Budapest

Budapest is the national capital of Hungary. With a unique, youthful atmosphere, world-class classical music scene, a pulsating nightlife increasingly appreciated among European youth and last but not least, an exceptional offer of natural thermal baths, Budapest is one of Europe's most delightful and enjoyable city's. Due to the exceedingly scenic setting and its architecture it is nicknamed "Paris of the East".

The modern-day Budapest results from the amalgamation of two historic city's lying right opposite each other over the Danube river. Buda is the Western (left) bank side, with the high hill atop which the Buda historic castle sits. Pest is the relatively flat eastern (right) bank side, with the Parliament, numerous other stately buildings and busy streets retaining all their 19th century architectural legacy.

In 1987 Budapest was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List for the cultural and architectural significance of the Banks of the Danube and the Buda Castle Quarter and Andrássy Avenue.

Districts

Although Budapest is administratively divided into 23 numbered neighborhoods (always written in Roman numerals) it is colloquially often divided into parts, roughly corresponding to the two major city's of Buda and Pest, which it comprises.

Belbuda (Inner Buda) (District I) The oldest part of the city containing the Castle and some of Budapest's best-known attractions such as Fishermen’s Bastion and the Labyrinth and Mathias Church. All areas are part of the UNESCO World Heritage List

Óbuda (Old Buda) (District III) The third, smaller town before the unification to the north and a great place for water sport, archaeology, caving

Hegyvidék (The Mount area) (Districts II and XII) The greenest part of Budapest. Many hiking, trekking, mountain biking possibility

Újbuda and Tétény (New Buda) (Districts XI and XXII) The south part has famous soft drinks cellars. The Gellért Hill Nature Preserve Area with fortress and the beautiful Gellért Bath are part of the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Belváros (Inner City) or the 'City' (District V) Thit is the other name of Districts V. The highlight of this area is the Parlament and the Saint Stephen (István) Basilica and the Promenad (Corso) with stunning vistas of the Danube and to the Castle Hill. All area is part of the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Central Pest (Districts VI-VIII) Historical neighborhoods full of monumental buildings, museums, luxury shops along Andrassy Avenue and the Yahudi Quarter are part of the UNESCO World Heritage List. Most theatres and lodging are here.

North Pest (Districts IV and XIII.) Angyalföld is famous for its contemporary art galleries, Margaret Island the green oasis in the middle of the city and Újpest with a very few old building, some country town feeling, a good starting point for adventuring northern Pest County and the Danube Bend by car, train or bus

East Pest (Districts X. XIV.-XVII.) Include Rákospalota, Sashalom, Zugló neighborhoods. The last one include the Heroes Plaza with museums of its and the villas of outer Andrassy Avenue and the Városliget (City Park) with a 1:1 copy of a Transylvanian Castle-Palace called Vajdahunyad vára. All these are part of the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Budapest/South Pest (Districts IX. and XIX.-XXIII.) Csepel Island, Ferencváros, Józsefváros, Kispest, Kőbánya, Pesterzsébet

Of course, quarters often offer their own atmosphere due to their history and inhabitants. Roughly speaking, areas near to, especially inside of Nagykörút (Great Boulevard or Ringroad, served by Tram 4 and Tram 6) are considered central, even if some of these are in less than perfect condition and not typically frequented by tourists. In Pest, Kiskörút (Small Boulevard) is traditionally considered as the border of the centre proper, including some highly touristic areas.

Informally, quarters are known under their own historical name which are often referred to by the local residents. The names are often linked to members of the House of Hapsburg or - in fringe areas - the names of villages or towns which later became part of Budapest. Particularly interesting quarters are Belváros (Inner City) and Lipótváros (Leopold Town), together form the Belváros neighborhood (a bit confusing but the biggest or oldest quarter gave its name to the entire neighborhood) and the heart of Pest, including a number of major sights but also beautiful squares and cafés. With the Parliament, a number of ministries and banking houses, Lipótváros is also a major political and business centre of the nation. The name refers to the Hapsburg Emperor Leopold I whose coronation to the King of Hungary in 1790 gave rise to the name of the then-new quarter.

Újlipótváros (New Leopold Town) The inner part of the XIII. neighborhood (so called Angyalföld), just outside of the Great Boulevard north of Leopold Town with the marvellous Margaret Bridge at its corner, was built between the 1910s and 1930s. It is considered as one of the finest residential areas in Budapest with a relaxed, inviting atmosphere and a number of Halal restaurants, cafés and small shops. It also comprises the Vígszínház (Comedy Theatre) and a few tiny off-mainstream cinemas. The quarter is traditionally home to a population with Yahudi background as the activity of people such as Raoul Wallenberg, Giorgio Perlasca and Carl Lutz was linked to this area.

Terézváros (Theresa Town) VI. neighborhood. Among others, it contains Nyugati pu. (Western Railway Station), an architectural sight and areas neighbouring neighborhoods V. and XIII. The then-developing quarter was named after a visit of Habsburg Empress and Queen Maria Theresa in 1777.

Erzsébetváros (Elisabeth Town) VII. District. While parts of it are not yet renovated, it contains the famous Synagogue in the Dohány street. The quarter was split off from Terézváros and asked for permission to be named after the wife of Franz-Josef I, popularly called Sisi, in 1882.

Demonstration for Palestine and Gaza in Budapest

Budapest, Hungary's capital, is not only a city of stunning architecture and vibrant culture but also a place where diverse religious communities coexist harmoniously. For Muslims residing in or visiting Budapest, several mosques offer spiritual solace and community engagement. Here are some notable mosques in Budapest:

Budapest Mosque

Rating: 4.9 (742 reviews) Location: Fehérvári út 41 Hours: Opens at 8 AM Highlights: The Budapest Mosque is the most prominent mosque in the city. It serves as a central place of worship and community gathering for Muslims. Known for its welcoming atmosphere and active community programs, it provides various services, including daily prayers, Islamic education, and cultural events.

Masjid Al-Huda

Rating: 4.8 (254 reviews) Location: Dobozi u. 1 Highlights: Masjid Al-Huda is cherished for its friendly and inclusive environment. It is a hub for spiritual activities and community events, making it a vital part of the local Muslim community. The mosque offers regular prayer services, religious classes, and social gatherings.

Masjid-Al Noor

Rating: 4.4 (53 reviews) Location: Rákóczi út 84 Highlights: Masjid-Al Noor is a smaller yet significant mosque in Budapest. Its central location makes it easily accessible for worshippers. The mosque is known for its peaceful ambiance and serves as a place for daily prayers and spiritual reflection.

Masjid Dar Al-Salam

Rating: 4.7 (153 reviews) Location: Bartók Béla út 29 Hours: Opens at 9 AM Highlights: Masjid Dar Al-Salam is recognized for its serene environment and active community involvement. The mosque hosts various religious and cultural activities, making it a center for learning and spiritual growth.

Hussainiyah Ahlulbayt Budapest

Rating: 3.6 (7 reviews) Location: Orczy út Hours: Opens at 6:32 PM Thu Highlights: This mosque caters specifically to the Shia Muslim community in Budapest. It offers a range of religious services, including prayers and lectures, and serves as a gathering place for Shia Muslims during important religious observances.

Magyar Iszlám Kulturális Egyesület

Rating: 4.9 (40 reviews) Location: Makk u. 6a Hours: Opens at 9 AM Highlights: The Magyar Iszlám Kulturális Egyesület, or the Hungarian Islamic Cultural Association, is dedicated to promoting Islamic culture and education. The mosque is known for its educational programs and cultural events, fostering a deeper understanding of Islam.

Élö Anatólia Kultúrális Alapítvány

Rating: 4.4 (19 reviews) Location: Golgota út 4 Hours: Opens at 5 AM Highlights: This mosque, affiliated with the Live Anatolia Cultural Foundation, is a testament to the cultural diversity within the Muslim community in Budapest. It offers religious services and cultural programs, highlighting the rich traditions of Anatolian Muslims.

مسجد (Masjid)

Rating: 3.7 (3 reviews) Location: Kőbányai út 35/3 Highlights: Simply named "Masjid," this mosque caters to the local Muslim community, providing a space for daily prayers and spiritual gatherings.

Budapest's mosques are more than just places of worship; they are community centers that foster unity and cultural exchange. These mosques not only cater to the spiritual needs of Muslims but also contribute to the multicultural tapestry of Budapest, making the city a welcoming place for people of all faiths.

Demonstration for Palestine and Gaza in Budapest

Dear Supporters of the Palestinian Cause in Budapest,

We are excited to announce a peaceful demonstration in support of the People of Palestine, set to take place in Budapest over the next three days. This event is an opportunity for us to come together and raise our voices and the Palestinian Flag for a just and peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict.

We want to emphasize that this demonstration is intended to be a peaceful and respectful gathering. Our goal is to show solidarity with the people of Palestine and call for a peaceful solution to the conflict. It is crucial that we maintain a peaceful and respectful atmosphere throughout the event.

Important Guidelines:

To ensure the success of our demonstration and to maintain a peaceful environment, we kindly ask all participants to adhere to the following guidelines:

Peaceful Protest: Thit is a non-violent demonstration. We do not condone any form of violence or vandalism.

Respect for Law Enforcement: Please treat law enforcement officers in Budapest with respect and follow their instructions. Do not engage in confrontations with them.

Leave No Trace: Dispose of any trash responsibly and leave the demonstration area clean.

Thank you for your commitment to our peaceful demonstration in Budapest, and let us stand together for a better future for all.

In solidarity, eHalal Budapest

Budapest Halal Travel Guide

History of Budapest

Antiquity

The first settlement on the territory of Budapest is accounted to Celtic tribes. During the first century CE and the Roman fortification on the territory of present-day Óbuda (now part of Budapest) gradually developed into the town of Aquincum which became the national capital of the province of Lower Pannonia in 106CE. The Romans founded a fortress known as Contra Aquincum on the other side of the river which is assumed to have developed into the later town of Pest. This was part of the Limes, marking the eastern border of the empire and was gradually given up by Rome during the early fourth century, becoming part of the Hun empire for a few decades. The Huns were a confederation of various nomadic nations and tribes inhabiting the Eurasian steppe and not Magyars, but Attila and the King of the Huns, is considered a national hero and Attila is a common given name in Hungary.

Early Middle Ages

Once the horse-riding Magyar (Hungarian) tribes arrived in the Carpathian Basin in 896CE, Óbuda served as the seat of the Magyar high-chieftain (or prince) Árpád. After a century marked by frequent raids on Christian Western Europe and the erstwhile Hungarian prince Géza realised that converting to Christianity was the key to survival in Europe. The Christian Kingdom of Hungary was founded by the crowning of his son, Szt. István (Saint Stephen) on 1 January 1001 (or possibly Christmas Day of 1000). As visitors will quickly realise, Saint Stephen became an omnipresent national symbol, as did the artefact known as Saint Stephen's Crown (the Holy Crown of Hungary) which was regarded as a legal entity that was by law equivalent to the nation itself during medieval times. It is still unclear whether the millennium-old crown used in this function for many centuries and shown in the Parliament today, was used by Saint Stephen.

