Which apartment in Budapest?

I like the location of the second slightly more. It's nearer to Andrassy Avenue, the Chain Bridge, St. Stephen's Basilica, and the Opera House. If I recall correctly, there's a great breakfast place in that semi-covered shopping area in the exterior photo. Yes! I found it. Cafe Vian. We usually ate at the one on Liszt Ferenc Ter, but we ate at the one near this apartment once, also, on our way to the Great Synagogue.

The other location is convenient, too, but, I think, might be a little bit busier with tourists. That's not always a bad thing--areas are popular for a reason--but I remember a really ticky, tacky pedestrian street (Vaci Utca) lined with souvenir shops right near there. (It's been a decade, so take that with a grain of salt, and maybe this would be something you'd enjoy, even though I did not.) If you look on the map, it's nearer to McDonald's, Hard Rock Cafe, Madame Tussaud's, Buddy's Burger, Zara, etc. If I recall correctly, it's also nearer to The Great Synagogue, the big market hall, and the Gellert Baths, though.

That said, I think you can't go wrong with either one, and the locations are not that far apart.

Thanks so much! That’s really helpful! I will sit with this for a while before making a decision but I do remember the RS poster who stayed at the second one thought it was a great place to stay.

Okay the first one, in the photographs shows the Inner City Church (pretty sure thats the tower, but not 1000% sure), so I thought the apartment is about here. https://maps.app.goo.gl/mfvN37HjmpXWmC9k9

But then I found this listing for it: https://www.onlinereservations.ai/property/designer-dream-home-with-balcony-at-vaci-street/BC-11026379 Which has map location. "At Vaci Street" apparenly wasnt meant to be "ON Vaci Street" or even "NEAR Vaci Street". No, I would look else where because of location and because of marketing.

Thanks so much, MR Ê.

I appreciate those concerns about misrepresentation. On the other hand, I just discovered that the second apartment faces an inner courtyard. I’d like to face a street and see activity or have a view of some kind. It doesn’t have to be a dramatic view but I like to see a bit of urban life. We’re there for a week so I’m not sure I’d want an inner courtyard view for the entire time. I’d find it depressing.

The second one is in one of the buildings that forms a passageway through some buildings from the Kiraly utca and the Party District to Pauly Ede utca. The balcony appears to be to a central courtyard, so no great views. But at least it doesnt face Kiraly utca and thats good. From the Pauly Ede side of the passagway it you go one more block you are on Andrassy ut. But not on Andrassy ut where there is much to see or do. Still not too terribly far from Deak Ferenc ter which is the hub for tourism public transportation, so thats not bad. If you have any other choices a few blocks further up Andrassy ut, even a block or two off Andrassy ut, those would be worth investigating before you decide.

The first one is not near anythng of great interest or transportation (trams). If you can find somehting closer to the Opera House you wont need the balcony because you will be able to walk out the door and be a part of it. Lovely area.

Thanks so much. I’ll keep looking.

A couple years ago we stayed at this apartment and highly recommend it. The location is great and has a wonderful view of the river.
https://www.airbnb.com/trips/v1/reservation-details/ro/RESERVATION2_CHECKIN/HMBFQNDJA5

Maybe TexasTravelMom will chime in. Her last hand full of trips here she had a different apartment each time and all the locations were very good.

charylm, The link doesn’t work but I’d love to see what you recommend. Would you mind reposting the link or write out the name of the place?

MR Ê, I hope TexasTravelMom sees this! In the meantime, I’ll scour her posts and see where she has stayed and liked.

Well, I am pretty useless because I travel solo and look for places smaller than either of the two you have linked. And my favorite isn’t scheduling next year yet, nor several others in District VI I have saved to keep an eye on. I’ve stayed in a couple that were perfectly fine but I wouldn’t be recommending (for small picky things).

The second you linked was posted by Geoff - and I figure it was a pretty solid recommendation. He travels a lot so has comparisons. Between the two, I would probably choose it just because of that.

But lodging is so individual that it’s hard to make recommendations for someone else. Make sure they have air con, a washer, an elevator (if it’s on an upper floor), (a coffeemaker if you are me), and do your best to figure out how close to public transportation it is, if possible. Read reviews carefully for mentions of noise. But the truth is, if it’s your first time and you like the inside, you probably won’t know any better and it will most likely be fine.

