District 6?

Maybe, maybe not. its an interesting local debate. We have 20-something districts. Each has its own government and its own Mayor. The fight is between what the district can mandate and what requires the permission of the overall city government. If District VI had its way, the short term rentals would already be history, but the City government put a hold on it. I dont know who will win the battle. I am a little afraid that the legal solution will be that they can stay, but can only operate 90 days a year .... well that is the same as closing them. So much of the renovation of this city was built upon short term rentals that this will be counter productive.

The affect on visiting? Hotels will get more expensive. While the District is wanting to close the short term rentals for all sorts of social reasons, they district seems to have no problem with hotels buying up multiple apartment blocks and converting them to hotels. Makes no sense to me and I live in District VI and at one time in history owned two short-term rentals here.

I wouldnt book a short term for next year. I would book a hotel (in District VI). Prices can only go up next year.

If it were me trying to hedge my bets, I might book both that are fully refundable. I love apartments, but I might want a hotel with a guaranteed price as a back up. Most on booking dot com (now) don’t require payment more than a few days to a week ahead of time. Air bnb typically requires only a deposit - but I always check refund details.

In fact, maybe I should take my own advice.

I don’t like the idea of booking rooms you know you aren’t going to use. I will let someone else articulate why its bad form. Its particularly bad form when you do it on apartments.

Do be careful which hotel you book if you are going to do it. For instance the UpHotel (great location) the cheap rates in March next year are refundable and start at $89. The Oktogon Hotel and the Hotel Moments are more expensive and you pay about 15 euro extra a night for refundable.

I will add that when i had (past tense) a couple of short-term rentals in Budapest for a number of years, and typically, except for holidays and special event dates, they rarely booked more than 90 days in advance. So if your trip is in April ot later you dont need to worry about renting until after the first of the year. Maybe the legality will be known by then.

We’ve rented an apartment, which I think is in District VI (Mozsar utca 4) for December 3-11, 2025. If the ban on short-term rentals in that neighborhood is enforced, it wouldn’t take effect until sometime in 2026, correct?

Wendy, excellent location. Close to so much good stuff and convenient for tourism. Nice area, very typical. No, I cant imagine anything happening this year.

Other than the fact that the location is a short walk to the M1 or up or down Andrassy ut to the 4/6 or 47/48 tram … all of which get you to all of the sights,
A few of my favorites close by.

N28 Restaurant https://maps.app.goo.gl/oQ7Zqvpr55GHUBoV8
Cork Breakfast & Wine https://maps.app.goo.gl/e9qvbaL32sy9wCQ57
Sophie Italian https://maps.app.goo.gl/pTadNr5nPBbphRWf8
Champion Wine https://maps.app.goo.gl/zMD62SrVcjqryvmT9
Kadarka Wine https://maps.app.goo.gl/5M7QDfSUjFCwLfCN8
Opera House https://maps.app.goo.gl/JQWBYFUArm7aPg4A7
Szek Restaurant https://maps.app.goo.gl/6R7sajSSKy8xyi629
Callas Restaurant https://maps.app.goo.gl/Mw5HfwffYfPGmgsS7
Két Szerecsen Restaurant https://maps.app.goo.gl/JLLAKnL4se8yTHbc7
Lions Locker (breakfast) https://maps.app.goo.gl/6a8kGdRAhBFKsBwM9
Pata Negra Spanish Restaurant https://maps.app.goo.gl/DQz11VSrGtSbwYL9A
Pörc & Prézli Restaurant https://maps.app.goo.gl/67XiJWnjDVJuVPoG7

This is terrific information, thanks very much, Mr. E!