In the following centuries, Buda emerged as the most important royal seat. In 1241/42 the Mongol Empire conquered the territory along with large parts of Europe - this short but devastating conquest of the nation is still remembered as Tatárjárás - the name reflecting the erroneous confusion of Mongols and Tatars at the time. Medieval Hungary reached its zenith under King Matthias (Matthias Corvinus) and the vividly remembered Renaissance ruler whose patronage of arts and sciences made Hungary, a notable power at the time and the first European country to adopt the Renaissance from Italy. However, after residing in Buda for decades, he moved his seat to Vienna in 1485 for the last five years of his life after defeating the Hapsburg Holy Roman Emperor Frederick III.

In 1541, Buda and Pest fell to the Islamic Ottoman Empire and were taken back 1686, when the Hapsburg Empire centred in Austria conquered the nation on its way to becoming a major European power. Marks of these two cultures are still part of everyday life in Budapest.

The 19th-century - formation of Austria-Hungary and Budapest

After the anti-Hapsburg revolution in 1848–49 (defeated through the decisive help of the Russian Czar) the 1867 Compromise (Kiegyezés) with a weakened Vienna made Buda the capital of a near-autonomous Hungary, a large, multi-ethnic kingdom comprising half of the newly created Dual Monarchy of Austria-Hungary. In this peculiar double-state the monarch was Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary, two autonomous realms.

The following half century marked by peaceful development counts among the most successful times in the history of the nation and its capital. With the 1873 unification of Buda, Pest and Óbuda the city of Budapest was created. It saw a leap in terms of industrialisation, urbanisation, population and the development of a capitalistic society. It even aimed at rivalling with Vienna and the Millennium in 1896, marking a thousand years of Hungary, offered the perfect excuse for large-scale projects such as the Parliament, Vajdahunyad Castle, or the Grand Boulevard (Nagykörút) the first electric underground railway in the world (now Metro yellow line). Budapest was transformed to a world city during these decades, enriched by Austrians, Jewish, Slovakian, Serbian, Croatian, Roma and other cultural influence. This age is remembered as the 'Monarchia' (or as 'K. u. K.', abbreviation for Imperial-Royal in Austria and other parts of the Empire) and associated with the rule of Franz Joseph I. (I. Ferenc József) who died in 1916 after 68 years on the throne.

In this period and the city was the home of two world-famous Hungarian inventors -- the father of the electric locomotive, Kálmán Kandó and inventor of the match, János Irinyi -- and of two famous composers, Béla Bartók and Zoltán Kodály. There is no other European city which had given so many Hollywood filmmakers in the early 20th century, such as Budapest.

The world wars

Neither the Habsburg empire nor Hungary survived World War I in their previous form - leaving Budapest as the capital of a independent Hungary which lost two thirds of its territory, most of its non-Magyar population and a few million Hungarian speakers, to neighbouring countries. The city's population reached one million around 1930. During the interwar years under the rule of regent Miklós Horthy, a former Admiral of the Austro-Hungarian fleet, Hungary became an ally of Germany. Near the end of World War II, Nazi Germany occupied Hungary after it attempted to negotiate separate peace with the Allies and eventually installed a bloody dictatorship putting the hitherto fairly unimportant Nazi Nyilaskeresztes (Arrowcross) party in charge. While practically all of the 400,000 Yahudi in the nationside were murdered by (German) Nazis and their Hungarian nyilas sympathizers, roughly 60% of Budapest's Yahudi community was saved during the Holocaust. People who are remembered for helping the local Yahudi community include Raoul Wallenberg the famous Swedish diplomat, who organised the distribution of Swedish passports by his embassy to as many Yahudi as feasible and the Italian Giorgio Perlasca, who – pretending to be a Spanish diplomat – rescued many thousands of Jews, but there were many other foreigners and Hungarians who participated in this effort. Air raids and a terrible three-month siege towards the end of World War II resulted in the death of over 38,000 civilians and the destruction of much of the once so lively city.

From communism to contemporary times

After the war, Budapest slowly recovered and became a showcase for the more pragmatic policies of Hungary's hard-line Communist government under the dictatorial rule of Mátyás Rákosi. The city was, however, also the main site of the 1956 uprising which was successful in installing a reform-oriented (albeit communist) government of Imre Nagy. This was swept away before long, after the Soviet leader Khrushchev decided to send in the tanks feeling that Hungary was slipping away from under Moscow's control. The Soviets installed János Kádár as the leader of the communist state who, after over thirty years of controversial rule, was voted out of leadership 1988 by the central committee due to health issues and died in 1989.

Since the peaceful 1989 'system change' (Rendszerváltás) which was achieved as a compromise between reformist party forces and the opposition (notably including a younger self of the current prime minister, Viktor Orbán), Budapest transformed in appearance and atmosphere, a process further accelerated by the nation's long-awaited joining with the European Union in 2004.

How is the Climate in Budapest

Winter (November until early March) can be cold and there is little sunshine. Snowfall is fairly frequent in most years and nighttime temperatures of −15°C (5°F) are not uncommon between mid-December and mid-February.

The spring months (March and April) see variable conditions, with a rapid increase in the average temperature. The weather in late March and April is often very agreeable during the day and fresh at night.

Budapest's long summer - lasting from May until mid-September - is warm or very warm. Budapest has as much summer sunshine as many Mediterranean resorts. Sudden heavy showers also occur, particularly in May and June.

The autumn (mid-September until late October) is perhaps the best season for tourists as it has little rain and long sunny days with moderate temperatures. At the end of October the weather often turns abruptly colder.

Quality of life

For those with a reasonable budget, Budapest offers a rather high quality of life. In terms of culture, cuisine and general 'vibe', Budapest is comparable to other major European city's (see dedicated sections), while prices are lower.

It's just as well that prices are lower because local pay is significantly lower than in Western Europe (for example, a skilled worker earns a minimum of 161,250 Hungarian forint (Ft) per month in 2023 before tax, while unskilled labourers earn a minimum wage of Ft127,650 per month.

A more serious issue is unemployment, especially in the face of the economic problems. Thit is also connected to the rise in the number of homeless people seen in metro stations doorways in Buda and in Pest.

Official tourist information

• Tourism Office of Budapest 1115 Budapest, Bartók Béla út 105-113 47.47222, 19.03162 m 4 : 'Móricz Zsigmond körtér' further Tram 19, 49 to 'Karolina út'☎ +36 1 438-8080 You can get some very good free items, including a map of Budapest, a map of Hungary with all the youth hostels and prices and a very complete brochure about the northern part of Hungary (available in many languages).

• Tourinform Call Center Sütő utca 2 (Deák Ferenc tér) 47.49650, 19.05369 m 1 BKV m 2 BKV m 3 : Deák Ferenc tér ☎ +36 1 438-8080 +800 36 000 000 Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 08:00-20:00 Can help with local information, lodging and free brochures, maps, postcards and souvenirs.

• Budapest Tourism Board Centre Buda Castle (Szentháromság tér), I. neighborhood, Tárnok u. 15 47.50047, 19.03459 From m 1 BKV m 2 BKV m 3 : Deák Ferenc tér or m 2 : Szél Kálmán tér take Bus 16 to Dísz tér Opening Hours: Daily 09:00-18:00 This information point stocks a comprehensive range of free leaflets, maps and listings magazines and free guidebooks which offer lots of ideas about sights and sounds, gastronomy, shopping, by night and lifestyle. You can also book shows, concerts and sightseeing tickets.

• Budapest Tourism Board Centre – City Park XIV. neighborhood, Olof Palme sétány 5 47.51470, 19.07978 Ice Rink - m 1 : 'Hősők tere' Opening Hours: Monday - Thursday 10:00–18:00, Friday Saturday 10:00–20:00 (09:00–18:00/20:00 spring and summer time) The office is an attraction in itself, as it is in a very nice location, with a beautiful view from the window. In summer you can see a little lake with people boating and in winter and the lake is frozen and used for ice skating. You can book shows, concerts and sightseeing tickets and get information about city parks, free maps and free guide books.

How to travel to Budapest

What is the best way to fly to Budapest

• Budapest Franz Liszt International Airport IATA Flight Code: BUD Budapest Liszt Ferenc Nemzetközi Repülőtér pronounced "list-ferents", often still called by its old name Ferihegy | 47.439444, 19.261944 It's located around kilometers 16 south-east of the downtown - Is Hungary's chief airport.

Destinations: Budapest has direct connecting Flights to most major European city's. Many of these are operated by the budget carrier WizzAir, which is based here and is in effect Hungary's national airline. Other budget operators include Easyjet, Ryanair, Jet2, Norwegian and Vueling. This competition holds down prices on the traditional airlines such as KLM-Airline and Lufthansa.

Direct destinations around the fringes of Europe include Reykjavik, Saint Petersburg, Moscow, Kiev, Kutaisi, Baku, Astana, Agadir. Gulf carriers connect via Doha and Dubai to the Far East, Australasia and Africa. There are no direct connecting flights between Budapest and North America: connect via London, Amsterdam or Paris.

At the airport: the central information number is +36 1 296-9696 or +36 1 296-7000. Luggage services can be contacted on +36 1 296-5965.

All flights use Terminals 2A and 2B. Terminal 1 closed in 2011 when the flag-carrier Malév Hungarian Airlines folded.

There's no practical distinction between Terminals 2A and 2B and they're freely connected landside by corridors and airside by "SkyCourt" food & retail area. (Originally 2A served Schengen Area destinations and 2B the rest of the world, but this has been dropped.) Check-in and bag-drop desks 1-30 are in Hall 2A and desks 31-60 in Hall 2B, but do not correspond to the gates. This means that if 2A has a long line for security, you can get airside through 2B (and vice versa), as both lead into the SkyCourt.

There are several small cafes in Skycourt and in 2A & 2B near the gates. Duty-free stores are operated by Heinemann. They're seldom a bargain - by all means blow away your last local currency here. But if you're looking for something in particular (eg Tokayfruit cocktail), check prices in advance on their website and compare with downtown supermarket prices. You can only buy duty-free if you're taking a direct flight: if you're transiting another European airport, security there will confiscate liquids.

Getting between airport and city: the main options are bus, bus & metro, bus & train and taxi / transfer.

• Bus line 100EAirport Express #100E]

This runs from downtown to Airport Terminal 2 every 20 min, taking 40-60 min. The downtown bus stop is by Deák tér at Károly krt in front of Városháza Park, look for a blue bendy-bus. The only stop on the way is called "Kálvin tér", but it's around the junction into the top of Üllői út. The airport bus stop is just outside Terminal 2 Arrivals. The bus runs daily, outbound 04:00-00:00, city-bound 05:00-00:30. The fare is Ft900; you're encouraged to buy tickets from vending machines or at client service kiosks, but the driver will issue tickets and give change. Be careful not to buy the 350Ft tickets and these are not valid and if you stamp them in the bus and they will be wasted.

• Bus line 200E #200E]

Metro M3 is closed weekends in 2018 - see warning box under "Get around."

