Planning to visit Hungary soon? Check out these important tips for visiting Budapest: how long to stay, the best time to visit, where to stay and more!
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Buda and Pest
The current city of Budapest was originally separated into three towns named Buda and Óbuda on the west bank of the Danube, and Pest on the east bank. The official unification and Budapest was given its name in 1873!
How long to stay in Budapest
Many parts of the city have been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are really a lot of places to explore in Budapest and so many things to do; therefore, the perfect duration to visit it depends on your preferences. It is possible to visit it in 48 hours or during a weekend since many attractions are located near each other; but if you want to discover all the monuments and sites and take the time to enjoy the thermal baths, spas, and the nightlife, you may need to stay there between 4 and 7 days.
The best time to visit Budapest
The best time to visit Budapest is from May till September. However, it is preferable to visit it in April-May or in October, when the weather is a little warm and there are much less tourists. During summer, the sites become overcrowded with lots of tourists! Christmas time when Christmas markets are open is also a great period to visit Budapest; however, the weather will be very cold and often snowy (between 0°C and -5°C)
Some tips and tricks for visiting Budapest
1. It is best to choose an accommodation on the Pest side where restaurants, pubs and coffee shops remain open at night; it is also the most lively part of the city.
2. The official language is Hungarian but people also speak English.
3. The currency is the Hungarian forint; mainly all businesses don’t accept euros.
4. Tipping is essential in the Hungarian culture. Don’t forget to leave 10% of the total bill for the service or even more if the service was excellent! Give the tip directly to the staff, leaving it on the table is viewed as rude.
5. Taxi mafias are believed to be dangerous in Budapest, taxi drivers tend to rip off people, to use dysfunctioning meters and to take the longest routes, and you might hear about assault incidents. Therefore, if you really need a taxi drive, call a well known and reputable taxi firm; never hail a taxi from the side of the street. Probably, you won’t need a taxi since you can walk easily around all the city and public transport is quite good.
6. Always purchase the public transport tickets in advance; you can’t buy them on board.
7. Some say that most Hungarian people are rude and unfriendly. After doing some research, we found out that Hungarians are amongst the unhappiest people in Europe due to many reasons such as low wages, corruption and high taxes. However, don’t let this affect negatively your journey in this beautiful city and don’t take any offense personally!
Let us know in the comments below which one of the tips for visiting Budapest you found the most useful and don’t hesitate to share with us your tips and tricks!
Discover what are the top things to do when in Budapest here!