Walk up to Gellert Hill for magnificent views and other Budapest, Hungary General Tips

Favorite Thing: I loved my walk up to Gellert Hill, it was a pretty easy climb to the top of Liberation Monument and the Citadel. The views were quite specatular and rewarding after the climb especially since the weather was starting to clear up.

From here you have a great view across the Danube with views of all three bridges and even a glimpse of Parliament. It is well worth the extra effort to get up here.


Leave a Comment

Favorite Thing: There are many exchange booths througout the city and I would recommend that if you do need to exchange money to use the exchange booths in the city rather than the ones in the airport. The exchange rate is so much better.

This exchange booth is conveniently located at Mihaly Vorosmarty Square.


Leave a Comment

Favorite Thing: There are banks with ATM's throughout Budapest where you can easily use your ATM card to withdraw cash. The best exchange rate is given on ATM's, but be careful, many banks charge foreign exchange rates for withdrawing money from a bank that is not your own.

I usually go on line with my branch to find out if there is a brank location in the city I am traveling to. Citibank has branches thoughout the world and most likely in the city I am traveling to, so I was happy to find the Citibank here in Budapest, makes withdrawing money so, so easy, convenient and not to mention economical.


Leave a Comment

Favorite Thing: There are a few tourist information centers in Budapest where you can find some great maps, walking tours, information and suggestions on your trip.

I had all the information I needed but I ran in to grab a map of the city.

Fondest Memory: Tourist Information Offices: Near Oktogon · Buda Várinfo in the Buda Castle · Downtown, V. Sütő u. 2. (Deák square) · Ferihegy Airport 1 · Ferihegy Airport, Terminal 2A · Ferihegy Airport, Terminal 2B

Leave a Comment

Favorite Thing: Most of the museums in Budapest charge a nominal fee for taking photographs of the works of art, so please make sure to purchase the photo ticket. There are guards checking to make sure you actually paid this fee, and if you didn't, they will not allow you to take any photos.

I purchased the photo ticket fee subsequently after not being allowed to take photos at the Museum of Art....what a shame, but at least I got to see all those beautiful works of art.


Leave a Comment

Favorite Thing: You would think that living in NYC all my life and seeing grafitti before that this wouldn't have surprised me, but on the contrary. Throughout the many years of my travels and the many countries I have visited, I have never seen so much grafetti.

There was grafetti everywhere and at one point I couldn't but help wonder why the City of Budapest has not taken action to clean up the many buildings that are defaced by this grafetti.


Leave a Comment

Favorite Thing: While I was walking around one evening on Vaci I heard some wonderful music from the distance. The music had a wonderful melody with flutes and chimes so I followed the music and was pleasantly surprised.

The musicians where dressed in Indian attire. From what I could gather, it was more like Native South American wear. The music was so lovely and there was a large crowd gathered around them. Apparently they also have their music recorded for sale.


Leave a Comment

Favorite Thing: "The whole city in your pocket" is the motto of the Budapest Card, introduced by our office in 1997. The Card offers its holder more than a hundred services:

unlimited travel on public transport
free or discounted entry to 60 museums and to several sights
sightseeing tour for half price
reduced price tickets for cultural and folklore programmes
discounts in restaurants and spas
discount for car rental, sports facilities and in many other places
travel accident insurance

The services of the card are detailed in a 100-paged, coloured publication in Hungarian, English, German and Italian languages. This publication introduces the use of the Budapest Card and the servicing enterprises. (with photo, address, opening hours, entrance fees and discounts). Click on the picture to download the brochure in PDF format (6.9 MB).

Valid:
for 48 or 72 hours

Price in 2008:

HUF 6 5000 for 48 hours
HUF 8 000 for 72 hours

Each Card is valid for one adult and one child up to 14 years of age.

Available:

More than 250 places in Budapest: main metro ticket offices, tourist information bureaus, travel agencies, hotels and the airport, and abroad at major tour operators.

INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM THE OFFICIAL TOURISTICAL WEBSITE OF BUDAPEST.

Website: www.budapestinfo.hu


Leave a Comment

Favorite Thing: What better way to spend a day than walking around a new city. I love taking my time stopping to look at interesting buildings, people going about their day, children playing, pets running in the park and doing some shopping at the intesting shops along the way.

Budapest is a great city to walk in. By city standards it is quite compact and easy to navigate.


Leave a Comment

Favorite Thing: Do some research before you travel. A well informed traveler is a safe traveler. I have traveled to many countries of which many have been alone. Not once have I had any problems with either the locals or other travelers.

Reading a bit of the history of the country you are visiting will definitely allow you to have a better experience. Knowing a bit of the transporation system and pinpointing the places you'll like to visit will definitely help you have the best trip ever.


Leave a Comment