🇪🇺Europe Hungary 3-day itinerary

A 3-Day Budapest Plan: Thermal Baths Before Noon, Ruin Bars After Dark, and a City Split by a River

How to spend three days in Europe's most underpriced capital, where a full day at a 16th-century bathhouse costs less than a museum ticket in Paris.

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  1. Quick answer
  2. Overview
  3. Travel essentials
  4. Best time to visit
  5. Getting around
  6. 3-day itinerary
  7. Typical costs
  8. Where to stay
  9. Cultural tips
  10. FAQ
  11. Compare cities
  12. Related guides
  13. Sources

Quick answer

Three full days cover Budapest comfortably. A mid-range daily budget runs 70 to 130 euros including a central hotel, thermal bath entry, meals at local restaurants, and public transport.

Trip length

3 days

Daily budget

$55–120/day

Best time

May through June and September through early October. Warm days (20 to 28 degrees Celsius), outdoor terraces open, thermal baths comfortable for outdoor pools, and tourist crowds manageable.

Currency

Hungarian Forint (HUF)

Three full days cover Budapest comfortably. A mid-range daily budget runs 70 to 130 euros including a central hotel, thermal bath entry, meals at local restaurants, and public transport. The Hungarian forint (HUF) is the local currency, not the euro. Visit in May, June, or September when temperatures sit between 18 and 28 degrees Celsius. Download the BudapestGO app before you land for route planning and digital transit tickets.

Budapest is two cities divided by a river and joined by a handful of bridges that look best at night. Buda sits on the hilly west bank: quiet, residential, draped over Castle Hill with views that stretch across the Danube to the Parliament building. Pest sprawls flat on the east side: loud, dense, full of restaurants and ruin bars and the kind of energy that keeps sidewalk tables occupied until 2 AM on a Wednesday.

Read more about Budapest ▾

The thermal baths are the thing that makes Budapest unlike anywhere else in Europe. The city sits on over 120 natural hot springs, and people have been soaking in them since the Roman occupation. The Ottoman Turks built the bathhouses that still operate today, 500 years later. Szechenyi is the biggest and most famous, a sprawling neo-Baroque complex in City Park with 18 pools and steam rooms. Rudas is smaller and more atmospheric, built in 1550 with an octagonal Ottoman pool under a domed ceiling pierced by star-shaped skylights. A full day at either costs 11,000 to 15,000 HUF (about 28 to 39 euros), which is less than a single museum entry in many Western European cities.

The ruin bars are the other signature. In the early 2000s, young Budapestians started opening bars in abandoned buildings in the old Jewish Quarter (District VII). Szimpla Kert, the original, is now a sprawling labyrinth of mismatched furniture, bathtubs repurposed as seating, and walls covered in graffiti and projections. It is touristy now, but it is also genuinely fun, and the dozen-plus imitators that followed created an entire nightlife district. Everything in Budapest costs less than you expect. A pint of local beer runs 800 to 1,200 HUF (about 2 to 3 euros). A bowl of goulash at a neighborhood restaurant costs 2,500 to 3,500 HUF (about 6 to 9 euros). The city delivers a quality-to-cost ratio that is hard to find anywhere else in the EU.

Travel essentials

Currency

Hungarian Forint (HUF)

Language

Hungarian

Visa

US, UK, Canadian, and Australian citizens enter visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period under the Schengen agreement. No advance application required. ETIAS pre-travel authorization expected to launch Q4 2026.

Time zone

CET (UTC+1), CEST (UTC+2) in summer

Plug type

Type C, Type F · 230V, 50 Hz

Tipping

Tip 10 to 15 percent at restaurants, but check your bill first. Many tourist-area restaurants include a 12.5 percent service charge automatically. If it is included, no extra tip is needed. Never leave the tip on the table. Hand it directly to the server or say the total amount you want to pay when they bring the bill.

Tap water

Safe to drink

Driving side

right

Emergency #

112 (English-speaking operators available)

Need help packing? Build a custom packing list for Budapest.

Best time to visit Budapest

Recommended

May through June and September through early October. Warm days (20 to 28 degrees Celsius), outdoor terraces open, thermal baths comfortable for outdoor pools, and tourist crowds manageable.

Peak season

July and August. Temperatures can exceed 35 degrees Celsius during heat waves. Szechenyi Baths and the ruin bars are packed. Accommodation prices increase 30 to 40 percent.

