We will be in Budapest for the first time later this month and are planning to rent an AirBnB since we will be there for six nights. There are lots of centrally located options and all claim to be "perfectly situated" in Pest and in walking distance of "everything." Does anyone have a little more specific guidance about location within the central area? For example, the Leopold area? Or closer to the river? Unfortunately, I haven't had time to do my usual trip research so am winging it a bit. Many thanks in advance.
Posted by
Citizen of the World
3595 posts
Basically, Districts 5, 6 and 7 are central to most attractions.
We found an apartment off Andrassy Avenue near the Oktogon and Opera metro stations in District 6 convenient for both getting down to the Danube and up to the Szechenyi Baths. Staying in District 5 near the Parliament Building on another visit was not quite as convenient.
Basing near a metro station is a plus, and the Opera and Oktogon stations were central enough for us.
Posted by
State of Washington, USA
338 posts
In Aug this year my wife and I stayed in an AirBNB in Budapest for 4 nights. My Hungarian relative described the location as “… it is at a perfect location. … the area you chose is really good from every aspect.”
- Google map location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/xkkdb1otnXYFBMqu9
- Our trip report has a link to this AirBNB: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/trip-report-hungary-aug-2025
Posted by
Republic of Texas / U.S.A. / Magyarország / Budapest
24141 posts
Someone mentioned districts 5, 6 and 7 are central. They are, but you need to know what to expect in each. Generally, the locals use Roman numbers so I will do that.
District V (Lipótváros or Leopold) is the heart of river boat tourism in Budapest. It’s worth the time to explore as there is some interesting architecture and the river front, but as a place to stay its crowded with tourists, expensive and not terribly convenient. At one end of the district is the Great Market Hall, on the river in the center is the Corso (restaurants and walking and views) and at the other end is the Parliament. All connected by the 2/2B/23 Tram and the M1 Metro intersects very near the Corso.
District VI has Andrassy ut running up the center. Under Andrassy ut is the M1 Metro which is a small almost fun ride and the oldest on the continent. Someone commented that staying near a metro station was a good idea. Sure, if it’s the M1, the M1 connects the river to the city park and crosses the three main tram lines that will get you all over town. Trams are better as you are above ground, and you can see the city. This is where the Opera, House of Terror, City Park, Heroe's Square, Bathhouse are located. All on Andrassy ut or the M1 metro line.
District VII contains the old Jewish Deportation Ghetto and while Jewish Budapest is certainly one of the attractions in the city, District VII also contains Kiraly utca and Dob utca which are the two primary party streets. For peaceful nights sleep, maybe not the best place to be and its not among the best connected areas in town.
So, the answer in my mind is District VI along the M1 metro line, GeoffB chose very well. When you come across airbnb’s that interest you, you can post them here and maybe I can tell you about the street or neighborhood. Do make sure they are legal and off the airbnb site I think they will be. There should be a registration number in the listing.
Its a big city but the tram system is interesting and does the equivelent of a HOHO bus. And from time to time you might find yourself on the M1. Do get a travelcard. Three nights is sort of a minimal stay so you will want to get around efficiently.
Posted by
Republic of Texas / U.S.A. / Magyarország / Budapest
24141 posts
Okay, a final thought. District VI has recently voted to ban short-term rentals. The city of Budapest has told them that the District doesnt have the authority to do that. The mess is in the courts. Everyone suspects that the City will win. You are coming in October so not a big deal as nothing will happen that fast, but those booking for next year might want to be cautious.
Also, since you are only staying 3 nights if you did want to consider a hotel, there is a good 3-star on Andrassy ut that is under $100 and even 4-stars along Adrassy ut can generally be found for under $150. There is a forum post on Budapest hotels.
But I wouldnt think twice about GeoffB's airbnb. Its great when people provide the links and a great trip report. Thank you.
Posted by
TX, USA
5661 posts
Good advice above. I will add that I have stayed in several perfectly fine apartments but I usually now look to see if this one is available for my dates. https://www.airbnb.com/l/ayy6JooI It is at Oktagon, which has become a favorite location for easy metro and tram for what I do.
