How to Find Hotels in Budapest, Hungary

For the capital of Hungary, Budapest has had a hard time competing with Prague for the hearts of travelers, but the city seems to be finally arriving on the travel scene with swanky hotels, elegant cafes and high-end boutiques. Some of the improvements have been for the best and others merely hide the city's charm, but either way Budapest is ready for tourists to discover it.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A computer with Internet access to make reservations

Get to Know Budapest

1. Know that the city is divided into two parts, Buda and Pest. Buda stretches along the hilltops west of the Danube overlooking Pest, the more cosmopolitan commercial city east of the river.

2. Bask in the sun. It is said there are more hours of sun in Hungary than anywhere else in Europe. Spring and fall are the best times to visit if you're looking to avoid the heat.

3. Save your Euros. Although Hungary has been a member of the European Union since 2004, it still uses its old currency, the forint.

Find Your Way Around

4. Catch a flight from New York to Budapest's Ferihegy Airport. Most major European cities also have connecting flights to Hungary.

5. Find a taxi from the airport to central Pest, where most hotels are located, for about $20 (including a small tip).

6. Ride the metro once you are in town. A 3-day metro pass costs about $30 and offers discounts to many museums and attractions.

Reserve Your Accommodations

7. To book accommodations, contact Budapest Tourism Office at 011 ([phone] or visit their Web site (see Resources below).

8. Consider staying near Blaha Lujza Square if you are in Hungary on business or plan to shop at the newer designer boutiques.

9. Cross the river and stay in Buda for an escape from the tourists. The accommodations are not as plentiful, but neither are the crowds.

10. Stay near City Park if you are traveling with kids. It's only a short walk to the city zoo, the Budapest Amusement Park and the park.

11. Find a hotel near Liszt Ferenc Square to be in the heart of the city with its many nightclubs, bars and cafes.

Discover Budapest

12. Sit back and enjoy a cup of coffee at one of Budapest's coffeehouses, with tables that spill out into the city's squares.

13. Hunt down a kertek, an outdoor spot that gets converted into an entertainment zone during the summer. They change locations, so you'll have to ask around for details.

14. Pour yourself a glass of wine at the International Wine and Champagne Festival, held each September in the Castle District. Book your accommodations early if you want to stay nearby, as there are only two hotels in the Castle District.

Tips & Warnings

• In July and August, student dormitories at colleges and universities are open to all travelers.
• All phone numbers include the United States international prefix "011." When calling internationally outside the United States, substitute that "011" with "00." All country codes are within parentheses and begin with a "+" sign.
• Many tourist attractions and shops close about mid-December for the winter.