Budget season

November through February (excluding Christmas market season in December). Hotel rates drop significantly, museums and baths are quiet, and winter thermal bathing with steam rising off outdoor pools is genuinely magical. December brings popular Christmas markets at Vorosmarty Square and St. Stephen's Basilica.

Avoid

Late July through mid-August

Heat waves push temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius, crowding at baths and ruin bars peaks, and the city's stag-party tourism (heavily concentrated in District VII) is at its worst. Early summer and September offer the same warm weather with fewer crowds.

Budapest has a continental climate with real seasons. Summers are warm to hot with occasional heat waves above 35 degrees. Winters are cold with temperatures dropping below freezing and occasional snow. Spring and autumn are the sweet spot, with mild days and cool evenings. The Danube looks best in golden autumn light.

Terrace Season Opens

moderate crowds

March to May · 34 to 72°F (1 to 22°C)

March is still cold with possible frost. April warms up but is rainy. May is the first reliably warm month with long days and comfortable temperatures. The outdoor pools at thermal baths become pleasant from late April onward.

  • Budapest Spring Festival (April): two weeks of classical music, opera, theater, and dance across the city's major venues.
  • Easter markets at Vorosmarty Square: traditional crafts, painted eggs, and Hungarian food stalls.

Long Days and Late Nights

peak crowds

June to August · 55 to 90°F (13 to 32°C)

June is warm and sunny without the extreme heat. July and August can hit 35+ degrees during heat waves. Thunderstorms are possible in late summer. The outdoor pools at Szechenyi and Palatinus are at their best. Evenings are warm enough for open-air dining until late.

  • Sziget Festival (August): one of Europe's largest music festivals on Obuda Island in the Danube, with 400,000+ attendees over a week. Book accommodation months ahead if visiting during Sziget.
  • Budapest Beer Week (June): craft beer festival with Hungarian and international breweries.
  • Midsummer Night's Dream open-air theater and concerts on Margaret Island (June through August).

Golden Light on the Danube

moderate crowds

September to November · 34 to 77°F (1 to 25°C)

September is warm and pleasant. October cools with golden autumn foliage along the Danube and in City Park. November turns cold and gray. The light in late September and October makes the Parliament building and Chain Bridge glow.

  • Budapest Wine Festival (September): held in Buda Castle with Hungarian wine regions showcasing their best.
  • Budapest Design Week (October): exhibitions, workshops, and open studios across the city.
  • Night of the Museums (late September): museums open late with special programs and free or discounted entry.

Christmas Markets and Steam Rising off Baths

low crowds

December to February · 26 to 43°F (-3 to 6°C)

Cold with regular frost and occasional snow (15 to 20 days below freezing per winter). Short days with sunset around 4 PM in December. The cold makes outdoor thermal bathing surreal: steam rises off the hot pools while snow falls around you. Pack warm layers.

  • Budapest Christmas Fair at Vorosmarty Square (mid-November through late December): wooden stalls selling chimney cakes (kurtoskalacs), mulled wine, and Hungarian crafts. One of the best Christmas markets in Central Europe.
  • Christmas market at St. Stephen's Basilica (late November through January 1): light shows projected onto the basilica facade every evening.
  • New Year's Eve celebrations along the Danube with fireworks over the river.
  • Budapest Carnival and Busojares (February): pre-Lent celebrations.

Getting around Budapest

Budapest's public transport system is excellent, cheap, and covers the entire city. The Metro has four lines (M1, the oldest underground on the European continent after London, is worth riding just for the experience). Trams 2, 4, and 6 are the most useful for visitors: Tram 2 runs along the Pest embankment with Danube views, while Trams 4 and 6 circle the Grand Boulevard. A single ticket costs 450 HUF (about 1.15 euros), but a 24-hour pass for 2,750 HUF (about 7 euros) is a much better deal since you will ride multiple times per day. Validate your ticket at the machines on platforms and in vehicles, as ticket inspectors are common and fines are steep.

Metro and Tram

Recommended $$$$

Four Metro lines and an extensive tram network. Single ticket: 450 HUF. 24-hour pass: 2,750 HUF. 72-hour pass: 5,500 HUF. Tram 6 runs 24/7. Metro runs from 4:30 AM to 11:50 PM.