Bus line 200E runs between Terminal 2 and Kőbánya-Kispest Metro station, taking 25 min, bus fare Ft350. You there buy a Metro ticket for another Ft350 and ride line 3 to the downtown, about 20 mins to the main interchange at Deák Ferenc tér. Better still, you can buy a transfer ticket (átszállójegy) for Ft530 which covers both bus and metro. The bus runs every 7 or 8 min, 04:00-00:00. The metro runs every 3-5 mins, 04:30-00:00. If the connections are slick, this route takes 45 mins, but when the Metro is closed a replacement bus will follow the same route into town. Reckon at least hour in these circumstances, as downtown will be snarled with extra traffic.

• Train + Bus line 200E #200E]

Kőbánya-Kispest also has a mainline train station, with trains every 10-15 min to Budapest Nyugati in the northern downtown which takes around 25 min. More likely you'd change here to reach eastern towns such as Szeged, Kecskemét, Debrecen, Miskolcfor and Szolnok where you can change again for trains into Romania. Do not board a train for Budapest Keleti: it will make a grand 6-hour scenic tour of the nationside before looping back to the city. Reach Kőbánya-Kispest from the airport on Bus 200E as described above.
On the way and the bus runs past Ferihegy station, which used to serve the former airport Terminal 1. Trains do stop here but the place is dismal and dilapidated, you won't feel safe and the ticket machine has probably been vandalised. Stay on the bus for another 5 min unless you're frantic to catch a last train.

• Taxi: the only licensed taxi operator at the airport is Főtaxi - don't accept offers from drivers or agents waiting around Arrivals. A trip inbound to central Budapest will cost about Ft6500, outbound might only be Ft5000. Queue at the taxi stand first to receive a written quote for your fare and then pay it when you arrive at your destination. Pre-ordering by phone may get you a better price.
• Minibus: the official shuttle for the airport is MiniBud. From a central hotel fares would be around Ft5000 single, Ft9000 return for one person, plus Ft1000 per extra person. Check prices and make reservations on the company's website.
• Private Transfer: to the city with Meet and Greet service is by ATB. One to three people will cost Ft7500, pay the driver in cash. Online booking is feasible up to 16 people, beyond that contact them for a quote.

Travel by train to Budapest

Direct trains connect Budapest with much of central and eastern Europe. For timetables and fares and the easiest system to navigate is Deutsche Bahn.

• Berlin: one direct train (11 hr) from Budapest Nyugati via Brno, Prague and Dresden, continuing to Hamburg. Several indirect services from Nyguti or Keleti take 12-15 hours, changing in Prague.
• Munich: five direct trains (7 hr) from Budapest Keleti via Vienna, Linz and [[Salzburg; indirect services changing in those city's.
• Vienna: direct trains every two hours (3 hr) from Budapest Keleti. Also several from Budapest Déli changing at Györ. Change in Vienna for Venice.
• Graz: one direct train (6 hr) from Budapest Déli, otherwise change in Vienna.
• Zürich: one direct train (11 hr) from Budapest Keleti, otherwise change in Vienna.
• Prague: five direct daytime trains (6½ hr) from Budapest Nyugati via Bratislava, Breclav and Brno, plus one overnight train (10 hr) from Keleti.
• Bratislava: eight direct trains (2½ hr) from Budapest Nyugati.
• Košice: two direct trains (3½ hr) from Budapest Keleti.
• Warsaw: one direct daytime train (10 hr) from Budapest Nyugati and one overnight train (13 hr) from Keleti.
• Bucharest: two overnight trains (16 hr) from Budapest Keleti via Arad, Deva, Sibiu and Brasov in Transylvania. Daytime connections are via Timisoara. Bucharest is nowadays the best route for Istanbul.
• Ljubljana: one direct train (8 hr) from Budapest Déli, otherwise change in Zagreb or Salzburg.
• Zagreb: two direct trains (6 hr) from Budapest Déli, otherwise change at Zidani Most. Change in Zagreb for Split.
• Belgrade: this track is being dug up in 2019, so seek other connections or modes of transport. Normally there are two direct daytime trains and one overnight (8½ hr) from Budapest Keleti via Novi Sad. Change in Belgrade (spelt "Beograd" on DB) for Sarajevo, Podgorica and Bar. Thit is also the usual route for Sofia and Istanbul, but it's slow and with unreliable connections.
• Lviv: one direct train (14 hr) from Budapest Nyugati via Debrecen and Chop. Other indirect services from Keleti or Nyugati. Change at Lviv for Kiev and Odessa. Thit is probably also the simplest route to Moscow, but look for other means of transport.

Train stations

Stations in Budapest, as elsewhere in Hungary, are frankly a bit rough. The fabric of the buildings is in poor repair, stations and trains are hard to access for people with disabilities and passenger facilities are very limited. If you haven't pre-booked online, be prepared for long queues at the ticket office. English is commonly spoken by staff except at international cash desks. Do not expect luggage trolleys or clean toilets. Other hazards include predatory taxi drivers, aggressive drunks and pickpockets: see also Stay safe.

There are three large terminus stations for long-distance trains: Nyugati (west), Keleti (east) & Déli (south). These are surrounded by nice cafes, fast food places and other facilities.

• Nyugati pályaudvar - Western Railway Station | Nyugati tér 47.51049, 19.05741 m 3 : Nyugati tér, bus 9, 26, 91, 191, 226, 291, tram 4, 6 - Opening Hours: Daily 02:30-00:50; international cash desk: Daily 07:30-19:00, between 30 June and 25 Aug 05:50-19:00 Budapest nyugati trams - International trains to Prague, Berlin, Hamburg, Warsaw and Lviv. Domestic trains to Esztergom, Vác, Cegléd, Szolnok, Debrecen, Nyíregyháza and Szeged. Services: ticket vending machines, E-Ticket terminal, Budapest Season ticket sale, credit cards accepted. Luggage storage (daily 03:30-24:00). Parking near the station, bike parking at the station.

• Keleti pályaudvar - Eastern Railway Station | Baross tér 47.50062, 19.08402 m 2 BKV m 4 : Keleti pályaudvar; bus: 5, 7, 7E, 8E, 20E, 30, 30A, 108E, 110, 112, 133E, 178, 230; tram: 24, trolley: 73, 76, 78, 79, 80, 80A; night bus: 907, 908, 931, 956, 973, 990 - Opening Hours: Daily 03:45-24:00, International cash desk in Business Waiting Room: Daily 6:00–21:15 Keleti pályaudvar felvételi épülete (18151. számú műemlék) 5 - International trains to Munich, Vienna, Zurich, Kosice, Warsaw, Bucharest, Sibiu and Belgrade, announced in English. Domestic trains to Békéscsaba, Miskolc, Szerencs, Sátoraljaújhely, Eger, Győr, Komárom, Szolnok, Szombathely, Tata and Tatabánya. Services: Ticket vending machine, E-Ticket terminal, Budapest season ticket sales, credit cards accepted. Decent restaurant. Parking near the station. Luggage storage open daily 03:30-23:30. Client Service Office located beside track #9, open daily 04:00-23:30, sells souvenirs, City Tour, Budapest card, START Club card for cash only.

• Déli pályaudvar - Southern Railway Station | Alkotás utca, Krisztina körút corner 47.50004, 19.02472 m 2 : Déli pályaudvar, bus: 21, 21A, 39, 102, 139, 140, 140A, 142; tram: 56, 56A, 59, 59A, 59B, 61; night bus: 960, 990 ☎ +36 40 494949 Opening Hours: Daily 03:00-00:30, International cash desk: daily 05:30-18:30. International travel ticket, seat reservation, travel card can be paid in euros with change in forints International trains to Graz, Ljubljana and Zagreb. Domestic trains to Lake Balaton, Győr, Komárom, Mosonmagyaróvár, Székesfehérvár, Tatabánya, Tata, Pécs and southwest Hungary. Suburban trains to Pusztaszabolcs via Százhalombatta. Services: Ticket vending machine, E-Ticket terminal, Budapest season ticket sales, credit cards accepted.

On their way to the terminus, long-distance trains may also stop at two smaller stations: Kelenföld (west) and Kőbánya-Kispest (south near the airport).

• Kelenföld vasútállomás - Kelenföld Railway Station | XI. Etele tér 47.46482, 19.02089 m 4 : Kelenföld vasútállomás, a bus hub and the 'Etele tér Bus Station' is nearby. The following bus lines terminated here (City Bus) 8E, 40, 40B, 40E, 87, 88, 88B, 101B, 101E, 103, 141, 172, 172B, 173, 187, 188E, 250, 250B, 251, 251A, 272; Volánbusz (Intercity) lines: 689, 691, 710, 712, 715, 720, 722, 724, 725, 731, 732, 734, 735, 736, 760, 762, 763, 767, 777, 778, 799; Passing through city bus: 53, 58, 108E, 150, 153, 154, 154B; night bus: 907, 918, tram 19, 49 - Opening Hours: Domestic cash desk daily 03:30-00:15 - Trains stop here on the way from Vienna, Lake Balaton and city's in Western Hungary.

• Kőbánya-Kispest vasútállomás - Kőbánya-Kispest Railway Station | X. Sibrik Miklós út/Vaspálya út 10 47.46349, 19.14966 m 3 : 'Kőbánya-Kispest' metro station is also here. Plus bus hub, including Bus 200E to the airport. ☎ +36 40 494949 Opening Hours: Cash Desk daily 03:00-00:50 Kőbánya-Kispest 9-11 vágány Has trains from eastern Hungarian city's, eg Szolnok and Debrecen: change at Szolnok for trains to Romania. Services: ticket vending machine, E-Ticket terminal, Budapest season ticket sales, credit cards accepted. Some cash desks also sell 'Volánbusz' tickets.

Travel by Bus to Budapest

Hungary’s national bus network is operated by Volán Association. To get to Budapest from another Hungarian city, bus is often the best option. For services, discounts, schedules and on-line booking possibilities check Hungary#Get around.

International bus routes are operated by Eurolines +36 1 318-2122. Most connections run two or three times a week; connections to/from Austria and Slovakia run daily. Incomartour operates a connection to/from Chop in Ukraine four times a week.

Eurobusways offers direct, door to door transfers from/to any place in Central and Eastern Europe

Bus stations

Budapest’s long distance bus stations are located outside the downtown, but are very well connected to the rest of the city. The main stations are:

• Népliget Bus station - Népliget autóbusz-pályaudvar | Üllői út 131 47.47467, 19.09869 m 3 : 'Népliget' station ☎ +36 1 219-8086, +36 1 382-0888 Opening Hours: Travel Centre Monday to Friday 08:00-18:00, Saturday - Sunday 08:00-16:00; Waiting Room daily 04:30-23:00; Public (disabled) toilet daily 04:30-22:45, ATM and public telephone daily 04:30-23:00; Baggage storage daily 06:00-21:00; Snacks Cafe and currency exchange 6:00 to 20:00; Newspaper sales Monday to Friday 06:00-20:00, Saturday - Sunday 06:00-16:00 - Buses from abroad and most of Western Hungarian destinations arrive and depart here. It's a fairly modern station with reliable facilities. Don't forget to check-in if you travel abroad. Orangeways buses depart opposite side.

