Budapest in October, how many days? Language barrier?

I was in Budapest about 10 years ago and just loved it. There is a language 'barrier' or at least was then. Not as many folks in service industries spoke English as I had found in other European tourist areas. However, younger people do tend to speak English and I used a translation app & mime at the pharmacy when the pharmacist didn't speak English. I had a wretched head cold and we succeeded in getting my symptoms across and the correct medications given to me. Hungarian is a difficult language to learn, but look up hello and 'do you speak English,' etc before you go.

We had one day before leaving and decided to not take the all day tour to Herend Factory…….which I would have loved to…and head to the Szechenyi Baths……such a great day. We each paid hardly anything for a massage and then enjoyed the day in these baths, people watching and relaxing….so glad we did!

Don’t even worry about the language barrier. Been there for the last years and all the way back to 1998. The last few years have really changed especially in terms of language. I smile when I think back to the 90’s trip when my wife wanted to purchase a pair of baby shoes but was told no because they weren’t in season.

I was surprised how many people spoke some English in Budapest. Even the clerks at the closest Spar grocery spoke with me in English.

Don't let language barriers stop you. I speak English and a little French yet I've been to six countries with five different languages in the past two months. If I encountered someone who didn't speak English, out came Google Translate.

Hello, My husband and I are hoping to travel to Budapest in October
and not sure how many days needed.

3 full days at a minimum. That means you wake up and go to bed in Budapest on 3 consecutive days. 5 is better. Here is some hotel information: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/hungary/rs-forum-favorite-hotels-and-their-cost

We love historical sights and hoping to book a tour guide for the city
for a few hours.

Here is some guide information: Tours of Jewish Budapest:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/hungary/budapest-guide-for-jewish-sites-and-history
Budapest Tour Guides:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/hungary/budapest-need-local-guide

Also, hope to continue on to at least one other area and looking for
suggestions.

Not sure what you mean. Depends on the overall trip. A day trip to Szentendre is nice, a night or two in Eger or Pecs is a good idea. If you are going to Vienna, a stop in Gyor or the Archabbey at Pannonhalma can be interesting. If you have more time there are direct discount airlines to wonderful places like Montenegro (1 hour and abot $50)

Is the language barrier an issue?

English has been required in school since the russian commies left. Most anyone under 40 is functional in English.

Here is some more poop on Budapest

Restaurants:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/hungary/restaurants-in-budapest-revisited
Music / Theater Venues:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/austria/music-venues-in-prague-budapest-and-vienna

Favorite Tourist Videos, Guide Books and Travel Notes: https://community.ricksteves.com/users/50322

Tours of Jewish Budapest:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/hungary/budapest-guide-for-jewish-sites-and-history
Budapest Tour Guides:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/hungary/budapest-need-local-guide
Events through June (June is past, but you can look at if for ideas for next year):
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/hungary/dec-thru-june-25
Events July through October:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/hungary/list-of-budapest-events-july-through-october-25
Using Money:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/hungary/money-in-budpest
Public Transportation Passes:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/hungary/authorizing-budapest-go-app
Christmas Markets:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/hungary/the-christmas-markets-open-soon-in-budapest
Activities for Kids:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/general-europe/12-days-itinerary-f20bb458-5759-458f-b23c-01ebf906f6ec
Vienna to Budapest by Train:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/hungary/vienna-to-budapest-by-train AND https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/hungary/vienna-to-budapest-or-budapes-to-vienna-train-tickets-or-budpaest-elsewhere

Also, hope to continue on to at least one other area and looking for suggestions. Is the language barrier an issue?

If you mean another location for 3 - 5 days, then look at Vienna if you haven't been. An easy train ride from Budapest and a very easy city to navigate. No language barrier in either city.

I would suggest at least five nights in Budapest to get to get a feel for the city, see an opera or concert, enjoy the cafe culture, etc.

Is the language barrier an issue?

I was there last month and had zero issues with a language barrier. https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/trip-report-6-nights-in-budapest-may-2025

Ate at Trattoria Toscana on the Danube in Budapest……like it so that we went back the next night……DELISH……don’t miss it!

Jane, thats one of the things I encourage. If someone goes to Chicago do they just eat Chichago style pizza? No, in a world class city you get the opportunity to have the best of about everything and sometimes you get to try things that just are not available in your home town. I can give anyone interesed a list of some pretty nice restaurants from around the world that can be found in Budapest.

EDIT: what the heck, here it is.
With the exception of the German, I’ve tried them all. My favorite Chinese place is no more so I need to find a replacement which is why Chinese is missing from the list. But there are lots of good ones in town. Budapest has one of the largest Asian populations in Central Europe so no shortage of good authentic Asian food in town.

My friends from Iran came a visited last year and we went to the Iranian restaurant below and they said it was the best Persian food they have had outside of Tehran. So, that’s a good sign. My English friends rave about the local Indian food, especially Indigo so that’s a good sign.

AMERICAN (USDA STEAK) Prime Steak & Wine http://primesteakhouse.hu/ CZECH Ferdinánd Monarchia Étterem https://www.ferdi.hu/ ENGLISH Bob's Kitchen https://www.bobskitchenbudapest.hu/ FRENCH Pavillon de Paris Étterem http://www.pavillondeparis.hu/ GEORGIAN Hachapuri http://www.hachapuri.com/ GERMAN (BAVARIAN) Kolbászda Bajor Étterem és Söröző http://kolbaszda.hu/ GREEK Mythos The Greek https://mythosthegreek.hu/ INDIAN Indigo Indian Restaurant https://indigo-restaurant.hu/hu IRANIAN Darband Restaurant https://darband.hu/ ITALIAN Trattoria Pomo D'Oro http://www.pomodorobudapest.com/ JAPANESE Nobu Restaurant https://www.noburestaurants.com/budapest/home/ KOREAN Bibimbap Korean Restaurant https://www.facebook.com/BibimbapPala/ LEBANESE Byblos https://byblos.hu/ SERBIAN/BALKAN Csevapivo | Balkan Grill & Beer http://www.csevapivo.hu/ SPANISH La Nube Tapas & Wine https://www.lanubebp.hu/ THAI Parázs Presszó Thai etterem http://www.parazspresszo.com/ UKRAINIAN Ukran Udvar https://ukranudvar.hu/