We are traveling to Budapest from Canada in mid-November. We will be there for three days in advance of our river cruise. What can we expect the weather to be like? Any special activities (other than the Christmas market) we should be focusing on? Appreciate any comments and recommendations.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
17917 posts
Mid-November, maybe we run into each other.
Weather? Maybe warmer than your hometown? 38 to 47 but dont be surprised by a 55+F day or a 30-F day. Rain even harder to predict but for the month 6 days with some rain. Mostly short lived and light and when you figure you are in bed a third of the day the odds of it messing up a visit are slight. Not bad for walking and sightseeing.
Other Activities?
Theater Arts are a big cultural activity in Budapest so look at the Hungarian State Opera, MUPA, Budapest Operett Theater, Franz Liszt Academy, Hungarian House of Music, Opus Jazz Club, Budapest Jazz Club to name a few.
Museums galore for every apatite.
One of the best selections of restaurants in Europe, some with live music (Gypsy and other), some with rather bizarre entertainment.
I think the sightseeing boats will be running on the Danube in mid-November (night cruise)
Wine Tasting in a number of venues.
Jewish History / Holocaust tours.
As for the standard fare for tourists I like the Eyewitness Guide Top 10 Budapest (Amazon).
Money:
The Hungarian Forint. Current exchange rate is about 408 ft to the US dollar. Some heavily tourist dependent shops will have prices in Euros and Forints. Never did the math but bet you a Soproni that the forint cost is cheaper
100 ft coin (looks identical to a 1 euro coin) is a US quarter.
200 ft coin (looks identical to a 2 euro coin) is a 50 cent piece
I will skip the smaller bills because it gets easy with the larger bills.
2.000 ft note is worth almost exactly $5 (thank you Zippy and Guzzi)
10.000 ft note is $25
20.000 ft note is $50.
Current exchange rate is about 300 ft to the Canadian which doesn't work as clean as the US dollar right now.
Spending Money:
Credit cards are almost universally accepted, except for many private guides and some other personal "service" providers.
Cash is also universally accepted and can be drawn from ATMs all over town. Do try when possible to use a Bank ATM the others charge a fee. Most bank ATM’s are in entry lobbies which are open after hours by swiping your credit card in the slot by the door. Any credit card or ATM card will work. Doors always swing in (I have seen people swiping and yanking and repeating until they walk away).
Restaurants
If you see a service charge on the bill you are too close to the tourist center. Otherwise, tips are not expected but when I pay in cash I generally let them keep the change up to about 2.000 ft.
Dinner starts at 7pm
Things to look for on the menu
World Class Hungarian Wine
Liver Pate
Goose
Duck
Stuffed Cabbage
Mangalica pork (big hairy Hungarian pig)
Carp Soup
Gulyás
Airport:
From the airport use the Taxi service for about $30US (kiosk outside the arrivals hall). To the airport use City Taxi (download their app), also for about $30. Plan on 45 minutes each way, but in reality its about 30 minutes. Taxi’s don’t expect tips but wont throw you out if you round it up or let them keep the change. Taxis all take credit cards too.
Basic Transportation
Download BudapestGO app to purchase TravelCards for using the metro, trams, busses, trollies, etc. All but the funicular.
Map out your day and ride the public transportation. Really simple with a TravelCard, you only show the app when asked.
Very cheap and very easy and the trams are even sort of fun.
Language:
Yes, No, thank you, goodbye, good morning, good day and good evening are fairly easy to say. Excuse me too. But, in Budapest, 75% of those under 40 will be somewhat functional in English. Maybe a third perfectly fluent. Hungarian is the first language of maybe 12 million Europeans so they have had to learn something else.
Crime and Safety
In the areas tourists go its as safe as anyplace in the world. Petty crime like pickpockets are rare (in 20 years never seen one, heard of one, or been a victim of one)
Posted by
WA State
3961 posts
We were in wonderful Budapest in 2019 and hired Timea Tarjani for a Jewish walking tour. She had been recommended by relatives who absolutely raved about her knowledge and passion. I have since recommended her to others who have enjoyed her tours. She can tailor to your preferences. Take a look at some recommendations: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/hungary/how-to-connect-with-a-private-tour-guide-in-budapest
Posted by
OP
Calgary, AB, Canada
15 posts
Thank you very much for all of this information. I can't wait for our trip.
Posted by
10 posts
Thank you, Mister E, for this valuable, detailed information and also to the others who have contributed. My friend and I will be arriving Nov. 18th, a couple days prior to beginning a river cruise. This sure helps with our planning! Mr. E, one of your previous posts had information about the airport, public transport, and more. Now you’ve filled in our evening with music! Thank you.
Posted by
Northern, New York
46 posts
Thank you Mister E, great information. Going to be there late November as well for a Viking cruise
BTW currently in New York but transplanted from Texas a year ago
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15582 posts
James, I arrive on the 1st and leave on the 6th. You are welcome to stay as long as you like after that :-)
Posted by
Northern, New York
46 posts
James, we will be in Budapest for several days and looking at maybe a day trip. Would you consider Szentendre? Or would you recommend something else. Also do you recommend a tour? Thanks
Posted by
Freedonia
15003 posts
I decided today to go to Budapest either late October or very early November. This thread convinced me.
Posted by
TX, USA
4078 posts
Well, I will just miss all of you by getting there too early…..
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
17917 posts
James, we will be in Budapest for several days and looking at maybe a
day trip. Would you consider Szentendre? Or would you recommend
something else. Also do you recommend a tour? Thanks
Rick, "several days" can mean a lot of things so for starters the basics in Budapest are three full days if you move at a fair pace. A full day is a day when you wake up and go to sleep in Budapest. So, if you have that or less than that, stay in town.
For a fourth or fifth full day, a trip to Szentendre is good. It appears you will be there in early December. It may be a bit chilly, but Budapest isn't as cold as some other locations. Because of the date the boat will not be running so it will be train up and train back. https://www.mav-hev.hu/sites/default/files/upload/file_attachment/2021-05/hev%20viteldij%20tablazat%20H5%202104.pdf The trip up to the point you reach Békásmegyer is a metro ticket or metro pass, beyond that you need a HEV ticket. You can buy them at the window in the Batthyány tér station; or use the vending machine. Just remember "Békásmegyer" to Szentendre is the ticket you will buy. PM me for details
Other options could be the Archabbey at Pannonhalma. A bit more work to reach. You have to take a train to Gyor then a taxi to the archabbey. Solid 2 to 2.5 hours to reach it, but a pretty amazing place. https://pannonhalmifoapatsag.hu/
If you are staying 6 days, then an overnight could be in order. For that Eger and Pecs are the two best options.
Oh dont forget its Christmas Market season, so a good half day would be to hit the market in Obuda. Obuda? There were three towns combined to form Budapest, the third being Obuda. Just upriver a piece from Buda.
Hope that helped.
oh and for those there in the next two months
Not sure of your interests, but here are two things going on soon
https://lisztunnep.hu/main
https://wineloversrendezvenyek.hu/bordoi-november/english