Solo female tentative about Budapest

It's way easier than Morocco in the 80's and Kathmandu in the 90's!

And I get your anxiety, because I had it. Budapest was 1 of 4 cities in my first trip beyond western Europe, and my first non-work solo trip to Europe - after dozens of trips to France, Italy, Spain, England, and more.

As a crutch, I started by working with a travel planning company and pretty soon realized I could do it all in my own, and wanted to.

As I arrived in each of my cities on that trip, including Budapest, I realized there was nothing to have been worried about.

It sounds like you already have your "medal" for courage - the same travel planning you have always done is exactly what sets you up for a great trip to Budapest. It won't take you an hour there to realize that you're going to be just fine.

I would PM James E who lives in Budapest and has been extremely generous with his time and expertise on this forum.

F, 70+, solo traveler, public transpo only, apt renter. I did Budapest as a final bucket list trip in 2017. Did the baths and loved it and loved Budapest. I just finished booking my apt tonight for my trip back in the midst of a Eastern European journey. I used booking.com to stay in Little Dream Apartment. Great location, wonderful apt, tub, washing machine, big unit. Bed up but it worked. Go for it!

I understand your trepidation about Budapest. But no worries, it will be an interesting experience. It was not one of my favorite trips, but interesting non the less.

I'm a 73-year-old female, usually travel solo, and took my second recent trip to Budapest last year. I haven't been to one of the baths (just not interested), but I've wandered all over the city, mostly on foot. It's really easy. You'll be able to take public transportation for free any time you want; just carry a photo ID showing date of birth in case you're stopped. Although the Hungarian language is incomprehensible, English is very widely spoken. You will have no problems; this is not Morocco. You'll be surprised at how comfortable it feels. (I wouldn't say the same thing if we were discussing Istanbul, which does feel foreign.)

As mentioned, James E has posted many times with suggestions about where to stay (basically, near Andrassy is good). He and others have given us long lists of restaurants to try. For quality and price, the food in Budapest is some of Europe's best.

Please allow plenty of time to see more than just the baths!

Oh, you are talking one of my favorite cities! (I am an older solo female traveler). My first trip I spent 2 weeks solo and as a result go back frequently (next time is April).

In reading your post, I am not sure if your trepidation is visiting Budapest or getting there. Maybe clarify if it is the transit part and you will get some help (I usually fly in from various cities). I’d be happy to send you a couple of apartment links that have worked for me - but there are also nice hotels in the Andrassy area, if you prefer that. If the trepidation is about the baths, I get that. I’ve been to a couple and it feels a bit intimidating - but people are nice if you need to ask questions. Plus somewhere here on the forum, Christy has written a very nice description of the process at Széchenyi (where I have not been but lots of people here have).

James E. = Mr. É, if you start reading in the Hungary forum.

Judith,

I moved here in part because its a beautiful, peaceful, laid back environment. You can pretty much pick your lifestyle here. Young active, or the classic arts or just hanging out in the neighborhood. I think thats why it appeals to such a broad cross section of people.

If you click on this link it takes you to my profile. https://community.ricksteves.com/users/50322 In my profile youi will find some resources that may be helpful.

Feel free to send me a PM if you have questions .... or post them on the forum so everyone can participate in helping or learning from the help of others.

Getting here, I think is to take the train to Zurich and then there is a sleeper to Budapest. There might be others but that came up fast on the DB website. The French site and the Hungarian sites showed nothing.

For where to stay, take a look at this: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/hungary/rs-forum-favorite-hotels-and-their-cost

Some rough idea of dates might help as there might be things going on in town that you might be interested in.

Thank you all for your ideas and support! I like the thought of taking the train from Zurich. I'm starting to formulate a plan!

