Hungary is a great country for economical travel. Trip to Hungary

What to do in winter in Budapest, accommodation, transport, prices, helpful information and a review of the trip to Budapest on your own. I won’t bore you with sights, just a review with fresh useful information.

It's strange to see the word "on my own" in the title of a review on this site. Because on this site everything is only on your own. And what's the point of buying a tour to Budapest when you can't think of an easier trip? Package tourists go to Egypt in winter, but our paths suddenly crossed at the Kiev Zhuliany airport.

We pronounce the phrase "maybe this year to Prague" and buy ticket to Budapest. Once again. Weird? It would be strange to stay in Kiev, because it is dreary here in winter. And in Budapest it's fun, atmospheric and cool. It would have been inexpensive if we had bought the ticket in advance. Two days before departure, it turned out how it happened. But housing is free, thanks airbnb bonuses You can also use if register using this link .

The situation with our flight

The plan was this, a morning flight, two days in Budapest and a morning flight home. But sometimes a clear and understandable plan is influenced by external factors. This is the second time with Budapest. About what happened a year ago, I wrote in some detail, where the Poles excelled.

This time, Belarusian tourists interfered in our plan, flying to a cheap package tour to Sharm El Sheikh from Kiev. Many people love cheap tours and everyone expects that no troubles will happen to them. And the following happened. Bravo Avia, which performed chartered flight, apparently messed up and did not take off on time. On time is at 2 am. As a result, we saw the blocked passport control doors and the screams of passengers on the other side, who did not like such a flight delay.

As a result, a delay of 3.5 hours our flight to Budapest and vague actions Zhuliany airport workers, who were not ready for an emergency situation and fussily made decisions regarding our landing. But the state border!

Fans of free Egyptian tours were able to fly closer to 11 am, almost a day, after sitting at the airport. It is unlikely that fans of Egypt are reading me, but if anything - you at least take an interest in who operates the flight, read the reviews and never fly with dumb airlines hoping for a chance.

TO Wizz Air no questions asked, the crew even stood for some time with the passengers and stoically watched the drama unfolding on the other side of the passport control.

Transfer from Franz Liszt Airport in Budapest

In general, in our situation it was possible to save an hour of time, but out of habit we stomped on the bus.

Budapest- one of the best cities in Europe in terms of transport development, fast, on schedule, cheap and convenient in terms of connections between various modes of transport.

WITH July 2017 from Budapest airport to the city center there is a direct bus number 100E, which goes to the city center, Deak Ferenz square, where all metro lines converge. Travel time is 40-45 minutes and only a couple of intermediate stops.

Almost all arriving passengers crowd at the ticket machine near the bus stop. A small life hack from me - buy a ticket in the arrivals hall, to the left of the exit to the hall, on Rack Information. You can pay by card. Ticket price by bus number 100E – 900 forints (3 Euro)

Cool excursions from locals

If you want some zest on your trip, don’t want to prepare, or just want fresh communication in your native language - we take a tour from local residents, it’s checked - there are no dissatisfied people.

Choosing accommodation in Budapest

We have tried more than a dozen accommodation options in Budapest, from budget hotels tourist class in Buda to fairly expensive hotels in the city center. We have been booking apartments for a couple of years Booking or Airbnb.

I came to the conclusion that if you travel together and come for only two days, then the best way- hotel with breakfast, save time and money. In the case of a group of friends and when there are at least three days - apartments or a hotel, if more than three days - apartments are definitely better.

Prices in Budapest

Among the most beautiful cities in Europe Budapest there are no price competitors. Although the cost of some attractions is not very clear, for example, the funicular, which costs 4 Euros for a couple of minutes.

A metro ride costs 350 forints for a one-time trip and 300 forints (1 Euro) if you buy 10 tickets. If you are going to be in the city for 3 days and more, you can buy a Budapest card, you will save on baths and some attractions.

Climbing the funicular - 4 euros for 2 minutes of ascent, because it is historical, but still the Hungarians were crazy, the alternative is 15 minutes on foot up.

Baths- 15-18 Euro - Széchenyi and Gelert, 12 Euro - Rudash, 8 Euro - Lukash. V Lukash possible and free if bought budapest card, good baths - I recommend.

