The Fair Finder

Hungary

Budapest Travel Guide: Thermal Baths, Ruin Bars & Incredible Value

Your guide to Budapest — one of Europe's best-value cities. Thermal baths, ruin bars, stunning architecture, and flights that won't break the bank.

Why Budapest?

Budapest is arguably Europe’s best-value capital city. Split by the Danube into historic Buda and vibrant Pest, it offers thermal baths, ruin bars, imperial architecture, and a food scene that punches well above its price point. Flights from the UK are cheap and frequent, and once you arrive, your money stretches remarkably far.

Getting There

Budapest Ferenc Liszt Airport (BUD) is served by Ryanair, Wizz Air, and easyJet from multiple UK airports.

Cheapest months to fly: January, February, and November. Returns under £20 are not uncommon with Wizz Air.

Most expensive periods: Christmas markets season (late November to December), New Year, and August (Sziget Festival).

Pro tip: Wizz Air is based in Budapest, so fares are very competitive. Compare against Ryanair on The Fair Finder to find the best Deal Score.

Best Time to Visit

  • March to May: Mild (14-22°C), cherry blossoms, great prices
  • June to August: Hot (25-35°C), outdoor pools and festivals
  • September to October: Warm, wine harvest season, fewer crowds
  • December: Christmas markets are magical, but book early

Where to Stay

Budget: Hostels from 4,000 HUF (£8)/night in the Jewish Quarter — some of Europe’s highest-rated.

Mid-range: Hotels in District VII (Jewish Quarter) from 15,000-25,000 HUF (£30-50)/night.

Splurge: Danube-view hotels on the Pest side from 40,000 HUF (£80)/night.

What to Do

Free & Cheap

  • Walk across the Chain Bridge and up to Fisherman’s Bastion for panoramic views
  • Explore the ruin bars of the Jewish Quarter (Szimpla Kert is the most famous)
  • Stroll along the Danube Promenade and see the Shoes on the Danube memorial
  • Margaret Island — a peaceful park in the middle of the river
  • Hungarian Parliament exterior (stunning, especially lit up at night)

Worth Paying For

  • Széchenyi Thermal Baths (7,200 HUF/£14.50, all day)
  • Hungarian Parliament tour (6,000 HUF/£12)
  • Buda Castle and National Gallery (3,200 HUF/£6.50)
  • Danube river cruise (4,000-8,000 HUF/£8-16)

Food & Drink

Hungarian food is hearty, flavourful, and unbelievably cheap by Western European standards.

  • Goulash: The real thing — rich paprika beef soup, from 2,500 HUF (£5)
  • Lángos: Deep-fried dough with sour cream and cheese, from 800 HUF (£1.60)
  • Chimney cake (kürtőskalács): Sweet spiral pastry, 1,000 HUF (£2)
  • Craft beer: Budapest’s craft scene is booming — pints from 900 HUF (£1.80)

Budget meal: A full meal at a neighbourhood étkezde (canteen) costs 2,000-3,500 HUF (£4-7). Ruin bars also serve decent food.

Day Trips

  • Szentendre (40 min): Colourful artists’ village on the Danube, accessible by HEV commuter train (750 HUF/£1.50)
  • Eger (2 hours): Baroque town, famous for Bull’s Blood wine, castle ruins
  • Lake Balaton (1.5 hours): Hungary’s inland sea — beaches and wine
  • Visegrád (1 hour): Hilltop castle with Danube Bend panoramas

Getting Around

  • Airport to centre: Bus 100E (2,200 HUF/£4.40, 35 min). Taxis cost 9,000-12,000 HUF (£18-24).
  • Local transport: 24-hour travel card 2,500 HUF (£5). The metro, trams, and buses cover everything.
  • Walking: Pest’s main sights are all walkable. Buda requires a tram or the funicular.

Money-Saving Tips

  1. Fly with Wizz Air midweek for the lowest Budapest fares
  2. Use The Fair Finder’s Deal Score — Budapest flights fluctuate a lot, so timing matters
  3. Eat at étkezdék (local canteens) for authentic Hungarian food at local prices
  4. Buy a 72-hour travel card (5,500 HUF/£11) if you’re staying a long weekend
  5. Visit thermal baths on weekdays for lower prices and fewer crowds
  6. Drink at ruin bars before midnight — some charge entry fees late at night
  7. The free walking tours are excellent — tip what you can afford