(Sorry for being redundant, I know it's a common topic) Lodging Questions

Where? What price do you consider mid range? I think a few more details are needed, to receive some input and advice.

I assume you're asking questions about staying in Budapest?

You can contact Andy Croyden at budapestapartmentservice.com and find good apartments for rent in the center city. Budapest is a very reasonable priced city to stay in vs. other large European cities.

You'll find eating in Hungary to be good for American tastes.

Don't worry about speaking Hungarian as it's a very difficult language even for Hungarians. I've often seen the locals speaking English to each other practicing--practicing. The young folks in Budapest are very hip.

And don't worry about finding historical places and museums to visit. Budapest has over 200 museums.

There's a desk in the airport that can arrange transportation to wherever you need to go in the city. They'll also schedule carrying you back to the airport as you leave. Their shuttle are just outside the airport front door.

I have always stayed in hotels for my 6 visits to Budapest, so I know others will have suggestions for air B&B locations to consider.

I have learned a small amount of Hungarian, mainly because I'm half Hungarian and the whole heritage aspect, and I will say the times I have feebly attempted to use it the locals are always amused/pleased...and then go to English for everyone's sake. Venturing outside Budapest's tourist area I have had a few encounters where English was not spoken--Pecs, Tata, or at the flea market. I find writing down the place I need to go has helped--i.e., with much gesturing and waving a tram conductor tried to get me going in the right direction on the outskirts of town, and a young lady walked me up and out of the metro to point out a place I needed to find...Hungarians are very kind and helpful people.

Their transit system is ridiculously easy--just 4 metro lines and I also use the trams. The BudapestGO app is very useful and you'll most likely benefit from a transit pass for 6 days.

Speaking of the flea market--if you like vintage shopping (and that can mean a lot of different types of items) you might make the trip out to Ecseri piac--it's about a 40 minute bus ride from Boraros ter and it's a wonderfully ramshackle sort of place--free entry, Saturday morning is the best time, bring cash, and they do love to haggle, which means writing down prices on a piece of paper. I never miss a chance to go there and always find oodles of the 1930s pottery I collect. Let me know if you'd like more detailed instructions.

Hi, Sarah! I sympathize! There are a lot of apartments available.

I second David’s suggestion (I know Andy manages a few 2 bedroom units but I have never stayed in one of them).

After that, I would extend my search to VI. Do your best to see if it is close to a metro or tram stop (watch out for terminology like “close to…”) - that is subjective. I prefer not to stay on Kiraly ut.

Only you know your acceptable budget but if you pick a few acceptable ones and post, we may be able to help with feedback.

Make sure it lists the registration number. Check for what floor it’s on and whether elevator is important. You may want a washing machine.

I look for a place for 1 so no personal experience with something larger.

You will want to stop and get your 15 day travel passes at the BKK office at the airport. Or if you and daughters will have data and you think paper passes might tend to get misplaced, you can buy them in the BudapestGo app ahead of time. You can also buy 100E bus tickets from the airport to Deak ferenc ter both ways. But with 3 people, a taxi directly to the apartment will be about $13-$15 more and might be a lot easier upon arrival.

Thanks so much everyone! Such great advice. Yes, Budapest. I'm really looking for guidance (suggestions) on particular neighborhoods. I'm concentrating on Districts 1 & 5. I know exactly what type of apartment I am looking for, just not sure which part of town I should be focusing on. Ideal budget is 100USD/night, (which seems easily attainable in both 1 & 5). The flea market sounds awesome, Christa! Sadly we arrive on a Saturday afternoon and depart on a Friday :(. I do have the Budapest Go app! I'll have to study it....
Thanks again!

District I is just going to be less convenient for sightseeing. But maybe you don’t intend to do regular sightseeing, and that’s ok also. Just remember it gets hilly quickly. I still suggest you add VI to your list of possibilities.

There are no real wrong answers, though, as long as you are near a tram or metro stop. Busses are also fine.

Yes, your budget is certainly adequate. :) There are so many options that, after I narrow down for location, price, elevator or not, washer, and bed arrangement (and legality), I sometimes choose based on color. Ha! I don’t want to spend a week somewhere if I hate the color scheme.

I also enjoy poking my head in the second hand clothing stores in Pest. Haven’t yet tried to find any in Buda.

District I is Buda. 30+ minutes on multiple forms of public transportation from 95% of the sights in Budapest.

District V has two ends. Down river from tge Chain Bridge is River Boat Tourist Land. Expensive, but good architecture but not much else if cultural value. Not a place not to live like a tourist. Up river from the bridge, fewer tourists and few connections to transportation but home to the Basilica and Parliament. Not really a place to not be a tourist and not terribly well connected to the attractions.

District VI within a few blocks of Andrassy ut and the M1 metro is the most convient. Get a block or two off Andrassy ut and you will be living the life.

The bare essential is you learn these:
M1 metro
47/49 Tram
2 Tram
They all interconnect or come close to interconnecting and the M1 which tuns under Andrassy ut ties it all together.

Tóalmás as in the town? An hour away by car or 90+ minutes by public transportation. I know a driver, PM me if you are interested.

BudapestGo App: works great if you are a tiny bit tech savy and understand the rules with clarity. Otherwise get a paper 15 day pass at tge airport when you arrive. You just show it if asked. No scanning, no phone to screw with.

But do download the app because it also tells you the schedules for all the transportation and suggest routes.

I'm expanding to District VI! Texas, I am the same about the "look" of a place! And functionality too, if all else is equal. Like if it is a pedestal sink in the bathroom (not useful for 3 women). I like the paper 15 day pass idea; would they still need to be validated? E, thank you for the offer for the driver contact. I may end up needing that! Also, thanks for the specific neighborhood advice.

No validating travel passes. Just carry and show when or if asked.