Eat at a tourist cafe, such as the popular Menza on Franz Liszt Square (Octagon metro station) or in the Bistro (typical canteen) next to the royal palace - 10 Euro per person, 0.5 beer in a cafe or pub - 700-900 forints (2.5-3 Euro). Lunch (dinner) at a restaurant in beautiful place with wine - 20-30 Euro per person. Online Trofea Grill unlimited lunch will cost 22 euros on weekends and 20 euros on weekdays. The format is to eat as much as you want and as much as you can for a fixed price, there are no restrictions on the time and volume of food.

Toilets are paid - from 100 to 150 forints (0.5 Euro). You won't be able to go to McDonald's or similar places to go to the toilet for free, you will have to pay.

Oddities of Budapest, weather and climate

There are a lot of homeless people in the city, they usually live in passageways, sleep on mattresses, covered with blankets. Naturally, in the central part of the city. A homeless person can help you, don't be afraid - they are peaceful and help in return for a reward.

I know how to use subway ticket machines, but while I was looking for where to switch the language from Hungarian to English, a bum showed up and offered to help. I show that I am going to pay for the fare with a card, this did not stop the homeless person. Of course, he received a reward that he no longer expected. Some homeless people are a bit like Parisians, although the comparison is still incorrect.

Another oddity of Budapest is the gloomy inspectors at the entrance to the subway. With such a developed and modern transport network, why not put automatic control passage or not check tickets selectively in the cars?

Lake Heviz is as cool an idea in winter as Budapest itself. It is very easy to combine with the capital of Hungary in one trip. More - Thermal lake Heviz, why go and what to treat, personal experience

Many residents of Budapest are lightly dressed even in winter, sometimes they go without outerwear. A scarf, a hat, a warm winter jacket, and even more so a fur coat are not the most popular wardrobe items here. At first this appearance I was amused by the locals, now they are used to it, but it is still strange to see lightly dressed people at a temperature of about zero. Colder -3 in Budapest does not happen.

The climate is dry despite the Danube. Snow is a rarity, four winter season in Budapest snow was seen once and then in the air, on the ground it melted in a minute. The temperature in winter is about zero, it is comfortable for walking, provided there are enough clothes. And you should not be guided by how the locals are dressed - they seem to have a different heat exchange. Last year, on February 14, the air temperature reached +10 and it was sunny, this year - the sun is in trouble, then it is dim and cloudy.

Tourists in Budapest in winter

A few years ago, in winter and early spring, there were no more tourists than there were leaves on trees at this time of the year. That is, of course there were tourists, but not in such numbers as now, there were no queues anywhere. Now, even in the unpopular February, there is a line in Széchenyi already from 11:00 in the morning, you won’t get to popular cafes and restaurants at lunchtime and in the evening - you have to wait from 10 to 40 minutes. The way out is to look for new locations and come at off-peak hours. In the baths - in the morning, in the pubs early at least by 16:00 or book in the morning.

The tourist party is international, young people from all over Europe come for the weekend to drink, take a walk, walk around interesting places. Because it's fun and because it's cheap. In addition, in Budapest, the authorities adhere to the principle that there is no lack of entertainment. Almost all attractions operate year-round, even pleasure boats and amphibians on the Danube.

Is a credit card required anywhere?

I advise you to carry cash in the amount of at least 50 Euros in equivalent if you are traveling together. Many places only accept cash. In some cafes and pubs, such as our favorite For Sale and some ruin bars, you will also have to pay cash for the entrance to St. Stephen's Basilica, as well as going to the toilet. You can change money at exchange offices- there are plenty of them everywhere, some take a commission for the exchange. The Euro exchange rate is 305-310 forints, the US dollar exchange rate is 250-255 forints, and has not changed over the past year.

Cafes, bars, restaurants in Budapest

A lot of them. So many that all institutions in Lviv or Odessa will fit in a couple of small blocks of huge Budapest.

If you decide to stop drinking - Budapest not your place. Otherwise, you will have to fight the temptations - rent a bike and ride all day along the Danube, looking at drinking tourists on boats. Baths will not help - they are also poured there, however, only in the evenings.

All institutions are divided into popular and not very popular. Not very popular, it means that they are simply not promoted yet, or something is wrong with them. Popular establishments can be both expensive and not very expensive.

Attendance restaurants in Budapest has nothing to do with the price of food and drinks.