Download the BudapestGO app for route planning and digital tickets. Buy the 24-hour or 72-hour pass at any Metro station vending machine. Always validate your ticket or risk a 16,000 HUF fine from inspectors who show no mercy to tourists.

Walking

Recommended $$$$

Pest is flat and very walkable. District V (downtown), District VI (Andrassy Avenue), and District VII (Jewish Quarter/ruin bars) are all within 20 minutes of each other on foot. Buda's Castle Hill is steep but manageable.

Walk the Pest embankment from the Parliament building south past the Shoes on the Danube memorial to the Central Market Hall. It takes about 30 minutes and passes most of Pest's riverfront highlights. Cross the Liberty Bridge for the best on-foot connection to Gellert Hill.

Taxi and Ride-Hailing

$$$$

Only use Bolt (the main ride-hailing app in Budapest) or call a reputable company like Fotaxi. Base fare: 1,100 HUF, then 440 HUF per kilometer. A ride across the city center costs about 2,500 to 4,000 HUF (6 to 10 euros).

Never hail a random taxi on the street, especially near tourist areas. Freelance drivers with rigged meters or inflated rates target tourists outside ruin bars and at Keleti train station. Bolt is cheap and reliable.

Airport Bus (100E)

$$$$

Direct bus from Budapest Airport to Deak Ferenc ter (city center). Runs every 10 to 20 minutes from 4 AM to 1 AM. Single ticket: 2,200 HUF (about 5.50 euros). Takes 35 to 45 minutes depending on traffic.

The 100E bus is the cheapest and most straightforward airport transfer. Buy the ticket at the vending machine before boarding (standard transit passes do not cover it). A Bolt from the airport costs about 8,000 to 12,000 HUF (20 to 30 euros) and is faster if you have luggage.

3-day Budapest itinerary

1

Buda: Castle Hill, the Danube, and Gellert Hill at Sunset

The quiet side of the city, medieval walls, and the best views of Parliament at night

  1. Buda Castle and Castle Hill 2 to 3 hours · Free to walk the grounds; Hungarian National Gallery inside is 3,800 HUF · in Castle District (I)

    Take Bus 16 from Deak ter or walk up from Clark Adam ter. The castle grounds, Fisherman's Bastion views, and Matthias Church are all within a compact hilltop area. Fisherman's Bastion charges 3,000 HUF for the upper terrace but the lower levels are free and the views are nearly identical.

    APR 26
  2. Matthias Church 30 to 45 minutes · 3,000 HUF · in Castle District (I)

    The interior is covered in painted geometric patterns that look nothing like any other European church. Worth going inside even if you skip every other church on your trip.

    APR 26
  3. Lunch at a Buda neighborhood restaurant 1 hour · 3,000 to 5,000 HUF for a main course · in Vizivaros (I)

    Walk down from Castle Hill into the Vizivaros (Watertown) neighborhood below. The restaurants along Fo utca serve Hungarian food at local prices, away from the tourist markup on the hilltop.

    APR 26
  4. Walk across the Chain Bridge to Pest 15 minutes · Free · in Danube

    The Chain Bridge (Szechenyi Lanczhid) is the most iconic bridge in Budapest. Walk across from Buda to Pest in the late afternoon for good light on the Parliament building ahead of you.

    APR 26
  5. Shoes on the Danube and Parliament exterior 30 minutes · Free · in Lipotvaros (V)

    The iron shoes along the Pest embankment are a memorial to Jewish victims shot into the Danube during WWII. It is one of the most affecting memorials in Europe. Continue north along the river to see the Parliament building up close. The exterior is free to admire; interior tours cost 6,000 HUF and require advance booking.

    APR 26
  6. Gellert Hill sunset 1 to 1.5 hours · Free · in Gellert Hill (XI)

    Cross back to Buda via the Liberty Bridge and climb Gellert Hill (about 20 minutes up). The Citadella at the top has the best panoramic view of Budapest: the river, both sides of the city, and the bridges lit up at dusk. Arrive 30 minutes before sunset.

    APR 26
2

Pest: Parliament, the Market Hall, and the Jewish Quarter After Dark

The flat side of the river, paprika-scented market stalls, and ruin bars

  1. Hungarian Parliament Building (interior tour) 1 hour · 6,000 HUF (EU citizens) / 12,000 HUF (non-EU) · in Lipotvaros (V)

    Book online at jfrfrw.parlament.hu at least a few days ahead. English-language tours run several times daily. The interior is staggeringly ornate. Arrive 15 minutes early for security screening.

