Best hostel in Budapest?

Why a hostel? Cost or the atmosphere? Or both? I'm not too familiar with the hostels in Budapest so let me just recommend a neighborhood. Find a map of Budapest and find Andrassy ut. Shouldn't be hard as it's the Avenue des Champs-Élysées of Budapest. Along that road you will find a Round intersection (and metro stop) named Kodály körönd. Draw a line from the Kodály körönd down the center of Andrassy ut and beyond until you hit the river. Now find a place to stay within a block north or two blocks south of the line. I prefer the south side of Andrassy ut as it put you closer to the Jewish Ghetto. This is a little larger zone than I usually recommend but it gets you to where I believe there are some very reasonable accommodations while still keeping you comfortably within what I think is the best zone in Budapest for a first time tourist. You should be able to find very nice accommodations in a hostel or small hotel in this area for 60 euro a night. The K&K Hotel which is adjacent to the Opera House on Andrassy usually goes for about 90 euro depending on the season and it's generally my first recommendation. You might also consider rental apartments which will run 40 euro and up depending on the size, location and time of the year. I also know that there are some good places behind the Opera House and one or two near Kodaly Korond but I have no personal experience with them. You are going to find better prices if you move further from the city, but Budapest is a very pedestrian town and it's a shame not to have it at your door step when you wake in the morning.

Andrassy ut besides being lovely in its own right lies above the M1 Metro (the oldest on the continent) which will help you stay connected to the rest of Budapest. It connects the bath house and the zoo at one end with the Danube embankment at the other end with the Opera House in the center. It's a small line, simple, unintimidating and sort of fun. Complete with Mario Brothers sound track when the cars leave the station.

James in Texas, Thanks so much for all that info. I copied and pasted it in my Budapest file for things to do and see. I like hostels for the economy and informal style and for the ease of joining groups if I wish to. Happy trails to you,
Frances

Hi, Right by the train station, Keleti pu, is a hostel. You might want to look into that one. I've not stayed there but it's handy if you want one close to the station. I travel mostly solo too.

Here is a Google Map link. There appear to be quite a few in the area i described. http://goo.gl/maps/l7syw If you find something interesting let me know and I can possibly tell you about the neighborhood, whats close, etc.

Frances, the other replies appear to recommend accommodations that are rather expensive, at least to my taste; so, if you are seeking less expensive accommodations that should be very acceptable to most travelers, I suggest that you google "International Youth Hostel" and search via the IYH maps for its hostels in Budapest. You will get many details about each hostel that will make you comfortable about reserving a place on a certain date. However, consider that you may be required to share a room with another person (in a two person room, if available). If you google "hostels in Budapest, Hungary" you will probably turn up other hostel organizations. They may have apartments that may be more suitable for your needs or, perhaps, a hostel in a more suitable location. I am curious as to why you choose the month of July to travel because my feeling is that the temperature should be quite warm and tourists tumbling all over each other. I wish you a good trip. Robert Nied, Jacksonville, Florida.

To James and All, I found the Mavrick Hostel and it looked very nice. I don't know about the neighborhood and would appreciate your feedback. I certainly do not mind sharing a dorm, I have done it before and it has been just fine with me. I am usually the oldest one in the room and and my experiences have been excellent.
Fran

Hi Robert, To answer your question about why July, well, it is when I am able to get away. About the heat and crowds, I can usually deal well with the warm temperatures and since I am an early riser, perhaps I can get to the sites while most are still brushing their teeth. ( I hope)
Fran

This is Budapest, there are times where there are more tourists than at other times but crowded (like Prague) never really happens except maybe on Vaci utca. The heat is an issue because there is very little air conditioning in Budapest; but the big letdown about a July visit is the Opera and the Operett are closed for the season. Good news is the Vajdahunyadvár Summer Festival is in mid July and the grand prix is in late July.

After I read your post James, I rushed to explore your suggestions only to find out that they begin after I leave Budapest. I only have 3 days there, from July 10 - 13 before I continue on with my vacation. Too bad for me.

Frances Things aren't planned very far in advance in Budapest for some reason. So planning for July can be tough until about April or May. The churches will have their usual concerts and there will be some sort of performance most nights at the Dominican Court at the Hilton Hotel. Check back with this website until they update to 2013: http://www.argosart.hu/nyarest_en.html . The Dominican Court is a really great outdoor venue. On July 12 the Budapest Symphony will be at the VAJDAHUNYADVÁR http://www.vajdahunyad.hu/english.asp . And every Friday night is Klezmer music night at Spinoza's (this is a lot of fun; http://www.spinozahaz.hu/rendezveny.php?lang=en The summer festival use to begin in June and run through August but they haven't updated their website yet. If you will contact me in April or May we can try and get an updated list of everything that will be going on during your stay.

James, you are the best....thanks