Well, something else just crosses my mind and i feel silly. I am suggesting you look up Andrassy ut. Andrassy ut is District VI and District VI has banned short term rentals starting in January. There is still one small chance that will be overturned but I would avoid the risk of losing your reservation.

So where? District V where your first choice with the balcony is located. But I would try and find a place closer to transportation. Look for the 47/49 and the 2 tram or a metro stop. District VII but you need to be real careful to avoid the lower end where the parties go on. Above no. 45 should be okay. Along the 4/6 tram line in Dustrict VII also maybe not bad.

If you are doing the Airbnb because you hsve a group or family, a couple of hotels have family rooms. The Medosz is one that is well located and inexpensive.

Any you find, if you post here I can maybe tell you about the location. Oh, the second one you listed above, its in District VI too.

Paulesue this is the site for the apartment we rented. The manager has two apartments at the location.

https://www.airbnb.ca/rooms/42481853?source_impression_id=p3_1764599564_P3EAYg-NJeCUvNqT

Looks absolutey lovely.

Thanks so much, everyone! I’m more than a little overwhelmed by the options and have already decided against the 2 places I’ve listed. I’ve found a couple of others that are not in ideal locations but still within walking distance.

charylm, that apartment and rhe 2 others she has are stunning. Sadly, they don’t have availability for the week we are there. I’ll keep trying!

MR Ê, thank you for the information about the short term rentals in the VI. I saw that mentioned elsewhere but will be mindful of that. I don’t want to have a place pulled out from under me!

again, if you post the ones you are looking at here, there is a pretty fair chance I can tell you about the neighborhood and transportation.

There is 100% chance Mr. E can tell you where it is and how it will be. He was great to help us when we were looking in May of 2023. We were originally going to stay at this AirBnb, but they cancelled due to death in their family: ★SUSU★ Sauna | CeilingCooler | FloorHeater |♡of DT - Condominiums for Rent in Budapest, Hungary - Airbnb

So we ended up staying here, right across from the Synagogue. Near transportation, was quiet, lovely view from main bedroom of synagogue and 2 other bedrooms, one of which overlooked a very pretty inner courtyard that our daughter loved. It looks like it now has a 4 night minimum (which works for you). When we were there, we stayed for 3 nights and the nightly price was lower!
Grand Synagogue Luxury Home In The Very Center - Apartments for Rent in Budapest, Hungary - Airbnb

Here is my trip report. You will love Budapest...LMK if you have any questions after reading my report.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/trip-report-3-days-in-budapest-may-2023-part-one
LMK if you have any questions after reading my report.
Joanne

Not sure why my links to AirBnB's not working...I will try again.

1. This is the one we had booked but host had to cancel. It is located near the river boats, fashion area..close to all but we loved being by the synagogue: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/24088206?source_impression_id=p3_1764817702_P3u5nzcbE_lZcqIv

This is the one we actually stayed in near the synagogue and really liked. The host was very responsive and helpful.
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/15579171?source_impression_id=p3_1764817828_P3OeY_DAvmSKgstz&check_in=2026-05-19&guests=1&adults=1&check_out=2026-05-23

Joanne

ronjo, very sweet. I looked at an apartment in the same building about 15 years ago; almost bought it. Nice place. Best thing is it puts you on the 47/49 tram that will, with one change, get you to most anyplace a tourist goes in Pest.

Gorgeous apartment, ronjo, though a little more than I want to spend for just the 2 of us.
I’ll post the links of places I’ve found but some how, I’m not sure I like any of them! I’m probably overthinking it, but for a week’s stay, I do get a bit fussy, I admit.

I think I’ve got it!

https://www.airbnb.com/l/z7rqgmsI

Looks nice and the location id pretty good.

Thank you MR Ê!

It ticks most of my boxes - good location, comfortable apartment, nice view, and a small terrace. So I thank everyone for their suggestions and recommendations.

Joanne, I haven’t looked at your TR yet but it looks like it’ll be one I’ll be reading carefully!