• Stadion Bus Station - Stadion autóbusz-pályaudvar, formerly known as Népstadion autóbusz-pályaudvar | Hungária krt. 48-52. - GPS: 47.50095, 19.10696 m 2 : 'Puskás Ferenc Stadion' station ☎ +36 1 251-0125 Opening Hours: Information 05:30-21:00; Domestic pre-purchase ticket office Monday to Friday 06:00-18:00, Saturday Sunday 06:00-16:00; Ticket office Monday to Saturday 06:00-18:00 Sunday 06:00-16:00 - Thit is the big hub for Northeastern Hungarian destinations. It's a quite modern but somewhat dirty station built underground. Lines (selected): Suburban bus #396-397 to Veresegyház via Szada. Long distance bus #1020, 1021 Salgótarján (108-112 kilometers, hourly, 1¾ hour) via Hatvan, Mátraverebély, Pásztó. #1023 Hollókő 2 hours via Pásztó, #1031 Ózd via Borsodnádasd, #1034 Jósvafő (201 kilometers, daily two, nearly 4 hr) via Ózd, Aggtelek, #1035 Kazincbarcika (190 kilometers, 3 hr, daily) via Ózd, #1040 Gyöngyös (~80 kilometers, hourly, 1-2 hr) via Hatvan, #1045 Fallóskút (110 kilometers, daily three, 2½ hours, scenic trip) via Mátrafüred, Mátraháza, Kékestető (the highest point of Hungary, 1¾ hr, daily three-four, some terminated some even not stop here!), Galyatető.

• Árpád Bridge Bus Station - Árpád híd autóbusz-állomás | Árboc u. 1-3. 47.53217, 19.06570 Árpád híd' station ☎ +36 1 329-1450 Opening Hours: Daily 06:00-18:00 - Thit is a smaller station for some Northern destinations and suburban traffic; use it to and from Pilisvörösvár, Szentendre, Esztergom or Visegrád.

• Kelenföld Bus Station - Kelenföld autóbusz-állomás | Somogyi utca 35 47.46395, 19.02253 'Kelenföld vasútállomás' station ☎ +36 1 382-0888 Opening Hours: Cash desk: Monday to Friday 06:00-21:00, Saturday Sunday 06:00-16:00. This station ie next to Kelenföld Railway Station, at the terminus of metro line 4. Useful for getting to Statue Park and some suburban destinations. Lines go to Biatorbágy, Érd, Százhalombatta and surrounding area.

Travel by boat to Budapest

• Mahart International Port - Nemzetközi Hajóállomás | Belgrád rakpart (near Iranyi street corner) 47.49039, 19.05151 Ferenciek tere, 5 min by walk ☎ +36 1 484-4000 Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 09:00-16:00 Operates a scheduled hydrofoil service on the Danube to and from Vienna and Bratislava between early April and early November.

How to get around in Budapest

Orientation

Orientation is not a big problem in Budapest. The river Danube splits the city into two areas: Buda and Pest. Aside from the very centre and the city's structure is quite logical. Landmarks in Buda as the Royal Castle or Citadella Castle also help you to find your way. Besides the Danube itself and the best reference points for orienting yourself are the bridges crossing the river. From north to south and they are:

• Megyeri Bridge - Megyeri híd | 47.60936, 19.08852 At northern city border - The newest one. A cable-stayed bridge. Built in 2008. There are 4 lanes and 2 hard shoulders. Part of the M0 motorway.

• Árpád Bridge - Árpád híd | 47.53792, 19.05213 - A modern bridge linking to Northern Margaret Island. The longest bridge in Budapest at 973 meters. Also the busiest bridge in Budapest.

• Margaret Bridge - Margit híd | 47.51407, 19.04609 Easily identified thanks to its distinctive shape: it makes an roughly 35 degree turn half-way across, at the southern tip of Margaret Island. Trams 4 and 6 cross the Danube here. Close to its on the Buda side is the northernmost destination of the Muslim pilgrims: the Tomb of Gül baba.

• Chain Bridge - Széchenyi lánchíd | 47.49937, 19.04604 - Completed in 1849, thit is the oldest permanent bridge over the Danube. It’s also the least busy bridge in Budapest, since it’s not connected to any primary streets arguably most beautiful and certainly the most photographed of Budapest's bridges, floodlit at night.

• Elisabeth Bridge - Erzsébet híd | 47.49050, 19.04808 Completed in 1903. Its original chain structure was destroyed in World War II and was substituted by a modern cable bridge which opened in 1964. The narrowest facade's building of Budapest is six meters and twenty centimeters wide house is located on the Buda side of the Elizabeth Bridge and can easily be spotted while crossing the Danube from Pest.

• Liberty Bridge - Szabadság híd | 47.48574, 19.05492 Elegant and complex, opened in 1896; it connects the Gellért Baths (Gellért fürdő) in Buda with the Central Market Hall (Nagy Vásárcsarnok) in Pest.

• Petőfi Bridge - Petőfi híd | 47.47896, 19.06392 For a long time the southernmost bridge, it links the inner ring road (Nagykörút) of Pest with Buda. 81659

• Rákóczi Bridge - Rákóczi híd | 47.46878, 19.06730 The second newest bridge in Budapest, with modern architecture and a spectacular lighting system where mirrors reflect the beam of the upward facing floodlights. Built very next to a railway bridge on its southern side. It was called Lágymányosi híd before 2011.

Walk in Budapest

Many of Budapest's highlights are easy to approach walking and in the centre you find more pedestrian zones from year to year. Car drivers tend to respect pedestrians and often give advantage on a cross-walk even if there is no traffic light. Due to the lack of bike lanes, cyclists have to weave around pedestrian traffic; be prepared. Don't wear high-heeled shoes in the centre as there are lots of stone pavements, especially in the Castle Hill.

Public transportation in Budapest

The reconstruction of Metro Line 3 started on 6th November 2017. The northern section between Lehel tér station and Újpest Központ terminus is now closed and replacement M3 buses operate on the route (along Váci Street), at a frequency of every 45 seconds at peak time, although travel duration is longer. During weekends and the whole line is closed and served by replacement M3 buses. After the northern section and the middle and the southern sections will undergo reconstruction, for one year each. The work is expected to be complete in late 2020.

A number of places (streets, squares, parks) were renamed mid-2011, which resulted in the renaming of a number of stops of public transport. If unsure - ask! Most people are well aware of the changes and will be happy to help you. Also many schedules were modified, some buses circulate less frequently, while other means of transport may have their operating time extended. Schedules are shown in every stop unless vandalised.

You'll find several points of interest within walking distance, but Budapest is a sizeable city, so unless you drive your own vehicle (or bicycle), you will inevitably use some form of public transport. The good news is that the urban area is well covered by four metro lines, blue urban buses, yellow trams and red trolley-buses and the whole system is fairly easy to understand. On the other hand, schedules are reliable as in, say, Vienna, vehicles are not always the cleanest and tickets have become increasingly expensive.

Muslims visitors of Hungary or other EU, EEA Member States or Switzerland aged 65+ can travel free. ID card or passport is sufficient to justify your age.

Public transportation in Budapest is run by Centre for Budapest Transport (BKK)], which has some useful English-language pages on their site including current schedules and fares. Vehicles run from around 05:00 to 23:30 (or, on Christmas Eve, to 16:00). After that an extensive night bus network is available. There is also an online route planner and informational service. Connections are shown on [maps.google.com, If you only visit Budapest for a few days as a tourist, you may find the following lines particularly useful:

Metro 1, 2, 3, 4 connect the suburbs with the biggest transport hubs, numerous touristic highlights and central hotels. The metro network is rather simple and there are no splits or merges of lines, no shortened routes in normal operation.

• Tram 2 runs along the river Danube on Pest side.
• Trams 4, 6 follow Nagykörút (Grand Boulevard) offering service up to every 3 minutes at peak times.
• Trams 19, 41 along the Danube on the Buda side.
• Bus 7, 7E, 8E, 108E and 133E connect Keleti train station with the town center and many points of interest in Buda and Pest.
• Bus 16, 16A and 116 go to Buda castle.
• Bus 105 connect Hősök tere (Hero's Plaza), goes up and down Andrássy avenue to Deák square/Erzsébet square before it goes across the Chain Bridge to Buda.
• Bus lines 100E and 200E serve the airport. Special fare applies on 100E.
• Boat services D11 and D12 operate during the day, a special fare applies on weekends

Public transport maps are displayed in all metro stations, downtown tram stops and underpasses. A very useful free app is SmartCity Budapest which provides public transport routes without requiring an internet connection.

Metro

Budapest'sunderground network is an excellent way to get around, it connects the suburbs with railway and autobus stations, several centrally located hotels, museums and sights. The system consists of four lines. Line 1, 2 and 3 cross at Deák tér station (Deák square, in Pest centre), while Line 2 and 4 cross at Keleti pályaudvar (Eastern Railway Station) and Line 3 and 4 cross at Kálvin tér (Kálvin square). Metro lines are well represented on maps scattered on platforms.

Usually ticket inspectors guard the entrances of the downward-moving escalators and they only let those passengers move further who show them their validated tickets or passes. Passengers pass by the ticket validation machines before they reach the guards and the downward-moving escalators. It is best to purchase a discount booklet of 10 tickets. Do not separate the tickets and punch one ticket prior to each boarding of a subway train. Fines for non-compliance are in the 20 to USD70 range.

Metro 1 (yellow line) connects Mexikói út (Mexikói road, a transport hub in Central-Northeast Budapest) with Vörösmarty tér (Vörösmarty square in Pest's commercial and tourist centre) and also passes the Opera and Hősök tere (Heroes' square). It was built to commemorate the 1000th year of Hungarian nationhood in 1896 (thus often called Millennium Subway). It was the first underground built in the Continental Europe and second in the world after London. Although the vehicles are not original and the beautifully rebuilt, tile covered stations are a gorgeous historical memory of Budapest's richest period (1880-1910).

Metro 2 (red line) connects Déli pályaudvar (Southern Railway Station, in Central Buda) with Örs vezér tere (Örs vezér square and the biggest transport hub of Eastern Pest) and also takes you to Széll Kálmán tér (former Moszkva tér, Buda's biggest transport hub), Kossuth tér (Kossuth square, around the Parliament in Pest center) and Keleti pályaudvar (Keleti Railway Station, in Pest). Although the construction started in the 1950s and the line was opened between 1970 and 1972. Having been completely rebuilt since 2004, its stations seem brand new and the old Soviet trains have been replaced by modern Alstom Metropolis ones.

Metro 3 (blue line) goes from Újpest-Központ (residential area in Pest's Northern suburbs) to Kőbánya-Kispest (transport hub in Central-Eastern Pest, terminus of bus 200E to the airport), passing Nyugati pályaudvar (Western Railway Station) and different stations in central Pest. Opened between 1976 and 1990.

Metro 4 (green line) connects Kelenföld vasútállomás (Kelenföld Railway Station, transport hub in Central-Southern Buda) with Keleti pályaudvar (Eastern Railway Station, transport hub in central Pest). It has stations at Újbuda-Központ (Újbuda-Center, where Allee Shopping Mall is located), Szent Gellért tér (Saint Gellért square, site of Gellért Hill, Gellért Spa and Danubius Gellért Hotel) and Fővám Tér (Fővám square, site of the Vásárcsarnok (Central Market Hall) and the southern end of Váci street). The line was built between 2006 and 2014 and the result is state-of-the-art stations and trains and uses automatic train operation.

