Visiting Budapest on a Backpacker Budget can be a breeze on any Euro-Trip. The capital of Hungary offers affordable accommodations, cheap food and drinks, a unique lively nightlife, and the greatest sites to see are absolutely free.
With a vibe appealing to a younger crowd, Budapest is clean, safe, and not overcrowded with tourists. This walkable, laidback, historical city is naturally beautiful and can be described as a cross between Eastern and Western Europe. Once known as the “Queen of the Danube,” Budapest is set on the Danube River where the hills of western Hungary meet the plains, expanding to the east and south.
“The City of Spas” is home to the third-largest parliament building in the world and its scenic architectural setting has earned it the other nickname, “Paris of the East”. With a deep, fascinating history, Budapest is a lively cultural center and has long been the focal point of Hungary. Currently, one of the least expensive cities to visit in Europe, Budapest is a budget backpacker’s dream and is becoming increasingly popular for good reason!
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Where to Stay in Budapest
Budapest was once a tale of three cities, Óbuda, Buda, and Pest, divided by the Danube River until they were united and became one in 1873. However, it’s evident each section remains distinctly different to this day. Located on the west side of the river, Buda and Óbuda are in the hills and can be considered the calmer side, with a more residential feel. Whereas the opposite, the flatter eastern side of Pest is buzzing with all the action and nightlife.
Budapest is divided into 23 separate districts which are numbered clockwise by Roman Numerals. Each represents their own distinct personality and feel. Óbuda is in District III on the Buda side and is the oldest of them all. 23 different Districts sounds intimidating but we’re here to make it easy.
For all lodging and exploring purposes, we recommend staying on the Eastern Pest side. When you’re visiting Budapest on a Backpacker budget, Districts VI (6) and VII (7) are where it’s at! District 7 (VII), the old Jewish Quarter was our favorite, offering easy, walkable access to all the sights, ruin pubs, food trucks, craft beers, and cafes. We split our 6-day visit between the two, staying in Vitae Hostel in District 7 (VII) before moving to an Airbnb in District 6 (VI). Vitae parties every night of the week, and represents the more relaxed, less intense atmosphere of the five hostels under the world-famous ‘Budapest Party Hostels’ group. Staying here will run you around $7 USD a night for a 10-bed mixed dorm and once a week they host an unforgettable party cruise up and down the Budapest riverfront! You’ll raise a glass to the astounding Parliament building, pop a champagne cork at the castle hill, kiss a stranger under the chain bridge, and dance the night away with fellow backpackers.
If you’re looking to take things at a slower pace, Airbnb’s are plentiful around the city, averaging around $40 USD per night for a two-bedroom apartment. Split that between two people and at $20 a night you’ll experience life in a pre-war Budapest apartment building equipped with a courtyard, like a local. Looking for more Hostel or Hotel options? Booking.com always has your back to find the perfect stay, fit for any traveler’s needs.
Currency in Budapest
In 2004, Hungary became a member of the European Union. However, it hasn’t fully adopted the Euro as its currency. The official currency is the Hungarian Forint (HUF / Fts) and currently (in 2020) $1 USD = 297.59 HUF. We suggest taking out smaller amounts of cash from an ATM, and using a credit card with no foreign transaction fees when you can. You’ll earn miles or points on your credit card every time you swipe. When you do take out cash, if you sign up for a checking account from a bank like Charles Schwab, they will reimburse all of your ATM fees at the end of each month. This way you can take out smaller amounts of cash, which is always smart, and not worry about the fees.
Remember, NEVER exchange money at the airport, bus station, or train station as these offices offer terrible exchange rates. Although many shops, bars, and restaurants accept Euros, they often have poor exchange rates since the HUF fluctuates a lot so they are legally permitted to keep it low. If you choose the EURO route, be sure to watch out for this, so the Forint is the way to go.
Things to See & Do in Budapest
Hungarian Parliament Building
Fully completed in 1902, and situated on the Pest side of the riverbank, is one of Budapest’s most iconic landmarks. With its brilliant architecture, the Parliament building continually impresses and is always a top attraction in the city. While viewing one of the most stunning government buildings in the world, complete your trip to Budapest by capturing some photos of the day and night contrast.
Fisherman’s Bastion
The Halászbástya, also known as Fisherman’s Bastion, offers panoramic views of the city and Danube River. It’s another legendary monument in Budapest.
The beautiful, ornately designed Fisherman’s Bastion, famous for its turrets and spires, is the busiest tourist attraction in District I, the Buda Castle area, and quite possibly the city. Featuring a Romanesque architectural style, there’s a photo opportunity to be had around every corner.
