✈️ TLV to Budapest (BUD)
Hungary
Budapest
CityBUD
IATA2166.3 km
Distance3h 9m
Flight TimeCoordinates: 47.4369, 19.2556
Airlines:
About Budapest
Weather in Budapest
Climate
Winter (November until early March) can be cold and there is little sunshine. Snowfall is fairly frequent in most years, and nighttime temperatures of −15°C (5°F) are not uncommon between mid-December and mid-February. The spring months (March and April) see variable conditions, with a rapid increase in the average temperature. The weather in late March and April is often very agreeable during the day and fresh at night. Budapest's long summer - lasting from May until mid-September - is warm or very warm. Budapest has as much summer sunshine as many Mediterranean resorts. Sudden heavy showers also occur, particularly in May and June. The autumn (mid-September until late October) is perhaps the best season for tourists as it has little rain and long sunny days with moderate temperatures. At the end of October the weather often turns abruptly colder.
See
The Danube . This is what's unique about Budapest, the urban river landscape. This feature can be admired in several ways: from panoramic points, such as Fisherman's Bastion or Gellért Hill's Citadella in South Buda , promenading along the river banks, or from the river's perspective, from a boat. For romantic views of the city, go at night. There is a number of bridges (see Orientation above ) that arch over the river and define Budapest. Most famous is the Chain Bridge ( Széchenyi Lánchíd ), owing its name to the suspension structure: the bridge is made of chains whose links are huge dog-bone shaped metal bars linked by pins at their ends. And there is also the magnificent Elisabeth bridge ( Erzsébet híd ) and the Liberty bridge ( Szabadság híd ). To get away from all the hustle of the city visit Margaret Island ( Margitsziget ), reachable from the Margaret bridge. Its large parks (see Buda ) are a very pleasant place to relax and wander, perfect for a sunny afternoon. Most of Budapest's famous sights are concentrated on Castle Hill on the Buda side, in downtown so called Belváros and along the riverside walkways. On Budavár the main highlight is the Royal Palace ( Királyi palota ), which is the most popular attraction on the hill. It is home to the National Gallery and the Historical Museum of Budapest , with exhibits about medieval Budapest and history of the Royal Palace. To the north you can find the funicular on a big square southestern corner, while in the eastern part there are some medieval excavations and castle ruins from 14-17th century. Towards the north, by the Dísz tér corner, is the Golden Eagle Pharmacy Museum (Arany Sas Patikamúzeum), with a collection of pharmaceutical objects from the Renaissance and Baroque eras. Near there is the Café Ruszwurm, or 'the Heaven for coffein and sweets addicts'. A hundred meters east is a local pride, the Matthias Church (Mátyás Templom), which is a Neo-Gothic church crowning Budapest's cityscape, and the 'Fisherman's bastion', ( Halászbástya ), a lookout terrace with impressive views across the Danube to Pest. In the next building is the Marzipan Museum, which is a children's favourite. On the castle northwest corner is the Military Museum if you interested for uniforms, weapons, maps and other Hungary-related military objects from 11th century until nowadays. If not, you must to go there because the view from there is worth a short detour. Almost all of west Buda hill is visible from here. Central ( Belváros ) of Pest is the administrative and business centre of Budapest and the whole of Hungary. Visiting first the Parliament Building ( Országház ) is good choice. A Neo-Gothic jewel, it is beautifully situated overlooking the Danube. It is very much worth going inside. Opposite the Parliament, the Museum of Ethnography is located, and just couple hundred metres is St Stephen's Basilica [dead link] , the main church of Budapest and an important example of Neo-Classical architecture. Take 2 stops by M3 to Astoria station and visit the Jewish quarter (part of Unesco World Heritage), the main Hungarian Jewish holy place the Dohány Street Synagogue and Jewish Museum (Dohány utcai Zsinagóga), the largest and certainly among the most beautiful ones in Europe. Take the underpass toward National Museum , on the way admire the Eötvös Loránd University on