Budapest: Pearl of Eastern Europe

Budapest, pearl of Eastern Europe, with amazing architecture, beautiful nature and views with nice people who always are ready to help you. I think every traveller should mark this city in their “must visit list”, because it definitely will surprise you. People of every taste can find something interesting there. That’s why many Erasmus students are choosing Budapest for spending a semester or even year and that’s why routes to Budapest are always full. I am a Georgian Student in Budapest at Budapest Business University; it's my second year here, and I know the city and life here very well, so I can share my experience and knowledge to enthusiast travellers, who are ready and open for new adventures.

Before arrival

Before you go somewhere in foreign country, city or place it is really wise to make a little research about it, not to feel lost in different atmosphere. So, first what you need is to know where you should buy tickets, there are several ways to find cheap and exact tickets to Budapest:

• Bus & train – I am using a special application called “Busradar” which gives you information about all train and bus connections with times and prices, and of course you can buy tickets online though this application.
• Blabla car and Oszcar - platforms which connect people who need to travel with drivers who have empty seats for cheaper prices.
• Plane – you can flight with “Wizzair”, ”Ryanair”, ”EasyJet” due to they are the cheapest airline companies and have direct flights to Budapest.

After buying the tickets you should find a place where to stay. There are also different ways to find and choose it and there are opportunities for all kind of travelers and pockets.

My recommendations are the following:

• Book a hotel – “Four Seasons”, “Aria hotel”, “Boscolo” – are top rated hotels in Budapest, with high quality service.
• Book a hostel – there are several cheap hostels from 10 Euros a day like: “Opera hostel Budapest”, “Avenue hostel”, ”One step hostel”, “Retox” – and all of them are in city center.
• Airbnb – is also one option and prices are affordable too.

It is good idea to choose accommodation near the city center (5th, and 6th districts in Budapest) not to lose your time during travelling period. Remember to make reservation in advance to get better place and price as well.

Why is it important to know exchange rate?

It is really important to know exchange rates in Hungary not to become victim during changing your money. Due to there are many places where you can change money, but use official ones. Never change it in touristic area, especially at Vaci street and near to Deak square. Before you change money ask about commission, some places are free of charge. Do not change money at the airport because rate is very low there.

• 1Euro = 305 HUF
• 1USD= 265 HUF
• 1GEL=110 HUF

About Budapest airport

There is one airport in Budapest and its name is: Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport, which is not far from the city centre. After landing and all procedures at the airport you should take bus number 200E, stop is in front of the airport door, so you do not need to walk much; it is going to the nearest metro station blue line - M3 and through metro you can reach any place in Budapest due to transportation is perfect. Transport tickets can be bought at the stops from ticket machine and price is 350 HUF which is 1, 20 Euros, you can also buy daily pass or more. Or bus number 100E which goes directly to city and price for it is 900 HUF so 3 Euros. Also you can take a taxi, you can find it front of the airports door but comparing to prices in Budapest it is expensive, more or less 25 Euros to the city centre.

Weather conditions in Budapest during seasons

There is humid continental climate in Budapest which means that they have all seasons. Typical winter lasts for four months, from end of November till beginning of March and sometimes temperature is -15 degrees, so be ready. Summer is hot enough and temperature sometimes can be between +35-40 but average temperature is +30-33 degrees. That’s why before you come you should choose clothes carefully and check weather in advance as well.

Budapest is famous for its beautiful architecture. First when I came to that amazing city I remember how surprised and flabbergasted I was by it. I will give you list of must see places, some of them can be reached by foot, some by transport but do not worry as I mentioned above transportation is perfect in the city.

What to see during your travel period

• Hungarian Parliament building, the most gorgeous parliament building I have ever seen;
• Close to it there's a shoes memorial.
• Buda castle and Fishermen’s bastion are located on a Buda hill, you can go up by foot or by the oldest funicular in Europe (price is 6 euros) and enjoy by the stunning views too.
• Iconic Chain bridge and Liberty bridges;
• Hero square (main square in a city);
• Great market hall to buy some local products,
• Andrassy av. Which is 2km longer and is full of shops and café-restaurants,
• St. Stephan Basilica,
• The magnificent Opera house,
• Meeteing point Deak square, which is crossing point of three metro lines and with attractive places,
• Citadel which is the highest place of a city and from where you can enjoy by miraculous panoramic views.
• Vaci Street and Westend for shopping.
• Museums: Hungarian national museum; museum of modern art; museum of terror, Memento park.

What and where to eat?

There is very big variety, so it is up to your taste, even you can find pizza slice for 200 HUF which is 70 cent, unhealthy but delicious and when you are hungry Zakaria…

• For breakfast: Gian Mario, Oktogon Bisztro, Vintage Garden
• For traditional Gulyash: For Sales Pub (really the best national Hungarian Gulyash ever)
• For dinner: Boscolo (a place where Andrassy and Sandor Petofi were drinking tea), Deák St. Kitchen.
• Bars: Vicky Barcelona Tapas Bar, Blue Fox The Bar (Kempinski)
• Ruin bars and pubs: Szimpla and Lampas.

Day-time activities

• Budapest is famous for its thermal bathes, there are four in the city but the best is Szechenyi termal spa with indoor and outdoor pools and creative, marvelous architecture;
• Escape rooms is option as well, I guess many of them do not know that Hungary is motherland of escape rooms.
• You can enjoy by Danube river cruise, it is amazing one and half hour ride.
• But you should definitely go to the Margaret island, - island which is in city center, totally green area with many entertainments, such as: pools, Zoo, cafes and etc.
• Or you can visit small city to Szentendre, which can be reached easily from Budapest;

You have to take H5 (kind of train) from Margaret bridge area, actually it is under the bridge, if you ask everyone will teach you. There are 12 stops from Budapest to Szentendre and ride takes just 30 minutes. Here is timetable of transportation in Budapest where you can check everything in advance: Timetables.

Where to party?

Many people is coming there just for partying, because nightlife in Budapest is amazing. Cheap and cool with lots of ruin bars, clubs and pubs. You can party at Larm (if you like electronic music) Fogas, Instant, Aquarium, The Play, Corvin and etc. Most of them are located in 6th and 7thdistricts.

To sum up Budapest is really great city to spend a long weekend with family or friends, see sights during day time and party hard during night; to try different delicious national food and drink national Palinka; to take many beautiful photos and to fill yourself by positive energy; to share beautiful moments of life with your beloved ones, cause sharing is caring! I experienced everything during my stays in Budapest, I am really thankful and happy! I wanna wish you the same, once in your life you have to experience Budapest!

Photo gallery