Budapest Guide - How to Save Money ?

Briefly about Budapest

Broadly speaking Buda is hilly, Pest is flat and the Danube bisects the two and is spanned by 9 bridges. Pest has more things to do (shopping, nightlife) while Buda is predominantly a residential area. 2000 years of invasion, liberation, re-occupation, devastation and rebirth, played out over and over again in a cycle of history, have somehow produced this unique culture. Lack of money has prevented that squeaky-clean modernization machine to roll through town, the way it has recently glitzed up so many other cities on the continent. As a result, some buildings are run-down, plaster is peeling and roads are bumpy, but the beautiful reward for the intrepid traveler is a genuine city filled with real character. A wide variety of architectural styles are on display, sometimes combined in the unique Hungarian Eclectic that blends elements of Classical, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Art Nouveau in a single building. You will definitely find our capital a vibrant, cosmopolitan but friendly metropolis with colorful all-night life, lovely shops and beautiful parks. There are over 2 million people.

Why come to Budapest?

Budapest has got everything you need for a city break: a good range of accommodation, plenty of entertainment, great bars and restaurants, all-night parties and it's great value once you get here. It is exceptionally cosmopolitan with 2 UNESCO World Heritage sites, the most hydrothermal and mineral springs with the best known thermal baths, the largest synagogue in Europe and the best sounding Opera house with the cheapest tickets.
Great weather; in summer Budapest has one of the highest rates of sunshine in Europe with temperatures averaging 30 degrees Celsius in the summer months.

Value for money: You can buy branded beers for around 1€ in supermarkets and 2.5€ in nice bars. The famous Hungarian branded wine 3€ / bottle at the supermarkets. - Lunch in self- service restaurants, butcher shops and the food markets for about 3€. The best authentic Hungarian pubs with live DJ music have no cover charge. Clubs entrance fee varies between 5-8 €. Spa entry is 10 €. Single ticket is 1.10 €. Budapest offers many free events, concerts and other cultural programs all year round.

Safety: Budapest has one of the lowest crime rates of any European cities. Of course beware of pretty ladies at night and avoid topless bars. Entry with passport, but no visa required for most of the travelers up to 90 days.

How to save money in Budapest ?

Getting from the Airport or Train Station to your hostel
From Terminal 2. : Use the airport bus N: 200E to the Kobanya-Kispest Terminal then switch to the M3 blue metro line. Make sure you bought a ticket at the airport or on the airport bus latest and validated it immediately. 300 Ft/single ticket

From Terminal 1: Use the new rail link to Nyugati (Western Railway Station) access to the M3 blue metro line. Fare: 300 Ft. Journey Time 25 minutes. Ticket can be purchased at the Tourism Office at the airport. From the Train Stations: Use the metro to get to the inner city.

Getting Around Budapest
Almost everything is within walking distance in Budapest. Buy 1-day travel card (1550 Ft)- which is valid for 24 hours from the indicated date and time (month, day, hour, minute) for an unlimited number of trips on buses, trams, trolleybuses, on metro, Millennium Underground, cogwheel-railway on the whole length of the line but on suburban railway (HEV)only within the administrative boundaries of Budapest-if you use the public transport more than 5 times that day. 3 day passes are also available. The best deal if you walk a lot but stay longer to buy a 10 pieces discount coupon book for 2700 Ft.

Where to Stay
I am not a promoter of any hostels in Budapest! Use a hostel booking site then a search engine to find the hostels website as it may provide little more information and photoes too. You can save money with the central location and the free things offered.

Where to Eat
Look for market halls, self-service worker's restaurants (onkiszolgalo, kifozde) and bucther stores (hentes) for cheap authentic Hungarian lunch. During the school year go to a university canteen. Food in Hungary is more than just Gulyas and Paprika chicken..

What To See
Join the informative and entertaining Free Budapest Walking Tour daily at 10.30. a.m at the Vorosmarty square (M1 metro stop outside the Gerbeaud cafe at the fountain) around the best sights Buda and Pest has to offer including all academically relevant and practically inevitable information that tourist could not find out on their own without the eyes of a local.

Hints to Save Money in Budapest
Use the all-night buses instead of taking cabs.
Spend less than 2 hours at the thermal bath houses for repayment. Go to second hand clothing stores and buy Marks & Spencer, Gap and Next etc for 5-10 Euro.

Go to historical cafe houses to read free newspapers and journals in English and German languages. Look for free city views from the Gellert hill and the Castle hill in the inner city. Enjoy the loveliest free organ music at the St. Stephen's Cathedral during the Sunday masses.

Join the Free Communist Walking Tour Mon, Wed, Fri 3.30 p.m. at Vorosmarty square M1 metro stop (in front of Gerbeaud cafe at the fountain), instead of going to the Memento Statue Park, unless you have enough information and knowledge about the Communism. During the tour guides tell you everything about the everyday life, brainwash process, social conditions, human rights, secret agents, the cult of the party bosses and the chronology of the key events, other data and names.

Join the Free Jewish Quarter and the Best Pubs Walking Tour, Tue, Ths, Sat, at 3.30 p.m. at Vorosmarty square M1 metro stop (in front of Gerbeaud caféat the fountain), if you want to find the hidden Jewish treasures of the neighborhood and the most authentic Hungarian free pubs with live DJ music and cheap beer. More information: www.triptobudapest.hu. Peace!