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Original poster

My house in Budapest, my hidden treasure chest, ooh...

32 replies

goforkyourself · 03/10/2018 20:14

I've found some very cheap flights to Budapest at the end of March, it looks amazing! It'll be my friend and me going for four days; which side is better to stay on? Looking for a budget Air bnb close to the centre-ish.

I posted on here a couple of months ago with a similar question about Vienna and got some brilliant advice. Vienna was awesome BTW! Grin

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IAcceptCookies · 03/10/2018 20:31

My FIL (who is from Budapest) has said in the past that Buda is very pretty, old and charming; Pest is less so, but lively and good for shops and restaurants.

Depends what you fancy. Stay in one and visit the other as it's quite manageable anyway. There's Maragret island in the middle if you can't decide!

Original poster
goforkyourself · 03/10/2018 20:45

Thank you Cookies. We're going for a relaxing break, want to see some sights and culture but also enjoy a cafe street buzz IFYKWIM?

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NightOwlHoney · 03/10/2018 20:47

Both have lots of appeal and are easily accessed via the Chain Bridge. It's an incredible city. You'll have a great time!

Carolwithane · 03/10/2018 20:48

Was there last weekend with 6 friends - ages 25 to 62. Was absolutely amazing! We stayed in Pest in cheap apartments in Jewish Quarter. Really easy to get about we used trams, metro, walked a lot and had 48 hour pass for hop on/hop bus - which included a night bus and boat trip to Margaret Island. Also did a free walking tour and paid 7500 huf for a pub crawl through ruin pubs. Had an amazing time! We went to the Szcheimy (spelling?) baths which I'd highly recommend. Also had a very fancy, posh breakfast in New York Cafe - Google it its spectacular! Def need to book it tho was queued down the street on Sunday

Definitely go, it was fabulous and very reasonable price wise

Hassled · 03/10/2018 20:49

Wait - Budapest is actually Buda and Pest? The things I don't know - blimey. I clearly need to do more European city breaks.

Original poster
goforkyourself · 03/10/2018 20:52

Thanks Nightowl. Is English spoken? I can manage English, Spanish, French and Greek but not Hungarian!

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Original poster
goforkyourself · 03/10/2018 20:55

Thanks Carol!

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NightOwlHoney · 03/10/2018 20:56

You'll manage. I went on my own for four days and don't speak any Hungarian. I went everywhere and used public transport etc.

CandleWithHair · 03/10/2018 21:01

Jewish quarter all the way! Make sure to visit some ruin pubs. Szimpla Kert is my favourite! Take a sharpie....

Deucebumps · 03/10/2018 21:03

I was there last month and English is widely spoken. The one thing I wish I'd known is that most museums are closed on Mondays - we were only there Sunday/Monday so missed out on a few things we wanted to do as we didn't know. Marguerite island is definitely worth a visit though!

Original poster
goforkyourself · 03/10/2018 21:06

I like to learn hello, goodbye, please and thank you though. And 'One glass of wine please ' Grin

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Troels · 03/10/2018 21:15

Things I've learned from MN, Gibralter is not an island and Budapest is Buda and Pest. You clever lot you. Blush

Groovee · 03/10/2018 21:20

We go in 12 days. Staying at the Atrium Fashion Hotel. Really looking forward to it.

Original poster
goforkyourself · 03/10/2018 21:23

Right Groovee!! Grin

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mayhew · 03/10/2018 21:27

Another vote for Jewish quarter. Had a beautiful airbnb. Take a swimming costume for the fantastic baths. Lots of great walks

DontCallMeCharlotte · 03/10/2018 21:34

I always try to learn a few words including in Central/Eastern Europe but Hungarian is nigh on impossible! Lovely city though. Have fun.

CandleWithHair · 04/10/2018 19:05

@Groovee that’s where I stayed last time I went! It’s a good location

NorthernRunner · 04/10/2018 19:07

I went to Budapest and stayed here ;
abnb.me/0vTgMmnlKQ

The host was amazing, they arranged a taxi to pick us up (and drop us off) we just had to pay them on arrival.
We went in February, I loved it!!

StormcloakNord · 04/10/2018 19:11

Wait what?

Is the title the George Ezra song?

It's "my house in Budapest"????

I thought it was miles in Budapest Confused

Mind blown.

SchnitzelVonKrumm · 04/10/2018 19:12

It's fab. Everyone speaks English. We stayed in an Airbnb near Independence Square. It's easily walkable.

Cornettoninja · 04/10/2018 19:22

I thought it was ‘miles from Budapest’.

Sounds lovely though

HavelockVetinari · 04/10/2018 19:27

I'd suggest staying at somewhere like Gellert - it's a hotel and thermal baths and has a unique old-world charm combined with some weird communist features that give a real flavour of the city's history. Also beautiful stained glass throughout.

DH is Hungarian, we go a few times a year usually staying with friends or family but Gellert and the Hilton are my favourites.

Buda is better for sightseeing than Pest hands down.

DollyWilde · 04/10/2018 19:30

Love love love Budapest. Go to the House of Horrors if you’re into history - an amazing but devastatingly poignant museum about the Nazi and Soviet occupations in Hungary, which is based in the old HQ for both the regiemes.

DollyWilde · 04/10/2018 19:31

On a lighter note the thermal baths are amazing, and I second the vote for Szimpla Kert! The metro is amazingly olde worlde and a walk up to the liberty memorial is good exercise Grin Hot chocolates by the castle too.

Groovee · 04/10/2018 19:32

Please help my stupidity but which side is pest and which side is Buda? I cannot figure it out. I know where the Szechenyi baths are.

@CandleWithHair Cheers. Am always worried with my mobility issues that I chose the wrong places.