I have visited Hungary multiple times, and it is by far one of my favorite places. If you do not plan to read all of this long review, my only suggestion is to visit places that are beyond Budapest.
Let’s start with the arrival. Hungary now has two international airport. The major one is located in Budapest, the smaller one is Debrecen airport. Debrecen is so new that it is very hard to find tickets to it. Budapest airport used to be state owned, but it has been brought by BAA. The company plans to make many renovations/ and plans to build new buildings. As of now Budapest airport consists of Terminal 1 (for lowcost), Terminal 2A (Malev, Hungarin airline), and Terminal 2B (major airlines). Budapest has flights to and from all major cities in Europe, JFK, Toronto, few Asian cities, a few African cities, and a few South American cities. Hungarian airlines in my opinion is not too special. It will get you to where you want to go for the money. Sometimes you will find that Malev gives you an excellent experience, great food, great service, other times it will let you down and you will hate the airline for a period of time. Malev service changes day to day. For more information about the airport visit https://bud.hu and for more information on Malev, visit https://Malev.com . If you are comming by train, Budapest has 3 major stations. De’li palyaudvar (train station) is located in Buda and in my opinion is the ugliest of the three. From De’li Subway 2 will take you farther downtown in no time. You may also take cabs, but make sure they belong to a real cab company. If they don’t, they might cheat you off. Keleti palyaudvar is located in downtown eastern Pest. This train station is beautiful, and very old and majastic looking. This station is at the other end of Subway 2, and the subway can take you farther out of the city, or even more downtown. Subway #4 is under construction, but it will be finished in 1-3 years. You may also take cabs at the station, just again be carefull. At Keleti you might also find beggers, because it is an inclosed public building, and a poorer area of the city. The last station, Nyugati palyaudvar Is a more modern but still very pretty. Subway# 3 connects to this. Cab rule applies here as it does anywhere else. This station is located in North-west Pest.
With all these trams and subways you might be wondering what kind of public transportation Budapest has. Any city in Hungary has public transportation systems, but this city of over 2 million people living in it needs one big one! It is called BKV, and luckily to you, it is all connected. By connected, I mean that the Subway, Bus, Tram, Trolley, Urban train, and other forms of transportation in Budapest is all under one company. The company is massive, and I do mean massive. They have 3 long subways, building the 4th, and planning the 5th. They have 37 tram lines (Trams, as in San Francisco type trams), over 175 Bus lines, and over 15 Trolley lines. If that wouldn’t be enough, they also have 4 Urban train, and one Cogwheel rail. I suggest the daily pass (1150HUF, or 5.75$), the three day pass (2500HUF, or 12.50$), or the weekly 7 day pass (3400HUF or 17.00$). You may buy this at any of the train stations, probably at the airport, and at any major BKV station. The public transportation is safe, fast, and reliable. It runs from 5AM-11PM, later, Night lines are brought into service. Most the subways come every 1-3 mins during rush hour, and 2-5 mins during other hours. Other transportation veichles vary from ones that come every min to ones every 20 mins during rush hour. The only danger with BKV is pocket picking, so make sure to bring only what you need, and to have it in a safe place. I would say a neck-bend, but then pocket pickers will know you are a tourist. This danger is not too high, and not violent, but does happen! https://Bkv.hu provides tons of information about the Budapest Public transportation system, and if you buy a Budapest map make sure to buy one with the transportation lines on it.
One in five Hungarians will speak some english, and one in five will speak some german. Do not be afraid to approach any police officials with questions. I do have to admit some Hungarians arent always the warmest people, but most of them will greet you with a smile and help you out. What to visit in Budapest is a hard to answer, because there are so many places. This is my suggested one day/first day tour. Somehow get to Metro 2, and take it to Moszkva te’r. If you know that tram 4 or 6 or you know something else will take you to Moszkva is closer, take that to moszkva, but Subways are just a tad easier to find on first days. From here find the ’’Va’r Bus’’ (Castle bus). This will take you up to the castle district. As soon as you are in the district, get off the first stop. Once you’re off the bus, walk the way the bus continues to go. Visit the Matthews church, Look out over the danube at the Pest side of Budapest, go throught the Castle District cave, and visit the Buda castle. After this take the ’’Siklo’ ’’ (climbs down/up the side of the hill) down to shores of the Danube. You know you are in the right place if you see a bridge infront of you, and a tunnel behind you on the bottom. Cross the ’’chain bridge’’ by foot. You will have a great view of the danube. On the Pest side turn right, and take Apaczai csere street. across the street you should see the rails of tram 2, and the danube. turn left on Pesti street. It should take you to Vaci utca. Turn left on Vaci street, Here you should walk around, slowly going up the street, because this street is only for pedistrians, and contains some very intresting stores. These stores are expensive, but fun to just visit. If you have a lot of money, eat lunch over here, if not, wait. The street will soon take you to a plaza type place. Here you should find a yellow M1 sign directing you to subway one. Take this subway up to Hosok tere. While you are riding the subway, make a note that this is the oldest subway in europe. When you get off the subway you should come to see a huge park with tall statues, and Museums to the left and to the right. Cross the busy street to get to the park. If you are intrested in art, or the exhibit in the museums, you should visit them. After this continue upwards, beyond the statue. Cross straight across the city park. This might be difficult because it is sometimes under renovation. In the park there are museums, and szecsenyi furdo which you can visit. Once you have visited all of the places you wanted to in the park, go to szecsenyi furdo. Here M1 has a station. Take subway 1 down to Deak ferenc ter. Transfor the Subway 2, and take that To Moszkva ter. Here you are back where you started from.
Budapest has many other places to visit, such as Margit island, the National museum, Millenaris park, Zoo, etc.. Food is great in Budapest, but make sure to take the advice of the people on which restraunt to visit. Beyond Budapest there are so many wonderful places in Hungary. Lake Balaton is the largest lake in central europe. Going down here is always worth it. Try to stay on the west side of the lake. the small town of Sopron is also beautiful. If you visit this town make sure to visit Ferto’’ lake, which is a national park. The Danube bend is marvelous, and a must see! If you like hiking, the danube bend, and Bukk mountains are for you. Debrecen, a city of over 250, 000 is also a great place. Other major cities are Szeged, Pecs, my favorite, and Gyor. There are so many places to visit, that it’s impossible to list them, so I suggest buying tour book. Make sure it has been written recently.
Come Apr-Jun, Advantage of comming May or Jun, is that it might be warm enough for swimming in lakes.