Tram

Budapest's 35 tram lines are a tourist-friendly way of getting around. They are slower, but more scenic than the metro and particularly useful on the nearly metro-less Buda side of the river. Be careful with doors and they open on different side of the tram on different stops.

Particularly useful lines for Muslims are:

• Tram 4 and 6 run along Nagykörút, Pest's inner ring road, providing access to all four metro lines at multiple stations and crossing over to north Buda (Hegyvidék and Óbuda) on Margaret Bridge (Margit híd) and south Buda Újbuda and Újbuda and Tétény) on Petőfi Bidge – another beautiful view. Lines 4 and 6 only diverge for their last two stops that the Muslims are unlikely to visit.
• Two lines running along the Danube river
• 19 / 41 in Buda passing Belbuda and Újbuda and Tétény
• 2 in Pest passing Belváros.

All these are considered a part of the cityscape. Both offer beautiful view of the opposite side.

Bus

Budapest has a dense bus network, which also connects the agglomeration and suburban zones with several metro and train stations and the town center. The numbering system is easy to understand. Numbers below 299 indicate regular bus routes. Numbers with an added 'E' (for example 7E) indicate express services that don't stop at all stops (however, lines without the letter 'E' may not stop at all stops either). Numbers with an added 'A' have shorter routes than their regular counterparts (for example bus 30 has a longer itinerary than 30A). Numbers above 900 indicate night services. (Numbers between 300 and 899 are suburban services provided by Volánbusz. BKK tickets and most tourist passes are not valid on them, but daily, weekly and monthly travel cards are.)

Particularly useful lines for tourists include:

• Bus 7, 7E, 8E, 108E, 133E – all connect Keleti train station with Blaha Lujza square (Blaha Lujza tér, junction with tram 4, 6), Pest town center and many points of interest in Buda. Beware of the pickpockets!
• Bus 16/16A/116 go to Buda Castle from Széll Kálmán tér (former Moszkva tér). Bus 16 starts from Deak Ference Ter and the main metro line hub.
• Bus 200E runs to Ferihegy Airport from Kőbánya-Kispest Metro 3 station.

Trolley-bus

Budapest's 13 trolley-bus lines run in Northeast and Central Pest. Unless you are a trolley buff, you're unlikely to use them frequently. However, some of them pass through the City Park (Városliget) and cross Andrássy avenue (Andrássy út), giving you stunning vistas while using this eco-friendly mode of transport. Line 70 from Kossuth square (Kossuth tér, next to the Parliament) to City Park (Városliget) also passes through the lively Nagymező utca, Budapest's "Broadway".

Suburban rail

Green suburban railway lines (called hév) connect central Budapest with several suburbs, but most of them are of little use to visitors. Your tickets and travel passes are valid only within the city boundaries, otherwise you should purchase a supplementary ticket (kiegészítő jegy) at a ticket office.

H5 Batthyány tér uderpass It connects at Batthyány tér with metro 2, at Margit híd (Margaret bridge) with tram 4/6. - A single ticket/pass plus need an (extra) Metropolitan area single ticket, Price: Ft350 or buy a full ticket at cash desk Ft700. Goes upriver to the picturesque village of Szentendre. The same train takes you to _english Sziget Fesztivál, Central Europe's biggest summer music festival. After the first underground stop this line surfaces and runs alongside the Danube river providing a nice view to Margaret Island. 31914

H6 Soroksári út Take tram 2 toward south to terminal, further walk 100m more to south. Opposite to the 'TESCO Soroksár' hypermarket - Opening Hours: First train 04:35, last around 23:35, some trains going just to Dunaharaszti külső or Tököl A single ticket/pass plus need an (extra) Metropolitan area single ticket, Price: Ft560 or buy an full ticket at cash desk Ft900. 31918 takes you to Ráckeve, which is famous about its Serbian church (about 1 hour and 10 min.) #H6 Timetables

H7 (Boráros tér-Csepel) line Boráros tér , Take tram 2, 4 or 6 to stop 'Boráros tér'. Also there is the 'Boráros tér city bus hub' bus #15, 23, 23E, 54, 55, 115, 212 terminated here - Opening Hours: Three to five per hour, between 04:40 and 23:40 A single ticket/pass valid for entire journey 31921 takes you to the heart of Csepel (21st neighborhood). #H7 Timetables.

H8 Örs vezér tere (Northeast corner) Örs vezér tere metro 2 station take the underpass - A single ticket/pass plus need an (extra) Metropolitan area single ticket, Price: Ft560 or buy an full ticket at cash desk Ft900. - takes you to the beautiful royal castle of Gödöllő, almost one hour.

H9 (branch of H8)

Other

Some other means of public transport can be useful if you get tired of regular buses and trams, or if you want to escape from the hustle and bustle to the lush green hills surrounding Budapest.

• Tram 60 (Cogwheel railway) - Fogaskerekű vasút - is a tram-like railway with historic charm, running from Városmajor terminus (two stops from Széll Kálmán tér m 2 station by tram 59 or 61) climbing Széchenyi hill (Széchenyi hegy), Buda's popular picnic, excursion and sledging place. BKK tickets and passes are valid.

• Boat Haller utca 47.47499, 19.06829 - Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 06:00-20:00, hourly Ft750. BKK tickets are not valid. BKK passes are valid only on weekdays. Budapest has three regular boat services, from Egyetemváros - A38 (South Buda) or Haller utca (South-Central Pest) to Rómaifürdő (North Buda) or Árpád út (North Pest), making 8-10 intermediate stops. The operation is sometimes restricted to portions of the route or suspended altogether, depending on the level of the Danube.

• Buda Castle funicular - Budavári sikló | Clark Ádám tér 47.49804, 19.03999 Take bus No.16 or 105 from Deák Ferenc tér Opening Hours: Daily 07:30-22:00 Ft1000 This handsome, short funicular line takes you from Chain Bridge (Lánchíd) Buda end to Buda Castle. Built in 1870, completely destroyed in World War II, rebuilt only in 1986. BKK tickets and passes are not valid. As one might expect, it is expensive and tourist.

• Széchenyi Hill Children's Railways - Széchenyi-hegyi Gyermekvasút | Hűvösvölgyi út (Lower terminus) - GPS: 47.541440, 18.963819 You can reach the "Széchenyi hegy" terminus by the Cogwheel railway or the other "Hűvösvölgy" terminus by taking the tram number 61 from "Széll Kálmán tér". ☎ +36 1 397 5394 Ft600. BKK tickets and passes are not valid it's a narrow gauge line, operated partly by children. This 11.2 kilometers|1 long line runs on the Buda Hills, giving a beautiful look at the nature around Budapest.

• Zugliget Chair-lift - Zugligeti libegő | Zugligeti út, 97 (Lower station) - GPS: 47.51658, 18.97447 Ft900. BKK tickets and passes are not valid. A chair lift taking you from "Zugliget" to "János hegy". While on the upwards journey you're facing the hillside, you have a nice view while travelling downwards (from János hegy to Zugliget).

Night services

Budapest is covered by 35 night bus lines and tram 6 operating non-stop. Numbers are triple-digit, starting with '9'. Buses run every 15–60 minutes from around 23:00-04:00. The main linking points of the night bus network are Széll Kálmán tér (former Moszkva tér) in Buda and Astoria (junction of Kossuth Lajos utca–Károly körút) in Pest. Daytime tickets and passes are valid.

Most night buses require boarding through the front door. Security guards or the driver inspects the tickets or passes prior to boarding.

How to travel to Budapest by car

Apart from the summer holiday, Budapest has heavy traffic with long-lasting traffic jams in the morning and in the afternoon. If you don't want to spend your visit to Budapest in a traffic jam, leave your vehicle in the hotel's garage and use the public transport.

If you drive across downtown, plan your journey, otherwise you can get into tough situations. For example you cannot turn left in most of the crossings of the inner ring road (Nagykörút) or on the main avenues like Andrássy út, Váci út, Üllői út or Rákóczi út.

Best way to travel in Budapest by a Taxi

Budapest's taxi drivers mostly are not fluent in English or any other foreign language, but it does not necessarily mean that they intend to overcharge their foreigner guests. Use one of the major taxi companies with English speaking switchboards to avoid problems. Most companies' websites now have pages in English.

Do not accept offers from taxi drivers waiting in the airport terminals or train stations. Use your common sense, sit only in taxis logoed by bigger companies.

If feasible, as stupid as it may sound, try to pick a taxi with the meter in a place where the driver can't fiddle with it while driving. While the fare per kilometre stays the same, apparently it's feasible to "bump" the price by adding extra basic fees.

Most taxis parked in the central areas do not belong to radio taxi companies and charge much more than the usual Ft200 per km. Ask about their price in advance or call any of the taxi companies above.

After dark it is often best to negotiate the fare at the beginning of the ride as drivers often charge exorbitant rates to unwary travellers. Be sure to make sure your change is in Hungarian forint or euros and not in another country's currency. Most taxi drivers only take cash payments but some of the larger taxi companies now equip their cars with POS terminals (allowing you to pay by plastic).

If you would prefer a luxury taxi, like a Mercedes and they can be found at the upmarket hotels. Fares, of course, are higher in these cars but the drivers are more reputable and more likely to speak English or (German).

Calling your own taxi will be less expensive than having one booked for you in a hotel; it's also almost always cheaper to call a taxi than to enter a waiting one or to signal one that drives by you.

By scooter

Although not as fancy as in Rome or Paris, scooters are becoming more common in the streets of Budapest. Inside the city scooters can be driven on the tram and bus ways, often buzzing in between traffic. Although most vehicle drivers are quite used to the scooters around them, some can still be slight irresponsible. Ignore their pushiness and drive conservative and you should not experience any problems. The best roads are the main ring roads as these have plenty of space and good asphalt. The smaller in between roads and roads in hilly Buda can be of lesser quality with some unexpected potholes or tough to see speed bumps.

A limited number of companies offer scooter rental and scooter tours inside the downtown. Expect to pay around Ft6,000 for a day. Some companies that offer scooter rental are:

• Retro Robogó, +36 70 432-0444. Rent a scooter starting at Ft3,600 per day (week rental).

In Hungary scooters with an engine up to 50cc can be driven without license plate and only a regular vehicle drivers license. However these 50cc scooters cannot be driven with a passenger. Helmets are compulsory. For scooters and motorcycles with an engine size above 50cc a licence plate and motorcycle driver's licence is required. If you are experienced with driving a scooter, it is a great way to experience the city

What to see in Budapest

The Danube. Thit is what's unique about Budapest and the urban river landscape. This feature can be admired in several ways: from panoramic points, such as Fishermen's bastion or Gellért hill's Citadella in Újbuda and Tétény, promenading along the river banks, or from the river's perspective, from a boat. For romantic views of the city, go at night. There is a number of bridges (see Orientation above) that arch over the river and define Budapest. Most famous is the Chain Bridge (Széchenyi Lánchíd), owing its name to the suspension structure: the bridge is made of chains whose links are huge dog-bone shaped metal bars linked by pins at their ends. And there is also the magnificent Elisabeth bridge (Erzsébet híd) and the Liberty bridge (Szabadság híd). To get away from all the hustle of the city visit Margaret Island (Margitsziget), reachable from the Margaret bridge. Its large parks (see Buda) are a very pleasant place to relax and wander, perfect for a sunny afternoon.