Múzeum körút. It is worth dropping by for a short visit. Visitors can rest in the lush Trefort Garden or have a refreshment in the popular Bölcsész Terasz , an open-air cultural garden that has musical performances as well as food. If you take metro to Kálvin tér, you can visit another important museum which is the Applied Arts museum . Outside the centre towards the south take tram 2 to visit the famous Zwack Unicum, a type of alcoholic spirit, company museum, and the new culture hub near to Lágymányosi bridge include the Ludwig Museum of Modern Art . Eastwards from the city centre ( Belváros ) the 'Andrássy út' boulevard in Terézváros stretches to the City Park ('Városliget'). It is listed on UNESCO World Heritage Site and has some important sights along it. First is the State Opera House , one of the most beautiful opera houses in the world. The main staircase was an important element of the building in the 19th century for ladies to show off their new gowns. Second is Oktogon (eight angled) square House of Terror , the former secret police headquarters that now is a museum which objectively documents the terror of the Nazi and Communist eras. Next are some eastern culture museums in the Hopp Museum of East Asian Art [dead link] a great collection from China, Japan, India, Nepal, Tibet and Mongolia. Nearby is another similar collection, namely Ráth György Museum . Along the boulevard after Oktogon square, you will find many embassies in nice, over 100 year old villas. At the road's end is the Heroes' Square - with the Millennium Monument. Opposite is the Museum of Fine Arts with an incredible range of European artwork from Greek and Roman times to the present. Especially valuable is its collection of Spanish Baroque painting. Behind it there is the zoo and the Gundel restaurant, one of the best of the capital. Woodpark area starts here, with the City Park ('Városliget') at the far end, probably the most pleasant of Pest's districts and featuring several interesting if low-key attractions which are often overlooked. A castle on a little island on a lake, - Vajdahunyad Vára , - built for the 1898 World Fair. In the winter, the lake is turned into the city's biggest ice rink. Nowadays it houses an agricultural museum. Also in the park is the Transport Museum. On Buda side north from castle you will find the Gül Baba Türbéje , a shrine where Gül Baba (literally Rose Father, from whom the Rózsadomb (Rose Hill) was named) lies. Take H5 to Szentlélek square, which is the heart of Óbuda (Old Buda) district. Near to the square is Victor Vasarely Museum showing many works of the famous Hungarian-born post-modern painter Vásárhelyi Győző (1908-1997), and the Kassák Museum at the Zichy Castle showing works of the modern Hungarian artists as well as modern Hungarian art. Also near the square is the Kiscelli Museum , the Budapest Picture Gallery. More one stop on H5 is the city biggest archeological site: the Aquincum , a city in the Roman times, where there are some ruins of thermal baths, built on stone and decorated with mosaics and paintings. Far to west ( South Buda ) is the Memento Park , an open air museum in Budapest, dedicated to monumental statues from Hungary's Communist period (1949–1989). Southward from the Castle is the Budai Vigadó (Hungarian Heritage House) . Between 1898 and 1900 winners of an architectural competition faced a demanding project: build a theater and library to suit the needs of the residents of Buda on the site of a former arsenal. Aladár Árkay and Mór Kallina worked to change the pre-existing building into a cultural center. The Vigado’s outside is constructed in a relatively simple, eclectic style, but the interior boasts an impressive Art-Nouveau hall with a marble staircase and pillars and a spacious, ornate theater. Today, it is also known as the Hungarian Heritage House and is the home theater of the Hungarian Folk Ensemble . Music related museums are also in the city: the Kodály Museum , the Liszt Museum , former home of Ferenc Liszt, the most famous Hungarian composer, where a collection of his personal objects and instruments can be visited (3500 HUF full price as of November 2025, plus 1000 HUF for the audioguide which is highly recommended to get the full benefit of the museum). Bartók's House and the Music Museum , includes a collection of musical instruments and the Bartok archive.