In an expensive historical cafe new york, in which gold ripples in the eyes, and the queue rings in the ears from the hubbub of Chinese tourists, the same as in a simple cafe with cats. For about 30-40 minutes, this is in February. In summer, the wait will be even longer. And in cat cafe you will have to pay more for the entrance, apparently to feed these same cats.

For super budget travelers Asian kebab and similar establishments are provided. A strange place to eat in Budapest, in my subjective opinion, of course. Despite this, there are also many kebabs. There are no queues and it's just not strange.

Large portions in Europe are as much a myth as low prices. The prices are different, there are also all sorts of portions, but for low prices come to us in Kiev. The same goulash popular with tourists Menza(Franz Liszt Square) and in the mega popular For Sale(across the street from central market) - cost about the same, but the sizes differ three times, and not in favor Menza. It is worth asking the waiter before serving in case of doubt.

All the cool and popular places are full of people even in the morning or in the middle of the day. The occupancy rate of good establishments is 130%. Open areas work year-round, just in February, the occupancy rate is the same 30% above the norm and they mostly sit locals. There is practically no chance to get to popular places without waiting, even on weekdays and regardless of the time of year and time of day.

The way out is to search for new places that will be popular in a year or two. One of these establishments this time was a small cafe-bar blue bird(Blue bird) - passage from Dob utca,16, near the Octagon station and the Ferris wheel, they found a small green quarter with restaurants, cafes and wine bars. There are no birds in Blue Bird in any form, including fried, but large portions, delicious food, a good selection of drinks, including coffee. Until 20:00 plays live music- local rock bands or duets, then the bar turns into karaoke. I don't know what is going on there at this time, at least there is a change of audience. Rock and roll, whiskey and beer lovers move to ruin pubs .

Pro ruin pubs I can add that after 19:00 it is almost impossible to take a free seat there even at the counter, as an option to wait or drink on the go while walking around the location - there is something to see. What's happened ruin pubs and which ones are the coolest I already wrote, there is nothing to add.

About the baths of Budapest

I have written in detail about baths of Budapest and pastime features in them. I will briefly highlight my favorites:

• Széchenyi because it's beautiful in outdoor pools
• Lukash– the cheapest plus a rich history
• Rudash– because there are night swimming from Friday to Saturday and many local
• Gelert- not very good in winter, because many pools on the street are closed, but in summer - a cool place.

What to do in winter in Budapest

It is difficult to write briefly about this, but I will try in one paragraph about what to see and what to do in Budapest and not only in winter.

The most primitive and free - walks around the city. Baths, ruin bars and other hot spots, a Ferris wheel, walks along the Danube, including on an amphibious bus, roof bars and a lookout at St. Varoshliget park, there are also a couple of skating rinks on the roofs, a zoo - it is very cozy and cute, dozens of museums, including the transport museum and the oldest branch of meters in continental Europe. Of course Parliament Royal Palace, the philosophical garden and the lookout at the Fisherman's Bastion and the longest and most beautiful panoramic tram route in Europe. This is only the very best, enough for three or four days. There is also Margate Island, but it’s better to go there in spring or summer, as well as several interesting places outside the central part of the city - a new theater and a cable car, for example. This is at least a four day program if you have fast legs.

How to buy cheap tickets to Budapest

V Budapest from Kiev budget Wizzair flies, you can buy tickets directly on their website. I still pick up a ticket on a search engine airline sales- it offers absolutely all flight options, including low-cost ones, it remains to choose the one that suits you in terms of time and price.

Useful Links for Travel Planning

Aviasales- budget flights around the world

HotelsCombined(RoomGuru)– allows you to save even more when searching budget housing, hotels and apartments as it searches all popular booking sites, including Agoda, Booking.com and others

Booking.com- habitual and convenient search and booking accommodation around the world

rentalcars– car rental worldwide with the possibility of free cancellation

Winter in Hungary is quite short and relatively warm. Influence is taking effect Carpathian mountains, holding back cold air currents from the north and northeast. Open to warm air currents from the west and northwest in winter, Hungary differs from countries further east in higher temperatures. average temperature in January it does not fall below minus 1 °. In the mountainous regions of the north-eastern part it is a little colder - up to minus 4 °. Usually the passage of cold fronts is accompanied by heavy snowfalls, although such phenomena are quite rare. A stable snow cover can last from 30 to 40 days, but it does not always form on the plains. In mountainous areas, winter is colder, more precipitation falls, the mountains are covered with snow for all three months (December, January, February). Frosts are possible from November to April.

