Still contemplating a guide and have several names both from RS book and on line comments. What would be the most beneficial area to have a guide and for how long?
Plan on doing the Pest & Leopold Walks as per Rick's book. Also taking the time for the baths. We will be there a good 3.5 days and depending on our flight time to Prague it will be almost 4 days.
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8141 posts
Whenever we go into any larger European city, we will Google "Free Walking Tours" for that city. The guides are excellent, and fully accredited/licensed locally. They're actually working for tips.
The same tour operation usually has a nightlife tour of the city or a pub crawl tour--for a charge. We've found those on such tours to be of all ages and nationalities--and a complete ball.
We have taken the free tour for Budapest (and Prague) and the tour guides were very good. Budapest's main tourist sights are relatively close together, and it's somewhat of a compact city.
Posted by
OP
Ontario Canada
649 posts
David. Just googled "Free Walking tours Budapest" and noted their itinerary for a 3 hour tour. My question to you is: do actually go inside the Basilica, as well as the Opera House or is that left to us to do after?
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
17918 posts
The opera house is being renovated. don't know if they are still giving tours; but there is a charge and set times. the basilica is open to anyone, anytime.
do you need a guide? depends. why are you going to Budapest? If you have an interest like architecture, holocaust, WWII, 1956, communism, markets, the lights at night; then yes. Otherwise it sure doesn't hurt to get at least a half day orientation / overview tour so you know where to go on your own if something really interests you. Maybe on your first half day? I like Andrew Illes for a guide. I have been sending people to him and using him ourselves for over 10 years. http://www.guideinbudapest.com/