But before we begin, let’s dispense with some disclaimers – embarking on this daytime tour will only give you a minimal experience of admiring Budapest landmarks and culture, and of course, there is always a possibility that unexpected circumstances could slow down the journey, or could even cause you to miss your connecting flight… so, if you are the nervous type who would prefer not to take chances, then we encourage you to enjoy Budapest Airport’s many pleasant services during your long layover on this trip, and come back again another time to truly experience the city with a stress-free mentality.
However, if you’re up for an action-packed few hours of fast fascination amid the amazements of the Magyar metropolis, read on – and please note that we include a couple of “escape plans” along the way in case you realize that time is getting tight, and you need to cut the tour short to get back to the airport, pronto. We recommend only taking this tour if your layover is a minimum of eight hours; it’s possible that part or all of the itinerary could be completed in less time than that, but only attempt this at your own risk...
From the airport to downtown As soon as you arrive at the airport, exchange enough money to Hungarian forints to pay for your public-transportation pass and incidental costs during your tour; 10,000 forints (approximately 30 euros) should be more than enough, especially when considering that the currency-exchange booths at the airport charge exorbitant rates. Next, stop by the Budapest public-transportation (BKK) ticket booth to pick up a 24-hour Budapest travel card (1,650 HUF); using this pass is the most cost-effective way of taking this tour. Finally, drop off your baggage – even small carry-on bags – at the airport’s left-luggage office, located in the corridor between Terminal 2A and 2B; you will not want to be burdened down while on-the-go in this fast-paced touring plan.
To reach the city center using public transportation, our guide for getting to downtown from Budapest Airport provides all of the detailed info that you need, but all you need to do is catch Bus 200E to the metro M3 terminus at Kőbánya-Kispest and then ride the subway to the Deák Square stop, where you will begin the tour.
Pest side: from Deák Square to Margaret Bridge
After arriving at the Deák Square metro stop and climbing upstairs into the heart of downtown, you will be surrounded by one of the city’s most bustling scenes – Deák Ferenc Square is the main transport hub of central Pest, and even just people-watching here for a few minutes will give you a true taste of Budapest life.
However, this is only the starting point of our tour – from here, cross the small street in front of the adjacent Ritz-Carlton hotel into the parkland of Erzsébet Square, identifiable by its abundance of trees, fountains, and the huge stairway full of tables leading down to the Akvárium Klub, located underneath an artificial lake.
Walk along the busy tree-lined path past Design Terminal and Fröccsterasz (a great place to stop for a classic Hungarian fröccs wine spritzer, if you need a refreshing drink after your travels), and continue on ahead to cross busy József Attila Street, before strolling straight ahead on Hercegprímás Street, passing the Montenegrói Gurman grill on the left (or stopping in for a quick bite of meaty Balkan street food there, if you’re famished after your flight). Continue up Hercegprímás, and soon you will see the spectacular St. Stephen’s Basilica on your right.
After stopping into the Basilica for a brief look around, walk directly away from the church entrance through the plaza toward Zrinyi Street, and continue down this pedestrian lane past the Pizza Me branch on the right (a perfect place to stop for a takeaway slice). Continue along Zrinyi until it ends, directly next to the magnificent Art Nouveau-styled Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace on the left, and continue straight ahead to the Danube riverbank, where Budapest’s iconic Chain Bridge will be in front of you to the left.
After taking snapshots of the Chain Bridge and Buda Castle across the river, step downstairs to the Tram 2 stop on the riverbank and catch the first tram that is traveling toward the right when you are looking at the river (emerging from the tunnel underneath the Chain Bridge entrance, not heading into the tunnel). Once aboard Tram 2, try to get a seat next to a riverside window, and admire the moving riverscape view as the tram passes the Castle District and the Parliament building; continue riding the tram until the final stop at Jászai Mári Square.
After getting off the tram, you will see the busy Margaret Bridge heading across the river toward the city’s Buda side – turn left and walk along the bridge’s left side until reaching the midway point of the bridge. From this point in the middle of the Danube, you will enjoy one of the most beautiful views over the city when looking south, encompassing the Parliament, Gellért Hill, the Chain Bridge, the Castle District, and the Buda Hills. There is no better place than here to get a random passerby to take a photo of you in front of iconic Budapest scenery!