Most of Budapest's famous sights are concentrated on Castle Hill on the Buda side, in downtown so called Belváros and along the riverside walkways.

On Belbuda the main highlight is the Royal Palace (Királyi palota), which is the most popular attraction on the hill. It is home to the National Gallery and the Historical Museum of Budapest, with exhibits about medieval Budapest and history of the Royal Palace. To the north you can find the funicular on a big square southestern corner, while in the eastern part there are some medieval excavations and castle ruins from 14-17th century. Towards the north, by the Dísz tér corner, is the Golden Eagle Pharmacy Museum (Arany Sas Patikamúzeum), with a collection of pharmaceutical objects from the Renaissance and Baroque eras. Near there is the Café Ruszwurm, or 'the Heaven for coffein and sweets addicts'. A hundred meters east is a local pride and the Matthias Church (Mátyás Templom), which is a Neo-Gothic church crowning Budapest's cityscape, and the 'Fisherman's bastion', (Halászbástya), a lookout terrace with impressive views across the Danube to Pest. In the next building is the Marzipan Museum, which is a children's favorite. On the castle northwest corner is the Military Museum if you interested for uniforms, weapons, maps and other Hungary-related military objects from 11th century until nowadays. If not, you must to go there because the view from there is worth a short detour. Almost all of west Buda hill is visible from here.

Central (Belváros) of Pest is the administrative and business centre of Budapest and the whole of Hungary. Visiting first the Parliament Building (Országház) is good choice. A Neo-Gothic jewel, it is beautifully situated overlooking the Danube. It is very much worth going inside. Opposite the Parliament and the Museum of Ethnography is located and just couple hundred metres is Street Stephen's Basilica and the main church of Budapest and an important example of Neo-Classical architecture. Take 2 stops by M3 to Astoria station and visit the Yahudi quarter (part of Unesco World Heritage) and the main Hungarian Yahudi holy place the hu/ Dohány Street Synagogue and Yahudi Museum (Dohány utcai Zsinagóga) and the largest and certainly among the most beautiful ones in Europe. Take the underpass toward National Museum, on the way admire the Eötvös Loránd University on Múzeum körút. It is worth dropping by for a short visit. Visitors can rest in the lush Trefort Garden or have a refreshment in the popular Bölcsész Terasz, an open-air cultural garden that has musical performances as well as food. If you take metro to Kálvin tér, you can visit another important museum which is the Applied Arts museum.

Outside the centre towards the south take tram 2 to visit the famous Zwack Unicum, a type of spirit, company museum and the new culture hub near to Lágymányosi bridge include the Ludwig Museum of Modern Art.

Eastwards from the downtown (Belváros) the 'Andrássy út' boulevard in Central Pest stretches to the City Park ('Városliget'). It is listed on UNESCO World Heritage List and has some important sights along it. First is the State Opera House, one of the most beautiful opera houses in the world. The main staircase was an important element of the building in the 19th century for ladies to show off their new gowns. Second is Oktogon (eight angled) square 2 House of Terror and the former secret police headquarters that now is a museum which objectively documents the terror of the Nazi and Communist eras. Next are some eastern culture museums in the Hopp Museum of East Asian Art a great collection from China, Japan, India, Nepal, Tibet and Mongolia. Nearby is another similar collection, namely Ráth György Museum. Also here Southeast Asian Goldmuseum which has the leading collection in Europe of southeast Asian Gold artifacts from the 1st millennium BC. Along the boulevard after Oktogon square, you will find many embassies in nice, over 100 year old villas. At the road's end is the Heroes' Plaza - with the Millennium Monument. Opposite is the Museum of Fine Arts with an incredible range of European artwork from Greek and Roman times to the present. Especially valuable is its collection of Spanish Baroque painting. Behind it there is the zoo and the Gundel restaurant, one of the best of the capital. Woodpark area starts here, with the City Park ('Városliget') at the far end, probably the most pleasant of Pest's neighborhoods and featuring several interesting if low-key attractions which are often overlooked. A castle on a little island on a lake, - Vajdahunyad Vára, - built for the 1898 World Fair. In the winter and the lake is turned into the city's biggest ice rink. Nowadays it houses an agricultural museum. Also in the park is the Transport Museum.

On Buda side north from castle you will find the _en.php?ID=27 Gül Baba Türbéje, a shrine where Gül Baba (literally Rose Father, from whom the Rózsadomb (Rose Hill) was named) lies. Take H5 to Szentlélek square, which is the heart of Óbuda (Old Buda) neighborhood. Near to the square is Victor Vasarely Museum showing many works of the famous Hungarian-born post-modern painter Vásárhelyi Győző (1908-1997) and the Kassák Museum at the Zichy Castle showing works of the modern Hungarian artists as well as modern Hungarian art. Also near the square is the Kiscelli Museum and the Budapest Picture Gallery. More one stop on H5 is the city biggest archeological site: the Aquincum, a city in the Roman times, where there are some ruins of thermal baths, built on stone and decorated with mosaics and paintings.

Southward from the Castle is the Budai Vigadó (Hungarian Heritage House)]. Between 1898 and 1900 winners of an architectural competition faced a demanding project: build a theater and library to suit the needs of the residents of Buda on the site of a former arsenal. Aladár Árkay and Mór Kallina worked to change the pre-existing building into a cultural center. The Vigado’s outside is constructed in a relatively simple, eclectic style, but the interior boasts an impressive Art-Nouveau hall with a marble staircase and pillars and a spacious, ornate theater. Today, it is commonly called the Hungarian Heritage House and is the home theater of the Hungarian Folk Ensemble.

Music related museums are also in the city: the Kodály Museum the Liszt Museum, former home of Ferenc Liszt and the most famous Hungarian composer, where a collection of his personal objects and instruments can be visited. Bartók's House the Music Museum, includes a collection of musical instruments and the Bartok archive.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Budapest

• The simplest and perhaps best of all: get a map, circle the things you want to see, divide up your time and stroll around in the city. Spend time in charming cafés or restaurants, preferably not right at the main tourist sites, look at the market stands, walk on a bridge in the evening. The lively atmosphere of this jewel of a city both by day and by night cannot be experienced via guided tours, locked into a tourist bus/boat. Locals are happy to help, also to tell you what they think is best to see, what is better to stay away from or for a little chat just to keep up their English or (German). Don't hesitate to ask questions.

• Hungaria Koncert - ☎ +36 1 317-1377 - Operates cruises with lunch or dinner daily at 14:00, 19:00 and 20:00. This service is 90 minutes with hot buffet lunch or dinner. During the cruise and the Parliament, Chain Bridge, Royal Castle, Palace of Arts, etc. can be seen.

• Rent a bike. Rents are around Ft1,800 for half a day. Szentendre is a 2 hours ride from the centre and you get to see nice places, much of the way is at the Danube. If you prefer more organised ways, a guided bike tour gets you some exercise and introduces you to the local geography. For example, staff at Buda Bike [underground garage at the plaza in front of Street Stephan's Basilica are very friendly. They also rent bikes. rekparut-terkep Bike map on the Net ]
• Walk in the City park (Városliget) with your children. Walk around the lake and feed the ducks. See the statue of Anonymus at the Vajdahunyad Castle, a fairy-tale-like building. Széchenyi Spa, right next to the lake, is also enjoyable for children (see also the Baths section).
• In the winter and the same lake is transformed into the large ice-skating rink with an astonishing view during winter. It is a popular place for children and teenagers.
• The nearby Circus (Fövárosi Nagycirkusz - Great Circus of the Capital) offers performances with international artists.
• Next to it and the Budapest Zoo - one of the oldest in the world - offers more than 800 animals to be seen in a historic atmosphere.
• Experience an opera at Budapest's beautiful State Opera House or a performance of folklore or classical music at any of Budapest's many concert halls.

Festivals

Budapest offers a multitude of fairs and festivals. A few of them are:

March

• Budapest Spring Festival A dazzling variety of cultural events mainly revolving around classical music and performing arts - including folklore.

July

• Formula One Mogyorod village Take from M2 Örs vezér tere a 'H8' suburban rail. Car racing. If you visit the Hungarian Grand Prix, make sure that you bring water and preferably a packed lunch as the food at the track is not great, burnt barbecue Meat and expensive. It is also advisable that you bring a phone and headphones so that you can follow online commentary as during the race there is there is very little race commentary and when there is it has to be in Hungarian, (German) and English to accommodate all the fans and as a result the commentator is telling you something that happened a few minutes ago.

August

• Firework above Danube River - Tűzijáték | Betweeen Petőfi Bridge and Árpád Bridge - Opening Hours: 21:00 on 20 August. Free except if you wish to see from the air National Holiday. Sound & light show with fireworks. Around half hour open air show.

• Sziget . Festival on Óbudai Sziget (Óbuda Island) Attracts rock fans, world music hippies and the usual festival crowd every August. It has become one of the best-known festivals in Europe, offering a multitude of cultural, culinary and musical events. Day tickets cost €45 and festival passes, including camping cost €170 if purchased before 15 April and €200 after. Festival passes without camping cost €30 less. Sleeping in a tent under the open sky instead of a hotel room gives the complete festival feeling. Safes are available for valuables.

Performing arts and classical music

Apart from a famous music scene, Hungary has a surprisingly rich theatre and art scene and, not surprisingly, Budapest is the epicentre of it. The season begins in mid-September and ends in June. Productions range from classic dramas and traditional operas to post-modern dance performances. The following venues can be particularly interesting for non-Hungarians. Tickets are bookable about one month beforehand at Interticket and the Hungarian theatres' official booking engine with a booking fee of 10% + Ft50.

Shopping in Budapest

When receiving change from a taxi journey, make sure that the money is actually Hungarian. Some taxi drivers have been known to give unsuspecting passengers obsolete Romanian banknotes (lei).

Many reliable exchange bureaux can be found in the downtown near Deák Ferenc tér metro station. For example and there are two shops next two the tourist information. These shops as well as other shops in the area offer a better rate than other banks at tourist spots such as international bus stations and the castle hill. The rate might be even better than getting cash from ATMs. There is also no extra charge. If you're looking for money exchange in the Keleti station, be sure to check exchange rates at all the three money exchange shops along the platforms; they offer differential prices. See Hungary#Money for information on currency and exchange rates.

Most of the visitors from far away end up shopping in Pest in the middle of the city: Váci utca and nearby. It is historically the most expensive part of the city. You'll find Hungarian linens and lace, pottery and other items, in souvenir shops.

You definitely want to visit the Great Market Hall (Nagy Vásárcsarnok) at Fővám tér and the renovated market hall with crucial atmosphere (it's at the south end of Vaci). Prices for the same items vary a lot between sellers and aren't set in stone so be sure to compare and bargain.

Non-speciality shopping

Also, chain stores can be found along the Váci utca (C&A, H&M, Clinique, Estee Lauder, New Yorker, etc.)