    APR 26
  2. Walk down Andrassy Avenue to Heroes' Square 45 minutes to 1 hour · Free · in Terezvaros (VI)

    Andrassy Avenue is Budapest's Champs-Elysees: a UNESCO-listed boulevard lined with neo-Renaissance mansions, the Hungarian State Opera House, and upscale cafes. It runs 2.5 km straight from Bajcsy-Zsilinszky to Heroes' Square. Walk the full length or take the M1 Metro (which runs underneath it) for part of the distance.

    APR 26
  3. Central Market Hall (Nagyvasarcsarnok) 1 to 1.5 hours · Free to enter; snacks 1,000 to 3,000 HUF · in Belvaros (IX)

    The ground floor is the real market: produce, paprika, salami, and pickled everything. The upstairs food stalls serve langos (deep-fried dough with sour cream and cheese, about 1,500 HUF) and other quick Hungarian food. Avoid the souvenir stalls on the upper floor.

    APR 26
  4. Jewish Quarter walking tour (self-guided) 1.5 to 2 hours · Free to walk; Dohany Street Synagogue entry 8,000 HUF · in Jewish Quarter (VII)

    District VII was the wartime Jewish ghetto. The Dohany Street Synagogue is the largest in Europe. The surrounding streets have memorial plaques, small galleries, and street art. The area transitions seamlessly into ruin bar territory as evening falls.

    APR 26
  5. Ruin bar crawl starting at Szimpla Kert 2 to 4 hours · 3,000 to 8,000 HUF for drinks · in Jewish Quarter (VII)

    Arrive at Szimpla Kert between 5:30 and 7 PM to avoid the line. A beer costs 800 to 1,200 HUF, a cocktail 2,000 to 3,000 HUF. After Szimpla, walk to Instant-Fogas Haz (a multi-level ruin bar complex) or Mazel Tov (ruin bar meets Middle Eastern restaurant in a courtyard). The bars get crowded and loud after 10 PM on weekends.

    APR 26
3

Thermal Baths, City Park, and a Danube Farewell

Morning soak in Ottoman pools, afternoon in the park, evening on the river

  1. Szechenyi Thermal Bath or Rudas Bath 3 to 4 hours · 11,000 to 15,000 HUF (28 to 39 euros) · in City Park (XIV) for Szechenyi / Gellert Hill (I) for Rudas

    Szechenyi is the grand experience: 18 pools, neo-Baroque architecture, outdoor pools where locals play chess in the water. Rudas is more atmospheric: a 16th-century Ottoman dome, smaller crowds, and a rooftop pool with Danube views. Both open at 6 AM. Go early for the quietest experience. Bring your own flip-flops (buying them there costs 4,000 to 6,000 HUF). Gellert Bath is closed for renovation until approximately 2028.

    APR 26
  2. City Park (Varosliget) and Vajdahunyad Castle 1 to 2 hours · Free · in City Park (XIV)

    If you chose Szechenyi, you are already in City Park. Walk to Vajdahunyad Castle (a fantastical building mixing Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance styles built for the 1896 Millennium Exhibition) and the lake. In winter, the lake becomes an ice skating rink.

    APR 26
  3. Lunch: goulash at a neighborhood spot 1 hour · 2,500 to 4,500 HUF · in Any local neighborhood

    Real Hungarian goulash (gulyas) is a soup, not a stew. Order it at a neighborhood etterem (restaurant) away from the tourist center for the best version. Porkolt is the thick stew that foreigners usually imagine when they think of goulash.

    APR 26
  4. Danube evening walk or cruise 1 to 2 hours · Free for walking; river cruises from 5,000 to 12,000 HUF · in Danube embankment (V)

    Walk the Pest embankment after dark. The Parliament building, Chain Bridge, and Buda Castle are all illuminated and the reflections on the water are stunning. Budget river cruises with a drink included run about 5,000 to 8,000 HUF. Or just walk, which is free and arguably better because you can stop wherever you want.

    APR 26

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How much does Budapest cost?