The one I have stayed in most is no longer taking reservations.
And yes, everyone claims to be centrally located. LOL!
Posted by
Republic of Texas / U.S.A. / Magyarország / Budapest
24141 posts
TTM I know the guy you used to rent from. Fine gentleman. Your new place is sweet too. Its below the Oktogon and about a block off Andrassy, right?
But for a first time visit with something less than 3 days the OP will be doing mostly the 47/49 and the 2/2B/23 Trams to see as much as possible. So I vote for Geoff's Airbnb. As a lifestyle on your 99th visit like you, yours has the edge. I love you posted the link. For some reason Airbnb users dont like to tell people. But of course, I tend to overthink these things.
Hey, when was your last Budapest trip report?
Posted by
Minnesota🌲
10387 posts
I've only been to Budapest once (very recently) but I really liked the area where I stayed, which was close to where TexasTravelMom stayed. I was just about a block or so from the Oktagon station. I found it very convenient for walking and also for the trams and Metro. It was really a nice location with beautiful buildings and lots and lots of great restaurants, and only a few blocks from the opera house. For what it's worth, I stayed at the Hotel Medosz, not an Airbnb, but I still liked the location.
Posted by
OP
Atlanta
51 posts
Thanks all for the replies and guidance. One of the challenges is the AirBnB location map doesn't necessarily identify districts per se. Following are a few links that I believe are in District VI. If someone can verify, then that will give me a reference point. Again, this is super helpful - I have a true case of paralysis by analysis!
Posted by
TX, USA
5661 posts
And you can get picky trying to do it right, when any of them will work. You have a bit of price difference between the three and without knowing if that matters, it’s hard to say. They all have pros and cons.
Personally I would probably eliminate #2 based on noise reviews and on how narrow the space is on each side of the bed. #3 looks like it is close to party area but I am not as good at that aspect as Mr. Ë for sure. #1 might be more space than you want - but looks nice (but is also more expensive).
This is me, but if I stay a week, I want something with a homey feel. #2 doesn’t do it for me. I bet either of the others would be ok. And Mr. Ë is also right about not wanting to waste time on getting to and from a place when your time is short. Maybe with 6 nights, though, you select based on how the photos make you feel. All have a registration number, elevator, washer, and the essentials.
P.S. I like Geoff’s a lot too and have saved it to my list of apartments to check. I will be staying next time at a new place near Nyugati, but that’s not where I would send someone to for a first time. The one I linked earlier wasn’t available - and I wasn’t crazy about the one I tried last visit.
Posted by
Republic of Texas / U.S.A. / Magyarország / Budapest
24141 posts
TexasTravelMom is the connoisseur of style. I just do locations.
- Close to this location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9MRjEnDBuXHJRD2f9 based on the AirBnb map and the photos out the windows. But I have seen window photos doctored in the past. For the life of me I can not figure out which building. Those are all magnificent buildings, so why not show one exterior photo? Somewhat concerning? Send them a message and request the address. If they say no, move on. If they give you one, see if my mark is close. I don’t know. Maybe just me, but something doesn’t smell right. BUT, if it is as advertised it’s a great location. Best of the three.
- https://maps.app.goo.gl/v7bxKtmwVgZdvEdu5 Too far removed from where you want to be.
- https://maps.app.goo.gl/fu5rocsQKj6ZpSHn8 I pieced this together from some of the reviews and the parking garage location and the map that AirBnb shows. These guys show no photos of the outside of the building so that doesn’t help. But the headline on the Airbnb add says “best” and I found “best downtown apartment” on google maps which is at the location shown on the AirBnb map. Its not a bad location. It’s near Geoff’s airbnb. What I don’t like is that very little of the location description of walking times is true. They are off by a pretty wide margin.
Posted by
Republic of Texas / U.S.A. / Magyarország / Budapest
24141 posts
I also quickly looked at the last 3 nights in October and available from $95 to $120 a night are:
- Medos Hotel
- Eurostar Hotel
- Oktogon Hotel
- K&K Hotel (better location than anything we have discussed so far).
Quite a few apartments on Booking.com and Booking.com shows the exact locations.