Buda side: from Margaret Bridge to Gellért Square
Once you’ve gotten an eyeful of Budapest’s amazing riverscape, turn around and walk halfway across the bridge road to the tram platform to the left, where you will catch the next Tram 4-6 heading toward the hilly Buda side. Ride this tram all the way to the final stop at Széll Kálmán Square. After exiting the tram, walk across the plaza toward the imposing red-and-white stone building (pictured below), and go up the stairs or escalator to find the number 16 bus stop, across the street and to the left. (ESCAPE PLAN 1: if you notice at this point that you are running out of time, take the M2 metro from Széll Kálmán Square to the Deák Square stop, and transfer to the M3 metro heading back to the Kőbánya-Kispest terminus and on to the airport.)
Climb aboard the small number 16 bus, and ride uphill into Budapest’s historic Castle District, traveling until the Szentháromság Square stop. Here you will be at the heart of the Castle District, site of the Matthias Church, the Holy Trinity Column, and Fishermen’s Bastion – from this latter lookout point, take a few minutes to admire the sweeping view over the Danube and Pest cityscape beyond.
After getting a few snapshots, walk back to Szentháromság Square where you disembarked from Bus16, and start walking left on Tárnok Street – unless you first want to stop into the venerable Ruszwurm confectionery (just a few steps away from Szentháromság Square) for a quick slice of classic Hungarian cake and a coffee.
Continue down Tárnok Street to Disz Square, and cross the plaza toward the right to the broad pedestrianized plaza that features sweeping views of the Buda Hills. Keep walking straight ahead toward the green-domed Royal Palace (which is well worth wandering around, if you have enough time), before turning left to the Funicular next to the gleaming-white Sándor Palace (the Hungarian president’s residence).
From here you can take the vintage Funicular (or winding stairways) down to Buda’s riverfront Clark Ádám Square, where you will see the Chain Bridge again in front of you. Looking toward the Danube, walk around the roundabout to the right side of the bridge and down through a small park to the riverbank tram stop, and catch either Tram 19 or 41 heading to the right (away from the tunnel under the bridge, not toward the tunnel). Again, try to get a riverfront seat and enjoy the panoramic views across the river toward the Danube Promenade, the white Elizabeth Bridge, and the green Liberty Bridge, disembarking from the tram at the Gellért Square stop. (ESCAPE PLAN 2: if you notice at this point that you are running out of time, take the M4 metro from Gellért Square toward Keleti Palyudvar to the Kálvin Square stop, and there transfer to the M3 metro heading back to the Kőbánya-Kispest terminus and on to the airport.)
Here you will be standing in front of the grand Gellért Hotel and Gellért Bath, with Gellért Hill and its crowning Liberation Monument looming high overhead; if you have enough time and energy, hike up to the Citadel at the top of the hill to enjoy Budapest’s most panoramic peak (or even a shorter climb up to the Cave Church will provide a nice perspective). Otherwise, walk across the ornate Liberty Bridge back toward the city’s Pest side, preferably on the left side of the bridge to enjoy the view north toward Gellért Hill and the Elizabeth Bridge.
Back to Pest: from the Great Market Hall to Deák Square
Perhaps by now you may be getting anxious about retuning to the airport on time, but fortunately (or unfortunately), the tour is almost over. After crossing the Liberty Bridge back to Pest, you will arrive at Fővám Square, the location of the world-famous Great Market Hall. Stop into this gigantic indoor bazaar to peruse the traditional Hungarian produce stands downstairs, while upstairs you will find plenty of stalls offering classic Hungarian delicacies like grilled sausages and lángos fried-dough delights, along with dozens of reasonably priced souvenir stands.
After getting your fill here, head back out the front entrance of the Great Market Hall and walk halfway across the street to the tram stop, where you will catch either Tram 47 or 49 heading deeper into Pest (not back across the Liberty Bridge). Try to get a seat on the right side, and keep looking out the window to catch passing views of the National Museum and the Dohány Street Synagogue as you ride to the tram’s final stop back at Deák Square.
From here, head back downstairs to the metro entrance and get back aboard metro M3 to the Kőbánya-Kispest terminus and on to the airport aboard Bus 200E. If completed at a brisk pace with hardly any stops, this entire tour can take just four hours or less (not including travel time from and to the airport), but it will surely make you want to return to Budapest soon to enjoy a longer stay!
