About Budapest
Budapest is the capital and largest city of Hungary. It is Hungary's primate city with 1.7 million inhabitants and its greater metro area has a population of about 3.3 million, representing one-third of the country's population and producing more than 40% of the country's economic output. Budapest is the political, economic, and cultural center of the country, among the ten largest cities in the European Union and the second largest urban area in Central and Eastern Europe. Budapest stands on the River Danube and is strategically located at the center of the Pannonian Basin, lying on ancient trade routes linking the hills of Transdanubia with the Great Plain.
Cheap flights to Budapest
The lowest round-trip fare found by Destina Holidays travellers in the last 30 days was $605 from Toronto, travelling 1 Dec – 10 Dec. These are the cheapest fares from the most searched cities.
- YTO Toronto to Budapest1 Dec – 10 Dec · BUD from$605
- JFK New York to Budapest8 Dec – 22 Dec · BUD from$906
- WAS Washington to Budapest8 Dec – 22 Dec · BUD from$974
- LAX Los Angeles to Budapest8 Dec – 15 Dec · BUD from$971
- MIA Miami to Budapest20 Apr – 29 Apr · BUD from$1,012
- CHI Chicago to Budapest7 Dec – 15 Dec · BUD from$850
- BOS Boston to Budapest1 Dec – 9 Dec · BUD from$999
- YVR Vancouver to Budapest26 Dec – 8 Jan · BUD from$733
Cheapest month to fly
Airlines travellers compared most often: Aer Lingus, Austrian Airlines, Swiss International Air Lines, Air Canada, Finnair, KLM.
Prices are per adult in US dollars, taken from searches between 12 Oct and 11 Nov 2026. Fares change often, so search your dates for live prices.
Search flights to BudapestPlaces to visit in Budapest
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Hungarian Parliament Building
LandmarkThe neo-Gothic parliament on the Danube bank is the city's most recognizable building. Guided tours visit the grand staircase, the domed hall and the Holy Crown of Hungary.
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Buda Castle
HistoricThe royal palace complex on Castle Hill houses the Hungarian National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum. The terraces give sweeping views over the river to Pest.
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Fisherman's Bastion
ViewpointFairy-tale white terraces and turrets beside Matthias Church on Castle Hill. It is one of the best spots to photograph the Parliament across the Danube.
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Szechenyi Thermal Bath
Entertainment · 2 mi from centreA large neo-baroque spa complex in City Park with outdoor and indoor pools fed by thermal springs. Soaking in the steaming outdoor pools is a classic Budapest experience in any season.
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St. Stephen's Basilica
ReligiousThe city's largest church, with a richly decorated interior and the relic of King Stephen's right hand. Climb to the dome balcony for a 360-degree view of Pest.
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Great Market Hall
MarketA grand covered market with a colorful tiled roof at the end of Vaci Street. Find paprika, salami and produce downstairs and food stalls and crafts on the upper floor.
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Andrassy Avenue
Neighborhood · 2 mi from centreAn elegant boulevard lined with mansions, the Hungarian State Opera and the House of Terror museum. It runs out to Heroes' Square and City Park.
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Gellert Hill
ViewpointA green hill rising above the Danube topped by the Citadella and the Liberty Statue. Walking paths lead up to excellent views of the bridges and both halves of the city.
Top experiences in Budapest
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 94 available.
Budapest All In One Small Group Walking Tour with Strudel Stop
From $77 per adult
Buda Castle District and Matthias Church - Small Group Walking Tour
From $57 per adult
Budapest Grand City Tour and Parliament
From $75 per adult
Széchenyi Thermal Bath Admission and Danube River Dinner Cruise with Live Music
From $133 per adult
Danube Cruise with Welcome Drink
From $19 per adult
Dandár - Thermal Bath
From $23 per adult
Danube River Cruise with Live Music and Optional Dinner
From $48 per adult
Christmas Market with Mulled Wine and St Stephen Basilica - Small Group Walking Tour
From $83 per adult
Unlimited Mulled Wine Cruise
From $21 per adult
Private Sightseeing Tour of Budapest
From $244 per adult
Danube River Cruise with Budapest City Tour
From $54 per adult
Danube Bend Tour
From $84 per adult
Where to stay in Budapest
Popular hotels in Budapest, out of 449 properties you can book.