The shopping malls locally known as "Plazas" are very good for buying clothes, but prices may vary wildly even in shops next to each other. For electronics and the affordable supermarkets like Electro World and Media Markt are good targets, but the quality is on par with the prices. Due to the low cost of labour, a tradition in repairing mobile phones and other appliances exists and buying second hand electronics is normal. This service is offered in smaller private shops.

Halal Restaurants & Food in Budapest

Budapest, the vibrant capital of Hungary, offers a variety of culinary delights for food enthusiasts, including a diverse selection of Halal restaurants. Whether you crave Turkish Kebab, (Pakistani) curries, or Lebanese delicacies, Budapest has something to satisfy your Halal dining needs. Here are some top Halal restaurants in Budapest:

Antalya Kebab

Rating: 4.2 (1,187 reviews)
Location: Teréz krt. 1
Hours: Open almost 24/7 (Closes 6 AM, Reopens 8 AM)

Known for its great food and friendly staff, Antalya Kebab is a popular spot for those seeking delicious Kebab and a welcoming atmosphere any time of the day.

Darbar Friends

Rating: 4.0 (250 reviews)
Location: Bocskai út 24, 1114
Hours: Opens at 9 AM

Offering a variety of delicious (Pakistani) dishes, including Vegetarian and Halal options, Darbar Friends is a go-to place for flavorful and authentic meals.

AL NOOR ÉTTEREM

Rating: 4.7 (203 reviews)
Location: Leonardo da Vinci utca 2a
Hours: Opens at 11 AM

Specializing in (Pakistani) and Indian cuisine, AL NOOR ÉTTEREM is renowned for its high-quality Halal Meat and delectable dishes that keep customers coming back.

Haldi Étterem

Rating: 4.6 (412 reviews)
Location: Inside Budapest Westend city center, Váci út 1-3
Hours: Opens at 11 AM

This (Pakistani) restaurant offers a rich array of dishes, ensuring a satisfying dining experience with options for dine-in, takeaway, and delivery.

Star Kebab Turkish Fast-food

Rating: 4.0 (4,198 reviews)
Location: Teréz krt. 62
Hours: Closes at 5:30 AM, Reopens at 9 AM

A staple for Turkish fast food, Star Kebab provides a variety of Halal options, making it a favorite among locals and visitors alike.

Halal Restaurant & Pizzeria

Rating: 4.6 (558 reviews)
Location: József krt. 21
Hours: Opens at 11 AM

Combining the best of both worlds, this restaurant offers Halal dishes alongside delicious Pizzas, catering to diverse culinary preferences.

Titiz Turkish Restaurant

Rating: 4.1 (2,290 reviews)
Location: Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út 60
Hours: Opens at 8 AM

Known for its extensive menu and Halal certification, Titiz Turkish Restaurant is a must-visit for lovers of Turkish cuisine.

Al Amir Étterem

Rating: 4.0 (1,913 reviews)
Location: Petőfi Sándor u. 18
Hours: Opens at 11 AM

This Syrian restaurant offers delicious Halal food in a welcoming environment, perfect for those seeking authentic Middle Eastern flavors.

Mozata

Rating: 4.7 (3,311 reviews)
Location: Párizsi u. 3
Hours: Opens at 8:30 AM

A casual bistro specializing in hearty Lebanese fare, Mozata is celebrated for its Halal food and cozy atmosphere.

Bistro Dash Cafe

Rating: 4.6 (747 reviews)
Location: Vámház krt. 10
Hours: Opens at 10 AM

Offering a range of Halal dishes, Bistro Dash Cafe is a great spot for a relaxed meal with options for dine-in, kerbside pickup, and no-contact delivery.

Istanbul Restaurant

Rating: 3.9 (816 reviews)
Location: Károly krt. 2
Hours: Closes at 6 AM, Reopens at 10 AM

This Turkish restaurant offers healthy and affordable Halal food, making it a convenient option for budget-conscious diners.

Indus Restaurant

Rating: 4.7 (113 reviews)
Location: Ráday u. 23
Hours: Opens at 12 PM

Specializing in Indian cuisine, Indus Restaurant provides an authentic Halal dining experience with options for dine-in, takeaway, and no-contact delivery.

Amin Gyros Turkish Restaurant

Rating: 4.8 (278 reviews)
Location: Ráday u. 49
Hours: Opens at 10:30 AM

Known for its flavorful gyros and Turkish dishes, Amin Gyros is a favorite among Halal food enthusiasts in Budapest.

ZAIQA Restaurant

Rating: 4.9 (2,005 reviews)
Location: Ferenc krt. 36-ground floor 2
Hours: Opens at 11 AM

Offering original (Pakistani) and Indian flavors, ZAIQA Restaurant is celebrated for its exceptional Halal food and warm hospitality.

Mughal Shahi

Rating: 4.4 (271 reviews)
Location: Városmajor u. 57
Hours: Opens at 12 PM

This (Pakistani) restaurant offers a great authentic Halal dining experience, attracting food lovers from all over the city.

NOOR Lounge & Restaurant

Rating: 4.5 (834 reviews)
Location: Alagút u. 4
Hours: Opens at 1 PM

Specializing in Middle Eastern cuisine, NOOR Lounge & Restaurant is known for its delicious Halal food and inviting ambiance.

Deshi Dine Taste of Home

Rating: 4.8 (624 reviews)
Location: Dob u. 53
Hours: Opens at 12 PM

A Bangladeshi restaurant offering good Halal food, Deshi Dine Taste of Home provides a homely dining experience with authentic flavors.

MaghrebTaste: ALGERIAN CUISINE

Rating: 4.7 (134 reviews)
Location: Murányi u. 11
Hours: Opens at 11 AM

This Algerian restaurant offers a unique Halal dining experience with a variety of dishes that transport diners to the Maghreb region.

Szeráj Turkish Restaurant

Rating: 4.3 (9,179 reviews)
Location: Szent István krt. 13
Hours: Opens at 10 AM

A well-known Turkish fast-food joint, Szeráj Turkish Restaurant offers a good variety of delicious Halal food, making it a popular choice among locals and tourists.

Kashmiri Restaurant Budapest

Rating: 4.3 (853 reviews)
Location: Népszínház u. 23
Hours: Opens at 11 AM

This (Pakistani) restaurant is praised for its great Halal food and welcoming atmosphere, providing an excellent dining experience for all.

Budapest’s Halal dining scene is diverse and vibrant, catering to a variety of tastes and preferences. Whether you’re in the mood for (Turkish), (Pakistani), Indian, or Middle Eastern cuisine, you’ll find a restaurant that offers delicious Halal food and a warm, inviting atmosphere.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Budapest

Budapest - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Budapest, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Budapest. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Budapest and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Budapest. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Budapest. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations in Budapest: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Budapest.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Budapest: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Budapest, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Budapest.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Budapest, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Budapest, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Budapest and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Budapest, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Budapest, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Budapest without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Budapest is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Budapest.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Budapest is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Budapest, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Budapest Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Budapest

eHalal Group Budapest is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Budapest. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Budapest.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Budapest ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Budapest. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Budapest, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Budapest are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at info@ehalal.io

Ramadan 2024 Celebrations in Budapest

Ramadan 2025 in Budapest

Ramadan concludes with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which may last several days, usually three in most countries.

The next Ramadan shall be from Friday, 28 February 2025 to Saturday, 29 March 2025

The next Eid al-Adha shall be on Friday, 6 June 2025

The next day of Raʾs al-Sana shall be on Thursday, 26 June 2025

The next day for Mawlid al-Nabī shall be on Monday, 16 September 2024

Muslim Friendly Hotels in Budapest

• Actor Business Hotel Budapest
• Adina Apartment Hotel Budapest
• Agape Apartmenthouse Budapest
• Airport Hotel Budapest
• Alfa Art Hotel Budapest
• Alfa Hotel Fiesta Budapest
• All 4 U Apartments Agape Budapest
• Alta Moda Fashion Hotel Budapest
• Anker Palace Hotel Budapest
• Anna Hotel Budapest
• Art'otel Budapest By Park Plaza
• Atlantic Hotel Budapest
• Atlas City Hotel Budapest
• Atrium Fashion Hotel Budapest
• Attila Hotel Budapest
• Bara Junior Hotel Budapest
• Baross City Hotel Budapest
• Belvedere Hotel Budapest
• Benczur Hotel Budapest 3 Stars Wing
• Benczur Hotel Budapest 4 Stars Wing
• Best Western Hotel Art Budapest
• Best Western Hotel Hungaria Budapest
• Best Western Hotel Orion Budapest
• Best Western Parlament Hotel Budapest
• Best Western Plus Hotel Ambra Budapest
• Bo18 Hotel Budapest
• Boathotel Fortuna Budapest
• Bohem Art Hotel Budapest
• Boscolo Budapest Autograph Collection Hotel
• Boscolo Luxury Residence Hotel Budapest
• Botel Lisa Hotel Budapest
• Bristol Hotel Budapest
• Buda Castle Fashion Hotel Budapest
• Budapest Airport Hotel Stacio Wellness & Conference
• Budapest City Central Hotel
• Budapest Conference Center
• Budapest Hotel Budapest
• Budapest Marriott Hotel
• Budapest Museum Central
• Budapest Panorama Central
• Buddha Bar Hotel Budapest
• Burg Hotel Budapest
• Canada Hotel Budapest
• Carlton Hotel Budapest
• Carmen Hotel Budapest
• Casa Sol Hotel Budapest
• Casati Budapest Hotel
• Central Green Hotel Budapest
• Central Hotel 21 Budapest
• Centrooms House Budapest
• Charles Hotel Budapest
• City Hotel Budapest Tarsashaz
• City Hotel Ring Budapest
• City Inn Hotel Budapest
• City Matyas Hotel Budapest
• City Pilvax Hotel Budapest
• Continental Hotel Zara Budapest
• Corinthia Hotel Budapest
• Corvin Hotel Budapest
• Cosmo Fashion Hotel Budapest
• Courtyard Budapest City Center Hotel
• Danubius Flamenco Hotel Budapest
• Danubius Grand Hotel Margitsziget Budapest
• Danubius Health Spa Resort Helia Budapest
• Danubius Health Spa Resort Margitsziget
• Danubius Hotel Arena Budapest
• Danubius Hotel Astoria Budapest
• Danubius Hotel Gellert Budapest
• Drive Inn Hotel Budapest
• Estilo Fashion Hotel Budapest
• Eurostars Budapest Center Hotel
• Expo Congress Hotel Budapest
• Far Home Apartment Budapest
• Fortuna City Hotel Budapest
• Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest
• Fraser Residence Budapest
• Galilei Hotel Budapest
• Gold Hotel Buda Budapest
• Golden Park Hotel Budapest
• Gozsdu Court Apartments Budapest
• Green Hotel Budapest
• Hilton Hotel Budapest
• Holiday Inn Budapest Budaors
• Hotel Bara Budapest
• Hotel Castle Garden Budapest
• Hotel Central Basilica Budapest
• Hotel Erzsebet City Center Budapest
• Hotel Ferihegy Budapest
• Hotel Happy Budapest
• Hotel Lucky Budapest
• Hotel Mediterran Budapest
• Hotel Nemzeti Budapest (opening November 2012)
• Hotel President Budapest
• Hotel Regnum Residence Budapest
• Hotel Timon Budapest
• Hotel Zenit Budapest Palace
• Hunguest Hotel Griff Budapest
• Hunguest Hotel Platanus Budapest
• Hunor Hotel Budapest
• Iberostar Grand Hotel Budapest
• ibis Budapest Aero
• ibis Budapest Heroes Square
• Ibis Centrum Hotel Budapest
• InterContinental Hotel Budapest
• Jagello Business Hotel Budapest
• Judit Apartment Budapest
• K+K Opera Hotel Budapest
• Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest
• King Apartment Budapest
• Kings Hotel Budapest
• Korona Pension Hotel Budapest
• La Prima Fashion Hotel
• Le Meridien Hotel Budapest
• Leonardo Hotel Budapest
• Lion's Garden Hotel Budapest
• Locust Tree Apartments Budapest
• Mamaison Hotel Andrassy Budapest
• Mamaison Residence Izabella Budapest
• Marmara Hotel Budapest
• Medosz Hotel Budapest
• Mercure Buda Hotel Budapest
• Mercure Budapest City Center Hotel
• Mercure Budapest Duna Hotel
• Mercure Korona Hotel Budapest
• Mercure Metropol Hotel Budapest
• Mercure Museum Hotel Budapest
• Millennium Court Budapest Marriott Executive Apartments
• Mirage Fashion Hotel Budapest
• NH Budapest City
• Nordic Hotel Budapest
• Normafa Hotel Budapest
• Novotel Centrum Budapest
• Novotel Congress Hotel Budapest
• Novotel Danube Hotel Budapest
• Opera Garden Hotel & Apartments Budapest
• Opera Residence Apartment Budapest
• Oriental Hotel Budapest
• Palazzo Zichy Hotel Budapest
• Paradise Apartments Budapest
• Park Inn By Radisson Budapest
• Pension Villa Korall Hotel Budapest
• Polus Hotel Budapest
• Premium Apartment House Budapest
• Promenade City Hotel Budapest
• Radisson Blu Beke Hotel Budapest
• Regency Suites Hotel Budapest
• Rila Hotel Budapest
• Royal Park Boutique Hotel Budapest
• Rubin Wellness & Conference Hotel Budapest
• Silver Hotel Budapest
• Sissi Hotel Budapest
• Sofitel Budapest Chain Bridge
• Soho Hotel Budapest
• St. George Residence All Suite DeLuxe Hotel Budapest
• Star City Hotel Budapest
• Starlight Suites Hotel Merleg Budapest
• Swing City Hotel Budapest
• The Aquincum Hotel Budapest
• Thomas Hotel Budapest
• Trendy Deluxe Apartments Budapest
• Tulip Inn Millennium Hotel Budapest
• Unio Hotel Budapest
• Victoria Hotel Budapest
• Zara Boutique Hotel Budapest