The Danube is especially beautiful in winter, which during this period is especially abundant and powerful. Only sometimes, when the air temperature reaches record low temperatures, the river is covered with a thin crust of ice.

thermal springs

During the period of snowfalls and frosts, the Hungarian nature is under the warm patronage of thermal springs. There are a lot of them in Hungary, about 1300 - different in temperature, chemical composition and healing properties of waters, persistently making their way to the surface from the depths of geological faults. More than a hundred such sources are located in the area of ​​​​the Hungarian capital - the city of Budapest. The largest and most famous balneological resorts in Hungary are located in the area of ​​​​Lake Balaton and Lake Heviz, on the basis of the thermal healing springs of the Margaret Island, as well as near Mount Gellert, near Miskol-Lillafüred, and in Alfeld (Hajduszoboszlo). Particularly unique in this regard, Fr. Heviz, whose waters even in the most severe frosts warm up to a temperature of +23 - +24 ° C. In winter, the lake is hidden in a cloud of thick steam formed as a result of a sharp temperature drop.

Winter Budapest

In winter, the Hungarian capital is transformed into a sea of ​​bright lights and garlands. At this time of the year, the famous Christmas markets take place here. In the very center of the city, another fabulous city appears for several months, with numerous malls and concert venues. Here you can buy various souvenirs, Christmas sweets, decorations, or simply find yourself in a whirlwind of traditional folk festivals, various attractions, see performances of nativity scenes and puppet theaters.

Active winter holidays

Holidays in Hungary in winter are full of romance and vivid impressions. The best place for ski slopes mountain range Matra. Snow lies here for up to a hundred days, which is ideal for winter sports enthusiasts. Interesting for winter holidays ski slopes on the slopes of the Bukk massif. Resorts and recreation centers in the mountains are equipped with cozy wooden houses, from the terraces of which magnificent views of the surrounding mountain landscapes open up.

Travel time: February 1-13, 2015. We did not regret that we went in winter - the weather was good, the grass was green, there were many sunny days.

Flight cost : very cheap if booked in advance (16,738 rubles for two round-trip) by wizz air - cheap airline, where you have to pay extra for everything (luggage, large hand luggage etc.).

Residence: for 12 days 17100 rub. (1175 rubles per day plus site fee). The apartment is booked on airbnb - the site has been checked more than once, the apartment has reviews. Choosing, we noticed that it is fashionable for them to have a bed on the second level - under the ceiling. We decided to see what it's like. We also looked at the presence of wireless Internet (to communicate with the house, plan routes for the next day) and seating in addition to the bed. We took an apartment closer to the center, but it turned out that the terrain was also important. The city is located on the river and one of the banks (Buda) is high - we took an apartment there, and it turned out that we often went uphill, which could have been avoided if we had taken an apartment in the lower part of the city (Pest).

Honey. insurance: 1321 r. for two in Tinkoff. They took it online and just printed out the papers - it came up for a visa.

Visa: 35 euros per person plus 2600 rubles. for service Visa fees. I had to go to Moscow. All documents can be given by one relative, but the original (and a copy) of the document of kinship (marriage certificate) is required.
Pre-purchased a three-day card Budapest map (Budapest card, 4074 r. for two) [hereinafter referred to as “card"] - when buying online, there was a discount on it. Unfortunately, there are few places with free access to it, mostly small discounts, but for the sake of free travel it’s very good to take it (although there is a travel card and separately).

Car rental: 8500 r. for 4 days plus 35.56 euros for driving on motorways ( toll roads). 900 euros were blocked for the duration of the lease, but returned on time. The car was booked in Enterprise. There are also local car rental companies there, but they have very negative reviews (eg they take extra money for minor scratches). Gasoline cost at that time 85 rubles. liter and 1200 km. we spent about 7000 r.
Business lunches - about 300 rubles. Average bill per person when ordering a dish local cuisine and alcohol 1000 - 1500 rubles.
In the end, it didn't come cheap. Tickets to museums and excursions - from 500 rubles.
But we were very pleased, because Budapest is a beautiful European city, with good weather, helpful people who speak English. And plus a great bonus - THERMAL SPRINGS.

