2 days in Budapest after Danube River Cruise

For a short stay, I would stay at the Marriott or the Intercontinental on the river. Beautiful location, day and night, and well connected to some of the more popular sights in the city.

You will need to use the trams to get around. Easy and sort of fun. Over 65 free no matter where you come from, under 14 free (to be honest, I know for local kids but I need to check for tourists ... pretty sure yes, but i will double check); but make sure you have ID with birthdate and photo for both. The others get a 72 hour travelcard. You can do that using the BudapestGo app or you can buy one a from the machines at most of the tram stops.

I am guessing you will have a half day on the 5th and all day on the 6th. You didnt mention if the cruise ship was providing a tour. Assuming no, then I would suggest Saturday 5 July you you go to the Castle Hill District by walking across the Chain Bridge, maybe try out the Gellert Bath House. Then on Sunday, 6 July I would say use the 2 Tram to see the Parliament, Great Market Hall, then the 47 49 tram to see the Great Synagogue then go up Andrassy ut to the Opera house and as much as you have energy walk to Heroes square at the end of Andrassy ut (you can take the M1 metro that runs directly under Andrassy if the walk gets to be a bit too much.... about a 40 minute walk without stops.

A couple of good restaurants and is always good. If you are into music there might be somthing at one of the jazz clubs on Saturday.

Thank you so much! We will be docking on 7/4 in Budapest and have the following options offered by the cruise after which we can return to the ship for lunch or explore on our own. They also offer a farewell dinner, and we disembark on the morning of 7/5 Which of these cruise tour options would you choose for 7/4 if we are staying until 7/7 to explore the city on our own after the cruise?

A. City Tour of Matthias Church, Fisherman's Bastian and Buda Castle district
B. Food walking tour including the oldest Chocolate factory
C. Buda Cave tour touring the caves under the city

A. City Tour of Matthias Church, Fisherman's Bastian and Buda Castle
district

Given all of the construction up there right now, the tour might be the way to go. Very interesting place, great views, great history. If its 2 or 3 hours, might be perfect.

B. Food walking tour including the oldest Chocolate factory

I think I know the place where the tour is. There are better ways of spending the day.

C. Buda Cave tour touring the caves under the city

Depends on what they actually mean. If its a tour of the "caves" below the castle district, there are better ways to spend the day. If they are really taking you out to Palvolgyi Caves, that could be a lot of fun ............ and a lot of time. Depends on if you are more interested in that than the city? No right or wrong, just what you enjoy.

AND I sent you a PM with a little more information.

My wife and I will be in Budapest for a few days in the summer of ‘25. Officially Hungary uses their own currency, the Forints or HUF. For most purchases we would use our US credit card. For small purchases like a coffee or light snack in a mom and pop type of business are Euros accepted? I’ve read contradictory comments about this. Anyone recently there have experience with using HUF currency vs the Euro?
Best regards
Rick

Rick, I live in Budapest. You might find a place that won't take a credit card, but it is extremely rare; and the locals use a credit card for a $1 cup of coffee. Yes, Hungary uses the Forint. Tourist orientated businesses will take Euros but at a pretty miserable exchange rate. The rate is bad so they dont have to reprint their menus too often and to cover the cost of going to an exchange house and having some bills rejected (always happens).

Go to a Bank ATM and take out 9.000 forints ($23). That will get you a 5.000 ft note ($12) and 4 - 1.000 ft notes (about $2.50 each). Buy a cup of coffee with the 5.000 ft note to make change. Use the forints for the rare cash only event and for tipping.