What is the most centrally located area to stay in

To me, the most centrally located area to stay is between the Jewish Quarter and Andrássy Avenue. You would be close to restaurants, metro, buses, tram, main attractions and nice areas to walk around. That’s where I stayed and would do it again.

Would you mind sharing the name of the hotel or apartment you stayed in? I'm not yet sure how to determine how to find a place specifically where you stayed since you stayed between two different areas.

The previous post is pretty much correct. But I would say anywhere within one or two blocks of Andrassy ut from the lower terminus (closest to the river) to an interesection called The Oktogon. This puts you on the M1 Metro line that will connect you to most everything in the city. Closer to "downtown" inside the inner loop road is a distrct called District V which is very heavily touristed and with a few exceptsions hasnt got much to see. I would stay off Kiraly utca and out of District VII (the old Jewish Quarter) because it is party central in the evening and can be sort of loud. But great to visit in the day time

First, I would say that an apartment might actually be cheaper and would give you more space (although you will certainly find small studio apartments). It would also give you the opportunity to cook, have coffee, etc. in your own space.

Definitely stay in Pest and stay near a tram, bus, or metro stop. Andrassy ut is good to use as a guideline. Most apartments seem to be listed on Air BnB, as opposed to other platforms. Be sure it has a registration number listed, so that you know it is legal.

If you prefer a hotel, you will find lists of recommendations in previous posts. .

Edit: writing at the same time as Mr.É.

The apartment has a full bed (maybe queen), a good sized sofa (not sure if sofa bed) and then there’s another bed inside the bathroom (weird, but true). It’s also inside a courtyard so although it’s in a street with lots of activity the apartment is pretty quiet.

https://www.booking.com/Share-wlqpudm

Thanks for sharing Marco...

I did find an apartment that is 656 feet from St. Stephens Basilica and 1969 feet from the State Opera house (I'm quoting from the online description) so that sounds good to me. The only thing is the nearest metro station is at Arany János Utca, on line M3, and is 1640 feet away. Not sure if the M3 is a good line as I know someone suggested it would be best to be near the M1?

Forgot to add that I can't tell from the description whether it is near Andrassy ut and I have to confess I don't know what Andrassy ut is as I've just started my research.

TexasTravelMom, I just read some reviews and the apartment I'm looking at is in Pest!

You need to go to Google maps. Andrassy ut (ut = Blvd ot avenue) is sort of the Champs-Élysées of Budapest and it connects the City Park, Heroes Square, City Ice Rink Pond, House of Terror, Opera House to the rest of the city sights.

The M1, the oldest metro on the continent runs directly under the street and extends on to Deak Ferenc ter where you get a tram to the Great Synagogue anf Market Hall and then it extends to near the Danube River where another tram will tale you to the Parliament and Market Hall.

That's why it's convenient to stay close to Andrassy ut.

If you see any flats you like, list them here and maybe I will know the location and be able to tell you how convenient, etc it is. If not me maybe someone else will know.

Also, don’t stress too much. (Just my opinion)

Make sure the apartment is legal; either has an elevator or is up the amount of stairs you can live with; has the facilities you want (washing machine?); is a price you want; has a good cancellation policy; and read reviews carefully for reference to noise levels. Look at a map and see where that closest metro station is - that will help you determine location. If everyone is fit, a 15 minute walk every time you go out might get old, but isn’t that big a deal when you have more than a few nights. There are optimum locations but there are also plenty of “just fine” locations. Budapest is safe and public transportation is good, so you don’t have to worry about that if walking or riding trams home after a late dinner after dark.

We have another RS type who found a nice flat across the inner loop and down about a4 min walk from the end of Andrassy which puts it closer to the shops and restaurants off the Basillica side streets. That good too. District V is fine if you want higher end tourism. As long as you can get to Deak Fernec ter easily you are good. That's sort of tge equal distant point to all the sights in Pest. My first recommendation is my bias for what I enjoy in down time. Strolls on a beautiful avenue, wine and good food. Tge only strong anti bias I have is against District VI cause I don't like the all night bars and the drunk kids they attract.

Hi all, Thank you for getting me up to speed on Andrassy ut!

Here is the link to the place we are considering: https://ice-breaker-apartment.budapest-apartments.org/en/

I looks to be about a mile from Andrassy Ave. but lists the following attractions that are nearby:

Opera House Budapest
600 m
Central European University
150 m
Citadel
1.6 km
Bust of Ferenc Salamon
350 m
Liberty Square
350 m
Andrassy Avenue
1.7 km
Bank Center
250 m
St. Stephen's Basilica
200 m
Szabadsag Square
350 m

That’s a really nice apartment and the location is great.. I think I like it better than the on I stayed in.

Thanks for your feedback Marco!

Frim the pictures, i know where it is. Nice. But the description is sort of messed up. The Opeea House is on Andrassy ut so the distances dont make sense. But its only about a five minute walk at most.

I know, i tend to beat these things too hard. You are in the most beautiful and interesting capital city in Europe, what else really matters?

Ok well that sounds like an endorsement for the location! Thanks for weighing in. Even though it's not on Andasst ut it sounds like it's close enough and still in a central location.

Yup. It's fine. But do get a travelcard.

Thanks Everyone! You've all been incredibly helpful. My RS Vienna and Budapest books just arrived so I plan to do a deeper dive into both places over the weekend. Just wanted to get the hotel/apartment lined up quickly as I know we are going during a busy time of year.

We were in Budapest a couple of weeks ago and, on the advice of Mr E, decided to stay in the Ocktagon area over the Jewish Quarter, - and it was great advice. The apartment we used is on VRBO, and is called "Oktogon/Andrassy Grand Luxury Apartment, private courtyard". It was in a characteristic older building, on the first floor (about 7-8 steps to climb), and spotless. If you look at the pictures you will notice that it has a big 80's style tub, which was kind of funny but fine. It has a King bed plus a loft with twins, which would work well for a group your size. We were at the Oktogon Metro within about 5-7 minute walk.

It was in a characteristic older building, on the first floor (about
7-8 steps to climb),

First Floor or Ground Flòor?

Ok Mr. E and anyone else familiar with Budapest, now I'm a little torn...

Would you recommend the place CW just mentioned or the one I found? They both seem great but location and a helpful host are most important to us.

Thank you in advance!

Oh and we'd also like to be near good restaurants.

CW's based on location alone. Other than that i know nothing about it. But both are well located. CWs is just in an area i enjoy a bit more. Andrassy ut is the most beautiful avenue in the most beautiful city. Plenty to do in the evenings to explore or unwind and relax.

Actually CW, I was able to locate the apartment but when I plugged in dates, the apartment disappeared and VRBO's list of various Budapest apartments came up. Did you have this problem?

On Booking.com, I plug in dates and I'm able to determine price and availability without being redirected. Am I perhaps doing something wrong when I search?

Thank you again Mr. E