Danube Bend tour from Budapest

yes, a trip to the bend of the Danube is a great idea, especially if you already have 5 busy days in Budapest planned. The sixth day is an ideal window for departure.

The classic Danube Bend tour is Szentendre, Visegrad, Esztergom. The problem is you will feel like a beat dog when its over and you may realize that you didn’t have enough time in any of the three cities. But, I did it the first visit here in 2002 so who am I to say no to the idea. Just sign up for one that advertises for the longest period of time. I did a quick look and the run from 8 hours to 9.5 hours. Do the 9.5 if it looks well done and good reviews.

Should you do it? You are coming 6 April so a half day then, and you depart 12 April, so you really have 5.5 days. Did the tarot cards tell me correctly? Yea, you have the time. Which day is really dependent on what else you want to see. Thinking out loud: 10 and 11 April not good for Jewish Budapest, so those might be good days. On the 11th is the craft market at Elizabeth Square so you might not want to do it then. The 12th is Sunday and there might be a service at Esztergom, so that might not be a good idea. So maybe any day but 11 or 12. You do have theater or concert or opera or ballet tickets for one night don’t you. So rule out that night. If you don’t have tickets, fix that please. I’ll lend you a sports coat.

Okay Plan B. As wonderful as Esztergom is, I am a bit lukewarm on Visegrad, there is an easy way to do just Szentendre. You bought a TravelCard for your duration. Sorry but you must buy the month card as its cheaper than 2 Three-Day cards. So with your Month Pass you only have to buy an extension ticket (I think 400 ft) to reach Szentendre on the commuter train. I did a trip report a while back https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/hungary/trip-report-day-1-833-szentendre-day-trip Not great but maybe a little help. But essentially if you leave at 11am, go for lunch and for a self guided walk of the town, maybe a trip to the Hungarian Open Air Museum (Szentendrei Szabadtéri Néprajzi Múzeum), also known as the Skanzen. Then take the 5pm boat back to Budapest that’s almost a full day and every bit of it is interesting. Especially the boat. If you need help planning any of it, just let me know.

Thanks, Mr. E, for your tips!

You are coming 6 April so a half day then, and you depart 12 April, so you really have 5.5 days.

It's true I'm arriving on 6 April, but my flight is from Bucharest (I'll be in Bulgaria and Romania for 3 weeks before coming to Budapest) and arrives at 08:30, so I'm basically considering that a full day. No immigration or customs, so a quick ride to my hotel to drop my luggage, and I should be ready to rock and roll by mid-morning.

10 and 11 April not good for Jewish Budapest

I'm not sure why you say that. I know Passover ends on 9 April, and I understand that 11 April is the Sabbath. I have booked a Jewish Heritage tour on 10 April.

I’ll lend you a sports coat.

That's very kind, but I think I will bring appropriate clothes for the opera.

In any event, I'm talking about 11 April for my day trip, but if the craft market you mention is worthwhile, then that more or less settles it. Though I guess I could do a half-day to Szentendre.

I fly out on 12 April in the morning.

You bought a TravelCard for your duration.

I'm over 65, so I am not planning to buy a TravelCard. I may be mistaken, but shouldn't I be able to ride the train to Szentendre for free?

I thought you were young. That trip to Szentendre is free. Every train in the country is free.

About Friday and Saturday. The sabbath begins at sunset so some things close ealry on Friday so they can be home before the sabbath. Rather than trying to figure out which do and which dont I just avoid it on Friday. Do post a review of the Jewish tour. The only one I have done is this one, and it was good: https://jewishtourhungary.com/hu/jewish-quarter-tour.

You might enjoy TimeOutBudapest. Just because its not tourism. Just a bunch of locals eating out. Monday night at 6:30 is piano night and Tuesday at 7pm is Jazz Night.

I think you have the travel notes. They just got a major update.

And something else you might enjoy. Are you into markets? Saturday, if you are staying on Andrassy ut, visit the Hunyadi Square Market https://maps.app.goo.gl/4gx6xeGi2JQmNwJj9 mainly for the outside vendors in the park. Then you head to the Bosnyák tér Market hall https://maps.app.goo.gl/DGWWvWq9hatFZSgK6 which gets talked about in this thread: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/hungary/budapest-s-great-market-halls but you definately want to be there by 11am as they start packing up at noon and all gone by 1 pm; so if you are running late from breakfast skip the Hunyadi market. :-(

Another fun market, even during the week is https://maps.app.goo.gl/iDmiiDfYjxpMwYCC7 and then a visit to the park https://maps.app.goo.gl/MsguiUXGbJCp7zBq7 and there is a pedestrian street right there with plenty of places to sit outside and eat.

None of this is tourism. There arent many tourists in these places.

Lane, I'm assuming you're leaving pretty early from Bucharest. Are you staying near the airport on the last night?

Unfortunately not, Mardee, but I have a ride arranged to the airport.

Mr. E. thanks for the market info!

Lane, that's good, and it's not much of a trek. You should be fine. I'll be curious to get your take on Bucharest. I really liked it, but I know there are some that do not.

Also, in case you haven't read about it in one of our trip reports, you should definitely seek out Noua B.A.R., which had the most amazing food. No matter what you get, order the corn ribs, which were indescribably delicious. Here's a photo of them: https://www.instagram.com/p/DOdCDeLDZsy/?img_index=1 so try one of their wonderful cocktails. The 3 of us had a fresh, crisp tasting sour cherry drink called Ileana Cosanzeana the first time, but I opted for the Hugo cocktail the second time. Both were wonderful.

It's close to the center. I traveled by bus on my first visit there, but I liked it so much, I went back at the end of our tour. And since I was staying a little closer, I walked. No matter what transport you use, it's well worth the visit.

I made a DIY trip to Szentendre back in 2018. I'm an art person and enjoyed the many little galleries and art shops.