Hi,
Adding my two cents: I'm a male in my late 50's and traveled alone to Budapest for a week in November, 2024. It is a stunningly beautiful city!!!!! It had been on my bucket list for ages and I'm so glad I had a chance to visit. I'm an AirBnB member and found an extraordinary studio apartment with a small balcony that was spotless and centrally located called "Queen's Place." If you google "Queen's Place AirBnB Budapest" you'll see it. It was super clean, centrally located (Kiraly Street), with a responsive, English speaking, host and I paid $432 USD for 6 nights (off season).
I flew from Boston so I can't help you with your trepidation re: trains, but that should be your only concern once there. There is essentially no language barrier whatsoever. The airport, buses, subways and restaurants/events/baths all had people/signs/menus that spoke English. I speak no Hungarian whatsoever and found it VERY easy to get around. Book your tour of the Parliament Building a few days in advance. Same for booking a boat tour of the Danube at night - I used Legenda boat cruises. I went to the Szechenyi (sp) baths 2X and it was an extraordinary experience, especially in November - outdoor bathing/swimming in the 34 degree weather was a first for me (bring flip flops, a big towel (or two), a suit and a plastic grocery bag in which to carry them when done - otherwise you'll have to rent/buy them there. I strongly suggest you read Rick Steve's guide book section about visiting the baths - it explains the process of getting in/out, paying & wrist bands thoroughly.

Finally, if I can be so bold, I'd also suggest that you: 1) message Mr. E privately - he was a great resource for me and provided me with a link to a great guide book; 2) eat dinner at Menza and Urban Betyar- both were excellent bistros with diverse menus and great wine lists.
Best of luck

I made my first visit to Budapest in 2014, early in my solo travelling journey--started with trips to London, then Tallinn, finally decided to see Vienna and why not add a day trip to Budapest as I am half Hungarian? That turned into taking the train and spending 4 days, during which I fell madly in love with Budapest, despite being not so sure about it on first glance...I have since made 5 more trips there. It's everything you'd want from a capital city, yet somehow also not so hectic, with plenty of places to go if you need peace and quiet. The people are lovely and helpful and the scenery is spectacular, once you get there you'll wonder why you hesitated!

5 trips?!! Must be pretty "okay"

James, you know it! Sadly I am sidelined from travel at present due to the needs of elderly parents...otherwise I'd be planning on May, just in time to see the storks, with a visit to Ecseri piac for 1930s pottery and plenty of toltott kaposzta :)

But cooking class is an excellent idea. I had fun with one in Budapest once. Now every night in Budapest is a cooking class. I put a list on this thread: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/hungary/restaurants-in-budapest-revisited

I liked BP too based on my 4 day trips there from 2010 to 2015. Super interesting city historically if you really delve into that. Great food, etc.

You're coming from Paris? True , quite a distance but I would not fly either, simply not an option.

I would take the Paris-Vienna night train, stay a night or two in Vienna, then proceed with a day train ride to Budapest. That depends on your comfort zone and travel style. No problems taking the night train for me going solo.

That night train does get booked up since enough Europeans find taking the night train satisfactory enough to book it.

Judith, I got your PM and answered you. This is just sort of for fun and thought other might enjoy it.

Click on this and it will take you to Google Maps Street View
https://www.google.com/maps/@47.5113903,19.0721186,3a,75y,335.53h,83.76t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sqT0ypOh2-JZwN242KcHkvw!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D6.24116521499036%26panoid%3DqT0ypOh2-JZwN242KcHkvw%26yaw%3D335.52638312700634!7i16384!8i8192?authuser=0&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDIxOC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

You are looking up the road that leads to your flat. But first turn around and look behind you. That is Andrassy ut. See the yellow hand rails. They go down to the M1 metro station.

Now turn back around and start going up the street. Lovely side street. Look at the architecture right and left. At the third cross street Szondi utca (You can spot it. Its the first somewhat commercial looking cross street, there are orange cones up the middle of the street just prior to the intersection) Turn Right down Szondi utca and go about two thirds the way down the block and your flat is on one of those cute vintage buildings on your left.

Now, click on the google maps link that you began with to get back to the start and take a stroll up and down Andrassy ut.

If you do end up at this flat, let me know. I know a few nice places for local food in the neighborhood.