Budget

$55 APR 26

per day

Mid-range

$120 APR 26

per day

Luxury

$250 APR 26

per day

Budapest is one of the best-value capitals in the EU. Hungary uses the forint, not the euro, and the exchange rate consistently favors visitors from the US, UK, and eurozone. A sit-down lunch at a local restaurant costs about what a sandwich costs in Paris. The thermal baths, which would be a luxury experience anywhere else, are priced as a public amenity. The gap between budget and mid-range travel is narrower here than in most European cities because even mid-range options (boutique hotels, good restaurants, baths) are cheap by Western standards. The main cost trap is the tourist markup in District V around Vaci utca and the Danube embankment, where restaurants charge 2 to 3 times what you would pay three blocks inland.

Category Budget Mid-range Luxury
Accommodation

Hostel dorm vs. central boutique hotel vs. historic grand hotel like the Four Seasons Gresham Palace

 $20-40 $60-120 $150-350+
Food

Langos and market food vs. sit-down Hungarian restaurant vs. fine dining. Menu del dia equivalents (napi menu) at lunch are 2,500-4,000 HUF.

 $12-20 $25-45 $60-120+
Transport

24-hour transit pass at 2,750 HUF covers everything. Bolt rides across the center cost 2,500-4,000 HUF.

 $2-5 $5-10 $10-25
Activities

Thermal bath entry 11,000-15,000 HUF. Parliament tour 6,000-12,000 HUF. Many attractions are free or very cheap.

 $8-15 $15-35 $40-80
Drinks

Pint of local beer: 800-1,200 HUF (2-3 euros). Ruin bar cocktail: 2,000-3,000 HUF. Wine: Hungary produces excellent wines (Tokaji, Egri Bikaver) for 1,500-3,000 HUF per glass.

 $4-8 $8-15 $15-35
SIM/Data

EU roaming is free for European visitors. Others: prepaid SIM from Vodafone or Yettel at the airport for about 3,000-5,000 HUF with data.

 $0-5 $5-10 $10-15

Where to stay in Budapest

District V (Belvaros/Lipotvaros)

historic old town

The downtown core on the Pest side of the Danube. The Parliament building anchors the north end, the Central Market Hall sits at the south, and the Danube promenade runs along the west. Vaci utca is the pedestrian shopping street (overpriced but lively). The side streets between Vaci and the river have the better restaurants. This is where most first-timers stay because everything is walkable from here.

Great base first-time visitors couples sightseeing-focused travelers

District VII (Erzsebetvaros/Jewish Quarter)

nightlife entertainment

The old Jewish ghetto turned ruin bar district. Szimpla Kert, Instant-Fogas, and a dozen other bars fill the courtyards of former apartment buildings and warehouses. During the day it is relatively quiet: street art, small galleries, the Dohany Street Synagogue, and cafe culture. After dark it transforms into the center of Budapest's nightlife. Accommodation is slightly cheaper than District V and the food options are more interesting.

Great base nightlife seekers solo travelers young travelers foodies

Castle District (District I, Buda)

historic old town

The medieval hilltop on the Buda side. Cobblestone streets, Matthias Church, Fisherman's Bastion, and Buda Castle itself. It is quiet, scenic, and separated from the energy of Pest by the river and the hill. Staying here means gorgeous surroundings but fewer dining and nightlife options, and a bridge crossing every time you want to visit Pest.

couples history lovers quiet seekers

District VI (Terezvaros)

modern business

The neighborhood along Andrassy Avenue, Budapest's grand boulevard. The Hungarian State Opera House is here, along with upscale cafes, embassies, and elegant apartment buildings. It sits between the tourist center and the residential areas further out, offering a good balance of convenience and livability. The area around Liszt Ferenc ter (Franz Liszt Square) has a concentration of outdoor restaurant terraces.

culture seekers couples long-stay visitors

District IX (Ferencvaros)

hipster creative

A formerly industrial district south of the center that has been rapidly gentrifying. The area around Raday utca is lined with restaurants, wine bars, and cafes. The Central Market Hall sits at the district's northern edge. It is less touristy than V or VII, with lower accommodation prices and a more local feel.