There is a free tour in Budapest however, in English. More:http://www.triptobudapest.hu/v2/tours/the-original-tour/ . Recommended to go! We learned a lot about the history of the city and the country, and also got our bearings in the city. At the end of the tour, the guide asks if we would like to give some money. The tour guides are excellent, so you can give. According to the map, two separate free tours- in Buda and Pest.

Site public transport - set the addresses of the place of departure and arrival and the route is drawn on the map indicating the transport, final and intermediate stops:http://www.bkk.hu/en/timetables/ . The cost of 1 journey is 80 rubles. But all the main attractions are within walking distance - we recommend walking. For trips, it is better to take travel cards for a day or a couple of days.

Briefly about the sights and our impressions about them:

1. Fisherman's Bastion - very beautiful building and SUPER view of the city day and night!


2. Historical Museum - free with a map, nothing special, but the palace in Buda, in which this museum is located, is worth a stroll.


3. Hungarian National Gallery A must for art lovers! Located in the same palace as the Historical Museum in Buda.


4. Matthias Cathedral - the outside is very beautiful, inside were not.


5. labyrinth - it's worth going, but take a flashlight!


6. Funicular - expensive and no discount card.


7. Parliament - there are 2 daily excursions in Russian - worth going, although expensive - 1000 rubles. from a person.


8. St. Stephen's Basilica - Worth a visit, a walk, a look. We also went to organ concert- nothing special.


9. Opera theatre - you can go inside and see how beautiful it is for free.


10. Great synagogue - we entered the territory for free, looked in, but did not go inside - there is a fee.


11. Adrasi street - You can take a walk.


12. Miniversum (mini layout Railway and towns "from Hungary to Austria") - we really liked it, it is interesting for both adults and children


13. House of Terror - we were not touched, and without an audio guide (for an additional fee) there is nothing to do there - there are very few worthwhile exhibits.


14. Heroes Square - it is interesting, if with a history and explanation (on a map tour they take them there, they tell).


15. Varoshliget - beauty! Inside the Museum of Agriculture - the entrance is expensive.


16. Grave of Gul Baba - a kind of building, and around very picturesque residential quarters. You can look there on the way to the St. Lucas bath, which is free with a card.


17. margarita island Nothing special, not worth your time.


18. Mount Gellert - stunning views, but you should not go to the Citadel on it. It is worth climbing the mountain only if you have extra time.


19. Cave Church in Mount Gellert - funny, but expensive.


20. statue park - few statues, not very picturesque and far to get.


21. Museum of retro cars - Yes Yes Yes! A huge number of chic American cars! You can take pictures. Far from the center.


22. Oceanarium and tripikarium - small and nothing special. Far from the center.


23. Samlekhedi and Palveldi caves - very picturesque caves, worth a visit! If you buy a ticket to visit both at once, it will turn out cheaper, and between them - 20 minutes on foot.


24. Cafe with cats (Budapest, Damjanich utca 38, 1071) - you can drop in after visiting the Széchenyi baths. The cafe is like an anti-cafe - pay to be there and get tea and a piece of cake. Only four lazy but responsive cats.

Trip around Hungary
We rented a car and traveled in 4 directions. In the morning we left in the evening and returned to Budapest. You can leave the car near the house for free from 18:00 to 8:00 (this is not everywhere, check with the locals), there were also free places on the river embankment.
Having a navigator, drive in the address "tourinform” of the corresponding city, you come there. You pay for parking - all parking lots are paid and the fine for violation is large! Come inTurinformpoint, ask for any information in Russian/English (maps, brochures), ask what to visit in the city and after 10 minutes you have a clear plan where to go!
We highly recommend visiting the following cities:

North of Budapest:

1. Szentendre (tourinform address: 2000 Szentendre, Dumtsa Jenő u. 22) - a pretty town with the most famous Marzipan Museum, perhaps worth a visit!


2. Visegrad (tourinform address: 2025 Visegrád, Fő Street 81) - a picturesque but small castle high on a mountain. Very beautiful view to the Danube River and its surroundings from the walls of the castle.


3. Esztergom (address of the Basilica: 2500, Esztergom, Szent István tér 1) - a giant cathedral, great view on the beautiful city and the river, to the bridge-border with Slovakia. And also to the Slovak city. The border is open and you can cross.

