Budapest, a buzzing Eastern European metropolis, has always been
recognized as a beautiful, unique and captivating destination. From its
cultural heritage to its splendid museums, proud architectural landmarks
to its peaceful gardens, and beyond, this bustling city has a lot to
offer the first-time visitor. To help you get your bearing, Budapest
native Anna J. Kutor guides you through the practicalities of exploring
and enjoying Hungary’s largest city.

Cultural break, culinary adventure or hedonistic holiday? A trip to
Budapest means never having to choose. But before you dive into the city
like a hungry bee, it’s best to plan your trip, including booking
flights, finding a convenient and good place to stay and mapping out the
site which you are interested in visiting during you trip, so that you
can get the most out of this ever-changing capital.

Getting to Budapest

Depending on where your coming from you’ll either arrive by plane or
train. International flights land at the international terminal
(Terminal 2) of the Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport which
received a complete makeover in 2011 and now features a high glass
atrium filled with restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops and even a table
fussball table. There’s a second terminal, Terminal 1,  for low-budget
airlines flying within the Schengen territory. Depending on traffic, the
trip to the airport by public transport or taxi may take you 20-50
minutes. For the easiest and quickest way to the town center from both
airports, choose one of the numerous Minibus Services on the spot, which
cost about 4000 HUF (around13 EUR). The airport shuttle bus 200E
departs every 10-12 minutes from Terminal 2 and it goes via Terminal 1
to the Metro station Kobánya-Kispest, which takes approximately 20
minutes. From there Metro 2 (the blue line) goes to the centre of
Budapest in another 10-15 minutes. For more airport information, check their site or call the info line on +36 (1) 296-7000. A rail
connection is now also available between Terminal 1 and Nyugati railway
station.  

Budapest has three major train stations: Nyugati Palyaudvar (Western
Station), Keleti Palyaudvar (Eastern Station) and Deli Palyaudvar
(Southern Station). As their names indicate, international trains from
the west pull into Nyugat, while Keleti serves as the Eastern railway
hub. The grand 19th-century Nyugati, smack dab in the middle of the
city, owes its design to the Eiffel company of Paris. The Blue line of
the metro is below the station, with numerous bus and tram lines
stopping out front, so to getting to your final destination from here
will be a piece of cake. The newly-renovated Keleti station, located in
Baross Square is served by the Red line of the metro, in addition to
numerous bus, trolleybus and tram lines.

Cultural break, culinary adventure or hedonistic holiday? A trip to
Budapest means never having to choose. But before you dive into the city
like a hungry bee, it’s best to plan your trip, including booking
flights, finding a convenient and good place to stay and mapping out the
site which you are interested in visiting during you trip, so that you
can get the most out of this ever-changing capital.

Getting to Budapest

Depending on where your coming from you’ll either arrive by plane or
train. International flights land at the international terminal
(Terminal 2) of the Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport which
received a complete makeover in 2011 and now features a high glass
atrium filled with restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops and even a table
fussball table. There’s a second terminal, Terminal 1,  for low-budget
airlines flying within the Schengen territory. Depending on traffic, the
trip to the airport by public transport or taxi may take you 20-50
minutes. For the easiest and quickest way to the town center from both
airports, choose one of the numerous Minibus Services on the spot, which
cost about 4000 HUF (around13 EUR). The airport shuttle bus 200E
departs every 10-12 minutes from Terminal 2 and it goes via Terminal 1
to the Metro station Kobánya-Kispest, which takes approximately 20
minutes. From there Metro 2 (the blue line) goes to the centre of
Budapest in another 10-15 minutes. For more airport information, check
http://bud.hu or call the info line on +36 (1) 296-7000. A rail
connection is now also available between Terminal 1 and Nyugati railway
station. 

Budapest has three major train stations: Nyugati Palyaudvar (Western
Station), Keleti Palyaudvar (Eastern Station) and Deli Palyaudvar
(Southern Station). As their names indicate, international trains from
the west pull into Nyugat, while Keleti serves as the Eastern railway
hub. The grand 19th-century Nyugati, smack dab in the middle of the
city, owes its design to the Eiffel company of Paris. The Blue line of
the metro is below the station, with numerous bus and tram lines
stopping out front, so to getting to your final destination from here
will be a piece of cake. The newly-renovated Keleti station, located in
Baross Square is served by the Red line of the metro, in addition to
numerous bus, trolleybus and tram lines.

Budapest’s Best Sights

From Heroes’ Square to the medieval Buda Castle, Budapest is known for its grandeur and
charm. As a newcomer, the city’s must-see attractions may seem to
numerous, but luckily the city center is easily walkable and public
transport is easy to maneuver so you’ll be able to pack in as many
sights as you can into your itinerary. Here’s a quick-reference guide to
the top sights in the capital:

Parliament

In Budapest, a number of bridges dominate the city’s panorama along
with the Hungarian parliament building, the third largest in the world.
Posed along the Danube bank, the eclectic Parliament building was
completed in 1904 predominantly in neo-Gothic style. From its inception
it has been of of the city’s main symbols, not only as an architectural
landmark but also the seat of the Hungarian government, and since 2000,
as the home of the Hungarian crown jewels. English-language guided tours
of the building are available for individuals or groups (advanced
booking is required) every day of the week, except during Parliamentary
sessions.

Castle District

You can’t miss Budapest’s Castle Hill, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage
site, which consists of two parts: the reconstructed medieval city
called the Castle District which boasts some of the the city’s top
historical monuments, and the Royal Palace
on the southern side. Highlights of the Castle District include the
newly-renovated Matthias Church with it neo-Gothic towers rising above
the area; Fisherman’s Bastion and the Holy Trinity Column. In the Royal
Palace section, which long functioned as the residence of Hungarian
rulers, a few stand-out sights include the Hungarian National Gallery,
the Budapest History Museum and Szechenyi National Library. To get back
down to foot of the Chain Bridge, take the unique little cab car known
as the funicular (Budavari Siklo).

Andrassy Avenue & Heroes’ Square

Taking a stroll down this historic boulevard will make you fall in love
with the city as some of the most beautiful cultural and historic
buildings are along this tree-lines route. Stretching 2.5-kilometers
from Deak Square, through Oktogon Square all the way to Heroes’ Square,
this wide avenue is home to some eye-catching landmarks, including the
majestic Opera House, House of Terror (the former headquarters of the
AVH secret police which now functions as a museum), and modern
art-focused Kogart House.

Palace on the Danube

Budapest’s Palace of the Arts, home to the 1700-seater Bela Bartok
National Concert Hall, the Festival Theatre and the Ludwig Museum of
Contemporary Art, is an eye-catching centre of culture poised on the
Danube riverbank. The imposing culture complex, completed in 2005 on the
designs of local architects Zoboki, Demeter and Associates, is a design
marvel, outfitted with sculpted walnut wood, a variety of marble and
floor-to-ceiling glass walls to let the light flood in.

Your first sojourn to Budapest will surely be filled with a variety of
sightseeing adventures and unique travel tales, but as the city keeps
constantly developing and reinventing itself, there’s plenty of
attractions that will keep experienced travelers coming back for more.