NH Budapest City
From $168 per night
Ibis Budapest Stadium
From $103 per night
Mystery Hotel Budapest, Preferred Hotels & Resorts
From $325 per night
Tribe Budapest Stadium
From $114 per night
NH Collection Budapest City Center
From $174 per night
Hotel Central Basilica
From $214 per night
Aria Hotel Budapest by Library Hotel Collection
From $704 per night
Promenade Hotel by Mellow Mood Hotels
From $263 per night
Corvin Hotel Budapest-Sissi wing
From $180 per night
You Hotel Budapest - Handwritten Collection
From $255 per night
Mediterran
From $218 per night
Leonardo Boutique Hotel Budapest M-Square
From $270 per night
Best time to visit Budapest
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Budapest is May to June and September, when average daytime highs are around 70–83°F and rain falls on about 9 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Budapest weather forecast
- Wed 11 Nov 43° 37° 19%
- Thu 12 Nov 50° 42° 99%
- Fri 13 Nov 55° 39° 100%
- Sat 14 Nov 47° 32° 0%
- Sun 15 Nov 44° 30° 2%
- Mon 16 Nov 56° 37° 37%
- Tue 17 Nov 54° 37° 51%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Hungarian forint (HUF)1 US dollar ≈ Ft325
- Language
- Hungarian
- Calling code
- +36
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- Europe/BudapestUTC+1
Upcoming public holidays in Hungary
- Christmas DayKarácsony
- St. Stephen's DayKarácsony másnapja
- New Year's DayÚjév
- 1848 Revolution Memorial DayNemzeti ünnep
- Good FridayNagypéntek
- Easter SundayHúsvétvasárnap
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Budapest
These are the airports closest to central Budapest. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- BUD Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport11 mi (18 km) from the city centre
Getting around Budapest
Orientation is not a big problem in Budapest. The river Danube splits the city into two areas: Buda and Pest. Aside from the very centre, the city's structure is quite logical. Landmarks in Buda as the Royal Castle or Citadella Castle also help you to find your way. Besides the Danube, the best reference points for orienting yourself are the bridges crossing the river. From north to south, they are:
On foot
Many of Budapest's highlights are easy to approach walking, and in the centre you find more pedestrian zones from year to year. Car drivers tend to respect pedestrians and often give advantage on a cross-walk even if there is no traffic light. Due to the lack of bike lanes, cyclists have to weave around pedestrian traffic; be prepared.
Public transport
You'll find several points of interest within walking distance, but Budapest is a sizeable city, so unless you drive your own car (or bicycle), you will inevitably use some form of public transport. The good news is that the urban area is well covered by four metro lines, blue urban buses, yellow trams and red trolley-buses, and the whole system is fairly easy to understand.
Tickets and passes
If you intend to travel a lot, and you probably will, travel cards are far less expensive than single tickets. As of June 2025 most useful tickets and travel cards for tourists include the following:
Budapest travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Budapest?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Budapest is May to June and September, when average daytime highs are around 70–83°F and rain falls on about 9 days a month.
What is the weather like in Budapest?
August is usually the warmest month in Budapest, with average highs of 86°F (30°C). December is the coolest, with average lows of 34°F (1°C). The wettest month is typically May, with about 79 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Budapest?
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD) is the closest airport, about 11 miles (18 km) from the centre of Budapest.
How much are flights to Budapest?
The cheapest round-trip fare Destina Holidays travellers found to Budapest in the last 30 days was $605 from Toronto, travelling 1 Dec – 10 Dec. November is currently the cheapest month to fly, with fares from $605.
What currency is used in Budapest?
Budapest uses the Hungarian forint (HUF). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ Ft325.
What time zone is Budapest in?
Budapest uses the Europe/Budapest time zone (currently UTC+1). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Budapest?
Orientation is not a big problem in Budapest. The river Danube splits the city into two areas: Buda and Pest. Aside from the very centre, the city's structure is quite logical. Landmarks in Buda as the Royal Castle or Citadella Castle also help you to find your way.
What are the best places to visit in Budapest?
Top sights in Budapest include Hungarian Parliament Building, Buda Castle, Fisherman's Bastion and Szechenyi Thermal Bath. The neo-Gothic parliament on the Danube bank is the city's most recognizable building. Guided tours visit the grand staircase, the domed hall and the Holy Crown of Hungary.
What are the top things to do in Budapest?
Popular experiences you can book in Budapest include Budapest All In One Small Group Walking Tour with Strudel Stop, Buda Castle District and Matthias Church - Small Group Walking Tour and Budapest Grand City Tour and Parliament. Destina Holidays offers 94 tours and activities here.
Where should I stay in Budapest?
Popular areas for hotels in Budapest include Budapest. Well-reviewed options include NH Budapest City and Ibis Budapest Stadium.
How many hotels can I book in Budapest?
Destina Holidays currently lists 449 properties in and around Budapest, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