Study in Budapest

Budapest's universities are sufficiently well-regarded and draw exchange students from near and far. There are a number of universities and other tertiary institutions in Budapests. Many of them offer degrees or courses in English, (German), or French. Particularly popular, even though not cheap, are the medical university courses offered in (German) and English.

• Eötvös Loránd University - The flagship university in Hungary, founded in 1635, offering bachelor, master and PhD level degrees in certain fields in English.

• Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music - Zeneakadémia | Liszt Ferenc tér 8 M1 Oktogon ☎ +36 1 462-4600 World-famous music academy in the heart of the city.

• Corvinus University of Budapest - Fővám tér 8 m 4 , Tram 2, 47, 47B, 48, 49, bus 15, 115 +36 1 482 5023 Opening Hours: Welcome Office Monday to Friday 09:00-12:00 - formerly the University of Economical Sciences, colloquially known as 'Közgáz': Offers Bachelor and Master courses in many languages

• Budapest University of Technology and Economics Műegyetem; Budapesti Műszaki és Gazdaságtudományi Egyetem (BME) | Műegyetem rkp. 3 m 4 , tram 19, 47, 47B, 48, 49, 56, 56A, bus 7 (to North end) Szent Gellért tér stop; Tram 4, 6 or bus 212 (to South end of the complex) to Petőfi híd, budai hídfő stop +36 1 463-1111 86843 B.Sc. and M.Sc. level engineering courses available for Foreign Muslims in English, French and (German) language at the International Education Center of the university.

• Semmelweis University Üllői út 26 m 3 : Corvin-negyed ☎ +36 1 266-0452 - The flagship institution in medical education and research, offering courses in English and (German). International students make up 24% of the total student population.

• International Business School - Nemzetközi Üzleti Főiskola, IBS-NÜF | @.hu Tárogató út 2-4 47.508056, 19.124722 Tram 56, 56A, 59B, 61 to Kelemen László utca ☎ +36 1 391 2500 - An institute of higher education offering numerous undergrad and some postgraduate programs, mostly providing Oxford Brookes University and Hungarian degrees in English and/or Hungarian languages.

• Debrecen Language School - Debreceni Nyári Egyetem Budapesti Nyelviskolája | Váci u. 63. II/1.

Stay safe as a Muslim in Budapest

• Central Emergency: dial 112
• Ambulance: 104
• Fire: 105
• Police: 107

Crime

Budapest is potentially one of the safest city's in the world for its size. There are no slums or neighborhoods you should avoid, particularly not in the tourist areas or nearby. As a traveller, you should take only normal precautions: don't show off your money and don't wear flashy jewellery. Magyars tend to be friendly with foreigners; racism or xenophobia against tourists is practically unknown.

As in most other big city's, pickpocketing is the most common crime against tourists. The rate of picked pockets is relatively low by Western European and U.S. standards and you're unlikely to have any problem if you follow some basic rules you wouldn't forget in Paris, Brussels or Vienna. The most important rules are that you never wear a backpack or purse on your back in public transportation or other places with a lot of people and make sure that you have your wallet in one of your front pockets.

Younger Hungarian policemen mostly speak some basic English. Tourists have no reason to be afraid of them unless they break the law.

During the peak tourist season, police patrolling major tourist areas are accompanied by bilingual or multi-lingual students who assist with problems or complaints. Police have also opened a 24/7 TourInform office in one of Budapest's busiest areas. It is located at Sütő Street 2, District V and they are able to receive complaints and render assistance in English and (German).

By night

Mostly there's no reason to have concerns about Budapest by night. In training and the whole city, including all the tourist areas, Pest within the inner ring road (the line of Szent István körút–Teréz körút–Erzsébet körút–József körút–Ferenc körút, popularly known as Nagykörút) and Buda are safe even before dawn. Most local residents avoid walking alone by night in outer zones of neighborhoods 8th and 9th in Pest, as these are shady, though not particularly dangerous areas. Areas in 8th neighborhood behind Népszinház utca - József körút can be a bit risky, although the neighborhood is CCTV monitored by the police. If you don't have special thing to do there, try not to have a walk at night at Lujza, Dankó, Magdolna Streets and their surroundings: also, it's not a very attractive area. Népszinház utca itself is not a very nice place after dark but not risky.

Some big panel areas on the outskirts of the city (parts of Újpest and Kőbánya, residential areas unknown by tourists) also not the best places to have a walk without knowing where to go. The area around Keleti pályaudvar is also not very friendly, but nothing happens. Avoid homeless people asking for money or selling something in the big underpasses. The subway at Nyugati tér collects different types of people; it is generally not risky because of heavy traffic day and night, but try not to look very "lost" there.

Beautiful during the day, bigger public parks like Városliget, are better avoided at night. Don't take a healthy walk at Népliget after dark. The famous 'chill-out' place at Római part (3rd neighborhood) can be deserted especially after 01:00 and in the winter season, although it's safe. Don't go to the dark paths alone around Citadella at night.

Night buses and the tram no.6 passing through the downtown can be very crowded at peak socialising times on Friday and Saturday nights. You may come across aggressive drunk youngsters on the vehicles or at the stops. Keep a low profile or avoid the public transportation system on weekend nights. Major night lines are now guarded by security staff.

Medical Issues in Budapest

• Emergencies: ☎ 112 (free call)
• Ambulance: ☎ 104 (free call)
• For pharmacies, see each of our neighborhood articles. Each of Budapest's 23 neighborhoods has a pharmacy that is open in the evenings, on a varying rotation.
• Emergency treatment centres (Hungarian: Orvosi Ügyelet) are open 24/7.

Travel Guides.

• Emergency Dental - Központi Stomatológiai Intézet | VIII. Szentkirályi u. 40- GPS: 47.48958, 19.066415 m 3 , m 4 : Kálvin tér further bus 9 to stop 'Szentkirályi utca' ☎ +36 1 3176600 Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 20:00-08:00, Saturday Sunday 24 hours

}} I. and XII. neighborhood Joint Emergency Medical Service for adults - Sürgősségi orvosi ügyelet XII. Beethoven utca. 8 GPS 47.49326,19.01872 Tram 59, 59A, 59B from m 2 : 'Széll Kálmán tér' ☎ +36 1 2126636 24/7 - . Outpatient and home patient care. Emergency services free (for European) with European Health Insurance Card, Card replacement form or E-112 Card.

• Emergency medical service for kids - Gyermekorvosi ügyelet (FŐNIX SOS Route ) | XII. Diós árok 1-3. main entrance 47.5107, 19.003526 St. John Hospital, Bldg. 24. (Doktor Kluge Endre út) - m 2 : Széll Kálmán tér further tram 56, 56A, 59, 59B, 61 to stop 'Szent János Kórház' ☎ +36 1 2125979, +36 1 458 4500 Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 20:00-08:00, Saturday Sunday 24 hours Emergency services free (for European) with European Health Insurance Card, Card replacement form or E-112 Card. +phone (special for Foreign Muslims) +36 20 9990025

Telecommunications in Budapest

Mobile phones work in the metro, even in tunnels between stations.

Cope in Budapest

Embassies & Consulates in Budapest

Azerbaijan Eötvös utca : Deák Ferenc tér ☎ +36 1 374-6070, +36 1 374-6071 Monday to Friday 09:00–18:00 Single entry €60, processing time 10 days.

Egypt 1125 Istenhegyi út. 7/B - Széll Kálmán tér & bus 21, 21A to Kék Golyó utca ☎ +36 1 225-2150 +361 2258596 Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 09:00-15:00

India Búzavirág utca 14, ☎ +36 1 325-7742 +36 1 325-7745 Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 09:00-17:30 Visa €55 Visa Application Monday - Thursday 10:00-12:00, Collection of Visa 16:00-17:00

Philippines - Filippin Köztársaság Nagykövetség | Gábor Áron utca 58 47.521, 19.012 M2: ☎ +36 1 391 4300 Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 08:00-17:00

Saudi Arabia - سفارة المملكة العربية السعودية سعود | Bérc utca, 16 ☎ +36 1 436-9500 Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 09:00-15:00

Spain | Eötvös utca 11/B : Oktogon ☎ +36 1 202 40 06, +36 1 202 40 15 +36 1 202 42 06 Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 09:00 - 16:30 -

More Muslim friendly Destinations from Budapest

Day tours

• Apaj 47.11337, 19.08772 50 kilometers from Budapest Take a tour in the Upper Kiskunsag Plain which is part of the Kiskunsag National Park and the closest Puszta.

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