We are staying in Budapest for three days in June. I am thinking of signing up for this tour:
https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/1294856?adults=1&source=p2
It is $270 for two. It looks interesting enough, but there is only one Airbnb review! The reviewer seems to be legit, with many reviews around the globe.
We'd like to see some of the Hungary countryside; looking for feedback on this option (or any other suggestions).
Thanks in advance!
Brian, before you book your tour, consider contacting this Hungarian tour guide from Toursbylocals. He is knowledgeable and efficient. You can tailor your own itinerary and not have to rely on a tour with a scheduled itinerary. He has transportation to drive to the countryside as well.
Some of the notable towns to include on your day tour would be: Esztergom, Eger, Lake Balaton, and The Danube and Vác. Don't know if you can cover all in one day but try to see a few.
I'm not a big fan of Visegrad. Dunabogdany is the town below the castle in Visegrad. But its not on the Danube, its on a channel off the Danube. I guess i have driven through it on the way to Visegrad, but didnt really notice.
There is a good tour here and it doesn't require a guide. Given your limited time in Budapest I would opt for the half day tour which requires you to hop on H5 commuter train on the Buda side at Batthyány tér for about a 35 minute trip to Szentendre https://welovebudapest.com/en/toplists/we-love-budapests-visitor-guide-to-szentendre/. The train I believe is 300 to 500 forint if you have a metro TravelCard (which you should)
I would leave right after lunch. Then at 5 pm you hop on the river taxi for a 45 minute ride back into Budapest. Its a beautiful trip so get on the boats top deck to enjoy it. https://www.mahartpassnave.hu/en/timetable/danube-bend-excursion-boat-lines/budapest-szentendre/
A second option is an all day affair. Take the train to Esztergom (its the next town up from Visegrad). https://www.thecrazytourist.com/15-best-things-to-do-in-esztergom-hungary/
Then have a driver pick you up in Esztergom and drive you to Szentendre. There is a bus, but it takes two hours. The drive is about 45 minutes. There are two routes, one along the river and the other through the foothills. Both nice. The one along the river does go through Visegrad if you wanted to stop, but I think hitting all three Danube Bend towns is too much for one day. From Szentendre take that boat back to Budapest.
One driver you might want to talk to is: http://silverwings.hu/ I suspect it will cost about the same as your tour. Laszlo is a an interesting and talkative guy so you get to know a bit more. He also will stop and show you what ever you want along the way.
But if you want a canned tour, I like this guy: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g274887-d4296354-Reviews-Andras_Illes_Budapest_Tours_Day_Tours-Budapest_Central_Hungary.html
First guide I hired in Budapest about 15 years ago. I've used him personally a few times since and have recommended him a hundred times with good results. Here is his webpage: http://www.guideinbudapest.com/
But the truth is, unless you want to really get down in the weeds on some subject, Budapest is very accessible without a guide (sorry Andrew).
Hi from Wisconsin,
3 days in Budapest...spend the three days in Budapest.
If you must leave the city because you've seen it all (?!?) try the city of Eger. You can either take the bus or the train or one each way. You will see some of the countryside and get to a marvelous little place.
wayne iNWI
