Hello! I was hoping to visit Budapest during Christmas Day and New Years. However I wanted to confirm if any of my bucket list sites, Szechenyi Baths, Chain Bridge Funicular, Buda Castle, Fisherman's Bastion, St. Istvan’s Basilica, and the Parliament, would be open during Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve, and New Years Day. If you can comment on the availability of public transport and pubs/cafes during these times, I would appreciate it as well.
Thank you!! Happy travels!
The Christmas markets are exceptional and they run from mid November until about 2pm on Christmas Eve. Then open again the next day, but without the food stalls. So, if you can, arrive a few days before Christmas Eve or you will miss something special.
I brag on Budapest a lot, but to be fair, Budapest doesn't throw the greatest New Year party. For that I would run up to Vienna. Given a choice I would arrive earlier in Budapest for the Christmas Markets even if it meant missing new year.
Szechenyi Baths, Yes, its open 365 days a year, but with shorter hours I believe on Christmas Eve/Day and New Year Day. Details here: http://szechenyispabaths.com/szechenyi-bath-christmas/
Chain Bridge. Its a public road. Yes it will be open
Funicular. Pretty sure its open. More detail here https://www.bkv.hu/en/buda_castle_funicular_/open_funicular_en
Buda Castle. Well the district will be open, the museums? Hours are here http://budacastlebudapest.com/christmas-buda-castle-budapest/
Fisherman's Bastion. Again, a public area. The access to the upper deck may be closed or it might be free. Maybe that previous link has some information.
St. Istvan’s Basilica. Midnight mass on Christmas eve, probably services on Christmas day. Otherwise you might find something here http://en.bazilika.biz/
Parliament. I would bet it will be closed 24, 25, 26 and the first. Maybe you can find something here http://latogatokozpont.parlament.hu/en/opening-hours
Oh, transportation, it runs 24/7 but on a modified schedule on holidays. you will get around just fine. Most everything but the ruin pubs and the restaurants will be closed on Christmas eve. Still doesnt keep you from walking down to the river and taking in the sights that evening.
Ive spent a number of Christmas and New Years in Budapest. Ive always enjoyed it but Im a laid back old fart.
Since I butted in on the Vienna post, a little equal time for Budapest
http://budapestchristmas.com/
http://budapestchristmas.com/opening-hours (2017 but the hours should be the same this year)
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2016/nov/27/budapest-hungary-christmas-markets-cakes-cocktails-hot-springs
https://welovebudapest.com/en/toplists/christmas-in-budapest-dos-and-donts/
