest hostel chain. Huge and impersonal, but a good way to meet... other backpackers. ===Mid Range=== *'''Leo Panzió''' in Budapest/Buda#Sleep|Buda. Centrally located near Váci utca, this is a small, friendly and modern three-star hotel *'''Radio Inn''' in Budapest/Buda#Sleep|Buda. Small 3-star apartment hotel in a quiet upscale neighborhood, within easy walking distance of City Park. *'''Hotel Wien''' in Budapest/Pest#Sleep|Pest. 15 minutes from the Castle Hill, with very good transportation, even at night! ===Splurge=== *'''Hilton Hotel''' in Budapest/Buda#Sleep|Buda. Excellently located to the north of the Mátyás Templom. You can decide if the modern architecture with mirrored windows is a triumph of commercial design or a hideous blight. ==Contact== * the most up-to-date list of wireless internet hotspots is available [http://hotspotter.hu/en/ on this page] ==Stay safe== *Beware of the pickpockets (virtually everywhere you go nearby humans). *Watch your steps: most of the pathways and grassy places are covered with dog faeces. *Never give money to policemen (except for bribing, usual bribe amount varies around 10,000 HUF, but risky): they are not allowed to take cash by law. *Avoid walking in the night alone. Survival chances are good but below 100%. ==Cope== ==Get out== *The '''Skanzen''' [http://www.skanzen.hu/eng/index_eng.html] open air museum, just outside Szentendre (40 minute train ride from Budapest) is easily reached by bus from the Szentendre ''HÉV'' (communal train) station. This is a huge tract of land to which ancient buildings have been moved from all parts of the country. Small farm villages, mostly with thatched roofs, now dot the landscape, along with barns, outbuildings and even churches. Many are furnished inside. Buy the English guide book, some of the attendants are very knowledgeable (and some not so) but few speak English. You could spend a whole day there (we have spent several) and still have things left to see. There are many ongoing events offered, especially for families with children. *The attractive towns on the '''Danube Bend''': Szentendre, Visegrád and Esztergom. ==External links== * [http://www.budapestinfo.hu/en/ Budapest official Tourist office] fr:Budapest ro:Budapesta de:Budapest WikiPedia:Budapest {{stub}} First page | Prev | Next | Last page |

Thanks to all the contributors at wikitravel.org.

if you like cool drinks you may be interested in:

The best prices - up to 45% discount - the best brands - Armani, Lacoste, Aquascutum, Evisu, Prada, Burberrys - and the biggest range - new season stock still arriving - all makes the Brown Bag offering exciting

She Desires is the indulgence store for women. Selling everything from home spa products, to chocolate, adult toys and much more, She Desires has everything a woman could desire to pamper, indulge and feel good.

Hope you enjoyed reading about Budapest

The world is a book and those who do not travel read only a page - St Augustine

: Home ::