Please sign in to post.

Updated - Hungary RS Forum Members Meetup Thread

Okay, consider this “That Post”.

For those that want to meet up on the road.

If you are coming to Hungary, or considering coming to Hungary, and while are in Hungary you want to let your presence be known you can use this thread to provide dates and any other information you think might be helpful. Then you guys can discuss it here or in PM’s.

I will try and bump it to the top from time to time and edit or add something to slow down the date it gets locked from lack of participation.

I have tried this before without a whole lot of success, but maybe if those that enjoy this sort of thing will add something below it will encourage.

This is what prompted this thread: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/hungary/budapest-mini-trip-report-the-opera-the-scenery-the-food-the-catastrophe#bottom

Posted by MR Ê

pbscd, I used to try and keep a thread of who is visiting and when, so
that RS types could meet. But the enthusiasm wasn't there. … Every
country should have a thread to facilitate this sort of thing. When
strangers meet and talk the world gets closer together.

Posted by Laurie Beth

Mr E, I couldn't agree with you more.

Posted by Mardee OP

“Every country should have a thread to facilitate this sort of thing.
When strangers meet and talk the world gets closer together.” That is
a wonderful idea. And your last sentence says it all. That's so true.

magyarjd

Posted by
4968 posts

This is a great idea, especially for solo travelers. Hope it gets some momentum. Maybe it could be suggested to the webmaster as a new category.

Posted by
11470 posts

This is a great idea. I don’t know when I may be able to return to Budapest, but when I do I’m always up for meeting people.

Posted by
11877 posts

I love the idea! I wish it would have been up when I was there, and then maybe Jennie and I could have met at the opera! Thanks, Mr. E!

Posted by
18 posts

My husband and I will be arriving in just a few days for our first visit to Budapest. Mr. E graciously agreed to meet us for a glass of wine on Thursday, December 4 sometime late afternoon/early evening (time/location TBD.) If anyone is available, please join us!

Posted by
26134 posts

Okay, well, I just spent nearly 3 hours in a restaurant with Mike and Wendy. It really is not possible to have a more enjoyable evening. Thank you both. Enjoy your stay and let me know if you need anything.

All the Best J.D.

Posted by
18 posts

We had the most enjoyable evening with terrific food (listen to Mr. E, folks, when it comes to his recommendation for Cork) and great conversations. Mike and I greatly appreciate your assistance with putting together our first visit to Budapest. The beauty in this city is amazing! Thank you, James!

Posted by
26134 posts

I will take your statement of this being the "first" visit to be an indication that there will be a second. Looking forward to it.

magyarjd

Posted by
18 posts

Even with spending 8 days in Budapest, it feels like we barely scratched the surface of all the things to see and do. We had the best time and could definitely see a return trip (and another meet-up dinner!)
Take care and Merry Christmas, James!

Posted by
71 posts

My husband and I will be in Budapest for the first time January 17-21. Yes, it’s a short whirlwind visit. But sometimes that’s what is available. I’m frantically reading for hints / how to / don’t miss tips on the RS forum and trip reports.

Not sure if this is the place, but first big question is “how to effectively use public transportation?” which is our mode of movement when in Europe.

Posted by
26134 posts

17 to 21 will give you time to see a lot.

Public transportation is pretty easy and runs past all of the good stuff (mostly).

If you are over 65 its free. Just show any old picture ID if asked.
Under 65 you will need a travel card (a lot less expensive than individual tickets) This will be the best deal for you. https://bkk.hu/en/tickets-and-passes/prices/15-day-budapest-pass/ Yes, its 15 days but its cheaper than a 24 hour plus a 72 hour ticket. About $18.

I will send you a PM with a link with more information on the public transportation.

Posted by
6037 posts

My entire travel year is subject to change, it seems. Sigh. But it LOOKS like I will be in BP April 19 (evening) till 23rd. I love a good meet up if anyone else ends up there at that time.

Posted by
3927 posts

My husband and I will be in Budapest for two weeks staying at Hotel Moments. June 4-18.

Posted by
26134 posts

Tammy a few things going on:
4 -7: Gourmet Festival https://gourmetfesztival.hu/hu/
4 - 7: Rosalia Rose Wine Festival at City Park, https://rosalia.hu/hu
6: Steam Engine trip to the Danube Bend https://www.mavrailtours.hu/hu/travels/2026
13: Behind the scenes tour: Ferencváros Railway Station https://www.mavrailtours.hu/hu/travels/2026

I go to the Rose wine festival and the Gourmet Festival every year. Both fun. Both in really interesting locations. One by the castle in city park and the other up in a part of Buda tourists rarely go to. Beautiful park.