Margaret Island & Bridge
Margaret Island or Margitsziget, is an island in the Danube river accessible by the Margaret Bridge. Home to Sziget Festival, one of the largest music and cultural festivals in the world, Margaret island is Budapest’s green oasis and the perfect place to chill.
Check out the musical fountain, hire a bike or golf cart, peep the Japanese gardens, the rose gardens or even climb the water tower. Margaret Island should definitely be on your list when visiting Budapest on a Backpacker Budget.
Ruin Pubs
It’s impossible to think of Budapest without thinking of its diverse nightlife and ruin bars. “Kerts” are dilapidated buildings rebirthed with new life as open-air and underground bars. The younger generation of the city has added their own touch and flair by renovating old Soviet-style abandoned houses, transforming industrial spaces into hip Hungarian watering holes.
Repurposed with gardens, vintage collectibles and anything else they could find on the street, today they are the epicenters of the city’s youth. Drink, dance, party, listen to live music, and play bar games, there’s little to no rules at ruin pubs and with any type of nightlife you could want, there’s something for everyone. With cheap food and drinks to boot, the scene here is thriving and they’re the coolest hangouts in the city.
Even if you don’t drink alcohol, no trip to Budapest is complete without visiting a Ruin Pub. At one point Szimpla Kert was rated the third best bar in the world and the number one bar in Budapest. Honorable mentions you should check out for sure include Anker’t Romkocsma, Doboz, Instant Club and Fogas.
Bathhouses
Ah, “The City of Spas!” Budapest has more thermal water springs than any other capital city in the world. Going for a soak in thermal baths or spas is both popular with locals and tourists alike. With almost a dozen thermal baths, it is one of the top reasons Budapest is visited by hundreds of thousands of travelers.
Sitting on a fault line, the city’s thermal baths are naturally fed by 120 hot springs. These baths and pools are incredibly relaxing and the perfect place to unwind and take a time-out from exploring. A few of the more popular baths include Széchenyi Thermal Bath, Gellért Thermal Bath, and Rudas Baths.
City Park +Vajdahunyad Castle
City Park is the largest park in Budapest and the first trees and walkway paths were rooted here in 1751. During the first decades of the 19th century, a park was created, which became City Park, the first public park in the world. It offers another nice escape from the city streets. Vajdahunyad Castle is a replica of a Transylvanian castle with the same name and was built to display the diverse architectural styles found in Hungary.
Tram Number 2
One of the most scenic tram rides in all of Europe, Tram Line 2 runs along Pest’s riverbank, providing views over the Danube and Buda Hills. The route passes by the Chain Bridge, the Hungarian Parliament, the Central Market Hall, and other landmarks on the eastern side bank. Tram 2 is a great way to get your sightseeing on and runs from Közvágóhíd to Jászai Mari Square, a close stop near Margaret Island.
Heroes’ Square
Heroes’ Square locally known as Hősök here is one of the most significant squares in Budapest, noted for its iconic statue complex that features the leaders of 7 tribes who founded Hungary. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site that opened in 1896.
Széchenyi Chain Bridge
The first bridge connecting Buda and Pest to bring them together was the magnificent Széchenyi Bridge and walking across the 1,230′ bridge is one of the most popular things to do in Budapest! Look closely and you notice why they call it a Chain bridge!
Eat Lángos
What’s a lángo?! A delicious traditional Hungarian street food! Deep-fried dough topped with sour cream, cheese, and assorted toppings of your choice, Lángos are a staple in Budapest cuisine. The name comes from láng, the Hungarian word for flame/fire and they can be found all over the city. Our favorite spot, Retró Lángos Büfé, is a close walk from the Budapest Eye.
Getting In & Out of Budapest
Budapest is easily accessible by bus, train or plane and most European cities are well served by bus companies. We use Flixbus when we are traveling around Europe and arrived on a 2.5-hour bus ride from Bratislava, Slovakia for $19.99. With Flixbus, seats can be reserved easily online in a few minutes before departing to the next European city on your backpacking adventure. Budapest has multiple bus stops where you can get off, depending on your final destination.
The main airport that serves the city is Budapest Airport – Budapest Nemzetközi Repülőtér, and public buses can take you into the city center via a 60-minute drive or you can splurge for the pricier 25-minute taxi.
Costs Traveling in Budapest
The Bros want to share our costs traveling in Budapest because we think this honesty can inspire people to travel to new destinations they otherwise thought were out of reach. Travel can be cheap and by sharing our spending, our goal is to inspire others to accomplish their travel goals. It’s a big world out there, and it doesn’t have to cost a lot to see it, maybe even less than you think! Below is a breakdown of exactly how much it cost us for 6 days in Budapest as backpackers on a budget. Under $43 USD per day!
Backpacking Europe on a shoestring? Looking to travel around the world on the cheap?! Check out our Backpacker Budget posts for:
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