1. Eger (the addresstourinform: 3300, Eger, Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Endre 9) - a beautiful fortress on a hill in the city center, walked along the walls. On the outskirts of the city, the Valley of Beautiful Women (Kulacs Csárda Panzió,) - a place where representatives of wine estates come to sell products - we tried and bought Hungarian wine (sold on tap).


2. Miskolc (the addresstourinform: 3525 Miskolc, Városház tér 13) - the city itself is not very interesting, but the Barlangfürdő bath in the suburbs of MISKOLZ-TAPOLC (http://www.thermal.hu/miskolc-tapolca/ ) is well worth a visit! It's a bath in a cave!

To the west from Budapest (in the direction of Lake Balaton):

1. Tapolca (the addresstourinform: 8300, Tapolca, Fő tér 17) - a city with a lake underground - you can ride a boat (http://www.tavasbarlang.hu/index.php/en ) - unforgettable experience! Before that, the truth will have to walk around the museum (a la local history) - good museum, and the film is shown in 3D, but the visit time in total increases to an hour (of which 20 minutes by boat). Still in the same city beautiful lake with an old water mill.


2. Keszthely (the addresstourinform: 8360, Keszthely, Kossuth Lajos u. 30) - a city on the shore of Lake Balaton, where it is most convenient to approach the shore and touch the water, admire the lake and ducks.


3. Heviz (the addresstourinform: 8380, Hévíz, Rákóczi utca 2) - town and bathing lake! A small thermal lake, where the water temperature is 24C in winter. An indoor swimming pool was built on the shore of the lake and a park spread out - very beautiful!

1. Gyor (the addresstourinform: 9021, Győr, Baross Gábor út 21) is just a city where you can get around all the sights in 1 hour.


2. Sopron (the addresstourinform: 9400, Sopron, Liszt Ferenc utca 1) - you can climb on the old fire station observation tower and admire the charming old town. You can walk along the old fortress walls. Nice, but nothing special.

1. goulash soup ( Gulyas leves- they read "gouyash") - delicious meat soup, a lot of meat, large portions


2. Goulash


3. Fish soup ( Halasz leves) - they usually bring it in a bowler hat and with a ladle, you put it on yourself, very tasty


4. Fried goose liver ( Rantott libamajszeletek, Libamaj) - a la foie gras, delicious, but expensive


5. Pancakes ( Palacsinta) - they are pancakes in Africa pancakes


6. Lecho ( Lesco) - no meat, often a lot of cards in this dish, and very tasty


7. Langos - their "fast food" is a dough fried in oil with a diameter of 20 cm and a thickness of 1.5 cm, on which they put the filling as desired - we recommend just sprinkle with cheese!


8. splash a drink is a must


9. Tokay ( Tokaji) - buy in any stores, try it, very tasty wine.

Hungary is located in the temperate climate zone, so you can choose absolutely any period when to go to Hungary. Basically, it depends on your hobbies and the immediate purpose of the trip. High tourist season in Hungary it starts in May and ends closer to September. The main influx of tourists is observed in July-August.

The low tourist season in Hungary is set immediately after new year holidays. The influx of tourists is declining not only due to the fact that all mass celebrations are taking place, but also due to the deterioration weather conditions. In addition to the low temperature, walking along the street is not comfortable due to high humidity and fog.

Holidays in Hungary in the spring

If you want to make your trip unforgettable and romantic, ask when is the best time to relax in Hungary. Experienced tourists know that for this purpose it is better to go to Hungary in the spring. For holidays in Hungary, spring is characterized by a flowering period, nature comes to life, and prices for holidays remain at the same level as in winter.

Despite the general enthusiasm for spring holiday, remember that the weather in Hungary in spring can be quite changeable. May is considered one of the rainiest of the year.

Read also:

Features of summer holidays in Hungary

If you are interested in the weather in Hungary in the summer, then from June a sultry heat sets in throughout the country. Only occasionally can a meteorological report show bad weather and slight cooling. Due to the fact that the average air temperature is around +26°С, huge flows of tourists flock to Hungary in the summer.

The summer months are considered to be the best time to go to Hungary for outdoor activities. Indeed, during this period, a large number of local festivals take place in the country.