budget travelers foodies digital nomads

Budapest tips locals wish tourists knew

  1. 1 Hungary uses the forint, not the euro. Some tourist spots accept euros but at terrible exchange rates. Withdraw forints from ATMs (Euronet ATMs charge high fees; use a bank ATM from OTP, Erste, or Raiffeisen instead). Never exchange money on the street.
  2. 2 Check your restaurant bill for an included service charge before tipping. Many places in tourist areas add 10 to 12.5 percent automatically. If it is included, you do not need to leave more. If it is not, 10 to 15 percent is standard. Hand the tip directly to the server; leaving it on the table is considered rude.
  3. 3 The thermal baths require flip-flops, and buying them at the bath will cost 4,000 to 6,000 HUF. Bring your own. Also bring a small padlock for the lockers, a water bottle, and sunscreen for the outdoor pools. Swimsuits are required in all co-ed areas.
  4. 4 When Hungarians clink glasses, they make eye contact. But there is an old (and fading) tradition of not clinking beer glasses specifically, dating from the 1848 revolution. Younger Hungarians do clink beer glasses now, but if someone does not, this is why.
  5. 5 Do not take a taxi off the street, especially near Keleti station, Vaci utca, or the ruin bars after midnight. Some freelance drivers run rigged meters or quote inflated flat rates. Use Bolt (ride-hailing app) or call Fotaxi. A legitimate ride across the center should cost 2,500 to 4,000 HUF, not 10,000.
  6. 6 Budapest has a serious stag party reputation, especially in District VII on weekend nights. If that scene is not for you, explore Buda's quieter bars or the less-touristed wine bars along Raday utca in District IX.
  7. 7 Validate your transit ticket every single time you board. Inspectors patrol frequently, wear red armbands or show BKK ID, and issue on-the-spot fines of 16,000 HUF (about 40 euros) with zero tolerance for tourists who 'did not understand.' The BudapestGO app sells digital tickets that validate automatically.
  8. 8 Langos (fried dough with sour cream and cheese) is the essential street food. Get it at the Central Market Hall or any stand, not at a sit-down restaurant that charges triple. A good langos costs 1,200 to 1,800 HUF.
  9. 9 Budapest is split into numbered districts (kerulet), written as Roman numerals. District V is the center. District VII is the Jewish Quarter. District I is Buda Castle. Knowing the district number helps with navigation and setting expectations for a neighborhood's vibe.

Frequently asked questions

Is Budapest expensive?
Budapest is one of the cheapest capital cities in the EU. A mid-range day costs 70 to 130 euros including a central hotel, meals, a thermal bath visit, and public transport. It is roughly 40 to 50 percent cheaper than Paris, Amsterdam, or Vienna for the same quality of experience.
How many days do you need in Budapest?
Three full days is the sweet spot: one for Buda (castle, hills, views), one for Pest (Parliament, market, ruin bars), and one for the thermal baths and City Park. Four days allows a more relaxed pace or a day trip to the Danube Bend.
Is Budapest safe for tourists?
Budapest is very safe. Violent crime against tourists is extremely rare. The main risks are pickpocketing on crowded public transport and scam taxis. Use Bolt for rides, keep valuables secure on the Metro, and you will have no problems.
Is the tap water safe to drink in Budapest?
Yes. Budapest's tap water meets EU quality standards and is safe to drink. In some older buildings (pre-2005), older pipes can affect taste, so if the water tastes off, switch to filtered or bottled. In hotels and newer apartments, it is perfectly fine.
Does Budapest use the euro?
No. Hungary uses the Hungarian forint (HUF). Some tourist-area businesses accept euros, but at poor exchange rates. Use ATMs from Hungarian banks (OTP, Erste, Raiffeisen) to withdraw forints. Avoid Euronet ATMs, which charge excessive fees.
Which thermal bath should I visit in Budapest?
Szechenyi for the grand experience (18 pools, neo-Baroque palace, chess-playing regulars). Rudas for atmosphere (16th-century Ottoman dome, rooftop pool with river views, smaller crowds). Lukacs for a budget-friendly, less-touristy option. Gellert is closed for renovation until approximately 2028.
Are the ruin bars worth visiting?
Yes, with the right expectations. Szimpla Kert is touristy but genuinely unique: you will not find anything like it in other European cities. Go before 8 PM to avoid the worst crowds. The ruin bar scene is more fun on weeknights when it skews local rather than stag-party.
What is the best way to get from Budapest airport to the city center?
The 100E airport bus runs directly to Deak Ferenc ter (city center) every 10 to 20 minutes for 2,200 HUF (about 5.50 euros). It takes 35 to 45 minutes. A Bolt ride costs about 8,000 to 12,000 HUF (20 to 30 euros) and is faster with luggage.

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Sources

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