Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is one of the best kept secrets in Europe. It is is the ninth-largest city in the European Union by population within city limits and the second-largest city on the Danube river; This beautiful city is divided into two towns by the UNESCO World Heritage awarded Danube River. The east side is called Buda and the west side is called Pest.
Crowning the capital atop Castle Hill, Buda Castle presents an architectural melting pot, with Renaissance ruins around the foundations, a grand Habsburg-era neoclassical façade, and a stark communist-style interior. The palace is divided into three museums: The Hungarian National Gallery, the Budapest History Museum, and the National Széchényi Library.
Similar improtant sights include the Hungarian Parliament which lies atop Danube's banks, the Chain Bridge that connects the two bisected cities, the monumental Hero Square and many more.
The picturesque city of Budapest is meant for those who enjoy a rich variety of sights. The Hungarian capital offers a rich combination of history and excitement, with its small lanes, romantic riverbank promenades and plethora of gastronomic surprises for you to discover.
Often called the “Paris of the East”, Budapest’s flamboyant architecture comprises of gran building and centuries-old thermal baths. Its classical façade, however, belies a vibrant and exciting city filled with modern art, a thrilling nightlife, and stylish restaurants.
More information can be found on : https://www.budapestinfo.hu/budapest
Distinguishing features
The Danube River banks are part of the UNESCO World Heritage List
British Time Out ranked Budapest as the twenty-ninth best city in the world
Budapest has been listed sixteenth among the Global Top 50 Most Beautiful Cities
Budapest has been named the Thermal Bath Capital of the World
The Hungarian capital is often described as a hidden gem of Europe
ACCESS BY AIRPLANE
Budapest Airport (BUD) is the main international airport of Hungary, the gateway for a land-locked catchment of over 12.7 million people in a nearby radius. Being the most successful airport in Central Eastern Europe in terms of passenger growth, service quality and operational efficiency, BUD has won the Skytrax Award for ‘Best Airport in Eastern Europe’ in eight consecutive years – an unrivalled performance in the Central and Eastern European Region setting very high standards of customer service.
The Hungarian Highway Code (KRESZ) is based on the Vienna and Geneva Convention, and as such traffic signs and road markings are similar to those found in other European countries
Volánbusz has an extensive bus service system in Hungary. Sometimes bus rides can be quicker than trains at long distances. You can find more information at: https://www.volanbusz.hu/en
There are two types of bus stations in Budapest, for short and long distance travels. Major bus stations offer luggage storage services. Buses are fairly clean and comfortable and there is enough leg room to give you comfort. Please arrive in time as ticket purchases may be time-consuming. You can purchase tickets directly from the driver, or from ticketing machines at major bus stations.
Schedule Legend is available on the website of Volánbusz.
The centre of Hungarian rail transport is Budapest. It is cheap and comfortable to get around by railway in Hungary.
The major railway stations are
- Keleti (Eastern Railway Station): Servicing Northern Hungary and a part of Northeastern Hungary
- Nyugati (Western Railway Station): Servicing the Danube Bend, the Great Hungarian Plain and a part of Northeastern Hungary
- Déli (Southern Railway Station): Servicing Transdanubia and the region of Lake Balaton
The three major railway stations in Budapest also offer luggage storage services.
You can check departures (indulás) and arrivals (érkezés) in printed (and online) timetables. Express trains are indicated in red while slower passenger trains that service more stops are indicated in black. The train departs or arrives at the platform indicated under “vágány” on the train schedule board.