Do
The simplest, and perhaps best of all: get a map, circle the things you want to see, divide up your time and stroll around in the city . Spend time in charming cafés or restaurants, preferably not right at the main tourist sites, look at the market stands, walk on a bridge in the evening. The lively atmosphere of this jewel of a city both by day and by night cannot be experienced via guided tours, locked into a tourist bus/boat. Locals are usually happy to help, also to tell you what they think is best to see, what is better to stay away from or for a little chat just to keep up their English or German. Don't hesitate to ask questions. Hungaria Koncert , ☏ +36 1 317-1377 , hunkonc@ticket.info.hu . Operates cruises with lunch or dinner daily at 14:00, 19:00 and 20:00. This service is 90 minutes with hot buffet lunch or dinner. During the cruise, the Parliament, Chain Bridge, Royal Castle, Palace of Arts, etc. can be seen. Rent a bike. Rents are around Ft1,800 for half a day. Szentendre is a 2 hours ride from the centre and you get to see nice places, much of the way is at the Danube. If you prefer more organised ways, a guided bike tour gets you some exercise and introduces you to the local geography. For example, staff at Buda Bike [underground garage at the plaza in front of St Stephan's Basilica] are very friendly. They also rent bikes. Bike map on the Net Walk in the City park (Városliget) with your children. Walk around the lake and feed the ducks. See the statue of Anonymus at the Vajdahunyad Castle, a fairy-tale-like building. Széchenyi Spa, right next to the lake, is also enjoyable for children (see also the Baths section). In the winter, the same lake is transformed into the large ice-skating rink with an astonishing view during winter. It is a popular place for children and teenagers. The nearby Circus (Fövárosi Nagycirkusz - Great Circus of the Capital) offers performances with international artists. Next to it, the Budapest Zoo - one of the oldest in the world - offers more than 800 animals to be seen in a historic atmosphere. Experience an opera at Budapest's beautiful State Opera House or a performance of folklore or classical music at any of Budapest's many concert halls (details under Performing arts). Budapest River Cruise is an option to discover the city with Danube boat which takes 75 minutes and you can visit the most popular places with it. Hungaria Koncert , ☏ +36 1 317-1377 , hunkonc@ticket.info.hu . Operates cruises with lunch or dinner daily at 14:00, 19:00 and 20:00. This service is 90 minutes with hot buffet lunch or dinner. During the cruise, the Parliament, Chain Bridge, Royal Castle, Palace of Arts, etc. can be seen.
Buy
When receiving change from a taxi journey, make sure that the money is actually Hungarian. Some taxi drivers have been known to give unsuspecting passengers obsolete Romanian banknotes (lei). Many reliable exchange bureaux can be found in the city centre near Deák Ferenc tér metro station. For example, there are two shops next to the tourist information. These shops as well as other shops in the area offer a better rate than other banks at tourist spots such as international bus stations and the castle hill. The rate might be even better than getting cash from ATMs. There is also no extra charge. If you're looking for money exchange in the Keleti station, be sure to check exchange rates at all the three money exchange shops along the platforms; they offer differential prices. See Hungary#Money for information on currency and exchange rates. Most of the visitors from far away end up shopping in Pest in the middle of the city: Váci utca and nearby. It is historically the most expensive part of the city. You'll find Hungarian linens and lace, pottery, and other items, in souvenir shops. You definitely want to visit the Great Market Hall ( Nagy Vásárcsarnok ) at Fővám tér , the renovated market hall with essential atmosphere (it's at the south end of Vaci). Prices for the same items vary a lot between sellers and aren't set in stone so be sure to compare and bargain.
Eat
Hungarian food deserves to be (and often is) mentioned among the country's main sites. As in other cultures, the Hungarian approach to food combines pride in their own traditions with a readiness to accept outside influences. The result is a vibrant restaurant scene where an Asian-Hungarian fusion restaurant may well be of genuine interest. Luckily, prices are significantly below western Europe's with around €4 for a budget lunch, and around €8-14 for a nice evening meal in a mid-range restaurant, depending on place and appetite. Above €20 per person is definitely considered expensive, but there are enough lavish places above this price range for those looking for something special. Local specialities often revolve around meat (pork, beef, veal, or poultry), often involve liberal use of paprika, however not necessary of the hot kind. Due to a historical translation error, "goulash soup" is indeed a soup, not the "goulash" that visitors may be familiar with from home which is known as "pörkölt". Major specialities include: gulyás (leves) usually translated as 'goulash soup' - a filling meat soup (usually beef) with potatoes and paprika, among other ingredients. Served as main dish or as a (heavy) starter. The name refers to the Hungarian version of a cowboy taking care of a 'gulya' (cattleherd). paprikás veal or chicken cooked in delicious creamy paprika sauce (not spicy) pörkölt a beef stew with sautéed onions and paprika. Similar to what is served as 'goulash' abroad. halászlé - fishermen's soup served differently depending on region töltött káposzta - stuffed cabbage, the cooked cabbage leaves are filled with meat and in a paprika sauce, served with sour cream (similar to crème fraîche or crème acidulée) Balaton pike-perch (fogas) gyümölcsleves - fruit soup - cold, creamy and sweet, consumed as a starter. From the desserts, you may not want to miss Somlói galuska , a poem on biscuit dough, cream and chocolate sauce, invented by Károly Gollerits at Gundel Gundel palacsinta - Gundel pancake (crepe) - with a filling prepared with rum, raisin, walnuts, and lemon zest, served with a chocolate sauce, and the careful reader may guess its birthplace. Kürtőskalács , (chimney cake) a delicious sweet dough pastry which is cooked on a chimney shaped spit and coated in butter and sugar to form a crispy crust. After the cakes are cooked they can be rolled in a variety of toppings such as cinnamon sugar or chocolate. There is also a great variety of wonderful pastries/cakes ( Torta ), some of which you will recognize if you are familiar with Viennese pastries. You may want to try Dobos torta (Dobos cake, named after József Dobos), and Rigó Jancsi a light chocolate-cream cake. In addition to traditional Hungarian fare, which is recommended, there are numerous other cuisines available in Budapest. The adventurous gourmand can enjoy a different cuisine each meal for a week. Restaurant prices in Budapest are very reasonable by American and Western European standards with a general rule being that you would pay twice as much for a similar meal in New York, London or Paris.
