Destination hub

Budapest

Soak in Széchenyi's thermal pools, stroll Buda Castle Hill, cross the Danube to Parliament, and learn how to get there and around smartly.

Budapest — establishing view: Budapest.

By PerkJolt Travel Desk

Budapest is really two cities on either side of the Danube. Buda is hilly and quiet, and Pest is flat and busy with cafés, markets and grand boulevards. It suits travelers who like walkable neighborhoods, big architecture, long soaks in hot water and a lot of city for the money.

Who Budapest suits

First-time Europe visitors who want a compact, walkable capital with a strong transit system.
Spa and architecture fans. The thermal baths and the Parliament building are the draws.
Points travelers using European connections. Budapest is well served by low-cost carriers and major European hubs.
Skip it if you want a beach trip, or if cobblestones and steep Castle Hill streets are hard on your mobility. Summer heat can also be tough without air conditioning.
Think twice about a one-night stop. The airport is a bus ride from the center, so a very short stay uses a lot of your time in transit.

When to go

Budapest has a continental climate. Summers are hot, winters are cold and gray, and spring and early autumn are usually the most comfortable for walking. Late spring and early autumn are typically busy, and December brings Christmas-market crowds. Check a current forecast before you pack.

Széchenyi Thermal Bath lists a peak-season window from December 18, 2026 to January 6, 2027, when it opens at 8 am. The bath is open from 8 am on holidays and peak season, including December 18, 2026 to January 6, 2027. It stays open until 8 pm on December 25, 2026 and January 1, 2027.

If you visit from May through October, you can ride the transport heritage trams along the Danube.

Getting there

Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD) is the main gateway. It handled about 19.6 million passengers in 2025, and it is a Wizz Air hub and a Ryanair base. Most flights go to other European cities, with some service to North America, Africa, the Middle East and East Asia.

We haven't confirmed a current nonstop from the US. Plan on one connection and check your airline's route map. Useful European gateways include Munich with Lufthansa, London Heathrow with British Airways, Brussels with Brussels Airlines, and Doha with Qatar Airways. Those carriers sit in the Star Alliance, oneworld and (for Air France via Paris) SkyTeam families.

How points help: Our transfer partners guide has the full list.

Lufthansa and other Star Alliance carriers: Chase and Bilt both transfer 1:1 to United, and Aeroplan takes transfers from Chase, Amex, Capital One and Bilt at 1:1.
Air France and KLM: Flying Blue takes Chase, Amex, Capital One, Citi and Bilt at 1:1.
British Airways: Chase, Amex and Capital One all transfer 1:1.

Compare cash and award prices on your dates. Add up the carrier-imposed surcharges before you transfer anything, because transfers can't be reversed.

Getting around

Metro, trams, buses and trolleybuses are run by BKK. Buy tickets and passes at BKK machines or in the BudapestGO app. Validate or show them as the rules require, because inspectors do check.

24-hour travelcard: It costs 2,750 HUF. It pays off after a handful of rides.
Budapest Card: It costs 17,990 HUF for 24 hours, 23,990 for 48, 29,990 for 72 and 38,990 for 96. It includes public transport, entry to the Szent Lukács Thermal Bath, a Danube cruise, the Zugliget Chairlift and 30+ free museums and attractions. It only makes sense if you'll visit several paid sights, so add up your list first.
Airport to center: The 100E express bus runs to Deák Ferenc tér. It typically takes roughly 40 minutes and needs its own premium ticket, around 2,500 HUF at last report. Standard travelcards generally don't cover it. Check the 100E page on bkk.hu for the current fare and hours. The 200E bus plus metro line M3 is a slower, cheaper option.
Taxis: Use an official taxi or a ride-hailing app, and agree on how you'll pay before you start.

Most central sights are walkable. The M1 metro line runs to Széchenyi fürdő station.

Where to stay

Belváros-Lipótváros (central Pest): Best for first-timers who want Parliament, the river and metro lines close by.
Erzsébetváros (Jewish Quarter): Best for nightlife and restaurants, but expect noise.
Castle District (Buda): Best for quiet evenings and views. It is hilly, with fewer late-night options.
Újlipótváros: Best for a local feel, with cafés and parks and a short tram or walk to the center.
Near City Park (Városliget): Best for baths, museums and the zoo, but a bit removed from nightlife.

Using points here

We haven't listed specific hotels here. Check each brand's own site for current Budapest properties and rates before you book.

Chase transfers to World of Hyatt at 4:3, and to Marriott Bonvoy and IHG at 1:1.
Amex transfers to Marriott at 1:1 and to Hilton at 1:2.
Bilt transfers 1:1 to Hyatt, Marriott, IHG and Hilton.

For flights, use whichever flexible currency matches the airline that has availability on your dates. See the section on getting there, and our transfer partners page. If a hotel doesn't have good points rates, pay cash and put it on a card that earns on travel.

Top things to do

Széchenyi Thermal Bath: It is open 7 am–8 pm Monday to Thursday, 7 am–10 pm Friday, and 8 am–8 pm on weekends. Tickets can currently be booked six months ahead. It's at Állatkerti körút 9-11. Prices vary by day and ticket type, so check the bath's price page.
Hungarian Parliament tour: Book the interior tour on the official visitor site. Prices differ for EU/EEA and non-EU visitors, and US travelers should expect the non-EU rate and need to bring a passport or ID.
Danube cruise: It's included with the Budapest Card, or you can book one separately.
Zugliget Chairlift: It is a free ride with the Budapest Card, and it gives views over Buda and Pest.
Szent Lukács Thermal Bath: It's a historic bath and is free with the Budapest Card, so it's a good alternative if Széchenyi is crowded.
St. Stephen's Basilica and Dohány Street Synagogue: Both are discounted with the Budapest Card.
Heritage trams along the Danube: They run May through October and are covered by the Budapest Card.
Museum of Fine Arts, Hungarian National Gallery and Hungarian National Museum: Permanent exhibitions are free with the Budapest Card.

Know before you go

Entry for US travelers: Hungary is in the Schengen Area, so US passport holders can generally visit for short tourist stays without a visa. Rules like the EU's Entry/Exit System and ETIAS have been phasing in, so confirm current requirements on travel.state.gov and the official EU ETIAS page before you fly.
Currency: Hungary uses the forint (HUF), not the euro. Cards are widely accepted, but carry a little cash for small shops.
Tipping: Many restaurants add a service charge, so check your bill before adding more. If none is included, 10–15% is a common tip.
Plugs: Hungary uses the standard European 230V power system with two-pin plugs. Bring an adapter.
Safety: Budapest is generally safe, but watch for pickpockets on crowded trams and near major sights. Avoid unlicensed taxis.

More PerkJolt planning for Budapest

Last verified: 2026-10-13. Transit fares, Budapest Card prices and the Széchenyi hours and ticket prices change most often. Check bkk.hu and szechenyibath.hu before you go.

Good to know before you go

. Confirm hours, fees, schedules and entry rules on the official pages before you book.

Sources

Plan the details

Food

Budapest Food Guide: Hungarian Dishes, Restaurants and Cafe Stops

Learn the difference between gulyás, pörkölt and paprikash, then plan restaurant and cafe stops around a one-to-three-day visit.

Lodging

Where to Stay in Budapest: Neighborhoods, Hotels and Base Choices

Compare central Pest, Andrássy Avenue, the Jewish Quarter and Buda Castle with hotel options and practical transit and points guidance.