Chain Bridge closed, How to get across now?

The 4/6 Tram (Margit Bridge near the Nyugati train station and the Parliament Bldg) and the 47/49 Tram (Szabadság bridge near the Market) both cross the river. There is apparently a boat too but I was there for 3 weeks and never saw it and it is apparently not covered by the standard TravelCard. Cross on one of the two trams

Then there is a tram (19 and 41) that runs up and down the river front on the Buda side that connects these two crossings.

Why is the bridge closed? Was it damaged?

Renovations.

https://dailynewshungary.com/this-is-how-the-renovation-of-the-iconic-chain-bridge-continues-photo-gallery/

Derek,
There are many options available. The trams that James mentioned, also the Metro and busses. If you've not used the Budapest metro system before, it's quite easy to navigate.
Free? You can walk across the other bridges. My favorite is the Liberty Bridge.

I looked at your previous post, are you still staying in the Hilton in Buda? Now you understand the issue with staying in Buda; 90% of the worth seeing, especially on a short trip, is in Pest.

From the Hilton here are your choices to Deak Ferenc ter (sort of Ground Zero for tourism in Pest) https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Budapest,+Hilton+Budapest,+Hess+Andr%C3%A1s+t%C3%A9r+1-3,+1014+Hungary/De%C3%A1k+Ferenc+t%C3%A9r,+Budapest,+Hungary/@47.4994176,19.0217789,14z/data=!3m2!4b1!5s0x4741dc1897851fcd:0xf141cf8d9172ba54!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x4741dc18a2116fe1:0x6f553e48210377c4!2m2!1d19.0335969!2d47.5025844!1m5!1m1!1s0x4741dc41d2b5e169:0xef31e078a69625ad!2m2!1d19.0544452!2d47.497852!3e3?hl=en&authuser=0

Unless you want to go to the Parliament then you might want the 4/6 Tram from Széll Kálmán tér then a short walk. Keeps you above ground where you can see things. The same tram continues to the Oktogon on Andrassy ut, and while not the fastest way, its a nice ride above ground where you can see the city. From the Oktogon you can get most any place of interest to tourism.

James,
Yes, we are leaving Saturday for Europe. And we are staying at the Hilton on the Buda side. You have a good memory! The Buda side was not my choice, but that's where Viking put us on the two day extension. We are doing their extension (rather than booking ourselves) because it doesn't cost us anything as we had a Viking Credit from 2 years ago and we can't use it anywhere else.
From what I see, to get to most places we want to visit on the Pest side, like the Parliament, or Dohany Street Synagogue, etc, we will be walking down from the Hilton to the Batthyany ter metro stop and take the metro under the river to whatever stop is nearest to the sites we want to see.
My concern is the return trip and climbing back up the hill from Batthany ter, or perhaps we continue on the metro to Szell Kalman ter and take the #16 bus up the hill or walk from there back to the Hilton.
The Castle Hill Funicular doesn't help us here because it is only convenient if you could walk across the chain bridge from Pest to buda.
Looks like we could also take Bus #916 near the Hilton and get off at Astoria Metro stop to get to the Dohany street Synagogue and Szimpla Kert.
At this point, I am resigned to taking a taxi up Gellert Hill to the citadel. Maybe we can walk down and take a tram from either Gellert Bath or Rudas Bath North along the river to the finicular and take that up the hill and walk from their to the hilton.
I agree with you, that staying in Pest would have been better. Thanks for your help and advice.
I'll report back on my trip in a month or so when I return.

This is what I would do. I would walk down to the river or take the funicular (sort of expensive) in the morning. There is a tram that runs the waterfront on the Buda side that connects all the crossing points so it doesnt matter where you come down. If you are going to the Parliament or even to a location on Andrassy ut you will tram up river to the Margit Island Bridge and the 4/6 tram

If its the Great Synagogue or Great Market Hall or Vaci utca or the Danube corso, you tram down river to the Liberty Bridge and the 47/49 tram to cross then the 2 tram to get around.

In the evening, I would just call a taxi. From pest it might cost 3.000 ft ($9). Load the City Taxi and the Bolt apps on your phone and you got it covered.

Derek,
I've stayed at the Hilton Budapest several times and the 16 bus to Szell Kalman and the 2 metro is quite easy to manage.

Christy, that's a great idea. But at least once (or twice) they should take the 4/6 Tram from Széll Kálmán tér so they stay above ground and get to see the city. The key here is looking up the tram lines (if I remember correctly the Eyewitness Guide Top 10 for Budapest covers them. If not just google them).

4/6 Tram
2 Tram
47/49 Tram
M1 metro
and in your particular case the M2 metro and 19/41 Tram

With those six you will be able to get anyplace in town you want to reach. So get a TravelCard when you arrive. Except for the M1 and M2 everything is above ground and you can see and experience the town. With a TravelCard its a snap. Easier than a Disneyworld ride.

Good stuff!

Derek, I am following you in May. On Viking but I think they put me in the other hotel. Let me know how the Viking stuff goes.

Happy journey! Leaving on a Thursday.

James, I agree! I was just providing the quickest way to get across the river.

Christy, you nailed it. Thats the most efficient way. I had forgotten to about the bus. The Clinic I go to for my trip home test and for a few other ailments, is right at Szell Kalman and I take the 4/6 around to it. Thats why it was on my mind.