Find out more about Budapest and its surroundings! You can download an e-brochure here or visit the official website of the Budapest Tourism Office. If you are planning a visit to Budapest the Budapest City Guide (5MB pdf) is a must to take with you.
Driving in Hungary
There is a zero tolerance policy with respect to drink driving, if you consume a drop of alcohol, do not get behind the wheel. Outside urban areas, vehicle headlights must be on at all times, even during the day. The M1, M3, M5 and M7 motorways are toll roads, stickers must be purchased in advance at petrol stations and on-line. A four day pass costs 1170 Ft, a weekly pass 2550 Ft, and a monthly pass 4200 Ft.
Around Budapest
Budapest is a fascinating and vibrant city, but there is plenty more to see in the coutryside. The most obvious tours are to the artists’ colony in picturesque Szentendre and the famous Danube Bend, taking in the former religious centres of Esztergom and Visegrád to the North, all of which can be reached by boat. The small town of Gödöllö, just 30 km east of Budapest, is the site of Hungary’s largest Baroque mansion and a great location for a concert and a picnic on the grounds. The HÉV (urban railway) will take you there from Örs Vezér tér.
Szentendre
The delightful Baroque old town of Szentendre is packed with galleries and museums, as well as a host of homely restaurants and pleasant outdoor cafés. The cobbled streets, secret gardens and attractive townhouses are worth exploring in their own right, and you don't need to venture far up the hillside to find a local vineyard and a spectacular view. A summer festival of concerts and dance performances begins in late June and culminates on Saint Stephen's Day on August 20. The Skanzen open-air museum, 4 kilometres to the west of Szentendre, is Hungary's largest collection of rural architecture and is designed to give visitors a feel for life outside the capital.
Visegrád
Your first glimpse of Visegrád as you approach by boat will be the eye-catching ruins of the citadel, perched high above Danube Bend. Making the trek to the summit is a must, you will be rewarded with a spectacular view of the river below. The small town below, Solomon's Tower and the Royal Palace to the north hark back to Visegrád's hayday before the Mongol invasion and are also worth exploring. The surrounding hills offer panoramic hiking for those with more time and energy, as well as a summer bobsleigh course.
Esztergom
Another 25 kilometres up the Danube from Szentendre, Esztergom is famous for its imposing hilltop Basilica and its memorable location on the Danube. The home of Hungarian Catholicism and formally the state capital, the town is steeped in a history stretching back to the days of Saint Stephen. The town maintains a uniquely Hungarian charm that is manifested in a glut of traditional restaurants.
Pilis and Börzsöny Highlands
The hills around the Danube to the north of Budapest are a perfect escape from the traffic and noise of Budapest and offer a natural world easily accessible by HÉV for day-trippers looking to stretch their legs. The colours of Autumn enhance the rolling woodlands further and sharp-eyed visitors have a good chance of glimpsing a deer or wild boar.
The Royal Palace in Gödöllő
Just 30 kilometres east of Budapest, the impressive Baroque mansion was the summer residence of Empress Elizabeth (known affectionately as Sissi). Today, it provides a breathtaking backdrop for concerts and opera performances all year round, including the Baroque Palace days in August, the International Harp Festival and the Franz Liszt Piano Festival.
Taxis
Outside the capital, taxi drivers are less prone to unscrupulous pricing and can usually be flagged down on the street without any problems. Ask what the fare will be to the destination before departure. Always check to make sure there is a meter, running in the taxi.
Hotels around Budapest
Thermal Hotel Visegrád****superior
Brand new wellness & conference hotel in the pictureque Danube-bend with own spa facilities.
Pólus Palace Thermal Golf Club Hotel***** Göd
Only 20 minutes from downtown, a unique complex waits for those who need recreation, the lovers of sport and the participants of conferences.
Castle Hotel Szirák****
Less than an hour drive from Budapest to the North-East, a real gem of the Forever Resorts holiday chain.
Heaven is a direct line to God
The Times, October 23, 2004
Ronald Gribble finds himself in paradise as he notches up 2,500 miles on a train buffs’ dream trip around Central Europe
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Camaraderie and goulash
The Times, October 23, 2004
Jill Crawshaw enters into the spirit of Magyar tradition aboard the Royal Hungarian Express, where imperial indulgence meets communist chic.
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