Hotels near river where cruise ships start and finish in Budapest.

Avalon frequently uses the Intercontinental Hotel, located at the base of the Chain Bridge on the Pest side of the Danube as their departure from Budapest location. Other large hotels are nearby - Marriott, Sofitel, etc.

You may find difficulty in these locations with the budget figure stated

$150 to $200NZ about 90 to 115 euro. Doubt that will get you at any of the hotels mentioned. If you strike out there, then look at hotels on Andrassy ut. A few that come to mind are the Hotel Moments, the K&K Opera and the Hotel Mendos. The advantage of being on Andrassy is that the M1 metro line runs directly under Andrassy ut and terminates at Vorosmarty ter which is just a very short walk to the pier. The M1 its self is the oldest underground on the continent, sort of fun to ride. Its about 5 minutes from the K&K to the end stop. Andrassy ut is also a good place to be in the evenings for food, drinks, great architecture, etc.... Sort of the champs de elysees of Budapest.

Of the ones on the riverfront, the Sofitel is expensive. Both the Marriott and the Intercontinental have good reputations. Both good if all you have is one night, not as good if you are spending more than a night because they are in the center of nothing but tourists. Still, the views across the Danube are hard to beat.

Thanks so much for your answers. Yes I have looked at the Intercontinental but for 3 nights the cost is over $400NZ per night, making it over $1200NZ or about 800 euros or so for 3 nights. We would splurge if it was just the one night perhaps but will definitely look at the area suggested and the hotels mentioned, thanks very much.

Raewyn

To be honest, I like along Andrassy ut better for 3 night stays. Put you more in a place where you are close to things to do in the evenings with less tourist crunch while staying central to the sites. Since I have a home in Budapest I dont stay in hotels, but when i have friends needing a place i always put them up at the K&K (it's near my home) and I've heard nothing but complements.

The K&K Hotel Opera (near Andrassy UT) is indeed terrific: the location is minutes from the Basilica and surrounding restaurants, steps from the (under renovation) Opera House, 1 block from Andrassy UT sightseeing, and perhaps a 15 minute walk down to the river.

Booked direct and with a discount for a 3 night stay, it may just fit within the top end of your budget. Breakfast is included in some offers and is a marvelous (European style) spread. For convenience within the hotel, I would request a room in the central tower. The hotel staff will also go out of their way to help you book any activities.

Hi, no idea if this is near where you need to be (I do know it's near the river!) and haven't done the currency conversion, but I've stayed at the Hotel Erzsebet on a Rick Steves tour several years back, and it was perfectly fine. Can recommend as a decent hotel. Have a great trip!

https://hotel-erzsebet-budapest.h-rez.com/

The K&K Hotel Opera or any hotel along ANdrassy is good because of the transportation. Its a big city and things are scattered about. The good news is the landscape between the sites is pretty amazing to. But from anything along Andrassy you can either walk or take the M1 metro down to Deak Ferenc ter which is sort of ground zero for all the sight seeing. Or the other way to Hero's square the bath house and city park, or connection to Margrit island or the NY Cafe or ... well its all pretty convenient. From, say the K&K the only underground you would ever need is the M1 and that more like an amusement park ride than a subway. Otherwise you ride the trams and walk. The trams are so good they are almost like commercial HOHO busses, and the walks are beautiful.

Thanks everyone, plenty of options. While the Andulasy area sounds great James and there is transport, are you able to take your luggage on it, when you get off the boat, if the walk is too far from the river to your hotel with them.
Thanks to everyone for your suggestions, they are really helpful and I have looked at them all but yet to make up my mind!

I see it is Andrassy so please excuse my spelling in the last post.

You will get off you boat and walk maybe 4 minutes to the center of of the tourist district (District V) There you will find Vorosmarty ter (ter = square). It and of its self is interesting with shops and restaurants. A tad too touristy for me though. In the square you will see two sets of stairs leading down under the square. One is marked "Mexikói út" (Mexico Avenue) and that's the one you want. At the bottom you will find vending machines for tickets and a teller window. From one or the other get a ticket or a TravelCard. Get on the little subway car (oldest on the continent of Europe). Get off at your stop. Opera for the K&K Hotel for instance. Technically you are limited to one bag, but I've seen more. You can also call a taxi. My favorite is City Taxi +36 1 211 1111. Will be under $10.

Thanks James for the detailed information about the transport from the boat, to a hotel in the area you suggested which sounds great. We will have 3 bags in fact as when you are away for 5 weeks, you tend to have a bit more luggage, so hope that will be ok. I have just to just go to narrow the hotel choices down from 3 to 1! Really appreciate all the help.

Just checked out of the K+K Opera on Tuesday and it was excellent. Next to the State Opera House, which unfortunately is under reconstruction until next year. As far as public transportation goes, a single ride is 350 HUF (about 1.25 USD), so a taxi for equivalent of 10 USD is a good deal, especially as the M1 subway has stairways to deal with.

With 5 bags I would take a taxi. The boat can call one, but that wont be as cheap as ordering your own. I suspect, like hotels the use private cabs which kick back to the hotel. City Taxi is very nice, clean, honest. +36- 1 -2-111-111 is their number. The phone will be answered by a recording in Hungarian, then in English, then a real person will come on in Hungarian. Simply say, "good afternoon" and he will switch to perfect English.

Thanks everyone again. Is the hotel very noisy with the construction going on. You didn't say it was a nuisance so I presume not bad.

James, we don't have 5 bags, we only have 3! Couldn't fill that many!

Pretty sure I'll go with the K & K Opera, just want to get it done. If 3 bags is going to be too many, we'll go for the taxi. Thanks for the excellent information. Looks like we'll have to get a sim card though for a few days, to ring a taxi, because the roaming charges on our phone from New Zealand are exorbitant, not like most other countries.
your help has been much appreciated.

Raewyn

No noise at the Opera site. Most work is happening inside.

Pretty sure I'll go with the K & K Opera

The hotel has 2 towers. The elevator for one tower is just inside the front door, in the reception area. The other tower is ….through reception, through the bar, past the breakfast room, around the corner....well, you get the idea. I was originally assigned to the very last room at the end of the hall in the far tower....I'm sure it would have been nice and quiet down there, but it felt like a sightseeing expedition to go to my room! So I asked to be switched.

I would suggest requesting a room in the central tower with the elevator just inside the front door, inside reception.

I never heard any street noise, and in particular, nothing from the nearby opera construction.

Thanks so much for that information about the construction noise at the K & K Opera. I have just booked but will ask for a room in the central tower if possible as it sounds a good idea and much handier to the rooms.

Can’t believe how helpful everyone has been and I really do appreciate everyone’s advice and help.

Hope I’ve not been too much of a nuisance, I’m not usually this slow in deciding on accommodation but it’s just the proximity to the river for the cruise at the end of it, that’s been the problem! And getting our luggage there. Now I know which is great.

Have a wonderful trip!

Belvarosi Lugas Restaurant is a two minute walk from K&K, just across the street from the back of the basilica. Outdoor tables. Fabulous Hungarian dishes. The deer stew is amazing!

In June you might need to book a table ahead.