Drink
Budapest offers plenty of places to drink, from cool and ultra-hip to rowdy and down-market. If you are in the mood for a particularly Hungarian experience, visit a so-called borozó (wine pub). These offer cheap yet tasty Hungarian wine on tap at outright hilariously low prices if you manage to find one outside the tourist circuit. Budapest is known for its so-called "ruin bars", found mainly in Budapest’s Jewish Quarter. They are former abandoned buildings transformed into popular nightlife spots. The trend began in the early 2000s. These bars offer a relaxed, bohemian vibe with quirky decor, serving as places for drinks, food, dancing, live music, and community events. Today, they’re a major draw for both locals and tourists. Hungary is famous for its wines produced at Balaton area and Eger. Among red wines the best are Kékfrankos, Egri Bikavér "Bulls Blood” and white wines the Szürkebarát and Chardonnay are popular. One of the most favorite is the Tokaji, a sweet white wine. You should try not to miss out on the Hungarian spirit, pálinka , made from fruits such as plum, apricot, cherry or Williams pears. Unique Hungarian soft drinks to try are Traubi Szoda (a white grape soda) and Márka (a sour cherry soda).
Sleep
Budapest offers a wide range of accommodation in all price classes from the hostels which start at €7 per night, to small cheap pension, to the luxurious 5-star hotels, although the costs of staying here are notably higher than elsewhere in Hungary. Arriving trains are often met by touts offering free rides to hostels, as well as little old grannies offering their apartments for rent. Try to figure out exactly where you're going before you choose - or, better yet, visit a travel agency to browse options in a more comfortable environment. The most expensive are on or near Castle Hill , dozens of reliable backpacker hostels are mostly across the river in Pest . However, Buda has better air quality due to the closeness of the hills and the forests lying to the west from the city. Apartments may be a cheap alternative for those making extended stays.
Stay safe
Central Emergency: dial 112 Ambulance: 104 Fire: 105 Police: 107 This narrow street begins at Fővám square ( Fővám tér ) in front of Central Market ( Nagyvásárcsarnok ) and ends at Vörösmarty square ( Vörösmarty tér ). Supposedly being one of the main tourist attractions of the city, Váci Street is visited by all the tourists arriving to Budapest. Enjoy this lively place, shop in its fashion stores, buy Hungarian and foreign literature in its great bookshop, eat in the American fast food restaurants if you intend to, but avoid being victimized by its many tourist traps and scams: Avoid its restaurants and bars , mainly between Vörösmarty Sq and Elisabeth Bridge ( Erzsébet híd ). Most of them offer mediocre food at exorbitant prices. Whatever restaurant you go, always see the prices on the menu. Every restaurant is obliged to put its full menu with prices outside the restaurant. If you can't find this, the place is most likely to be very expensive. Never enter its erotic/topless bars . It would cost a hundred times more than you can imagine in your worst dreams and you will have to pay anyway. Don't try to pick up girls . There are many great places to meet Hungarian women, but Váci Street is not one of them. Change money only in exchange offices . Though not as frequent as it used to be ten years ago, Váci Street still has street money changers waiting for you. Don't use their service. See details in Tourist traps section below. As a general rule, you find better quality and prices outside Váci utca.