We are looking at doing a Christmas Market river cruise that will put us in Budapest in early December. The cruise line will, of course, tack on an extra day at a price, and most flights to home we're looking at are in the morning or early afternoon, which means an extra night in Budapest. The cruise line will only arrange a transfer to the airport from the boat or from their arranged hotel. So we're wondering:
* Should we just get to the airport and stay the night there? What are good hotel options near the airport?
* Or should we stay in Budapest "proper" and get ourselves to the airport the next day? Is that easy to do, either by a taxi service or the train? (If we have a morning flight, then it will be an early arrival to the airport.)
Posted by
TX, USA
4074 posts
If you go back through the Hungary forum, you are going to see a wealth of information and probably be sad you only have a day.
Stay in town and take a taxi to the airport. You are also going to find info on cost and how to do that in the Hungary forum as well. Don’t try to save a few dollars when you are already spending what is probably a nice amount on the cruise.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
17908 posts
I am guessing upon arrival in Budapest the cruise line has a full day there, you spend the night on the boat and you depart the next morning unless you buy an extra night; so for just one additional day, I would suggest the Intercontinental or the Marriott or the Sofitel or the Four Seasons (depending on what your budget can withstand); that puts you in Pest, right on the river and for a one day visit that I think is the way to go.
Getting to the airport by taxi is very easy or the hotel will take you (but they just call you a taxi and charge you extra).
Book it yourself the night before to be certain you have one (I like City Taxi https://www.citytaxi.hu/ but others are good); should cost you about 8.000 forints and take 30 to 40 minutes usually.
My return flight in August is at a horrible 6:35am so I will call for a taxi to pick me up at 3:45am (ugh!); 30 minutes to the airport + 1.5 hours pre-flight arrival means I will have 45 minutes for something to go wrong (hasn't yet if you don't count the time left my laptop and $3000 in cash in the taxi when it dropped me at the airport).
With just the one day, hire a guide: I like either of these, totally different but excellent: www.guideinbudapest.freeweb.hu or my current favorite (I am very fickle) https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/general-europe/excellent-new-guide-in-budapest-with-a-wonderful-twist
Posted by
Midwest USA
183 posts
Joanna, we started our cruise in Budapest. There are always pros and cons to paying the cruise line for the extra days after a cruise so it is your choice.
We took the option to arrive two days ahead. Booked with with the cruise line. Stayed at the InterContinental. Its largely American but it is convenient to most everything.
Yes, I know you are at end of cruise. But, it seems I'd let the cruise line handle things. Its a bit more seamless.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
17908 posts
I have a friend who was to be on a cruise out of Budapest this week, but he came down with COVID (bummer). He showed me the price that Viking wanted for two additional days in Budapest and I was sort of shocked. On top of that he was told they wouldn't tell him which hotel until shortly before the cruise. I know in the past among the hotels that Viking has used was the Hyatt in Buda and that's sort of criminal if you only have two days to see Budapest. So I helped him find a really gorgeous apartment right off Andrassy ut for half the price.
Posted by
Midwest USA
183 posts
Viking Website ... right now, the non-Premium price at peak season is $499 for 2 nights. The website clearly states Hilton up on Castle Hill. No mention of Hyatt. Although, Viking also uses the InterContinental right on the river.
Includes all transfers, Hotel concierge and breakfast each morning. Yes, this is steep. But it is also seamless. No taxis. No busses or trains. And if it is a first time in the city, and traveling the way some people travel, seamless is worth a few hundred dollars.
Of course, renting a room on Andrassy is probably cheaper. Start adding in transportation and meals, the price goes up.
Its a personal choice.
Posted by
alameda, ca, usa
2602 posts
In 2014 I was planning my trip to Vienna. I am half Hungarian and thought it might be nice to visit Budapest on a guided day trip to see where my people come from--and then that turned into staying for 4 days on my own, and returning 4 more times since, for up to a week. Missing it very much right now, hopefully next year! Even one extra day could be made good use of, and I have always left on the 6 am or so flight, very easy to get a taxi to the airport, so I vote for you staying in Budapest proper.
Posted by
2315 posts
I don't have a calling to return to Budapest, once was more than enough BUT I think that InterContinental Hotel is in a real sweet spot in the City ... if for no other reason than seeing the Chain Bridge all lit up at night.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
17908 posts
I said Hyatt, meant Hilton. Its a very nice hotel but being new in town you will spend no less than 30 minutes, probably more, getting to the center of things (Pest as Buda is maybe 20% of what to see). Once in the center of pest everything is within 10 to 15 minutes distance.
Transportation cost in town is the same either way because you will buy a TravelCard. The airport taxi will be about $20. Yes you will have to go to a typical Hungarian restaurant for breakfast so add $20 a day for two for that.
The Intercontinental or the Marriott or even the K&K are good for short stays.