Posted by
26134 posts

Tammy, a pleasure. The wine event attracts a few tourists. Its more than wine, lots of food and the location near the castle in the park is pretty sweet. You are going to be here long enough to get out of the usual tourist trails so do the Gorumet Festival. If you do it Saturday morning there is an interesting real world market very near. Nothing tourist about it, but i find it facinating. Its pretty far out, but just one tram through Pest, across the Danube and then through Buda. A geat day.

Actually, you are here long enough to take the Danube Bend steam train. I can almost promise you that you will be the only tourists on the train and that nothing will be repeated in English. I just did one of these, its a blast. The stop at VAC is sort of relevant to tourists. The other stops are more Hungarian family weekend getaway places. So a little research is in order. Try it, you might find me on it (cheap seats).

Oh,if it doesnt show up on the web page, switch to the Hungarian language page and use your browser to translate. What does that tell you LOL.

Sziastok :) I will be here till the morning of 15 March. No major itinerary items, perhaps a day trip to Szeged or Szentendre (though that one might be better in warmer weather). Also considering a 2 day trip to western Ukraine (Liviv) which is challenging in terms of logistics and time.

Posted by
26134 posts

Sziastok :) I will be here till the morning of 15 March. No major
itinerary items, perhaps a day trip to Szeged or Szentendre (though
that one might be better in warmer weather). Also considering a 2 day
trip to western Ukraine (Liviv) which is challenging in terms of
logistics and time.

Szentendre would be a nice trip right now. Our afternoons have been between 60 and 65F these past few days. Easy trip up on the commutter train. Doesnt appear that the boat begins running until 14 March. But the train is only 45 minutes. If you are 65+ its free. If you are younger then you will need an extension ticket for your metro pass. That will cost about $1.25 each way. You can get it at the ticket window at the Batthyány tér Metro 2 / H5 Station.

Lviv is beautiful and well worth a trip but wait till warmer weather. They have electrictiy problems right now and there isnt much heat. Its an all day train ride from Budapest in each direction so at the very least its a 3 day trip and I would want to have 4 or 5 days.

Feel free to contact me if you need any help. I will send you a PM.

James

Posted by
2646 posts

I plan to be in Budapest mid-June for a long weekend. Hope to see the Fine Art Museum, The History Museum, and the Flipper Museum. Will probably do a evening boat ride. Trying to decide on an evening at a jazz club or the opera. Making notes on places to eat from prior threads.

Posted by
22 posts

My husband and I will be in Budapest May 4-11, before a river cruise.
We are hoping to hit many of the suggestions from this forum. Thank you, esp. Mr. E.
Question—is Budapest 100 okay for English speaking folks?

Posted by
26134 posts

Carla, they make learning English mandatory in the schools. In Budapest you will have trouble finding someone who doesnt understand your English. The most convenient part is their English is close to American English.

May 4 through 11? Thats a good stay. Promise you wont get bored. You have time for a sidetrip or two if you are interested or you can easily spend it all in town.

Posted by
11470 posts

We have changed our plans for this Fall and it looks like we will be in Budapest November 1-9. It appears we will be too early for Christmas Markets, but I doubt we will run out of things to do. We’re looking forward to our time there.

Posted by
26134 posts

Andrea, the good news is the theaters will be in full swing. You can buy for the Opera House now and they will see out. There are some remarkably good seats still available. If you were to decide on a Friday or a Saturday evening box, and there are only two of you, I could be convinced to buy half the box with you. I like Friday and Saturday because more locals in attendance.

The opperett is only selling tickets thorugh June, but keep an eye out for when the pick up the rest of the year. I am guessing in the next 30 - 45 days. But just a wild guess.

The Vígszínház isnt selling for that late yet, but when they do go on sale there is a filter for productions with English subtitles. Lovely place to see a play.

Then there is the .... okay this is getting long. I will send you something.

The other good news is that its still early enough where it has a possiblilty of being a bit warmer.

It might even be an okay time to visit a winery or two. Some have accommodations, some are just great day trips. I know a guide if that sort of thing interests you.

Safe travels.

Posted by
101 posts

We’ll be in Budapest from May 17 to 25 and would love to meet up. We’ll be near the Dohany Synagogue.