We got some great advice earlier this year about planning our Christmas in Budapest. THANKS JAMES! It's finally upon us and we are preparing to actually go!
Our flights depart at an ungodly hour the morning of January 3, so we are looking for a decent hotel near the airport to spend our last night that will provide us with early morning shuttle service to the airport. I searched the topic here but found no returns younger than three years, so I'm asking fresh.
Any suggestions?
Thank you!
If by ungodly you mean in the region of 6 am, I have made that flight 3 times in the past 3 years and felt no need to stay near the airport. I stayed near the Liberty bridge and as I was leaving my room at 3:45 I called City Taxi +36 1 211 1111 and by the time I got to the lobby they were there. It's 30 minutes and around $25 US to the airport, I highly recommend them.
Yes that's the flight! Thanks for the info!
How early does a person need to arrive at the airport for an international fight?
The usual 3 hrs won't do you much good if you are checking a bag as the counters don't seem to open until 4, maybe 4:30. One year I stood and waited an hour. After that I just made sure to be in the taxi by 3:30-4 am at the latest and that gave me plenty of time to check my bag and get through security and get some coffee.
I travel solo so it's not hard getting just me out the door by 3:30--everything is packed, clothes laid out, I take my shower around 8 and sleep maybe 5-6 hours, up at 3, freshen up and go.
The Christmas markets look wonderful, I'm hoping to get there one year for them. Please post a report!
In September I used this shuttle service minibud.hu
My hotel made the reservation for me, but you can book online or call them. Being a bit of a nervous Nelly, I wanted to make sure I had my transportation lined up ahead of time. They were very prompt (actually 10 min's early) and though he stopped to pick up a couple more people, it didn't take very much time. It was 10 € from my hotel on the Buda side to the airport.
You will love the Christmas markets in Budapest. I was there last December. Lots of nice crafts, ceramics, chocolates - all kinds of neat stuff. There was one stall that had cookie presses - I've never seen so many different designs. I bought ceramic Christmas tree decorations in the shape of birds and hearts. Oh, and the food....don't eat before you go....
I'm with Christa on this one. I almost always end up on a flight between 6 and 6:30 am. Yes, its early but the coffee shop on the secure side is always open, or just opening, when i get to it. I eat breakfast, drink coffee, relax before the flight. I wouldnt ruin your last night by staying near the airport. No need. The trips is short.
Wave if you walk by our place. We will be there 29 December through 4 January, and then 10 through 15 January
Thanks, everyone! I contacted our Airbnb host, just to ask if he had a recommendation, and he offered us that last extra night at no extra charge! So taxi to the airport it is!
James, we will be there 12/22-1/3, and I'm secretly hoping to have Chani's experience and run into you in a wine bar. Maybe I'll just hang out at Kadarka. Ha! Just kidding -- I won't stalk you. But I'll be the short one that looks really cold. :)
Ok, so I'm going to go read aaaaaaalll the rest of the entries in the forum now and plan the trip.
Thank you all again! This is the most generous forum. :)
Cindy
OK actually one more question I'll just piggyback here. Am I missing a way to search just the Hungary forum? I can't find a way and end up searching all the forums. I must be missing it?
For searching I enter what I'm looking for in the search box, then you get the page with a bunch of options on the left side--click on Travel Forums. I don't think you can narrow it to just the Hungary forum, maybe someone else knows if it's possible. Most if not all of the responses will be in this forum, I'd think. You can filter by date as well.
leaders, its the yellow building about 200 feet from Kadarka's; ground floor. I will be the tall cold guy in the parka
